SAM is Coming! Get Ready

Welcome to all... To the Premier Blog for the most boring of subjects: Federal Government Contracting. The good news is that you will find nuggets of information that you can trade in for payments from the government. Hey, send me a question or two and I'll have more fun blogging! GB. Summer, 2012

Due to be released in the next few months, the System for Award Management (SAM) combines eight federal procurement systems and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance into one system.

Of particular interest to vendors is the change to CCR (Central Contractor Registry) and ORCA (On-Line Representations and Certifications (ORCA).

Fortunately, If you are registered in CCR, your company’s basic information will be automatically imported into SAM. Be sure that your CCR profile is completely up to date! Then you just need to set up your SAM account a little bit further as described at the SAM web site.

Those not in CCR will need to register with SAM. Even if you are in CCR, you will need to learn how to love and use SAM!

As you can see, SAM will require even more information than CCR and ORCA. However, it will help expedite the registration process and help prevent fraud.

Note: SAM is not entirely implemented at this time although web site has information you can use now. The following instructions will apply after the site is complete. Save this newsletter for future reference.

1. Go to www.sam.gov

2. Create a Personal Account and Login

3. Click “Register New Entity” under “Manage Entity” on your “My SAM” page

4. Select your type of Entity

5. Select “Yes” to “Do you wish to bid on contracts?”

6. Complete “Core Data”

• Validate your DUNS information
• Enter Business Information (TIN, etc.)
• Enter CAGE code if you have one. If not, one will be assigned to you after your registration is completed. Foreign registrants must
• enter NCAGE code.
• Enter General Information (business types, organization structure, etc)
• Financial Information (Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT Information)
• Executive Compensation
• Proceedings Details

 7. Complete “Assertions”

• Goods and Services (NAICS, PSC, etc.)
• Size Metrics
• EDI Information
• Disaster Relief Information

8. Complete “Representations and Certifications”

• FAR Responses
• Architect-Engineer Responses
• DFARS Responses

9. Complete “Points of Contact”

 

Your entity registration will become active after 3-5 days when the IRS validates your TIN information. Remember that this system is being implemented as we speak.

Expect changes and delays... but SAM is coming, and by getting ready now, you will save yourself a lot of frustration. Stay tuned for our next fantastic blog! Now get back to work! ;-)