As a GSA Schedule contractor, you have several codes that signify your industry, business size, unique identification, and location. One of these essential codes is the CAGE Code. The Commercial And Government Entity Code, or CAGE Code, is a unique five-character ID used in the government as an identifier for suppliers to the federal government. You may be wondering, how is this code different from your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) or perhaps your old DUNS Number? In this blog, we'll talk about the importance of CAGE Codes to GSA Schedule contractors and how you can get one.
What is a CAGE Code?
A CAGE Code is assigned by the Department of Defense's Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and represents your company's physical address for GSA's mailings, payments, and administrative records. In other words, the DLA uses CAGE Codes to track and identify businesses and their locations across the world. Government agencies may also use CAGE Codes to verify a security clearance or for a pre-award survey.
You need a CAGE Code to sell to the government, but don't worry, it's free to get one which we'll cover below.
How Do I Get a CAGE Code?
Registering with SAM.gov is the first step a company needs to take in order to sell to the government. If you have done business with the government before, then you're already familiar with the SAM site. If you are new to the world of government contracting, registering in SAM is the first step to doing business with the government and getting a GSA Schedule, so you will be knocking out a few tasks at the same time.
For U.S. Located SAM Registrants:
You do not need to have a CAGE Code prior to registering in SAM. Once you submit your entity registration for processing, SAM will send your entity information to the DLA for CAGE Code assignment if one doesn't already exist. Once the DLA assigns the CAGE Code, SAM will receive and apply the code to the entity registration.
If the DLA needs any additional information for the assignment of your CAGE Code, your Government Business Point of Contact (POC) will receive an email notification from the DLA. Please follow the instructions in the email to provide any requested information.
For Internationally Located SAM Registrants:
NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Codes are CAGE Codes for entities located outside the United States and its territories. Assignment of NCAGE Codes is part of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), and is required for all foreign entities before completing a SAM registration. You can apply for a NCAGE Code using the NATO Codification Tool.
Why Do I Need a CAGE Code As a GSA Schedule Contractor?
As mentioned before, obtaining a CAGE Code is a prerequisite for selling to the government. Your CAGE Code supports the procurement and acquisition processes. In addition to being used here in the U.S., CAGE Codes are used internationally through the NATO Codification System (NCS). This could be useful if you’re a company that sells products internationally.
Is There a Fee to Get a CAGE Code?
No, just like SAM registration, getting a CAGE Code is free and always will be. If you receive an email requesting a fee for your CAGE Code or stumble across a site asking for a fee to renew your CAGE Code, they are scam sites. This is very common with SAM registrations, so be sure you are dealing with all CAGE Code related tasks on SAM.gov or a related .gov site.
Do CAGE Codes Expire?
Yes--CAGE Codes are given expiration dates of 5 years based on the date of the last update received by the CAGE program. At this time, NCAGE Codes do not have an expiration dates unlike CAGE Codes.
Do You Need Help with Your GSA Schedule?
If you need help finding your CAGE Code or if you need help with any other requirements in the GSA Schedule acquisition process, we would be happy to help you. Our consultants are well-versed in the government contracting world, and are here to help you acquire and successfully maintain your GSA Schedule.
