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Post-Formation Playbook

Get registered everywhere contracting officers look.

Once your business is formed, you still need to get into every system the federal government uses to find vendors. Here’s the full registration map — what’s required, what’s optional, what VetBiz handles, and what you do yourself.

Federal Registration Bundle

One add-on that handles the required registrations.

The bundle covers UEI, SAM.gov, CAGE, DSBS, VA OSDBU, and DLA. GSA Schedule (MAS) and state procurement are separate because their timelines and complexity vary.

See pricing

Registrations in order

Federal registrations have dependencies. UEI before SAM. SAM before DSBS. SAM before certifications. Certifications before VA OSDBU. Two years of operating before a GSA Schedule. Below is the order you should pursue these — every step is a task you can save to your VetBiz dashboard.

Step 1GSA / SAM.govRequiredFree

Unique Entity ID (UEI)

Who it’s for: Every business doing federal work — required for SAM.gov, grants, contracts.

Replaced the legacy DUNS number in April 2022. Issued by SAM.gov. The federal government uses your UEI as the single identifier for your entity across every system.

Prerequisites

  • Active legal entity
  • EIN
  • Physical address (no PO boxes)

Steps

  1. Create or log in to your Login.gov account
  2. Request UEI through SAM.gov entity validation
  3. Submit legal business name, address, and EIN
  4. SAM.gov validates and issues UEI (instant to a few days)
Estimated time: 1–7 days · VetBiz support: Included in the Federal Registration Bundle.
Step 2SAM.govRequiredFree

SAM.gov Entity Registration

Who it’s for: Every business pursuing federal contracts or grants.

The System for Award Management (SAM) is the federal government’s primary entity registry. Required before any federal contract or grant award can be made.

Prerequisites

  • UEI
  • EIN
  • CAGE code (auto-assigned during SAM)
  • Banking info for electronic funds transfer

Steps

  1. Confirm UEI is issued
  2. Complete the SAM.gov entity registration (Core Data, Assertions, Reps & Certs)
  3. Submit NAICS codes (primary and secondary)
  4. Select set-aside categories (SDVOSB, VOSB, WOSB, HUBZone, 8(a), etc.)
  5. Provide POC information for past performance and contracts
  6. Submit — SAM activates in 7–10 business days
Estimated time: 7–14 days end-to-end · VetBiz support: VetBiz Assist handles every step. Included in the Federal Registration Bundle.
Step 3DLA (issued via SAM.gov)RequiredFree

CAGE Code

Who it’s for: Every business doing DoD work; auto-issued during SAM.gov registration.

A 5-character Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code identifies your business to DoD and federal contracting systems. Auto-issued during SAM.gov registration.

Prerequisites

  • Active SAM.gov registration in progress

Steps

  1. Complete SAM.gov registration; CAGE code is assigned automatically
Estimated time: Auto-issued during SAM registration · VetBiz support: Tracked during the Federal Registration Bundle.
Step 4SBA — DSBSOptionalFree

DSBS Profile (Dynamic Small Business Search)

Who it’s for: Small businesses that want contracting officers to find them.

DSBS is the SBA’s searchable directory of small businesses, used by contracting officers to identify qualified vendors for set-asides. Built on top of SAM.gov data.

Prerequisites

  • Active SAM.gov registration

Steps

  1. Confirm SAM.gov registration is active
  2. Log in to SBA Certify and update DSBS profile fields
  3. Add capability narrative, keywords, past performance, certifications
  4. Optimize NAICS codes for searchability
Estimated time: 1–2 hours · VetBiz support: DSBS Profile Setup add-on builds an optimized profile with capability narrative and keyword indexing.
Step 5Department of Veterans AffairsOptionalFree

VA OSDBU Registration

Who it’s for: SDVOSB/VOSB businesses pursuing VA contracts.

The VA Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization tracks veteran-owned vendors for the Vets First Contracting Program.

Prerequisites

  • Active SAM.gov registration
  • Verified SDVOSB or VOSB via SBA VetCert

Steps

  1. Confirm SBA VetCert designation
  2. Register on VA OSDBU vendor portal
  3. Upload capability statement
  4. Request VA buyer briefing if available
Estimated time: 1 day · VetBiz support: Included in the Federal Registration Bundle.
Step 6Defense Logistics AgencyOptionalFree

DLA Subcontractor / DIBBS Account

Who it’s for: Businesses pursuing DoD subcontracting and DLA tenders.

DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) is where DoD posts solicitations. A DIBBS account lets you submit bids and track DoD tenders.

Prerequisites

  • Active SAM.gov registration
  • CAGE code

Steps

  1. Create DIBBS account
  2. Set up vendor profile and NSN/NIIN interest list
  3. Configure email notifications
Estimated time: 1–2 days · VetBiz support: Included in the Federal Registration Bundle.
Step 7GSAOptionalFree to apply. Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) = 0.75% of MAS sales post-award.

GSA Schedule (Multiple Award Schedule / MAS)

Who it’s for: Businesses with at least 2 years of commercial sales, looking to streamline federal sales via a long-term GSA contract.

A GSA Schedule (now called Multiple Award Schedule / MAS) is a pre-negotiated, long-term government-wide contract. Agencies can buy from you off your Schedule without re-competing.

Prerequisites

  • Active SAM.gov
  • 2+ years of commercial sales
  • Financial statements
  • Pricing strategy
  • Past performance evidence

Steps

  1. Pick the Schedule category and SINs (Special Item Numbers)
  2. Prepare Commercial Sales Practices (CSP) disclosure
  3. Build pricing proposal
  4. Submit past performance evidence
  5. Submit via eOffer
  6. Negotiate with GSA contracting officer
  7. Award (3–9 months)
Estimated time: 3–9 months · VetBiz support: GSA MAS Application Prep add-on handles SIN selection, CSP, pricing, and eOffer submission.
Step 8State procurement officesOptionalUsually free; some states have small fees.

State Procurement Registration

Who it’s for: Businesses pursuing state and local government work.

Each state has its own vendor portal (Calif. eProcure, NY OGS, TX SmartBuy, Florida MyFloridaMarketPlace, etc.). Register where you intend to sell.

Prerequisites

  • Business formation in good standing

Steps

  1. Identify target states and their procurement portals
  2. Create vendor profiles
  3. Add state-specific veteran preferences and certifications
Estimated time: Varies — 1 day per state · VetBiz support: State VOSB / DVBE Assist add-on covers state-by-state routing.

Ready when you are

Run the full registration package.

One add-on, every system. We submit, track, and confirm — and add each step to your dashboard tasks.

See Federal Registration BundleTalk To Us