What Is a CAGE Code? How to Get One and Look It Up

By Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, Founder and Lead Strategist, Global Economic Research Consulting (GERC)

A CAGE code (Commercial and Government Entity code) is a five-character identifier the federal government uses to identify businesses that sell to it. It is assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency’s CAGE Program Office and is used across federal agencies, especially the Department of Defense. For example, GERC’s CAGE code is 11SD2.

Do I need a CAGE code?

Yes, if you want to be paid on a federal contract or do business with DoD. You will also need one for systems such as DLA DIBBS and the Joint Certification Program (JCP), and many primes ask for it on supplier forms. A CAGE code is different from your UEI: the UEI identifies your entity in SAM.gov, and the CAGE code identifies a specific business location.

How to get a CAGE code

U.S. businesses do not apply separately. A CAGE code is assigned automatically as part of your SAM.gov entity registration, and it is free. Foreign businesses get an NCAGE code through their country’s NATO codification office before registering in SAM.gov.

1. Get your UEI and create your SAM.gov registration.
2. Enter your legal business name and physical address exactly as they appear in your IRS and state records.
3. SAM.gov sends your details to the CAGE Program Office for validation.
4. Once validated, your CAGE code appears in your SAM.gov registration.

Why CAGE validation gets delayed

• Your address in SAM.gov does not match your IRS or state records
• You used a P.O. box or virtual office as your physical address
• Your business name differs slightly between documents
• The CAGE office asks for documents, such as articles of organisation or a utility bill, and the request goes unanswered

See our UEI and entity validation service if your registration is stuck.

How to look up a CAGE code

• Search the entity in SAM.gov using the public entity search.
• Use DLA’s CAGE Search and Inquiry tool at cage.dla.mil.
• Check your own code in your SAM.gov workspace under your entity registration.

Frequently asked questions

Does a CAGE code expire?

The code stays with your business location, but your SAM.gov registration must be renewed every year to keep it active for contracting.

Does a CAGE code cost anything?

No. Never pay a website for a CAGE code. Consultants such as GERC charge only for preparing and troubleshooting the registration.

I moved my office. Do I need a new CAGE code?

Update your address in SAM.gov. The CAGE office will review the change and may update or reissue the code.

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About the author

Dr. Shirley Ayangbah is the founder of Global Economic Research Consulting, a woman-owned, California-certified Small Business (Micro) and SB-PW firm in San Bernardino (Certification ID 2045992; CAGE 11SD2). She holds a PhD in International Economic and Financial Law and an MA in Economics. Call (909) 454-7076 or book a consultation.