Do I need SAM.gov registration to bid on federal contracts?

Yes, in most cases. FAR 4.1102(a) requires offerors and quoters to be registered in SAM when they submit an offer or quotation, and the provision at FAR 52.204-7 requires registration when submitting an offer and at time of award. There are listed exceptions, such as micro-purchases paid with a Governmentwide commercial purchase card.

How long does SAM.gov registration take to become active?

SAM.gov guidance says to allow at least ten business days after you submit your registration for it to become active. If the registration fails TIN or CAGE code validation, SAM.gov emails instructions and you must fix the information and resubmit.

How do I know if my SAM.gov registration is active?

Sign in to SAM.gov and use the entity status check: enter your Unique Entity ID or CAGE code and the registration status displays. Under FAR 52.204-7, an entity counts as registered only after the Government has validated the data and marked the record "Active".

Do I need SAM.gov registration to bid on federal contracts?

Yes, in most cases. FAR 4.1102(a) requires offerors and quoters to be registered in SAM when they submit an offer or quotation, and the provision at FAR 52.204-7 requires registration when submitting an offer and at time of award. There are listed exceptions, such as micro-purchases paid with a Governmentwide commercial purchase card.

How long does SAM.gov registration take to become active?

SAM.gov guidance says to allow at least ten business days after you submit your registration for it to become active. If the registration fails TIN or CAGE code validation, SAM.gov emails instructions and you must fix the information and resubmit.

How do I know if my SAM.gov registration is active?

Sign in to SAM.gov and use the entity status check: enter your Unique Entity ID or CAGE code and the registration status displays. Under FAR 52.204-7, an entity counts as registered only after the Government has validated the data and marked the record "Active".

What is the NAICS code for janitorial services?

As of 12 November 2026: The NAICS code for janitorial services is 561720, Janitorial Services, which covers establishments primarily engaged in cleaning building interiors, interiors of transportation equipment, and/or windows. The SBA size standard for 561720 is $22.0 million in average annual receipts, in the SBA table of size standards effective March 17, 2023.

Updated 12 November 2026, checked against the official sources below.

Steps

Look up the code in the Census Bureau NAICS tool or the 2022 NAICS descriptions file.
Confirm the code description matches the work you do (for example custodial, housekeeping or washroom sanitation services).
Check the SBA size standard for 561720 ($22.0 million in average annual receipts) against your average annual receipts.
Add 561720 to the NAICS codes in your SAM.gov registration.

What do the official sources say?

Source	What it says	Read
U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS Descriptions (code 561720, Janitorial Services)	"This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in cleaning building interiors, interiors of transportation equipment (e.g., aircraft, rail cars, ships), and/or windows."	12 November 2026
13 CFR 121.201 (eCFR), table of size standards	"561720 Janitorial Services $22.0"	12 November 2026
SBA, Table of size standards	"Businesses registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) must update their SAM registration in order to have their small business status updated based on the new size standards effective March 17, 2023."	12 November 2026

Questions people also ask

Do I need SAM.gov registration to bid on federal contracts?: Yes, in most cases. FAR 4.1102(a) requires offerors and quoters to be registered in SAM when they submit an offer or quotation, and the provision at FAR 52.204-7 requires registration when submitting an offer and at time of award. There are listed exceptions, such as micro-purchases paid with a Governmentwide commercial purchase card.
How long does SAM.gov registration take to become active?: SAM.gov guidance says to allow at least ten business days after you submit your registration for it to become active. If the registration fails TIN or CAGE code validation, SAM.gov emails instructions and you must fix the information and resubmit.
How do I know if my SAM.gov registration is active?: Sign in to SAM.gov and use the entity status check: enter your Unique Entity ID or CAGE code and the registration status displays. Under FAR 52.204-7, an entity counts as registered only after the Government has validated the data and marked the record "Active".

Find open contracts for your trade

Search the open federal contract opportunities on Bid Watch US, read every day from SAM.gov public data. Free, no account; a Monday email for your trade and state if you want one.

More help

All questions in the help center · How to find government contracts to bid on

This page restates official sources; it is not legal advice. Bid Watch US is run by Bikoosh, an independent tracker, not affiliated with SAM.gov or the US government.