Federal Contracting Glossary
CAGE Code
The Commercial and Government Entity code — a five-character identifier assigned to a business location, used heavily in defense and logistics systems.
Definition
A Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code is a five-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to a specific business location, used to identify contractors across federal — especially defense and logistics — systems. It is assigned through the Defense Logistics Agency in connection with SAM.gov registration; domestic firms generally receive a CAGE code automatically when they register, while foreign entities receive an NCAGE code.
The CAGE code works alongside the Unique Entity ID (UEI): the UEI is the primary identifier required for SAM.gov registration, while the CAGE code is the long-standing identifier referenced in contracts, payment, and DoD applications such as WAWF. Most active contractors hold both.
How this affects your proposal
Make sure your CAGE code is active and its details match your SAM.gov record before you bid on DoD work — mismatched CAGE data is a common cause of registration and payment delays.
Common questions about cage code
How do I get a CAGE code?
Domestic entities generally receive a CAGE code automatically through the Defense Logistics Agency when completing SAM.gov registration; there is no separate fee. Foreign entities obtain an NCAGE code.
How is a CAGE code different from a UEI?
The UEI is the primary identifier required for SAM.gov registration and federal award systems. The CAGE code is a separate five-character identifier tied to a business location, used heavily in defense and payment systems. Most contractors have both.
Related terms
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