4.1803
Verifying CAGE codes prior to award
Contracting officers must verify every offeror’s CAGE code using SAM or the DLA CAGE search tool before awarding a contract to ensure accurate contractor identification.
Overview
FAR 4.1803 outlines the procedures contracting officers must follow to verify Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) codes prior to awarding a contract. The regulation ensures that the CAGE code provided by an offeror is accurate and valid, which is essential for proper identification and tracking of contractors in federal procurement systems.
Key Rules
- Verification via SAM
- Contracting officers must verify the offeror’s CAGE code by checking the entity’s active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). Active SAM registrations indicate that the CAGE code has already been verified.
- Validation for Non-SAM Entities
- If an entity is not required to register in SAM, the contracting officer must validate the CAGE code using the official CAGE code search tool at https://cage.dla.mil.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must verify or validate CAGE codes before contract award, using SAM or the DLA CAGE search tool as appropriate.
- Contractors: Must provide accurate CAGE codes and maintain active SAM registration if required.
- Agencies: Ensure contracting officers follow verification procedures to prevent errors or fraud in contractor identification.
Practical Implications
- This section exists to prevent errors, fraud, or misidentification of contractors by ensuring CAGE codes are accurate and current before award.
- It impacts daily contracting by making CAGE code verification a mandatory pre-award step.
- Common pitfalls include failing to verify codes for non-SAM entities or overlooking inactive SAM registrations.