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How to Verify a Vendor's CAGE Code Before Teaming or Subcontracting

Before you sign a teaming agreement or subcontract with another company in the federal space, verifying their CAGE code is a basic — and essential — due diligence step. A lapsed SAM registration, incorrect certifications, or mismatched entity name can kill a proposal or create compliance problems after award.

Step 1: Get the CAGE Code from the Vendor

Ask the vendor directly for their 5-character CAGE code. Any legitimate federal contractor knows their CAGE code instantly. If they don't know it, that's a red flag — or they may be a subcontractor who hasn't registered yet.

Step 2: Look Up the CAGE Code

Use the CAGE Code Decoder on this site, SAM.gov, or cage.dla.mil to look up the code. Verify:

Legal name matches the name on your teaming agreement or subcontract
SAM registration is Active (not Expired or Inactive)
Address matches their stated principal place of business
Socioeconomic flags match their representations (small, WOSB, SDVOSB, etc.)

Step 3: Check for Any Exclusions

SAM.gov's 'Exclusions' database lists debarred and suspended vendors who cannot receive federal contracts. Always search the Exclusions list in addition to the entity profile. A CAGE code can exist for a debarred company — the code and the exclusion are separate records.

Step 4: Cross-Check on FedAtlas.com

FedAtlas.com shows the full federal contract award history for any SAM-registered entity. This lets you verify the vendor's past performance, contract sizes, agencies they've worked with, and NAICS experience — all critical for teaming decisions. A vendor claiming 10 years of DoD experience should have a visible contract trail.

Decode Any CAGE Code Instantly

Enter any 5-character CAGE code to see the company name, SAM status, and certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a company have an active CAGE code but be debarred?

Yes. CAGE codes are permanent identifiers and don't get revoked for debarment. Always check SAM.gov Exclusions separately.

What if the vendor's SAM is expired when I need to submit a proposal?

Many solicitations allow teaming with an expired partner as long as they renew before contract award. However, this is risky — require all teammates to be active at proposal submission.

Should I verify a vendor's size certifications independently?

For high-value set-aside contracts, yes. SBA allows size protests — if a competitor misrepresents their size, you can challenge. For your own subs, verify their SAM self-certifications match their actual size.

See Contract History

FedAtlas.com

Full federal award data by company, CAGE code, agency, and NAICS.

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Quick CAGE Code Lookup

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