GovCon Glossary

A five-character alphanumeric code assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency that uniquely identifies a specific business or government entity at a specific physical location. A CAGE Code is required to do business with the federal government and is issued automatically, at no cost, as part of SAM.gov registration; foreign entities receive an equivalent NCAGE Code.

A nine-digit numeric identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet that the federal government once required for SAM.gov registration and contract award. The Data Universal Numbering System was retired as the federal standard on April 4, 2022, replaced by the government's own 12-character Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), ending reliance on a third-party provider.

An organization that pools the purchasing volume of many member entities, such as hospitals, schools, or other institutions, to negotiate lower prices and better terms with suppliers on their combined behalf. In markets like healthcare and facilities, GovCon vendors may sell through, or compete against, GPO-negotiated agreements rather than through a direct federal solicitation.

The combined set of federal policies, processes, and technologies used to verify who a person or system is, issue and manage the credentials that prove it (such as PIV cards), and control what systems, data, or facilities they are permitted to access. ICAM underpins zero trust architecture and is a common compliance requirement in federal IT and cybersecurity contracts.

A 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to an entity through SAM.gov that serves as its primary ID across federal procurement, contract award, and financial assistance systems. Effective April 4, 2022, the UEI replaced the legacy DUNS number, is generated directly within SAM.gov, and never expires even though the underlying registration must be renewed annually.