7 Common SAM Registration Mistakes That Can Lead to a GSA Offer Rejection

Preparing a General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) offer takes a significant investment of time and effort. While many contractors focus on pricing, technical narratives, and supporting documentation, one of the most common reasons a new GSA offer is the company’s System for Award Management (SAM) registration.

GSA uses the information in your SAM record to verify your business, confirm compliance with federal requirements, and validate many of the representations included in your offer. Even a small error can delay the review process or result in your offer being rejected.

To help contractors better prepare their GSA offers, Global Services is taking a closer look at some of the most common SAM registration mistakes and the steps you can take to prevent them.

What Is SAM and Why Does GSA Use It?

SAM is the federal government’s official database for businesses that want to work with federal agencies. Every company seeking federal contracts or grants must maintain an active SAM registration to be eligible for award and receive payment.

For GSA, your SAM record serves as the official source for your company’s legal information, representations and certifications, socioeconomic status, and other key registration data. Because GSA compares your offer against the information contained in SAM, your registration must be complete, accurate, and up to date before your offer is submitted.

Common SAM Mistakes That Trigger GSA Offer Rejections

• Your SAM registration does not indicate that you accept government credit cards for purchases up to the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.

GSA requires Schedule contractors to accept government purchase cards for orders up to the current micro-purchase threshold. If your SAM record indicates otherwise, your offer may not meet GSA’s requirements. Review your financial and payment settings in SAM and update them before submitting your offer.

• Your Section 889 certification is incorrect.

Section 889 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) requires contractors to certify that they do not use prohibited telecommunications equipment or services from certain restricted manufacturers. One of the most common mistakes contractors make is answering “Yes” to the Section 889 representation when the correct response for an eligible contractor is often “No.” The wording of this certification can be confusing, and selecting the wrong answer has resulted in many GSA offer rejections. Before submitting your offer, carefully review the Section 889 representation to ensure your response accurately reflects your company’s compliance.

• Your NAICS codes do not support the SINs you are proposing.

Your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes should accurately represent the products or services your business provides. If they do not align with the Special Item Numbers (SINs) included in your GSA offer, GSA may determine that your registration does not support your proposed offerings. Verify that your SAM profile includes the appropriate NAICS codes before submitting your offer.

• Your business information does not exactly match federal records.

Your legal business name, physical address, and Tax Identification Number (TIN) should match your Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state registration records exactly. Even small differences can create validation issues within SAM. Review your business information carefully and correct any inconsistencies before submitting your offer.

• Your SAM registration has expired or is close to expiring.

An inactive SAM registration makes your company ineligible for federal awards. If your registration expires while GSA is reviewing your offer, the evaluation process may stop until your registration is active again. Renew your registration early to avoid unnecessary delays.

• Your banking information is inaccurate.

Incorrect Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or banking information can delay payments and raise questions about the accuracy of your registration. Whenever your banking information changes, update your SAM record promptly and verify that all information is correct.

• You fail to respond to requests from SAM or the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

During registration or renewal, SAM or DLA may request additional documentation or clarification regarding your entity or Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code. Ignoring these requests can delay or prevent activation of your registration. Monitor your email and SAM account throughout the registration process so that any requests can be addressed promptly.

A Complete and Accurate SAM Registration Makes the GSA Process Easier

Your SAM registration is much more than a registration requirement. It is one of the first resources GSA reviews when evaluating your offer, and mistakes can slow the process or prevent an award altogether. Taking the time to review your SAM record before submitting your GSA offer can help you avoid unnecessary delays and increase the likelihood of a smoother review process.

SAM registration requirements are detailed, and some of the most important items are also the easiest to overlook. If you have questions about your registration or need help understanding GSA’s requirements, reach out to Global Services. We’re happy to help you navigate the process and avoid common mistakes before you submit your offer.