Watch the original Substack video, or listen below while you read.

If you registered your company in SAM.gov, it’s quite possible your entity might be sitting inactive right now.

This is something that’s very easy to miss. In fact, this recently happened to me, and I thought I’d just record the process as I renew my own entity on SAM.gov.

The good news: you don’t have to start over, you don’t need to pay anyone, and the renewal itself is mostly review work.

Check out the below checklist as it will walk you through the process. I also attached a step-by-step video if you prefer that style of tutorial.

The Checklist

☐ Confirm your registration is actually inactive

• In SAM.gov, search Entity Information by name. If it says “No matches found,” click the Inactive filter — that’s where it’ll show up.

☐ Sign in and go to your Workspace → Entity Information

• Pick “Renew or update an entity.” You’ll choose “update or renew my entire entity registration” — same as a new registration, but most of your data is already in there.

☐ Download the renewal checklist SAM provides

• It walks you through every section. Use it as your map. Expect 10–12 business days for IRS and CAGE validation once you submit.

☐ Review your core business data

• Mailing address, website URL, fiscal year-end date, DBA. This is where I changed my primary URL to govclose.com and made sure my DBA was reflected.

• Have your incorporation docs and EIN letter on hand. You will reference them.

☐ Verify your entity structure

• If you’ve changed structure since last registration (LLC → S-corp, etc.), make sure the boxes match reality. When in doubt, ask your accountant or attorney — not a YouTube video.

  If you want to launch and grow your career in government contracting, check out what it means to be part of the GovClose community

☐ Re-check your NAICS and Product Service Codes

• This is the section most people rush. What you actually sell may have shifted since you first registered. Open USA Spending in another tab, search keywords for what you sell, and see which NAICS/PSCs contracting officers actually use to buy it.

• Codes get retired. If SAM flags one as inactive, that’s your cue to refresh the whole list.

☐ Answer the representations and certifications honestly

• Inverted domestic corporation, predecessors, terminations for cause, criminal history — these are legal questions. The government tracks the answers. Don’t BS your way through. Answer honestly and request legal advice if needed.

☐ Read every FAR and DFARS clause before certifying

• Yes, every one. This is the longest part of the renewal and the part most people skip. By submitting, you’re certifying you’ve read them ..

☐ Submit, enter your one-time passcode, and wait

• You’ll get a confirmation. Then it’s 10–12 business days for validation. Done.

One Last Thing

If you’re inactive because government contracting fell off your priority list, that’s worth a second look. The barrier to entry hasn’t gotten easier, but the opportunity hasn’t gotten smaller either. Renewal takes less than an hour.

Rick Howard is a former government acquisitions officer and founder of the GovClose Professional Development Program.

Ready to go pro?

The GovClose Professional Training Program is built for people ready to commit to learning a new skill set, implementing that skill set, and working with a community of professionals who are serious about winning in the federal market.

If you think you have what it takes, set up an enrollment interview with the GovClose advisory team.