CRITICAL WARNING: Avoid Predatory Phishing

Never pay a third-party company to file an EIN, get a CAGE code, or register you on SAM.gov. These are 100% FREE federal services. Scammers frequently buy ads to look like official government sites. Only use the secure, verified .gov links provided below.

Entity & Tax Infrastructure

IRS EIN Online Portal
Official .gov

What it is

The official Internal Revenue Service portal to apply for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is essentially a social security number for your business.

When to use it:

Use this immediately after you legally form your LLC or Corporation. You must have an EIN before you can open a business bank account or begin your SAM.gov registration.

Access IRS Portal
State Business Registration (SBA Portal)
Official .gov

What it is

A Small Business Administration (SBA) routing tool. Because "Doing Business As" (DBA) or Fictitious Name filings vary by state and county, this tool helps you find your local Secretary of State's official website.

When to use it:

Use this to legally register your business name (LLC or DBA) at the state level before applying for your federal EIN. Never pay LegalZoom to do what your state lets you do for $50 online.

Find Your State Portal

Federal Contracting Portals

System for Award Management (SAM)
Official .gov

What it is

The central database for the U.S. Federal Government. SAM.gov is where you secure your Unique Entity ID (UEI), register to bid on contracts, and search for active Solicitations.

When to use it:

Once your entity is formed, bank account is open, and EIN is secured, this is your next stop. Registration is complex but 100% free. This is the lifeblood of federal contracting.

Access SAM.gov
Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS)
Official .gov

What it is

A massive database maintained by the SBA. Contracting Officers and large Prime Contractors use this search engine to find capable small businesses to award contracts or teaming agreements to.

When to use it:

After your SAM.gov registration is active, use the SBA portal to optimize your DSBS profile. Fill it with rich keywords related to your capabilities so buyers can easily find you.

Access DSBS Database

Market Intelligence

USAspending.gov
Official .gov

What it is

The official open-data source of federal spending information. It tracks exactly how, where, and to whom the federal government awards trillion of dollars every year.

When to use it:

Use this for strategic market research. Type in your NAICS codes or keywords to find out exactly which federal agencies buy your services, how much they pay, and who your competitors are.

Analyze Spending Data
Need Tactical Guidance?

Avoid the red tape

These portals are free, but they are incredibly complex and unforgiving. A single error on your SAM.gov registration can delay your business by months or trigger audits.

The Masterclass Solution:

Our Future CEO Training provides step-by-step, screen-recorded walk-throughs of every single portal listed above to ensure 100% compliance.

View Master Curriculum