Federal readiness means four things: an active SAM.gov registration with a UEI, the right NAICS codes and size status, current certifications for any set-aside you pursue, and a small set of documents you can send on short notice.
Know where you stand
See which registrations and documents are in place and which are missing.
Watch renewal dates
Catch SAM.gov and certification renewals before they lapse.
Keep files together
Store core documents in one place your team can find.
Registration basics
SAM.gov registration gives you a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and, for most firms, a CAGE code. Registration must be renewed every year. If it lapses, agencies generally cannot award to you and payments on existing work can stop.
Renewal can take weeks when information needs to be revalidated, so start well before the expiration date shown in SAM.gov.
Dates worth tracking
Put each of these on a calendar with at least 30 days of warning.
- SAM.gov registration expiration (annual).
- SBA 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB/EDWOSB and VOSB/SDVOSB certification or recertification dates.
- General liability and workers' compensation insurance certificates.
- State business licenses and professional licenses.
- Facility clearance and personnel clearance reinvestigations, if applicable.
- Teaming agreements and NDAs with end dates.
Documents to keep ready
A capability statement, past performance summaries, résumés for key staff, insurance certificates and your SAM.gov representations and certifications cover most early requests. Keeping current versions in one place saves hours on every bid.
How CanAdd helps
A free CanAdd account includes a document vault and a 14-point readiness check that shows what is in place and what is missing. You can record SAM.gov and document expiration dates, and the dashboard warns you at 30, 14 and 7 days.
Dates come from what you enter. CanAdd does not check SAM.gov or SBA systems for you, so confirm renewals at the official source.
Fictional training example
A readiness snapshot
A fictional small firm's status before its first bid.
| Item | Status | Due | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAM.gov registration | Active | Expires in 24 days | Start renewal now. |
| WOSB certification | Active | 11 months | None yet. |
| Insurance certificate | On file | Expired last month | Request a new certificate. |
| Capability statement | Missing | n/a | Draft one page. |
Two items would have blocked a bid this month. Both were visible before a solicitation arrived.
Your review checklist
- Confirm SAM.gov registration is active and note the expiration date.
- Record your UEI and CAGE code.
- List NAICS codes and confirm you are small under each size standard.
- Record certification dates and recertification deadlines.
- Upload a current capability statement and insurance certificate.
- Set reminders 30 days before every expiration.
Free CSV worksheet. Opens in Excel or Google Sheets. No account required. Sample entries are fictional; replace them with your own source-checked details.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a SAM.gov registration valid?
One year. You must renew it before it expires to stay eligible for most awards.
Is the readiness check free?
Yes. Free accounts get one readiness check a month plus the document vault. Paid plans include more checks.
Does CanAdd renew my SAM.gov registration?
No. Renewal happens on SAM.gov. CanAdd reminds you based on the date you record.
Can my APEX Accelerator counselor use this?
Yes. The worksheet on this page is a simple list you can bring to a counseling session.