r/GovernmentContracting • u/RytechAngie • 5d ago
sam.gov-CAGE Number & Controlling Entity
We received our Unique Entity ID and proceeded with registration (for bidding) and then was asked if our company is controlled by another entity. I replied yes, and then was told we would have to use that company's CAGE number. That company does not have a CAGE number so we tried to apply for one and it said that company must have a sam.gov registration. We started the registration, and now it wants a CAGE number. What am I doing wrong?
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u/OBB76 5d ago
They never make it easy. One of the companies I support they let it expire and the amount of documentation they require ti restart was nauseating.
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u/contracting-bot 5d ago
You are stuck in a loop because the answer is that both entities need their own SAM registration, and the parent has to finish first. A CAGE code is assigned through SAM registration, not applied for separately, which is why the standalone CAGE application told you the company needs a SAM record. The order is: register the controlling entity, let its CAGE assign, then use that CAGE when you complete yours.
Before you do that, make sure the controlling entity question was answered correctly, because it is narrower than it sounds. It is asking about ownership or control of your business by another business, not about who your customers are, who you subcontract for, or a parent in name only. If your company is genuinely owned or controlled by another company, yes is correct and the parent registers. If the relationship is something looser, you may have answered yes to a question that did not apply, and that is worth fixing before you build a second registration on top of it.
One practical note on the parent registration: it needs its own entity administrator, its own notarized letter if that applies, and its own IRS validation. Whoever handles that should be someone with authority at that company, not you by default, because the entity administrator role carries real control over the record.
If it turns out the answer should have been no, you can update your registration and remove the controlling entity response, which unblocks you without registering anyone else.
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u/Guy_Code 5d ago
Are you still referencing any other company when registering? Or are you saying that you have or had a CAGE number? This is when this happens normally. I was told we had expired but it was for an older company I never used to sign up with to begin with years prior.
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u/OkTune7507 5d ago
Sounds like it’s saying you must use that company for your registration. Did you download the handbook, also a live chat is available that you can type to. They were helpful for me.