FAR 52.204-16—Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting, tells offerors how to identify themselves and certain subcontractors using a CAGE code or NCAGE code in their offers and related security documentation. It defines what a CAGE code is, explains how U.S. and foreign entities obtain one, and requires the offeror to provide the code with the offer, tied to the correct name and location address. The provision also addresses special situations where the code for the immediate owner and/or highest-level owner is needed under FAR 52.204-17 or FAR 52.212-3(p), and it makes clear that an offer should not be delayed while waiting for a code. In addition, if the solicitation includes FAR 52.204-2, Security Requirements, the provision requires CAGE coding for subcontractors needing access to classified information and for each performance location listed on the DD Form 254, unless the work is performed at a Government facility, in which case the agency location code is used. Practically, this provision helps the Government uniquely identify entities, validate registrations, support award processing, and maintain security accountability for classified work.
Key Rules
CAGE and NCAGE defined
The provision defines CAGE codes for entities in the United States and outlying areas, and NCAGE codes for entities outside the United States and outlying areas. The code must correspond to the entity’s unique location and be maintained in the DLA CAGE master file.
Offeror must provide code
The offeror must include its CAGE code with the offer, along with its name and location address, or otherwise prominently include it in the proposal. The code must match that specific name and location address, and the word “CAGE” must precede the number.
Code required before award
A valid CAGE code is required prior to award. The provision does not allow award to proceed without the necessary code tied to the offeror’s identity and location.
How to obtain a code
U.S. entities generally obtain a CAGE code through SAM registration, and DLA assigns the code during that process if one does not already exist. If SAM registration is not required, a U.S. entity may request a code directly from DLA; foreign entities must obtain an NCAGE through the appropriate codification bureau or NSPA, depending on their country’s status.
Do not delay offers
Offerors are instructed not to delay submission of the offer while waiting for a CAGE code. This means the offer should be submitted on time, while the code is being obtained or finalized as allowed by the solicitation and registration process.
Immediate and highest-level owner codes
When other FAR provisions require CAGE codes for the immediate owner or highest-level owner, the offeror must obtain those codes from the relevant entities and provide them to the Government. This supports ownership transparency and responsibility determinations.
Classified subcontractor reporting
If the solicitation includes FAR 52.204-2, subcontractors requiring access to classified information must be identified with a CAGE code on the DD Form 254. Each subcontractor performance location listed on the DD Form 254 must have a corresponding unique CAGE code, unless the work is performed at a Government facility, where the agency location code is used.
Responsibilities
Offeror
Provide its CAGE code with the offer, ensure the code matches the correct name and location address, and include the word “CAGE” before the number. The offeror must also obtain and provide any required immediate owner or highest-level owner CAGE codes, and must not delay submission of the offer while waiting for a code.
Contractor
For classified work under a solicitation that includes FAR 52.204-2, identify subcontractors requiring access to classified information with CAGE codes on the DD Form 254 and ensure each listed subcontractor performance location has the proper unique CAGE code or agency location code, as applicable.
Subcontractor requiring classified access
Provide its CAGE code, along with its name and location address, so the contractor can complete the DD Form 254 and related security documentation accurately.
Contracting Officer
Ensure the solicitation and award process reflect the requirement for a valid CAGE code, verify that the code is tied to the correct entity and location, and confirm that any required owner or subcontractor coding is addressed before award.
DLA CAGE Branch / SAM system / codification bureaus
Assign, record, and maintain CAGE or NCAGE codes, and provide the mechanisms by which entities obtain or verify those codes.
Practical Implications
Offerors should verify early that the CAGE code matches the exact legal name and physical location they are offering under; mismatches can create award delays or registration problems.
Foreign offerors need to plan ahead for NCAGE acquisition, because the process may involve a national codification bureau or NSPA and can take time.
The instruction not to delay submission does not eliminate the need for a valid code before award, so contractors should submit on time but still resolve coding promptly.
If the solicitation involves classified work, the DD Form 254 must be consistent with the subcontractor’s CAGE coding and each performance location; missing or duplicate codes are a common compliance issue.
When ownership reporting provisions apply, contractors should gather immediate owner and highest-level owner CAGE codes early, since those codes may not be readily available from the offeror’s own SAM record.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 4.1804 (a) , use the following provision: Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Aug 2020) (a) Definition. As used in this provision – Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code means– (1) An identifier assigned to entities located in the United States or its outlying areas by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Branch to identify a commercial or government entity by unique location; or (2) An identifier assigned by a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to entities located outside the United States and its outlying areas that the DLA Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Branch records and maintains in the CAGE master file. This type of code is known as a NATO CAGE (NCAGE) code. (b) The Offeror shall provide its CAGE code with its offer with its name and location address or otherwise include it prominently in its proposal. The CAGE code must be for that name and location address. Insert the word "CAGE" before the number. The CAGE code is required prior to award. (c) CAGE codes may be obtained via– (1) Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov . If the Offeror is located in the United States or its outlying areas and does not already have a CAGE code assigned, the DLA Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Branch will assign a CAGE code as a part of the SAM registration process. SAM registrants located outside the United States and its outlying areas shall obtain a NCAGE code prior to registration in SAM (see paragraph (c)(3) of this provision). (2) The DLA Contractor and Government Entity (CAGE) Branch. If registration in SAM is not required for the subject procurement, and the Offeror does not otherwise register in SAM, an Offeror located in the United States or its outlying areas may request that a CAGE code be assigned by submitting a request at https://cage.dla.mil . (3) The appropriate country codification bureau. Entities located outside the United States and its outlying areas may obtain an NCAGE code by contacting the Codification Bureau in the foreign entity's country if that country is a member of NATO or a sponsored nation. NCAGE codes may be obtained from the NSPA at https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx if the foreign entity’s country is not a member of NATO or a sponsored nation. Points of contact for codification bureaus, as well as additional information on obtaining NCAGE codes, are available at http://www.nato.int/structur/AC/135/main/links/contacts.htm . (d) Additional guidance for establishing and maintaining CAGE codes is available at https://cage.dla.mil . (e) When a CAGE code is required for the immediate owner and/or the highest-level owner by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-17 or 52.212-3 (p), the Offeror shall obtain the respective CAGE code from that entity to supply the CAGE code to the Government. (f) Do not delay submission of the offer pending receipt of a CAGE code. (g) If the solicitation includes FAR clause 52.204-2 , Security Requirements, a subcontractor requiring access to classified information under a contract shall be identified with a CAGE code on the DD Form 254. The Contractor shall require a subcontractor requiring access to classified information to provide its CAGE code with its name and location address or otherwise include it prominently in the proposal. Each location of subcontractor performance listed on the DD Form 254 is required to reflect a corresponding unique CAGE code for each listed location unless the work is being performed at a Government facility, in which case the agency location code shall be used. The CAGE code must be for that name and location address. Insert the word "CAGE" before the number. The CAGE code is required prior to award. (End of provision)