FAR 52.204-6—Unique Entity Identifier.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.204-6 is a solicitation provision that tells offerors how to identify themselves in an offer using a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and, when applicable, an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator. It defines both terms, explains that the UEI is the identifier used to identify a specific commercial, nonprofit, or Government entity, and notes that the EFT indicator is a four-character suffix used to create additional SAM records for alternative EFT accounts. The provision requires the offeror to place the annotation "Unique Entity Identifier" and the UEI in the name-and-address block on the offer cover page exactly as the offeror’s name and address appear in the offer, and to include the EFT indicator if one applies. It also tells offerors without a UEI to contact the designated entity at www.sam.gov to obtain one and lists the information they should be ready to provide. In practice, this provision supports accurate entity identification, proper SAM registration linkage, and correct payment processing, while reducing award delays and data mismatches caused by inconsistent naming or missing identifiers.
Key Rules
UEI definition and purpose
The provision defines a unique entity identifier as the number or other identifier used to identify a specific commercial, nonprofit, or Government entity. This makes clear that the identifier is the core reference for entity identity in the procurement record.
EFT indicator explained
The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix tied to the UEI and used to establish additional SAM records for alternative EFT accounts for the same entity. It matters when an entity has more than one payment account and needs separate records for payment routing.
Offeror must annotate offer
The offeror must enter "Unique Entity Identifier" followed by the UEI in the block with its name and address on the cover page of the offer. The identifier must match the offeror’s name and address exactly as stated in the offer.
Include EFT indicator if applicable
If the offeror has an EFT indicator, it must also be entered. This ensures the government can associate the offer with the correct payment account record when alternative EFT accounts exist.
Obtain a UEI if missing
If the offeror does not have a UEI, it must contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov to obtain one. The provision places the burden on the offeror to secure the identifier before or during offer submission.
Provide entity data for registration
The provision lists the information the offeror should be prepared to provide to establish a UEI, including legal business name, trade names, physical and mailing addresses, telephone number, date started, employee count, chief executive or key manager, line of business, and headquarters information.
Responsibilities
Offeror
Must ensure the offer includes the annotation "Unique Entity Identifier" and the correct UEI in the name-and-address block on the cover page. Must include the EFT indicator if applicable, and must obtain a UEI from the designated SAM entity if one has not yet been assigned.
Contracting Officer
Must include this provision in solicitations when prescribed by FAR 4.607(b) and rely on the offeror’s UEI information for entity identification in the procurement record. Must ensure the solicitation format allows the offeror to provide the required identifier information.
SAM-designated entity
Must establish unique entity identifiers for entities that do not already have one and support the registration process needed for offerors to obtain the identifier. Also supports assignment of EFT indicators tied to alternative payment accounts.
Agency acquisition staff
Must use the UEI information consistently in solicitation and award processing and help prevent mismatches between the offer, SAM record, and payment data. Should verify that the identifier and entity name/address are entered in the correct format.
Practical Implications
Offerors should verify that the legal name and address in the offer match the SAM record exactly; even small differences can create processing problems or delay award.
If an entity uses multiple EFT accounts, the EFT indicator must be handled carefully so payments go to the intended account record.
A missing UEI is a common pre-award problem; contractors should obtain the identifier early rather than waiting until the last minute.
The provision is about accurate identification in the offer, not just registration status, so the identifier must be entered in the correct block and format.
Contracting officers and offerors should treat the UEI as a data-quality control point: inconsistent entity names, addresses, or trade names can cause award and payment issues.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 4.607 (b) , insert the following provision: Unique Entity Identifier (Oct 2016) (a) Definition. As used in this provision- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator means a four-character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the commercial, nonprofit, or Government entity to establish additional System for Award Management records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see subpart 32.11 ) for the same entity. Unique entity identifier means a number or other identifier used to identify a specific commercial, nonprofit, or Government entity. See www.sam.gov for the designated entity for establishing unique entity identifiers. (b) The Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation "Unique Entity Identifier" followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Offeror's name and address exactly as stated in the offer. The Offeror also shall enter its EFT indicator, if applicable. (c) If the Offeror does not have a unique entity identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishment of the unique entity identifier directly to obtain one. The Offeror should be prepared to provide the following information: (1) Company legal business name. (2) Tradestyle, doing business, or other name by which your entity is commonly recognized. (3) Company physical street address, city, state and Zip Code. (4) Company mailing address, city, state and Zip Code (if separate from physical). (5) Company telephone number. (6) Date the company was started. (7) Number of employees at your location. (8) Chief executive officer/key manager. (9) Line of business (industry). (10) Company headquarters name and address (reporting relationship within your entity). (End of provision)