The CAGE Code is a five-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency to every business entity that wants to do business with the federal government, particularly the DoD. Unlike the UEI, which is assigned by SAM.gov for general procurement, the CAGE Code originated in DoD logistics and is used across DoD contract documentation, facility clearance records, and foreign-trade clearances.
A CAGE Code is automatically generated when an entity completes its SAM.gov registration. Domestic businesses receive a CAGE Code; foreign entities receive an NCAGE (NATO CAGE) code through equivalent NATO procedures. The CAGE Code links a company to its physical address — a firm with multiple operating locations may hold multiple CAGE Codes, one per location. The code follows the firm through facility security clearance applications under the National Industrial Security Program and appears on every DD254 contract security classification document.
For small contractors targeting DoD work, CAGE Code maintenance matters more than for civilian-only firms. DoD contracting officers verify CAGE Codes during pre-award checks, and a lapsed code can stall award. Facility clearance applications use the CAGE Code as the entity anchor, so firms pursuing classified work must keep their CAGE record accurate and current at every operating location. The CAGE Code is one of the small administrative items that, when neglected, blocks otherwise-winnable awards.