Glossary / Registration
Commercial and Government Entity CodeCAGE Code
The Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code is a unique 5-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency's Commercial and Government Entity Program (DLA-CAGE) to each location of a federal supplier. Every registration in SAM.gov receives a CAGE code automatically. Foreign suppliers receive an NCAGE code. The code is used across DoW and civilian procurement systems to identify the manufacturer or seller of a part or service, appearing on DD Form 1423 CDRLs, on contract awards, on SF 1449s, and throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Why it matters to your pipeline
SAM.gov registration assigns the CAGE code, so a firm with an active registration has one, and many solicitations ask for it in the proposal. If your registration lapses, award and payment stop until it is active again. Primes often ask subcontractors for their CAGE codes too. One firm can have several CAGE codes (one per physical location), and putting the right code on the right contract and invoice avoids payment delays.
When this term shows up in an opening GovSmith finds for you, your vCM explains what it means for that pursuit and does whatever it calls for. You decide; we do the work.
Example
A firm wins a Navy contract but lists the wrong CAGE on its invoice, referencing its New Jersey office's CAGE while the contract was awarded to its California CAGE. DFAS rejects the invoice. The company corrects the CAGE on the next submission and is paid three weeks later than expected.
Find out what applies to you
Some terms will matter to your business right away and some won’t for years. A vCM can tell you which are which.