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System for Award Management (SAM) Search Information

Searches for exclusions for award and contract renewal purposes should be processed through GSA’s System for Award Management (SAM).

Exclusion records identify those entities and individuals excluded from receiving federal contracts, certain subcontracts and from certain types of federal financial and non-financial assistance and benefits. These are also commonly known as "suspensions" and "debarments."

It is not necessary to set up an account to perform searches through SAM.

The SAM HELP Web page provides access to User Guides, FAQs and Helpful Hints for Government and Public users. It is recommended to download the first PDF document Under the Quick Start Guides for Search.

Quick Tips for Search Records

  • Select “Search Records” from the main navigation menu
  • Use the Quick Search
  • Company/Business Search:
    Enter the Dun and Bradstreet, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, company or individual name in the search field. It is recommended that the DUNS number, if known, be utilized for a specific company or sole proprietor to obtain the optimal search results; however, SAM does not have DUNS numbers for all firms listed; therefore, an additional name search should be performed. The name search should include the complete legal name for the company or sole proprietor.
  • Individual Name Search:
    It is recommended to perform the search on all individual’s listed within the response to a solicitation. Individuals are not assigned DUNS Numbers. If you are checking for an exclusion against an individual, search by the individual’s name. Search results for individuals may result in multiple records with variations on the name. The agency should request the middle initial or middle name from the individual to perform an accurate search.
  • Search Results:
    The search results will reflect "Has Active Exclusion?" with a "Yes or No." “No” indicates the entity does not have an active exclusion submitted in SAM by a federal agency. "Yes” indicates an exclusion record has been found, which will display in a box marked "Exclusion" in purple; check the status in the top-right corner of the box. If the status indicates "Active," there is an active exclusion for that entity. The agency is required to research the exclusion prior to proceeding with an award and if there is any doubt whether the exclusion record returned is the entity or individual, contact the Excluding Agency which created the exclusion record. There is a link to the Agency Exclusion point of contact in the record details.

Printing Documentation for File

It is recommended to use the "Save PDF" option for printing or saving purposes, which includes the date of the search. The date stamp is required for audit purposes.

It is not recommended to use the "Print" function as a date stamp may not be included.

Contact the Federal Service Desk at 866-606-8220.
Website: Federal Service Desk