Commercial and Government Entity Code (CAGE Code)

Definition

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

You cannot be paid on a federal contract without a valid CAGE code, and many solicitations require the CAGE to be entered in the proposal. If your registration lapses, the CAGE becomes inactive and blocks award and payment. Subcontractors flowing down clauses that require CAGE identification (like DFARS 252.204-7012) need to manage their codes as carefully as the prime. Multiple CAGE codes can exist for one firm — one per physical location — and matching the right CAGE to the right work is a routine source of audit findings.

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.

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