Guides
Plain-language explanations of the terms and identifiers that show up on every contractor profile on this site.
What Is a UEI, and How Do I Find a Company's UEI?
What a Unique Entity ID is and three ways to look one up.
What Is a CAGE Code, and How Is It Different from a UEI?
A CAGE code identifies a business location, not a legal entity — here's the difference.
How to Look Up Federal Contracts Awarded to a Company
Which source to use for a quick summary, full transaction detail, or a specific award document.
NAICS Codes in Federal Contracting, Explained
How the six-digit code is structured, and how it sets small-business size standards.
Federal Set-Aside Programs: 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, and SDVOSB
What each program means, who qualifies, and how to find contractors using each one.
How to Read Federal Obligations, De-Obligations, and Fiscal Years
Why an obligation isn't a contract's total value, and why a fiscal year can go negative.