CAGE Code (Commercial and Government Entity)
A 5-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency to companies that do business with the federal government, used for contract administration and cataloging.
How It Works
The Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code is a five-character alphanumeric ID assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) CAGE program to domestic entities; a NATO CAGE (NCAGE) code serves the same function for international entities. CAGE codes are automatically assigned when an organization registers in SAM.gov (for domestic firms) or through NATO Support and Procurement Agency channels for foreign firms. The CAGE code is used throughout the federal procurement and logistics system: it appears on every contract awarded by DoD and many civilian agencies, is required on all Federal Supply Catalog items, and is the key identifier in systems like WAWF (Wide Area Workflow, the electronic invoicing system for DoD contracts), the Federal Supply Schedule database, and the Joint Certification Program (JCP) for controlled technical data. A single corporate parent may hold multiple CAGE codes if it has distinct operating locations or divisions that invoice separately. Unlike the UEI, which is a single identifier per registered entity, CAGE codes can also be assigned to subcontractors and non-SAM-registered entities that simply need to supply products through government catalog channels. CAGE code fraud, including counterfeit military parts sold under legitimate CAGE codes, has been a recurring target of DoD IG and DOJ investigations, with several False Claims Act settlements in the $10-50 million range over the past decade. Counterfeit electronics in the defense supply chain prompted the DoD Counterfeit Avoidance and Mitigation Plan and DFARS 252.246-7007 requirements that flow down to all tiers of defense contractors, with CAGE codes as the traceability backbone. Each CAGE code links to a physical location and point of contact, which investigators use to verify manufacturing provenance.
Related Terms
- SAM.gov (System for Award Management), The federal government's central registration database for entities doing business with the government, required for receiving contracts, grants, or other awards.
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) / DUNS Number, The 12-character alphanumeric ID that SAM.gov assigns to every entity doing business with the federal government, which replaced the 9-digit DUNS Number in April 2022.
- Federal Contract, A legally binding agreement between the U.S. government and a private company to provide goods or services, from fighter jets to IT consulting.
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About This Definition
This definition is part of the TaxDollarData Federal Spending Glossary, 46 terms explaining how the U.S. government spends taxpayer money. All definitions are written in plain language for taxpayers, journalists, contractors, and researchers.