Deceptive Emails State You Must Complete SAM Updates…
-Then Charge for Work You Completed.
It has been a few years since GSA launched SAM and required all legacy CCR/ORCA users to migrate their information to the new SAM system.
To this day, contractors are still having trouble with the tedious and sometimes confusing registration process. Users are frustrated with the help desk and customer support they receive when trying to contact SAM directly – slow responses and long hold times.
Your time is limited and you want it done right, you’re trying to get business, not stumble through a painstaking registration process. To avoid these time-consuming tasks, some businesses are turning to third-party firms for help. With the growing number of these firms popping-up to assist companies with SAM registration and SAM updates so do an increasing number of deceptive marketing schemes to get your money.
Some third-party firms are getting more and more creative in their marketing efforts by emulating the look of government websites and making it seem like their spam emails are from government entities. Once companies engage, they lead you through a questionnaire that can be as tedious as the SAM registration or SAM Updates themselves and end with a requirement of payment to complete the registration (We have seen prices exceeding $600!).
Not all third-party firms are bad and requesting assistance with the registration process can be good business to ensure expediency and accuracy; but don’t pay to do the work yourself and be aware of misleading offers.
Things you need to know about SAM Registration:
- There is no cost associated with submitting a SAM registration or SAM updates, just your time;
- Any email you receive about your SAM registration NOT from a “.gov” or “.mil” is a third-party vendor, not the government;
- SAM offers several free video training on their site: SAM User Help
- Beware of government look-alike sites. The official government website is www.SAM.gov ; see below:
Only if the company administrator gives access to a third-party, can they go in and make changes.
Again, if you have the time, SAM offers several free video training on their site or through their youtube account.
Creating and updating your SAM record should not be problematic. At Coley, our consultants include these updates to our client’s profile as part of the contract management agreements at no additional cost.
This was extremely helpful I have had multiple emails asking me to re-register because of an outdated code. I now see what I need to do. Thanks so much
Brenda, great to hear that this article was able to help with your SAM registration. Let us know if you have any questions.
I continue getting the same company telling me about fake expiration dates, and then demand I pay them $2498 for them to fix like this:
Happy New Year and I hope all is well since we spoke last. I am reaching out to you as another year has passed and it’s time to renew your SAM Registration. What this means to you is if your organization’s Registration expires and the government owes you any payments, they will be placed on hold. Due to the new regulations that were passed by Congress recently, ALL registrations are undergoing a tougher vetting process and possible internal audits.
Your SAM Registration attached to Duns number ****** is due to expire by ****.
A Multi-Year SAM Registration will keep your organization active and compliant from 3 to 5 years. If there are any Regulation changes, updates, issues with receiving payment on a contract or if you just have a question about obtaining an Official Small Business Set Aside Certification (Woman, Veteran, Minority, etc.), contact me directly as that is why we are here. I have attached the Registration Request Forms for the following:
1 YEAR = $598
1 Year w/Certified Small Business = $998
3 YEARS = $1498 SAVES you $296
3 Years w/Certified Small Business = $1798
5 YEARS = $2498 SAVES you $498
If you pick the 3 or 5 year registration (with 78% of registrants choose the 3 year option), then we will maintain your registration and make your updates annually in order to remain in compliant active status.
I also noticed that you’re Not Certified as a Federal Small Business Set A-side. This means your organization is Not being found for these specific Set a-sides or No-Bid Contracting opportunities. 23% of all Federal funds MUST be AWARDED to Certified Federal Small Businesses. This is almost a quarter percent of funds that your entity is missing out on. I will also set you up to receive daily email notifications when a bid is released that falls within your industry and geographic areas that you serve. I’ve attached the Small Business Certification information along with the request form to obtain this certification for your organization and to be found for these specific solicitations whether you would like to proceed soon OR you may fill in the appropriate attached form.
Quick Question, Do you have a Personal Capabilities Statement(PCS) for your business?
This is a one page resume for your entity in a specific DOD Format that contracting officers prefer(see attached Marketing Information)
How are you locating contracts? Are you bidding or need help or not now?
Either most entities either have too much work or have no idea on how to locate contracts.
Thanks for sharing. I am sure it will help with others receiving the same template email blast.
Need to renew SAM. Been renewing it myself for 18 years. This year has become a major headache dealing with the changes.
Biggest problem no one seems to be available at help desk.
Thank you for reaching out to Coley. We can commiserate as SAM has been difficult for everyone. They require a notarized letter and login at login.gov now. The help desk has been overwhelmed as of late because of the changes. If you look for assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Coley as we can provide support on an hourly basis.