In 2026, SAM.gov is just the phone book. To actually bid, certify, and get paid, you need to log into the "back office" systems that run the federal government. If you wait until you win a contract to set these up, you will likely miss your first invoice date.

Here are the three systems you must register for today.

1. The "Money" Portal: PIEE & WAWF

The Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) is no longer just for invoicing; it is rapidly becoming the default Solicitation Portal for the DoD.

  • The Trap: You cannot register for PIEE until your SAM.gov profile is active.
  • The Role You Need: You must appoint a Contractor Administrator (CAM). This person holds the "keys to the kingdom" and approves everyone else in your company.
  • Why it Matters: If you aren't in PIEE, you can't use Wide Area Workflow (WAWF), which means the government literally has no mechanism to wire you money.

2. The "Certification" Hub: MySBA

Gone are the days of separate websites for Veteran and Woman-Owned certifications. As of late 2025, everything lives at certifications.sba.gov (MySBA).

  • The 2026 Change: The self-certification grace periods for SDVOSBs are officially over. If you are a Veteran-Owned business and you are not verified in MySBA, you are invisible to Contracting Officers for set-asides.
  • Action Item: Log in and check your "Recertification Date." The new system automatically syncs with SAM, but glitches are common. Verify your status is "Active."

3. The "Gatekeeper": SPRS & CMMC

This is the big one. As of November 2025, the CMMC rollout is live. You cannot win a DoD contract (even a small one) without a score in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).

  • The Requirement: You must post a Level 1 Self-Assessment score. This is a self-attestation that you meet the 17 basic cyber hygiene controls of FAR 52.204-21.
  • How to Do It:
    1. Log into PIEE.
    2. Select the SPRS icon.
    3. Enter your CAGE code and submit your score (max is +110, but Level 1 is a Pass/Fail check).
  • Warning: Contracting Officers are now checking this screen before they issue an award. No score = No contract.

Is Your Tech Stack Ready?

Don't let a "system error" cost you a contract. At Gallium Solutions, we handle the technical setup for you—from SAM validation to SPRS scoring—so you can focus on the mission.