How to check if a company is debarred or on the OFAC SDN list
Teaming with a debarred or sanctioned company can cost you a contract, or worse. This is how to check in minutes using official, public sources.
Updated Nov 2, 2026 · 5 min read
The two lists to always check
1. SAM.gov exclusions
An excluded (debarred or suspended) company or individual cannot receive new federal contracts while the exclusion lasts. A debarment generally lasts up to three years, depending on the cause; a suspension is temporary while an investigation or proceeding is pending. Agencies check this list before awarding, and prime contractors should check it before subcontracting.
DataCloud USA lists debarred and excluded companies with the excluding agency and the dates.
2. The OFAC SDN list
The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) publishes the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list: companies, individuals, vessels and aircraft with which U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing. Doing business with a listed party can carry severe penalties.
You can browse OFAC-sanctioned entities with their sanctions programs, aliases and addresses.
How to run the check
- Search by exact legal name and by UEI. The UEI avoids confusion between companies with similar names.
- Check aliases. Sanctioned parties often operate under other names; the OFAC list includes known aliases.
- Compare the address. A name match is not enough: confirm country, city and address.
- Review the full vendor profile. Each vendor profile brings together contracts, exclusions, OFAC matches, federal court cases, environmental history and other public indicators.
- Confirm at the official source. For any match, verify on SAM.gov and in OFAC's official search tool before deciding.
What "indicator to verify" means
DataCloud USA uses that wording on purpose. An indicator comes from an official public record, for example contracts awarded without competition or an address shared with an excluded company, but it does not prove any wrongdoing. It is a signal for whoever is evaluating the vendor to look more closely. Name matches in particular may belong to a different company with the same or a similar name.
Other public signals worth checking
- Contracts terminated for default.
- False Claims Act cases, the law against fraudulent claims for government money.
- Recent bankruptcies, which can affect the ability to perform.
- An inactive SAM.gov registration while still receiving contracts.
- Environmental or workplace safety enforcement at its facilities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a debarred and a sanctioned company?
A debarment (SAM.gov exclusion) bars a party from receiving federal contracts. An OFAC sanction generally prohibits U.S. persons from doing business with that party. They are different lists and both should be checked.
Does a name match with the OFAC list mean the company is sanctioned?
Not necessarily. It may be a different party with the same name. Compare country, address, identifiers and aliases, and confirm in OFAC's official search tool.
How long does a SAM.gov debarment last?
It depends on the cause and is decided by the agency; it generally does not exceed three years. A suspension is temporary while an investigation or proceeding is resolved.
This guide is for information only and is not legal advice. Federal contracting rules change: always confirm requirements on SAM.gov and in each solicitation.