InLogic Awards Management System

What Is A SAM Background Check?

September 11, 2023 Comments Off on What Is A SAM Background Check?

How Does the Award Management System Work?

The System for Award Management, or SAM, is a website and portal owned and maintained by the United States government. It’s a free application that allows businesses, organizations, and federal agencies to obtain contracts and engage with the US government.

SAM was developed when the General Services Administration (GSA) merged many government award and procurement systems into one in 2012. It enhanced data quality, expedited operations by removing redundant data entry efforts, and eventually saved taxpayers money. SAM, on the other hand, is also used to:

  • Update or renew your entity registration
  • Check the status of an entity registration
  • Search for entity registration and exclusion data
  • Find government acquisition and procurement sources
  • Learn how to get financial grants and cooperation partnerships.

What Are the Laws That Govern SAM Background Checks?

Hiring an Excluded Person

Healthcare businesses that contract with the federal government are banned from employing or continuing to employ someone disqualified under 42 CFR 1003.102(a)(2). Hiring someone who has been excluded as an employer may result in the following penalties:

  • $10,000 in civil monetary penalties for any service an excluded individual or vendor gives.
  • Repayment of billed amounts for services delivered by the excluded party.
  • Refusal of payment for services rendered in breach of exclusion legislation.
  • Exclusion from government contracts, including Medicare and Medicaid, for organizations that violated the rule.

Other federal and state rules apply to general employment background checks but not SAM checks.

How Can I Perform a SAM Exclusion Search?

Employers may do SAM exclusion searches in two ways: personally looking for exclusions or working with a reputable third-party background service.

Let’s go through each approach.

  • Conduct a Manual Search of the SAM Database

Employers can search the SAM database by going to SAM.gov and selecting the search button in the page header. They can then choose entity from the domain and exclusions options. The employer can then input the search keyword for the person being looked up by entering their name and Social Security number.

There is also an advanced search option that requires additional steps and filters. Employers may need help to verify the SAM platform. It will also not reveal any other critical information that should be considered when hiring.

Attempting to do a SAM background check on your own may result in inadequate information or data that does not comply with other employment background check regulations, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

  • Collaborate with a Trustworthy Third-Party Background Check Provider

The most effective approach to execute SAM background checks is to collaborate with a reputable third-party background check service. They can search the SAM exclusions list and other relevant sanctions databases quickly. Furthermore, they will do additional relevant searches to offer a complete picture of your applicant’s past by the FRCA and other employment rules.

What Other Kinds of Employment Background Checks Should Be Conducted?

Beyond a SAM exclusions list search, healthcare companies should do further healthcare sanctions checks on their candidates and staff.

Other sorts of searches that may be relevant include:

  • OIG LEIE Check

The Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services maintains the List of Excluded Individuals Entities (LEIE). An OIG investigation examines whether someone has been barred from participating in Medicaid or Medicare programs. If an application shows on the LEIE, the following information will be displayed:

    • Date the punishment was imposed.
    • Whether the sanction is still current.
    • Violation type, if available.

  • OFAC Check

An OFAC check determines if an individual has been placed on the Office of Foreign Asset Control’s watchlist, which precludes them from conducting business. This search indicates if a person has been involved in illegal activities such as terrorism and individuals from embargoed nations.

  • Check the Fraud Abuse Control Information System (FACIS)

A FACIS check is a system that consists of many databases with differing degrees of information. The databases are continuously updated to guarantee that your candidates and staff have not engaged in government fraud or patient abuse.

  • Criminal Records Check

A criminal background check for employment indicates whether an applicant is under investigation or has been convicted. A criminal background check exposes the following information when an applicant has a pending criminal case:

  • Offense date
  • Offense type
  • Further, offence level (misdemeanour felony)
  • Disposition (if available)
  • Disposition date (if available)
  • Sentence (if one is provided)

Expungement laws exist in several states, allowing persons to apply for the removal of certain criminal records.

  • Employment Validation

Employment verification checks the following details regarding an applicant’s previous jobs:

  • Each employer’s name and contact information.
  • Dates of employment with each employer.
  • Job titles at each company.

This sort of search can assist you in ensuring that your candidate has provided accurate information on their résumé or application and has the necessary experience for the position.

  • Verification of Education

Education verification reveals the following details about an applicant’s educational history:

  • Name and address of each institution attended.
  • Attendance dates at each school or university.
  • Earned degrees, certificates, or diplomas.

This search can assist you in determining whether your application is trustworthy and has the relevant education for the post.

  • Verification of Professional Licenses

The following information regarding an applicant’s license or certification is reported via professional license verification:

  • Type of license certification.
  • Issuance date.
  • Expiration date.
  • License certification status validity.
  • Sanctions or discipline imposed

This search type ensures that your candidate has the qualifications for the position.

  • Search the Sex Offender Registry

If an applicant is a sex offender, a check of the sex offender registry discloses the following information:

    • Names and aliases used.
    • Registration date.
    • Address where registered.
    • Underlying crime prompting registration.

  • Pre-Employment Drug Testing

The majority of healthcare companies require pre-employment drug tests to establish whether an applicant has recently used any of the following substances:

  • THC (marijuana)
  • Cocaine
  • Opiates
  • Phencyclidine (PCP) Amphetamines methamphetamines

Job offers are frequently conditional on passing a pre-employment drug test. If an application is unsuccessful, the offer may be rescinded.

Use InLogic for Quick and Compliant SAM Background Checks

It is one of the several employment background checks that healthcare employers and other organizations that work with the federal government must do. This sort of search aids in identifying persons and vendors who have been barred from receiving government contracts and should be avoided by employers. At InLogic, we do SAM checks as well as a variety of other employment background checks.

Contact Info:

Website: https://inlogic.ae/
Email:     sales@inlogic.ae
Contact #: (+971) 42955773
Address:  Al Durrah Building, M06, Garhoud, Dubai