FAQ: SAMS Account

To gain access to eFSAP, your eFSAP user role will need to be validated and you will need to complete the requirements for SAMS Proofing Level 2.

For RO and ARO accounts, please contact your designated FSAP point of contact to validate your user role.  For the entity “Super Admin” and “Entity Read-only” accounts, the entity’s RO can submit requests directly to eFSAPSupport@cdc.gov.

In order to gain access to eFSAP, the SAMS account requires Level 2 proofing.  If your account is only SAMS Proofing Level 1, then you will need to complete requirements for Level 2 proofing in order to gain access to eFSAP.

No.  However, you will need to complete the following steps:

• In cases where you are changing entities or if your contact information changes, please update the information under “My Profile” (left hand menu) at https://sams.cdc.gov.  “My Profile” allows you to update information such as your email or physical address.  It should be noted that updating your email will also update login identification.
• You will also need the entity’s designated FSAP point of contact to validate access associated with your SAMS account.

SAMS is a web site that allows public health partners and providers to access information and computer applications operated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Some of the applications or information made available to you through SAMS may be sensitive or non- public. For example, information might be displayed that could jeopardize a patient’s privacy. The SAMS Partner Portal is one of the ways CDC controls and protects this information.

To confirm whether you have a CDC SAMS account, log on to https://sams.cdc.gov or send an email to eFSAPSupport@cdc.gov.

You must register online. In cases where you might have access to non-public information, you may be required to provide proof of your identity as part of your registration. Accounts are not automatically generated and requests by email are required in order to process any new account.  If an individual already has a SAMS account for other CDC access purposes, the Responsible Official (RO) or Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) must send a request email to eFSAPSupport@cdc.gov in order to be granted access to electronic Federal Select Agent Program information system (eFSAP).

Access to eFSAP using a SAMS account requires authorization from the entity’s RO. An entity RO and/or CDC program administrator initiates the request for a SAMS account by emailing the following user information to eFSAPSupport@cdc.gov:

• User First and Last Name
• Email Address
• Full Entity Name
• Role requested

SAMS will ask you to verify that your name is correct and to provide the following:

• Your home address
• Your organization / employer and their address
• Your telephone number

The registration process consists of several steps:

1. Receive an Invitation: You will receive an invitation to register and instructions in your email from sams-no-reply@cdc.gov with the subject “U.S. Centers for Disease Control: SAMS Partner Portal – Invitation to Register”.
2. Go Register: You will go online and register with the SAMS Portal.
3. Get Identity Verification: If necessary, you will receive a second email with instructions and a request to provide proof of your identity.
4. Receive Access Approval: Following registration and identity verification (if required) your information will be forwarded to a CDC administrator for approval.

The information you supply during registration is used in the following ways:

1. To assist CDC and its programs in determining the kinds of applications and information that most directly relate to your role in public health.
2. To provide CDC and its programs with appropriate contact information.
3. To provide customization for your user experience with the SAMS Partner Portal and various applications. This could be as simple as greeting you by name or as complex as establishing the kinds of information or jurisdictions that are meaningful to you and your work.
4. To assist in the identity verification process.

There are multiple levels of access to eFSAP based on the user role.

• Accounts with full access must be requested by RO/ARO and verified by the CDC program administrator.
  • RO/ARO – full access
• Accounts for limited-access roles may be requested by the RO/ARO, or by the CDC program administrator with RO/ARO approval.
  • Entity Super Administrator – partial access
  • Entity PI – partial access
  • Entity Read Only – review only access

A RO/ARO can only make the request to remove eFSAP access for all account types.

Users must log in at least once every 60 days or the account is locked. If the account is locked, the user must contact the SAMS helpdesk to reset/request new password.

Users must log in once every 365 days to keep their SAMS account active, if they do not then their account is deactivated and removed from the system and the user must recomplete the registration process. This does not alter the eFSAP access permission level, which a RO/ARO must request be removed when necessary.

Users receive the following four email notices regarding account deactivation and deletion

• 30 Day expiration warning
• 15 Day expiration warning
• 7 Day expiration warning
• Day before the account expires

No. SAMS is part of CDC’s partner-facing web applications and is completely free to use.

Many CDC Programs use the SAMS portal as their entry point for partner-only information and applications. Once your SAMS portal access has been approved, you will be able to start working with your application(s).

CDC programs receive some basic information about you from the SAMS Partner Portal registration process. Since this information is very basic, some programs may require additional details related to your specific needs. These programs may request that you work with them directly to provide this information.

SAMS Partner Portal registration can be completed in as little as ten (10) minutes. If you are interrupted during the process, it is easy to start again at another time.

Once a SAMS portal invitation arrives in your email, you will have thirty (30) days to register. Following online registration, some users may also need to provide proof of their identity. Once these steps are complete, a CDC application administrator will review your information and approve your access. Although specific situations vary, access approval is usually completed within a few business days.

Identity verification is process required by the U.S. federal government to help ensure that the person registering for access to non-public information is who they claim to be. The verification process protects individuals and the public at large by helping to ensure that only trusted persons are allowed access to non-public data. Verification also protects you (the person registering for access) by helping to prevent someone from attempting to impersonate you and take actions in your name.

No. Identity verification is only used to confirm that you have registered using your true identity and that no one else is attempting to impersonate you.

If you are asked to provide proof of your identity, the CDC Proofing Authority will send you a brief form and instructions via email. You must do the following:

1. Read and complete the form (5 minutes)
2. Take the form and your ID to a Proofing Agent for their signature
3. Photocopy your ID documents and send them, along with the completed and signed form, back to the CDC

Assuming that you have ready access to a Proofing Agent, your side of the verification process can be completed in about 10 minutes. Once your materials arrive at CDC, they will be processed on a first come, first served basis that is expected to take 1 or 2 business days.

CDC currently accepts identity verification forms that have been signed by a Notary Public. In addition, the CDC program you are working with may have other designated agents available in your area. Please contact your CDC program directly or the SAMS Help Desk for more information.

No. Most people can complete the identity verification form with the information they carry with them every day. In some cases, such as a recent move or name change, you may need to provide an additional supporting document such as a utility bill.

No. The SAMS Partner Portal will not share your registration information with anyone except as listed below:

• The SAMS Partner Portal will share your name and business contact information with CDC programs.
• The SAMS Partner Portal will share you full registration information with the CDC Proofing Authority (if you are required to provide proof of your identity).

No. The SAMS Partner Portal will not distribute your email address to anyone outside of CDC. The SAMS Partner Portal will only send you email communications in reference to your portal account. All emails will begin with the following subject line: “U.S. Centers for Disease Control: SAMS Partner Portal.”

You can reach the SAMS Help Desk between the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM EST Monday through Friday (excepting U.S. Federal holidays) at the following:

Local: 404-498-6065

Toll Free: 877-681-2901

Email: samshelp@cdc.gov