DOD contract numbers can tell you a lot about the contract type, location, and when it was awarded. Knowing this can help you understand the different procurement methods while scanning procurement history.
A contract number (like SPE7LX-25-T-0603) is broken into sections:
SPE7LX – DODAAC or Agency code. This is the office that issued it.
25 – The year it was issued.
T – Instrument type (9th position)
0603 – Instrument number; Usually sequential, incrementing upward.
THE NINTH POSITION
Today we focus on this ninth position (when omitting dashes) of the Procurement Instrument Identifier (PIID). PIIDs can represent solicitations as well as contracts.
| Instrument |
9th position |
| Blanket purchase agreements |
A |
| Invitations for bids |
B |
| Contracts of all types except indefinite-delivery |
C |
| Indefinite-delivery contracts (IDC) |
D |
| Reserved for future Federal Government use |
E |
| Orders or calls under IDC; BPA; BOA |
F |
| Basic ordering agreements |
G |
| Basic agreements and loan agreements |
H |
| Not used |
I |
| Reserved for future Federal Government use |
J |
| Reserved for departmental or agency use |
K |
| Lease agreements |
L |
| Reserved for departmental or agency use |
M |
| Reserved for departmental or agency use |
N |
| Not used |
O |
| Purchase Orders |
P |
| Requests for quotations |
Q |
| Requests for proposals |
R |
| Reserved for departmental or agency use |
S |
| Automated award |
T |
| See Q, when out of numbers substitute this |
U |
| See P, when out of numbers substitute this |
V |
| Reserved for future Federal Government use |
W |
| Reserved for future Federal Government use |
X |
| Imprest fund |
Y |
| Reserved for future Federal Government use |
Z |
To learn more about PIID numbers:
https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/current/far/compiled_html/subpart_4.16.html
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