# How To Read a Contract/Order Procurement Instrument Identification (PIID) Number

###             Updated: Jan. 8, 2024        

A **Procurement Instrument Identification (PIID)** number is used to convey contract/order details that outline who issued the award, when the award was issued, what type of award it is, and identifies the agency assigned number for the award.

## Jump to PIID Position:

      - **Who Issued**: Positions 1 through 6: "***SPE4A7***-20-D-XXXX"
      - **When Issued:** Positions 7 through 8: "SPE4A7-***20***-D-XXXX"
      - **Type Issued:** Position 9: "SPE4A7-20-***D***-XXXX"
      - **Agency Assigned Number:** Positions 10 through 13: "SPE4A7-20-D-***XXXX***"

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**Terms Glossary**

The Uniform **P**rocurement **I**nstrument **Id**entification (PIID) is based on FAR 4.1603** and consists of a combination of thirteen alpha and/or numeric characters. The PIID is the standard vehicle for tracking and identifying awards.

                How To Read Procurement Instrument Identification Number                            The positions in the Procurement Instrument Identification Number identify characteristics about the contract number (PIID). Positions 1-6 identify the department/agency office (AAC). Positions 7-8 identify the last two digits of the fiscal year in which the procurement instrument is issued. Position 9 identifies the type of procurement instrument. Positions 10-13 identify the agency assigned number.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: John McCormickVIRIN: 231208-D-D0441-9001

An example PIID is SPE4A7-20-D-XXXX. The below sections define the meaning of the positioning of the characters.

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### *Positions 1 through 6: "**SPE4A7**-20-D-XXXX"*

The first six positions identify the acquisition support center **who** is issuing the award (i.e., DoD Activity Address Code).
      - DODAAC is a six-position code that uniquely identifies a Department of Defense unit, activity, or organization. To search a specific DODAAC, visit  DODAAC Search   .
      - Examples what the first four characters in a PIID indicate (not all-inclusive):          - "SPE4" - Aviation
        - "SPE7" - Land & Maritime
        - "SPE8" - Troop Support 
      - Positions 5 and 6 "SPE4 **A7** " are unique identifiers.

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### *Positions 7 through 8: "*SPE4A7*-**20**-D-XXXX"*

The seventh and eighth positions identify **when** the procurement instrument was issued or awarded based on the last two digits of the fiscal year (a fiscal year starts October 1st and ends September 30th). 
      - From the PIID example above, the number 20 indicates the fiscal year 2020.

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### *Position 9: "*SPE4A7*-*20*-**D**-XXXX"*

An uppercase letter in position nine indicates the **type** of instrument (award). Departments and independent agencies may assign those letters identified for department use below in accordance with their agency policy; however, any use must be applied to the entire department or agency (reference FAR 4.1603**). 

At **DLA Aviation**, the letters in the ninth position are (but not limited to): 
      - D - Indefinite-delivery contracts.  Can include any of the following common types of contracts (not all-inclusive):          - Federal Supply Schedules
        - Government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs)
        - Multi-agency contracts
        - Indefinite Quantity Contract (exceeds  simplified acquisition threshold (SAT)   )
        - Indefinite Delivery Purchase Order (below SAT) 
      - P - Purchase orders  below simplified acquisition threshold (a V may substitute P if numbering capacity of P is exhausted during a fiscal year)
      - V - See P , purchase orders below simplified acquisition threshold. If a Vendor sees the ninth position letter of V, it may indicate an Auto-Award.
      - C - Contracts  above the simplified acquisition threshold ( see FAR subpart 16.5   ) 
      - M - Reserved for departmental or agency use  (DLA no longer uses M)
      - G - Basic ordering agreements (BOAs)          - Note:  “Agreement” is the key word, therefore a BOA is not a contract.  
      - F - Task orders or delivery orders (DOs) issued against any of the following order agreements:          - Indefinite - delivery contracts
        - Blanket purchase agreements
        - Basic ordering agreements  

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### *Positions 10 through 13: "*SPE4A7*-*20*-D-**XXXX**"*

This portion is a unique number assigned by the **issuing agency****that identifies the exact award**.
      - Example: XXXX = Four position DLA assigned number (generated by Government)

Note on Awards Prior to October 2017
If your contract was before Oct 2017, review the following notes:
- DLA DO numbers were added on to the end of the basic contract number (e.g., SPE4A717D0134-XXXX).
- DOs or calls were identified by positions 14 through 17 (XXXX).
- Contract Modifications to DOs/Calls will add two digits in positions 18 and 19 (e.g., SPE4A717D0134-XXXX01).

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Contract Basics Collection Navigation

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Article is Part of the Contract Basics Collection. See all Articles:
- Contracting Basics: Contracting Instruments and Terminology
- How to Read a Contract/Order Procurement Instrument Identification (PIID) Number
- Common Government Solicitation and Award Documents
- Award Modifications
- Accessing a Contract/Award in DIBBS
Terms Glossary
Find meanings for acronyms, abbreviations and codes used throughout the process article below in the table:
Term UsedMeaning/DefinitionBOABasic Ordering AgreementDODelivery OrderDoDAACDoD Activity Address CodeFARFederal Acquisition RegulationGWACGovernment Wide Acquisition ContractsPIIDProcurement Instrument Identification

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