forProject Technology

Contract Line Item Number

Contract Line Item Number (CLIN)

Government Standards Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: A Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) is a unique number assigned to a specific item or service in a contract. It's used to manage, account for, bill, and track each deliverable.

Every item the Government receives under the contract must be tied to a CLIN, or to a Sub Line Item (SLIN) beneath it. The cost of each item that enters the Government's property records is tracked against its CLIN or SLIN.

What this means for you

CLINs let the Government track exactly what it's paying for and receiving, item by item, rather than as one lump total. They also support tracking of Government property once items are delivered.

Also known as
N/A
Used in
Government contract structuring; Government property accountability

FAQ

What's the difference between a CLIN and a SLIN?
A SLIN is a further breakdown beneath a CLIN, used when one line item needs to be split into smaller pieces.
Are CLINs set up after a contract is awarded?
No. They're set up when the contract is structured, before award, so every deliverable has a CLIN from the start.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
forProject