Exhibit Line Item Number (ELIN)
Government Standards
Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: An Exhibit Line Item Number (ELIN) is an identifier used on a government contract to provide additional detail about a deliverable beyond what's captured in the standard Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) or Sub Line Item Number (SLIN).
All property delivered to the government must be tied to a contract line item (CLIN) or sub line item (SLIN), which captures the acquisition cost of each item entering government property inventory. An ELIN supplements that structure with additional identifying information about a deliverable, and CLINs/SLINs themselves are established when the contract is structured, prior to award.
Why it matters
Accurately tagging deliverables with the right CLIN, SLIN, and ELIN ensures the government's property records and cost accounting line up correctly with what's actually being delivered. Errors here can create mismatches between contract cost data and government property inventory.
Also known as
N/A
Used in
Government property delivery and contract structuring
FAQ
What's the difference between a CLIN and an ELIN?
A CLIN (Contract Line Item Number) is the primary structure used to capture acquisition cost for delivered items; an ELIN provides supplementary descriptive detail about an exhibit or deliverable.
When are CLINs and SLINs established?
They're established when the contract is structured, prior to contract award, and must cover every item the government will take delivery of.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
