On
Among other changes,
- DFARS 252.227-7018 will be updated to incorporate the SBIR/STTR Policy Directive. These changes include:
- adoption of a new term, “SBIR/STTR data,” which encompasses all technical data or computer software developed or generated in the performance of a phase I, II, or III SBIR/STTR contract or subcontract;
- adoption of a 20-year SBIR/STTR data protection period;
- inclusion of the new SBIR/STTR data category, which specifies (1) Limited rights in SBIR/STTR technical data and (2) Restricted rights in SBIR/STTR computer software during the SBIR/STTR data protection period (thereafter, SBIR/STTR data shall be subject to Government Purpose rights).
- Contracting officers are prohibited from requiring offerors to relinquish SBIR/STTR data rights or from rejecting offerors solely due to SBIR/STTR data rights restrictions.
- Similar to the guidance at DFARS 227.7103-10(a)(5), the proposed rule indicates that the Government may evaluate the impact of restrictions on the Government's ability to use or disclose technical data or computer software in a manner consistent with acquisition preferences and other guidance applicable to SBIR/STTR offerors during the source selection process.
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The proposed rule also makes changes unrelated to SBIR/STTR or the SBIR/STTR Policy Directive, including revisions to marking requirements to address the holding in
The Boeing Co. v. Secretary of theAir Force . The proposed rule:
- revises the marking requirements in DFARS 252.227-7013, DFARS 252.227-7014, and DFARS 252.227-7018 to create and require a new ''unlimited rights'' marking for technical data or computer software furnished to the Government without restrictions;
- limits the restrictive markings on noncommercial technical data and computer software to those specified in the relevant clauses (including prohibiting markings on unlimited rights data that would place restrictions on use by non-Governmental third parties); and
- updates the DFARS 252.227-7015 marking requirement for technical data pertaining to portions of a commercial item that were developed exclusively at private expense, which gives a contractor discretion to choose and use its favored restrictive marking consistent with commercial practices or other contractor preferences, to clarify that the restrictive marking used must accurately reflect the Government's license rights.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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