27.409 Solicitation provisions and contract

clauses.

(a) Generally, a contract should contain only one data rights clause. However, where more than one

is needed, the contract should distinguish the portion of contract performance to which each

pertains.

(b)

(1) Insert the clause at 52.227-14, Rights in Data-General, in solicitations and contracts if it is

contemplated that data will be produced, furnished, or acquired under the contract, unless the

contract is-

(i) For the production of special works of the type set forth in 27.405-1, although in these cases

insert the clause at 52.227-14, Rights in Data-General, and make it applicable to data other than

special works, as appropriate (see paragraph (e) of this section);

(ii) For the acquisition of existing data, commercial computer software, or other existing data, as

described in 27.405-2 through 27.405-4 (see paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section);

(iii) A small business innovation research contract (see paragraph (h) of this section);

(iv) To be performed outside the United States (see paragraph (i)(1) of this section);

(v) For architect-engineer services or construction work (see paragraph (i)(2) of this section);

(vi) For the management, operation, design, or construction of a Government-owned facility to

perform research, development, or production work (see paragraph (i)(3) of this section); or

(vii) A contract involving cosponsored research and development in which a clause providing for less

than unlimited right has been authorized (see 27.408).

(2) If an agency determines, in accordance with 27.404-2(b), to adopt the alternate definition of

"Limited Rights Data" in paragraph (a) of the clause, use the clause with its Alternate I.

(3) If a contracting officer determines, in accordance with 27.404-2(c) that it is necessary to obtain

limited rights data, use the clause with its Alternate II. The contracting officer shall complete

paragraph (g)(3) to include the purposes, if any, for which limited rights data are to be disclosed

outside the Government.

(4) In accordance with 27.404-2(d), if a contracting officer determines it is necessary to obtain

restricted computer software, use the clause with its Alternate III. Any greater or lesser rights

regarding the use, reproduction, or disclosure of restricted computer software than those set forth

in the Restricted Rights Notice of paragraph (g)(4) of the clause shall be specified in the contract

and the notice modified accordingly.

(5) Use the clause with its Alternate IV in contracts for basic or applied research (other than those

for the management or operation of Government facilities, and contracts and subcontracts in

support of programs being conducted at those facilities or where international agreements require
otherwise) to be performed solely by universities and colleges. The clause may be used with its

Alternate IV in other contracts if in accordance with 27.404-3(a), an agency determines to grant

permission for the contractor to assert claim to copyright subsisting in all data first produced

without further request being made by the contractor. When Alternate IV is used, the contract may

exclude items or categories of data from the permission granted, either by express provisions in the

contract or by the addition of a paragraph (d)(4) to the clause (see 27.404-4).

(6) In accordance with 27.404-6, if the Government needs the right to inspect certain data at a

contractor’s facility, use the clause with its Alternate V.

(c) In accordance with 27.404-2(c)(2) and 27.404-2(d)(5), if the contracting officer desires to have an

offeror state in response to a solicitation whether limited rights data or restricted computer software

are likely to be used in meeting the data delivery requirements set forth in the solicitation, insert the

provision at 52.227-15, Representation of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software, in

any solicitation containing the clause at 52.227-14, Rights in Data-General. The contractor’s

response may provide an aid in determining whether the clause should be used with Alternate II

and/or Alternate III.

(d) Insert the clause at 52.227-16, Additional Data Requirements, in solicitations and contracts

involving experimental, developmental, research, or demonstration work (other than basic or applied

research to be performed solely by a university or college where the contract amount will be

$500,000 or less) unless all the requirements for data are believed to be known at the time of

contracting and specified in the contract (see 27.406-2). This clause may also be used in other

contracts when considered appropriate. For example, if the contract is for basic or applied research

to be performed by a university or college, and the contracting officer believes the contract effort

will in the future exceed $500,000, even though the initial award does not, the contracting officer

may include the clause in the initial award.

(e) In accordance with 27.405-1, insert the clause at 52.227-17, Rights in Data-Special Works, in

solicitations and contracts primarily for the production or compilation of data (other than limited

rights data or restricted computer software) for the Government’s internal use, or when there is a

specific need to limit distribution and use of the data or to obtain indemnity for liabilities that may

arise out of the content, performance, or disclosure of the data. Examples of such contracts are set

forth in 27.405-1.

(1) Insert the clause if existing works are to be modified, as by editing, translation, addition of

subject matter, etc.

(2) The contract may specify the purposes and conditions (including time limitations) under which

the data may be used, released, or reproduced by the contractor for other than contract

performance.

(3) Contracts for the production of audiovisual works, sound recordings, etc. may include limitations

in connection with talent releases, music licenses, and the like that are consistent with the purposes

for which the data is acquired.

(4) The clause may be modified in accordance with paragraphs (c) through (e) of 27.405-1.

(f) Insert the clause at 52.227-18, Rights in Data-Existing Works, in solicitations and contracts

exclusively for the acquisition, without modification, of existing audiovisual and similar works of the

type set forth in 27.405-2. The contract may set forth limitations consistent with the purposes for

which the work is being acquired. While no specific clause of this subpart is required to be included
in contracts solely for the acquisition, without disclosure prohibitions, of books, publications, and

similar items in the exact form in which the items exist prior to the request for purchase (i.e., the offthe-shelf purchase of such items), or in other contracts where only existing data available without

disclosure prohibitions is to be furnished, if reproduction rights are to be acquired, the contract

shall include terms addressing such rights. (See 27.405-4.)

(g) In accordance with 27.405-3, when contracting (other than from GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule

contracts) for the acquisition of commercial computer software, the contracting officer may insert

the clause at 52.227-19, Commercial Computer Software License, in the solicitation and contract. In

any event, the contracting officer shall assure that the contract contains terms to obtain sufficient

rights for the Government to fulfill the need for which the software is being acquired and is

otherwise consistent with 27.405-3.

(h) If the contract is a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract, insert the clause at

52.227-20, Rights in Data-SBIR Program in all Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III contracts awarded

under the Small Business Innovation Research Program established pursuant to 15 U. S.C. 638. The

SBIR protection period may be extended in accordance with the Small Business Administration’s

"Small Business Innovation Research Program Policy Directive" (September24,2002).

(i) Agencies may prescribe in their procedures, as appropriate, a clause consistent with the policy of

27.402 in contracts-

(1) To be performed outside the United States;

(2) For architect-engineer services and construction work (e.g., the clause at 52.227-17, Rights in

Data-Special Works); or

(3) For management, operation, design, or construction of Government-owned research,

development, or production facilities, and in contracts and subcontracts in support of programs

being conducted at such facilities.

(j) In accordance with 27.406-3(a), insert the clause at 52.227-21, Technical Data Declaration,

Revision, and Withholding of Payment-Major Systems, in contracts for major systems acquisitions or

for support of major systems acquisitions. This requirement includes contracts for detailed design,

development, or production of a major system and contracts for any individual part, component,

subassembly, assembly, or subsystem integral to the major system, and other property that may be

replaced during the service life of the system, including spare parts. When used, this clause requires

that the technical data to which it applies be specified in the contract (see 27.406-3(a)).

(k) In accordance with 27.406-3(b), in the case of civilian agencies other than NASA and the U.S.

Coast Guard, insert the clause at 52.227-22, Major System-Minimum Rights, in contracts for major

systems or contracts in support of major systems.

(l) In accordance with 27.407, if a contracting officer desires to acquire unlimited rights in technical

data contained in a successful proposal upon which a contract award is based, insert the clause at

52.227-23, Rights to Proposal Data (Technical). Rights to technical data in a proposal are not

acquired by mere incorporation by reference of the proposal in the contract, and if a proposal is

incorporated by reference, the contracting officer shall follow 27.404 to assure that the rights are

appropriately addressed.

Parent topic: Subpart 27.4 - Rights in Data and Copyrights