DOD to host public meetings on technical data rights

The Defense Department will host a pair of meetings in September to discuss statutory changes to the way DOD acquires technical data rights, according to a notice scheduled to be posted in tomorrow's Federal Register.

"DOD is hosting public meetings to obtain views of experts and interested parties in government and the private sector regarding amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement statutory amendments and revisions to policies and procedures for the acquisition of technical data and computer software and associated license rights," the notice states.

The first meeting will be held Sept. 6, while the second is scheduled for Sept. 16. Both will be hosted at the Mark Center Auditorium in Alexandria, VA.

The meetings will focus on two amendments to the DFARS. One amendment, "Validation of Proprietary and Technical Data," implements Section 865 of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, according to the notice.

The second DFARS amendment, "Negotiation of Price for Technical Data and Preference for Specially Negotiated Licenses," implements both Section 835 of the FY-18 NDAA and Section 837 of the FY-19 NDAA, according to the notice.

DOD plans on publishing advanced notices of proposed rulemaking, including initial drafts of the proposed DFARS amendments, prior to the September meetings, the notice states.

After the two September events, the department plans to hold further meetings, according to the notice, to discuss more changes to technical data rights policy mandated by recent NDAAs.

In addition to the statutory changes, DOD is also considering recommendations made by the congressionally mandated "Section 813" panel on technical data rights, according to the notice. It does not elaborate on the Section 813 recommendations under consideration.