Flash Brief: FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) Part 27 Information Collection Extension
Event Type: FAR Update
Severity: INFO
Date: 2024
Classification: Administrative / Compliance Maintenance
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TL;DR
The Regulatory Secretariat Division has submitted a routine request to OMB for a three-year extension of existing information collection requirements under FAR Part 27, which governs patents, data rights, and copyrights in federal contracting. This is a standard administrative renewal—not a regulatory change—and contractors should expect no immediate modifications to their intellectual property compliance obligations. The current approval expires February 28, 2026, and the proposed extension would maintain existing reporting requirements through 2029. Contractors in technology development, R&D, software, and manufacturing sectors should continue operating under current FAR Part 27 provisions while monitoring for the final OMB approval.
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Key Points
- What happened: The Regulatory Secretariat Division submitted a request to OMB to extend existing FAR Part 27 information collection requirements for three additional years beyond the current February 28, 2026 expiration date, maintaining current provisions for patent rights, technical data rights, and computer software rights reporting.
- Who is affected: Government contractors in technology-intensive sectors—particularly software development, aerospace, defense manufacturing, R&D services, and engineering—who deliver technical data, computer software, or inventions under federal contracts and must comply with FAR 52.227 series clauses.
- What the timeline is: Current OMB approval expires February 28, 2026; the proposed extension would run through February 2029; OMB review typically takes 60-90 days, with final approval expected in Q1-Q2 2025.
- What contractors should do NOW: No immediate action required—this is an administrative extension, not a regulatory change. Continue compliance with existing FAR Part 27 provisions, ensure proposal teams accurately represent limited rights data and restricted computer software in responses (FAR 52.227-15), and monitor your compliance tracking systems for the final OMB approval notice.
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Who Is Affected
Market Segments:
IT Services, Software Development, Research and Development, Defense, Aerospace, Engineering Services, Scientific Research, Technology Development, Manufacturing, Professional Services
NAICS Codes:
334111 (Electronic Computers), 334118 (Computer Terminals), 334290 (Other Communications Equipment), 334511 (Search/Navigation Equipment), 334513 (Industrial Process Variable Instruments), 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instruments), 334614 (Software/Media Reproduction), 336411-336419 (Aircraft Manufacturing), 511210 (Software Publishers), 518210 (Data Processing/Hosting), 541330 (Engineering Services), 541511-541519 (Custom Computer Programming/Systems Design), 541611 (Administrative Management Consulting), 541690 (Other Scientific/Technical Consulting), 541712-541715 (R&D Services), 541720 (R&D in Social Sciences/Humanities), 611420 (Computer Training)
Agencies:
DOD, NASA, DOE, DHS (Department of Homeland Security), HHS, DOT, DOC, VA, GSA (General Services Administration)—any agency procuring technology development, software, or R&D services where intellectual property rights are material to contract performance.
Contract Vehicles:
OASIS+, SEWP, 8(a) STARS III, Alliant 2, CIO-SP3, CIO-SP4, ITES-SW2, T4NG—particularly vehicles supporting software development, systems integration, and technology R&D.
Compliance Surfaces:
FAR Part 27, DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) 252.227 series, Patent Rights clauses, Data Rights provisions, Technical Data Rights, Computer Software Rights, SBIR Data Rights provisions.
