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FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 227: Patents, Data, and Copyrights › Subpart 227.72

DFARS 227.7203-14 Conformity, acceptance, and warranty of computer software and computer software documentation.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section explains that computer software documentation is treated as technical data, so the rules for technical data apply. For computer software itself, solicitations and contracts must state what makes the software acceptable, and the Government generally will not accept software that does not meet all contractual requirements. If software is nonconforming, the contractor must correct or replace it, or the Government may get a price reduction, following the contract's inspection clause or FAR procedures. Warranties for non-weapon system software require approval from the chief of the contracting office.

Applies to: Contracts requiring delivery of computer software and computer software documentation

What it requires

  • Solicitations and contracts must specify the requirements the software must satisfy to be acceptable.
  • Do not accept software that does not conform in all respects to applicable contractual requirements, except for nonconforming restrictive markings.
  • Correct or replace nonconforming software, or provide an equitable reduction in contract price if correction or replacement is not practicable or not in the Government's interests.
  • Obtain approval of the chief of the contracting office to use a computer software warranty other than a weapon system warranty.

Key terms: computer software · computer software documentation · technical data · conformity · warranty

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

(a) Computer software documentation. Computer software documentation is technical data. See 227.7103-14 for appropriate guidance and statutory requirements.

(b) Computer software—(1) Conformity and acceptance. Solicitations and contracts requiring the delivery of computer software shall specify the requirements the software must satisfy to be acceptable. Contracting officers, or their authorized representatives, are responsible for determining whether computer software tendered for acceptance conforms to the contractual requirements. Except for nonconforming restrictive markings (follow the procedures at 227.7203-12(a) if nonconforming markings are the sole reason computer software tendered for acceptance fails to conform to contractual requirements), do not accept software that does not conform in all respects to applicable contractual requirements. Correction or replacement of nonconforming software, or an equitable reduction in contract price when correction or replacement of the nonconforming data is not practicable or is not in the Government's interests, shall be accomplished in accordance with—

(i) The provisions of a contract clause providing for inspection and acceptance of deliverables and remedies for nonconforming deliverables; or

(ii) The procedures at FAR 46.407(c) through (g), if the contract does not contain an inspection clause providing remedies for nonconforming deliverables.

(2) Warranties—(i) Weapon systems. Computer software that is a component of a weapon system or major subsystem should be warranted as part of the weapon system warranty. Follow the procedures at 246.7.

(ii) Non-weapon systems. Approval of the chief of the contracting office must be obtained to use a computer software warranty other than a weapon system warranty. Consider the factors at FAR 46.703 in deciding whether to obtain a computer software warranty. When approval for a warranty has been obtained, the clause at 252.246-7001, Warranty of Data, and its alternates, may be appropriately modified for use with computer software or a procurement specific clause may be developed.

Sections it refers to

  • 227.7103-14 Conformity, acceptance, and warranty of technical data.
  • 227.7203-12 Government right to establish conformity of markings.
  • 46.407 Nonconforming supplies or services.
  • 46.703 Criteria for use of warranties.
  • 252.246-7001 Warranty of data.

← 227.7203-13 Government right to review, verify, challenge, and validate asserted restrictions. · 227.7203-15 Subcontractor rights in computer software or computer software documentation. →

Rule changes for DFARS Part 227

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

DFARS 227.7203-14 Conformity, acceptance, and warranty of computer software and computer software documentation · SpendQuery