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

DFARS 227.7203-8 Deferred delivery and deferred ordering 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 DFARS section tells contracting officers when to use two clauses for delaying the delivery or ordering of computer software and documentation. It matters because it sets time limits for when the Government can demand these items after contract acceptance or termination, and it explains what costs the contractor can be paid for when items are ordered later.

Applies to: Department of Defense contracting officers and contractors providing computer software or computer software documentation.

What it requires

  • The contract must specify the computer software or computer software documentation that is subject to deferred delivery.
  • The contracting officer shall notify the contractor sufficiently in advance of the desired delivery date for such software or documentation to permit timely delivery.
  • When the software or documentation are ordered, the delivery dates shall be negotiated.
  • The contractor is compensated only for converting the software or documentation into the prescribed form, reproduction costs, and delivery costs.

Key terms: deferred delivery · deferred ordering · computer software · computer software documentation · contracting officer

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

The text

(a) Deferred delivery. Use the clause at 252.227-7026, Deferred Delivery of Technical Data or Computer Software, when it is in the Government's interests to defer the delivery of computer software or computer software documentation. The clause permits the contracting officer to require the delivery of data identified as “deferred delivery” data or computer software at any time until two years after acceptance by the Government of all items (other than technical data or computer software) under the contract or contract termination, whichever is later. The obligation of subcontractors or suppliers to deliver such data expires two years after the date the prime contractor accepts the last item from the subcontractor or supplier for use in the performance of the contract. The contract must specify the computer software or computer software documentation that is subject to deferred delivery. The contracting officer shall notify the contractor sufficiently in advance of the desired delivery date for such software or documentation to permit timely delivery.

(b) Deferred ordering. Use the clause at 252.227-7027, Deferred Ordering of Technical Data or Computer Software, when a firm requirement for software or documentation has not been established prior to contract award but there is a potential need for computer software or computer software documentation. Under this clause the contracting officer may order any computer software or computer software documentation generated in the performance of the contract or any subcontract thereunder at any time until three years after acceptance of all items (other than technical data or computer software) under the contract or contract termination, whichever is later. The obligation of subcontractors to deliver such technical data or computer software expires three years after the date the contractor accepts the last item under the subcontract. When the software or documentation are ordered, the delivery dates shall be negotiated and the contractor compensated only for converting the software or documentation into the prescribed form, reproduction costs, and delivery costs.

Sections it refers to

  • 252.227-7026 Deferred delivery of technical data or computer software.
  • 252.227-7027 Deferred ordering of technical data or computer software.

← 227.7203-6 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses. · 227.7203-9 Copyright. →

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 227.7203-8 Deferred delivery and deferred ordering of computer software and computer software documentation · SpendQuery