Weapon System Sustainment: DOD Can Improve Planning and Management of Data Rights , September 29 , 2025
Weapon System Sustainment: DOD Can Improve Planning and Management of Data Rights , September 29 , 2025
From the report: "When the Department of Defense (DOD) contracts for weapon systems, it generally procures some data rights to intellectual property (IP) created by contractors. These data rights determine how DOD can use and distribute contractors’ IP and are necessary for DOD to conduct system maintenance.
GAO found that DOD’s guidance requires programs to plan for IP and data rights necessary for sustainment by preparing IP strategies. However, DOD guidance focuses largely on programs early in the acquisition cycle and does not fully address the needs of programs in sustainment when it comes to IP and data rights planning. None of the selected programs that completed IP strategies included all of the required elements outlined in DOD policy. Additional information could help better inform programs in sustainment about the options available to them to address data rights shortfalls."
Authors - Government Accountability Office (GAO)Related Resources
