This subpart prescribes policies and procedures for the release and safeguarding of information to litigation support contractors. It implements the requirements at 10 U.S.C. 129d.

As used in this subpart—

“Computer software” means computer programs, source code, source code listings, object code listings, design details, algorithms, processes, flow charts, formulae, and related material that would enable the software to be reproduced, recreated, or recompiled. Computer software does not include computer data bases or computer software documentation.

“Litigation information” means any information, including sensitive information, that is furnished to the contractor by or on behalf of the Government, or that is generated or obtained by the contractor in the performance of litigation support under a contract. The term does not include information that is lawfully, publicly available without restriction, including information contained in a publicly available solicitation.

“Litigation support” means administrative, technical, or professional services provided in support of the Government during or in anticipation of litigation.

“Litigation support contractor” means a contractor (including its experts, technical consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers) providing litigation support under a contract that contains the clause at 252.204-7014 , Limitations on the Use or Disclosure of Information by Litigation Support Contractors.

“Sensitive information” means controlled unclassified information of a commercial, financial, proprietary, or privileged nature. The term includes technical data and computer software, but does not include information that is lawfully, publicly available without restriction.

“Technical data” means recorded information, regardless of the form or method of the recording, of a scientific or technical nature (including computer software documentation). The term does not include computer software or data incidental to contract administration, such as financial and/or management information.

(a) Any release or disclosure of litigation information that includes sensitive information to a litigation support contractor, and the litigation support contractor’s use and handling of such information, shall comply with the requirements of 10 U.S.C. 129d.

(b) To the maximum extent practicable, DoD will provide notice to an offeror or contractor submitting, delivering, or otherwise providing information to DoD in connection with an offer or performance of a contract that such information may be released or disclosed to litigation support contractors.

(c) Information that is publicly available without restriction, including publicly available solicitations for litigation support services, will not be protected from disclosure as litigation information.

(d) When sharing sensitive information with a litigation support contractor, contracting officers shall ensure that all other applicable requirements for handling and safeguarding the relevant types of sensitive information are included in the contract (e.g., FAR subparts 4.4 and 24.1; DFARS subparts 204.4 and 224.1).

(a) Use the clause at 252.204-7014 , Limitations on the Use or Disclosure of Information by Litigation Support Contractors, in all solicitations and contracts that involve litigation support services, including solicitations and contracts using FAR part 12 procedures for the acquisition of commercial products and commercial services.

(b) Use the clause at 252.204-7015 , Notice of Authorized Disclosure of Information for Litigation Support, in solicitations and contracts that involve litigation support services, including solicitations and contracts using FAR part 12 procedures for the acquisition of commercial products and commercial services.