Commercial Computer Software License Rights in Defense Acquisition
Open AccessThe tremendous growth of the commercial software industry in the United States represents an excellent opportunity for the United States Department of Defense ("DoD") to acquire quality software products that will help the DoD achieve its missions. However, the DoD struggles to acquire commercial computer software ("CCS") and commercial computer software documentation ("CCSD") effectively because of the inconsistencies and contradictions found in its rules governing the acquisition of CCS and CCSD. The DoD's rules governing the acquisition of CCS and CCSD appear simple on the surface and represent an admirable attempt to enable the DoD to more easily acquire CCS and CCSD in the commercial marketplace and to allow commercial vendors to sell their products to the DoD. However, these rules contain many unseen inconsistencies and problems and therefore lead to many areas of confusion and even contradiction. The primary purpose of this paper is to find ways to help the DoD and CCS vendors work together more effectively, by explaining the DoD's rules governing acquisition of CCS and CCSD, explaining fourteen primary problem areas associated with the acquisition of CCS and CCSD and, finally, by exploring potential solutions to these problems.
- All rights reserved
Notice to Authors
If you are the author of this work and you have any questions about the information on this page, please use the Contact form to get in touch with us.