Contractors Must Spill Patent Beans to Feds Again
Published Date: 2/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The government is asking to keep collecting info from contractors about patents and royalties when they work on federal projects. This mainly affects companies with contracts over $350,000, who must report any patent issues or royalty payments. Comments on this plan are open until March 25, 2026, and it helps keep everything fair and clear without adding new costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 1 mixed.
Notify Govt About Patent/Copyright Claims
If you are a government contractor, FAR 52.227-2 requires you to notify the Government of any patent or copyright infringement allegations that arise while performing a contract and to provide evidence when the contracting officer requests it. This clause also flows down to subcontracts expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT — currently $350,000).
Report Royalties Over $250
If you are an offeror or contractor who anticipates or pays royalties over $250 for use of patented inventions, FAR 52.227-6 requires you to report details such as licensor name, license date, patent numbers, unit prices, units, and total royalty amount. The contracting officer may also request a copy of the license agreement.
Report Inventions from R&D Contracts
Contractors performing experimental, developmental, or research work must report all inventions made under the contract (FAR 52.227-11 or 52.227-13), disclose the invention, and identify any publication, sale, or public use. The contracting officer may require periodic or final reports and contractors must have written employee agreements and procedures to identify and disclose subject inventions.
Three-Year Data Retention and Delivery Rules
Under FAR 52.227-16, contractors must keep additional data produced or specifically used in contract performance for possible delivery to the Government for a period of three years from final acceptance. The Government will pay the contractor for converting, reproducing, and delivering such data when required.
Estimated Annual Paperwork Burden
The information collection estimates 830 respondents, 14,848 total annual responses, and 55,600 total annual burden hours (54,673 reporting hours + 927 recordkeeping hours). These are the Government's estimates of the paperwork and time burden for complying with FAR part 27 information collections.
Small-Business Comment on Disproportionate Impact
A commenter said the collection disproportionately impacts small businesses, citing time, legal review, marking challenges, and invention system maintenance, and recommended recalibrating burden estimates, harmonizing with DFARS, and adopting electronic tools. The FAR Council acknowledged comments but did not change the burden estimate.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19160, Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 16, 17, and 35
The government is shaking up how it buys stuff by simplifying key contract rules in parts 16, 17, and 35 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. This change affects federal agencies and contractors, aiming to cut red tape and save taxpayer money. Comments on the proposed changes are open until October 19, 2026, so get ready to weigh in!
2026-20270, Information Collection; Presolicitation Notice and Response
The government wants to keep collecting info about presolicitation notices, which help agencies plan buying stuff. They’re asking the public to share thoughts on how useful this info is and how to make it easier to provide. This extension would last three more years, with comments due by December 1, 2026, but no new costs are expected.
2026-20271, Information Collection; Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 11 Requirements
The government agencies in charge of buying stuff (like DoD, NASA, and GSA) want to keep collecting info under a rule called FAR Part 11 for three more years. They’re asking the public to share thoughts by December 1, 2026, on how to make this info collection easier and more useful. This won’t cost extra money but helps keep government buying smooth and clear.
2026-20127, Submission for OMB Review; Acquisition 360 Voluntary Survey
The government is asking for approval to keep using the Acquisition 360 Voluntary Survey, which lets companies give feedback on how the government handles contract talks and debriefings. This survey helps agencies improve how they work with vendors before awarding contracts. If you’re a business interested in government contracts, your input matters! Comments on this plan are open until November 2, 2026, and there’s no cost to participate.
2026-20128, Submission for OMB Review; Preaward Survey Forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408)
The government is asking to keep using six preaward survey forms that help check if contractors can do the job before signing a contract. This affects contractors and contracting officers who need to prove financial strength, reliability, and ability to deliver on time. Comments on this request are open until November 2, 2026, with no new costs expected.
2026-20126, Submission for OMB Review; Certain Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 28 Requirements
If you’re a contractor working with the federal government, you’ll want to know that some paperwork rules about bonds and payment protections are up for review and extension. These rules help make sure contractors provide the right guarantees on projects, especially construction ones over $35,000. Comments on these rules are open until November 2, 2026, so get ready to weigh in if this affects you!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-03506, Combined Notice of Filings
Golden Pass Pipeline and LNG Terminal found they made a mistake in how they calculated depreciation from December 2023 to the end of 2024. They’ve asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to fix the accounting records. People affected have until March 10, 2026, to speak up or get involved, which could impact how money is reported and handled.
Next: 2026-03509, Submission for OMB Review; Buy American, Trade Agreements, and Duty-Free Entry
The government is asking to keep collecting info from companies about how they follow Buy American rules, trade agreements, and duty-free entry when selling to the U.S. This affects businesses bidding on federal contracts and helps ensure they meet domestic content and trade law requirements. Comments are open until March 25, 2026, so get ready to share your thoughts!