"Introduction The DoD established uniform policies and procedures for the procurement of technical date and management of data programs. This was accomplished with the release@ of Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 5010.12@ Management of Technical Data"" dated December 5@ 1968. DODI 5010.12 provided guidelines to determine the intended use of data and established data requirements on the basis of their use@ exercised selectivity to prevent acquisition of necessary data@ sat a course toward determination of data costs and justification of data requirements@ and established technical data reviews on selected contracts each year. The provisions of this instruction have been applied by the Departments of the Army@ Navy@ Air Force@ the Defense Logistics Agency@ and most other DOD components which procure technical data and information. Requirements for data management are directed for implementation by the DoD. They are first issued as a directive@ by the Secretary of Defense. Instructions are then issued at the Assistant Secretary level. Regulations are then issued by the DoD components and Implementing regulations are prepared by the various commands. Data is acquired during all phases of a program and is used to maintain visibility@ control programs@ make decisions@ define a design; and to produce@ support@ operate@ maintain@ and display defense material. Data also supports research@ engineering development@ production@ cataloging@ procurement@ training@ deployment@ maintenance@ and related logistics functions. The tern ""data"" includes all administrative@ management@ financial@ scientific@ engineering@ and logistics information that are generated during performance of a contract. For this guide sad for clarity@ data acquired from a contractor via a DD Form 1423 Contract Data Requirements Li.t (CERL)@ (Figure 1??1)@ as a part of system/equipment procurements are essentially anything other than hardware@ firmware@ or computer programs depicted by Figure 1??2. Th. term ""technical data"" i further defined in Federal Acquisition Regulations (PAR) 27b0l"