(c) All research and development contracts which require reporting of research and development results conveyed in scientific and technical information (STI) shall include an instruction requiring the contractor to submit all STI, including reports and notices relating thereto, electronically to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI), using the DOE Energy Link System (E-link) at http://www.osti.gov/elink. The phrase “reports and notices relating thereto” does not include reports or notices concerning administrative matters such as contract cost or financial data and information. The DOE Order 241.1B Scientific and Technical Information Management, or its successor version, sets forth requirements for STI management.

(d) As prescribed in DOE Order 241.1B, the contracting officer shall ensure that the requirements of the attendant Contractor Requirements Document are included in applicable contracts.

(a) Applicability. The DOE research misconduct policy set forth at 10 CFR part 733 addresses research misconduct by individuals who propose, perform or review research of any kind for the Department of Energy pursuant to a contract. The regulation applies regardless of where the research or other activity is conducted or by whom.

(b) Definition. Research misconduct means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion. A finding of research misconduct means a determination, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that research misconduct has occurred, including a conclusion that there has been a significant departure from accepted practices of the relevant research community and that it be knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly committed.

The contracting officer must insert the clause at 952.235-71, Research Misconduct, in contracts, including management and operating contracts, that involve research.