How the Process Works
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is eNTRe?
- Who can I contact to find out where my request is in the process?
- What is entailed in completing the Export Control statement?
- What is entailed in completing the Global Concerns statement?
- What is entailed in completing the Preliminary Software Release Questionnaire?
- How long will it take?
- Do I have to request the updated version of the software I received?
How the Process Works
The innovator has submitted a New Technology Report (NTR) (via NF1679 Microsoft™ Word document and sent by e-mail or online at eNTRe), which has been classified as software. The software is then reviewed and assessed for commercial potential and possible release categories.
Before you can proceed, you must have submitted an NF1679 to report your technology
(Go to eNTRe).
Once the GSFC Software Release Authority (SRA) receives a request from a company or government entity to use the software, the innovator must complete the following items:
For concurrence on the type of release, the SRA routes the request through:
- The requesting Directorate POC for concurrence
- The Office of Patent Council for an intellectual property assessment
- The Export Control Officer for a compliance evaluation
- The Innovative Partnerships Program office for a commercial-potential assessment
- The IT Security Office for a risk assessment
Based on the recommendations of the reviews, the SRA will then decide whether to approve the request or to negotiate constraints on the release. Approval will include specifications on the type of release and any necessary constraints. Upon approval, a Software Usage Agreement (SUA) will be drafted. Once it is executed and returned by the outside entity requesting the software, an e-mail is sent to the innovator informing them to transfer the requested software.
Frequently Asked Questions
"eNTRe" is a Web-based system for entering the "New Technology Report" (NTR) data traditionally input via NASA Form 1679, the "Disclosure of Invention and New Technology (Including Software)" form.
+ Find out more about eNTRe
+ Go to the eNTRe home page
Who can I contact to find out where my request is in the process?
Visit the red “Check Release Status” link above to view the status of your request.
What is entailed in completing the Export Control statement?
See our Export Control page
What is entailed in completing the Global Concerns statement?
See our Global Concerns page
What is entailed in completing the Software Release Questionnaire?
See our Software Release Questionnaire page.
How long will it take?
Each individual request is different. From the time the SRA has an electronic request and completed attachments, the simplest request could take a week. However, if either the intellectual property assessment is complex or the software requires export control review by the Department of State or Department of Commerce, it can take months. The worst case would be where export control deemed the software un-releasable or one of the creators of the software refused to transfer intellectual property rights for distribution.
Do I have to request the updated version of the software I received?
Yes, a new release request is required for major updates; e.g. Version 1.3 to Version 2.0. Minor updates such as bug fixes would not require a new request for release; e.g. Version 1.2 to Version 1.3. In any instance where new intellectual property rights may have been established, or the Export Control or IT Security status may have changed (due to changes in the software or in the political environment) a new review of the release is called for. Once particular software has been approved for release (e.g. to a group of scientific colleagues), future requests for other categories of release can be reviewed expeditiously.
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