52.239-1 Privacy or Security Safeguards
Source: FAR 52.239-1 on acquisition.gov
Contractors must protect government data safeguards, allow government inspections, and promptly report any security threats or failures.
Overview
FAR 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards, requires contractors to protect the details of any privacy or security safeguards related to government data. Contractors must not disclose or publish information about these safeguards without written consent from the Contracting Officer. The clause also mandates that contractors provide the government with access to their facilities and records as needed to inspect and ensure the security, integrity, and confidentiality of government data. Additionally, both the contractor and the government are obligated to promptly report any new or unforeseen threats, hazards, or failures in existing safeguards to each other. This clause is designed to ensure robust protection of sensitive government information handled by contractors, particularly in contracts involving information technology or data security.
As prescribed in 39.106 , insert a clause substantially the same as the following:
Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996)
(a) The Contractor shall not publish or disclose in any manner, without the Contracting Officer’s written consent, the details of any safeguards either designed or developed by the Contractor under this contract or otherwise provided by the Government.
(b) To the extent required to carry out a program of inspection to safeguard against threats and hazards to the security, integrity, and confidentiality of Government data, the Contractor shall afford the Government access to the Contractor’s facilities, installations, technical capabilities, operations, documentation, records, and databases.
(c) If new or unanticipated threats or hazards are discovered by either the Government or the Contractor, or if existing safeguards have ceased to function, the discoverer shall immediately bring the situation to the attention of the other party.
(End of clause)