What is the Information Exchange Program?

Since the 1950s, DoW components have collaborated with the defense components of allied and friendly nations to exchange scientific and technical (S&T) information in areas of mutual interest. The IEP is conducted under the provisions of DoD Instruction 2015.4, Defense Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Information Exchange Program.

The objectives of the IEP are as follows:

• View different ways of approaching similar technical challenges
• Avoid duplication of research and development (R&D)
• Access technological advances
• Identify areas for further collaboration
• Promote interoperability

Through the IEP, the U.S. and other nations conduct RDT&E information exchanges under the authority of formal information exchange agreements. The term “information” under the IEP includes knowledge obtained in any manner by observation, investigation, or study and the ideas inferred such as that of a scientific, technical, business, financial, or programmatic nature.

S&T information can be exchanged between the U.S. and a foreign nation using a situation-by-situation release process. However, such independent exchanges are cumbersome and may lack adequate legal protection for the information exchanged, particularly in the area of intellectual property rights. These releases of information must each undergo a separate review and approval by the cognizant foreign disclosure and international programs organizations.

The IEP replaces the situation-by-situation review process with an overarching master agreement structure with subsequent annexes. A master IEP agreement is the international agreement between the DoW and the foreign government that establishes a framework for the exchange of RDT&E information. It does not establish information exchange details; instead, it authorizes creation of separate annexes for specific information exchange projects. The master IEP agreement establishes the basic terms and conditions for all subsequent IEP annexes.

For example, the master IEP agreement will specify security procedures, the highest classification allowed for the information exchanges, IEP management structure, information use rights including third-party transfer, the process for clearance of visitors, and methods for resolving disputes. As a result, DoW components do not include such terms and conditions in subsequent individual IEP annexes.

IEP annexes establish defined information-exchange relationships in specific RDT&E subject areas. Annexes are the best information exchange mechanism because they provide adequate legal protection for the information while facilitating the exchange of the information.

The annex will identify the installations, agencies, and laboratories that will provide the information. Field-level scientists and engineers will be authorized to serve as Technical Project Officers (TPO). These TPOs are given the authority to manage information exchanges within the scope of the specific annex.

There is no limit to the number of IEP annexes that may be originated under the authority of a master IEP agreement. Annexes are considered DoW resources and their cross coordination and potential use by other DoW components is encouraged. IEPs may not be used to transfer material, equipment, technical data packages, production information, manufacturing information, price and availability information on U.S. production and/or operational systems, or funding.