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Factsheet for DOE Lab Researchers: Scientific/Technical Software - Page 1

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STI Product Type Factsheet for DOE Lab Researchers:

Scientific and Technical Software

ABOUT STI

In the course of performing research and development (R&D) and other scientific and technological work, researchers funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) produce scientific and technical information (STI) to document and disseminate their findings.

STI includes products such as journal articles, technical reports, conference presentations, books, and more. Through the Scientific and Technical Information Program (STIP), the DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) collaborates with people across the DOE complex, including Headquarters programs, field offices, national laboratories, and other facilities. The STIP partnership ensures that the results of DOE-funded work are identified, disseminated, and preserved. Thus, OSTI collects STI produced across the DOE laboratory and facility complex as well as from financial assistance recipients.

DEFINITION

Scientific/technical software is computer software* that has been developed and/or modified during work supported by DOE. As a form of STI, it is a result of research and development or other science and technology work and is a stable, usable version expected to be useful to others (that is, its use is not limited to a single site due to specific technology or equipment). As DOE's software management facility, OSTI manages DOE CODE, (website: https://www.osti.gov/doecode/; email: doecode@osti.gov) the software services platform and search tool for DOE-funded code.

*The terms "software" and "code" are used interchangeably.

SUBMISSIONS

Each DOE laboratory has a site program to manage scientific and technical information produced under the contract and to make it available to DOE's Office of Scientific and Technical Information. STI and Software points of contact are at https://www.osti.gov/stip/about/stip-community#STIManagers.

DOE national laboratories and other DOE facilities/contractors who have developed and/or modified software during work supported by DOE or during work carried out for others at DOE facilities are required to announce a record of the software to the Department of Energy, if the software meets the following criteria:

  • the software meets the definition of STI (https://www.osti.gov/stip/about/sti-defined).
  • a stable, usable, documented version of the software exists (i.e., the software is not under initial development);
  • the software has undergone all appropriate reviews for sensitivity and export control.

For announcement to DOE, there are basic metadata field requirements; however, other optional/non‐mandatory data fields should be included during announcement when possible.