---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 5527"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "5527"
heading: "Miscellaneous provisions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/5527"
units:
  - "Chapter 81 — High-Performance Computing"
  - "Subchapter II — Agency Activities"
---

# §5527. Miscellaneous provisions

- (a) **Nonapplicability—** Except to the extent the appropriate Federal agency or department head determines, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to—
  - (1) [programs](/usc/15/5503.md?p=8) or activities regarding computer systems that process classified information; or
  - (2) computer systems the function, operation, or use of which are those delineated in [section 3552(b)(6)(A)(i) of title 44](/usc/44/3552.md?p=b-6-A-i).
- (b) **Acquisition of prototype and early production models—** In accordance with Federal contracting law, Federal agencies and departments participating in the [Program](/usc/15/5503.md?p=8) may acquire prototype or early production models of new [networking and information technology](/usc/15/5503.md?p=6) systems and subsystems to stimulate hardware and software development. Items of computing equipment acquired under this subsection shall be considered research computers for purposes of applicable acquisition regulations.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–194, title II, § 207, Dec. 9, 1991, 105 Stat. 1602; Pub. L. 114–329, title I, § 105(p), Jan. 6, 2017, 130 Stat. 2984.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2017—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(p)(1), substituted “section 3552(b)(6)(A)(i) of title 44” for “paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 2315(a) of title 10”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(p)(2), substituted “networking and information technology” for “high-performance computing”.