The contracting officer should not authorize contractor use of Government property for independent research and development on a rent-free basis except in unusual circumstances when it has been determined by the contracting officer that -
(a) Such use is clearly in the best interests of the Government (for example, the project can reasonably be expected to be of value in specific Government programs); and
(b) No competitive advantage will accrue to the contractor through such use (see
FAR 45.201).
