Fully support this step.
Brent
From: Cameron Shorter <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 8:53 AM
Subject: [Aust-NZ] NSW Government Procurement actively discourages use of Open
Source
OSGeo Aust-NZ,
During a recent NSW tendering process (for a spatial software system), we have
discovered that NSW Government purchasing guidelines actively discourage use of
Open Source Software.
I propose that the following email is sent on behalf of OSGeo Aust/NZ. Any
comments, votes for or against?
Vote from me: +1 Cameron Shorter
From: President of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation - Australian/New
Zealand Chapter
To: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]
To NSW Procurement Team,
We, the Australian and New Zealand chapter of the Open Source Geospatial
Foundation, are concerned that NSW Procurement guidelines about Open Source
Software should be changed.
The guidelines:
* Inaccurately imply Proprietary Software is less risky than Open Source [1],
* Unfairly discriminate against Australian Open Source Software solutions and
businesses [1],
* Conflict with Australian government policy which directly mandate that Open
Source and Proprietary Software should be considered equally. [2]
* Increases the cost of NSW Government IT purchases by actively discouraging
use of Open Source.
Could the NSW Procurement Team please review the current Open Source
statement, assess the appropriateness of updating to Australian Government
Policy statements related to Open Source, and respond with your assessment.
Reference 1:
The NSW IT procurement framework (version 3.1) specifically discourses use of
Open Source software with Major Project System Integration Services.
23 Open Source Software
23.1 The Contractor must ensure that:
(a) none of the Deliverables comprise Open Source Software; and
(b) it does not insert any Open Source Software into the Customer Environment,
except to the extent otherwise approved by the Customer in writing.
23.2 Where the Customer gives its approval in relation to the use of any Open
Source Software
under clause 23.1:
(a) the Contractor must ensure that the use of that Open Source Software will
not result in an obligation to disclose, license or otherwise make available
any part of the Customer Environment or any of the Customer’sConfidential
Information to any third party; and
(b) the use of that Open Source Software will not in any way diminish the
Contractor’s obligations under the Contract, including without limitation in
relation to any warranties, indemnities or any provisions dealing with the
licensing or assignment of Intellectual Property.
https://www.procurepoint.nsw.gov.au/before-you-supply/standard-procurement-contract-templates/procure-it-framework-version-31
See: Module 13A Major project systems integration services
Reference 2:
Australian Government Policy on Open Source Software:
Principle 1: Australian Government ICT procurement processes must actively and
fairly consider all types of available software.
Australian Government agencies must actively and fairly consider all types of
available software (including but not limited to open source software and
proprietary software) through their ICT procurement processes. It is recognised
there may be areas where open source software is not yet available for
consideration. Procurement decisions must be made based on value for money.
Procurement decisions should take into account
whole-of-life costs, capability, security, scalability, transferability,
support and manageability requirements.
For a covered procurement (over $80K), agencies are required to include in
their procurement plan that open source software will be considered equally
alongside proprietary software. Agencies will be required to insert a statement
into any Request for Tender that they will consider open source software
equally alongside proprietary software. Tender responses will be evaluated
under the normal requirements of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines. For a
non-covered procurement (below $80K), agencies are required to document all key
decisions, as required by the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines. This
includes how they considered open source software suppliers when selecting
suppliers to respond to the Select Tender or Request for Quotation.
Australian Government Policy on Open Source
Software,http://www.finance.gov.au/policy-guides-procurement/open-source-software/
--
Cameron Shorter,
Software and Data Solutions Manager
LISAsoft
Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
P +61 2 9009 5000, W www.lisasoft.com, F +61 2 9009 5099
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