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OSGeo Aust-NZ,<br>
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.<br>
<br>
I propose that the following email is sent on behalf of OSGeo
Aust/NZ. Any comments, votes for or against?<br>
Vote from me: +1 Cameron Shorter<br>
<br>
From: President of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation -
Australian/New Zealand Chapter<br>
To: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:nswbuy@finance.nsw.gov.au">nswbuy@finance.nsw.gov.au</a><br>
CC: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Aust-NZ@lists.osgeo.org">Aust-NZ@lists.osgeo.org</a><br>
<br>
To NSW Procurement Team,<br>
<br>
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.<br>
The guidelines:<br>
* Inaccurately imply Proprietary Software is less risky than Open
Source [1],<br>
* Unfairly discriminate against Australian Open Source Software
solutions and businesses [1],<br>
* Conflict with Australian government policy which directly mandate
that Open Source and Proprietary Software should be considered
equally. [2]<br>
* Increases the cost of NSW Government IT purchases by actively
discouraging use of Open Source.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Reference 1:</b><br>
<br>
The NSW IT procurement framework (version 3.1) specifically
discourses use of Open Source software with Major Project System
Integration Services.<br>
<br>
<i>23 Open Source Software </i><i><br>
</i><i>23.1 The Contractor must ensure that: </i><i><br>
</i><i>(a) none of the Deliverables comprise Open Source Software;
and </i><i><br>
</i><i>(b) it does not insert any Open Source Software into the
Customer Environment, except to the extent otherwise approved by
the Customer in writing. </i><i><br>
</i><i>23.2 Where the Customer gives its approval in relation to the
use of any Open Source Software </i><i><br>
</i><i>under clause 23.1: </i><i><br>
</i><i>(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 </i><i><br>
</i><i>(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. </i><br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://www.procurepoint.nsw.gov.au/before-you-supply/standard-procurement-contract-templates/procure-it-framework-version-31">https://www.procurepoint.nsw.gov.au/before-you-supply/standard-procurement-contract-templates/procure-it-framework-version-31</a><br>
See: Module 13A Major project systems integration services<br>
<br>
<b>Reference 2:</b><br>
Australian Government Policy on Open Source Software:<br>
<br>
<i>Principle 1: Australian Government ICT procurement processes must
actively and fairly consider all types of available software.</i><i><br>
</i><i>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 </i><i><br>
</i><i>whole-of-life costs, capability, security, scalability,
transferability, support and manageability requirements.</i><i><br>
</i><i>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.</i><i><br>
</i><br>
Australian Government Policy on Open Source Software,
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.finance.gov.au/policy-guides-procurement/open-source-software/">http://www.finance.gov.au/policy-guides-procurement/open-source-software/</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
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 <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.lisasoft.com">www.lisasoft.com</a>, F +61 2 9009 5099</pre>
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