[ossig] Australian government to offer guide to open-source - News & Technology- CNETAsia

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Australian government to offer guide to open-source
By Iain Ferguson, Special to CNETAsia
Thursday, July 8 2004 9:22 AM

A new guide designed to help federal government agencies evaluate 
open-source products alongside their proprietary rivals is due to be 
completed and distributed by September, officials told ZDNet Australia 
on Wednesday.

The guide, to be a specialized supplement to the existing "Guide to ICT 
Sourcing" for Australian government departments and agencies, is also 
designed to reinforce the federal government's position of "informed 
neutrality in ICT sourcing," the officials said in e-mailed replies to 
questions from ZDNet Australia.

News of the guide was first posted to Linux and open-source groups 
earlier this week.

Tony Judge, Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) 
acting general manager of sourcing and security, told ZDNet Australia 
the guide, while targeted at federal government agencies, would also be 
made available to their state and territory counterparts.

He said a draft was expected to be completed and distributed for comment 
in mid-to-late August.

"The guide is being developed to assist agencies in making informed 
decisions on the merits of open-source software and to provide a basis 
on which these solutions can be compared with other options on the 
criteria of fit for purpose and value for money," the officials said.

They cited the increasing uptake of open-source solutions within the 
Australian government sector as the market driver behind preparing the 
new guide, citing "high-profile open-source software" initiatives being 
undertaken by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Centrelink and the 
Bureau of Meteorology.

Other agencies pursuing open-source initiatives include the Institute of 
Health and Welfare and AGIMO itself, which is using open source in its 
AusTender federal government tendering site and its Web content 
management system.

The guide's format is expected to closely follow that of the existing 
ICT sourcing guide, which provides information, approaches and tools for 
agencies to consider when adopting and implementing new ICT investments. 
This publication, however, will also deal with issues specific to 
open-source procurement. "For example, in procuring an open-source 
solution, agencies may be purchasing services and support rather than a 
tangible product," the officials said. "It will also cover issues such 
as using open-source software in a mixed ICT environment--increasingly, 
the environment in which open source solutions are deployed.

"The guide will also address the legal and risk management issues 
associated with open-source solutions, as these areas differ 
considerably from the more familiar proprietary model."

Judge said AGIMO would turn to its existing panel of legal providers, 
some of whom had a strong background in open-source issues, to compile 
advice for the guide, while it would turn to organizations in the 
private and public sectors to secure advice on risk management.

The officials also noted the guide would not carry legal weight, with 
the Financial Management and Accountability Act (1997) and associated 
Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines continuing to form the legislative 
basis for Australian government procurement.

Iain Ferguson of ZDNet Australia reported from Sydney.


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