Open Source Advisory Panel

Open Source Advisory Panel

What are its objectives?

The prime objective is to support the UKG Cabinet Office in implementation of its “Open Source, Open Standards and Re-Use Government Action Plan”. The Advisory Panel will provide a first step point of contact for queries from

• Within the Cabinet Office, including OGC and Buying Solutions,

• Central government departments and local government organisations considering Open Source and/or Open Standards based solutions.

• Systems Integrators providing solutions to UK Government

The intention is to maximise best practice and encourage confidence in procurement thinking.

How does it operate?

A two-level Advisory Panel is proposed:

The Top Level Panel is sourced by independent expert practitioners, nominated by OpenForum Europe, and approved by the UK PSG who have all either implemented/procured such solutions or have detailed expertise in a specific area, and who in turn are able to provide access to both community specialist expertise, and network with supplier/government contacts, and users from across Europe.

This Panel will only offer first point of contact queries/advice, and is no substitute for formal support during contractual negotiations or implementations.

A Second Level Panel is being sourced from the Supplier and Consulting community, and have not been nominated by OFE or the PSG. Companies and Organisations have offered to provide a similar first level of contact, but may specialise in the skills and particular focus of their company or organisation.

The Advisory Panel is run by the PSG and will be jointly administered and supported by OpenForum Europe and the Cabinet Office.

The Advisory Panel will be be for an initial Pilot period of 6 months, with a review after 3 months. All Advisory panel members will be available for an initial contact (email/phone) free of charge . All Top Level Advisory Panel members are subject to a Code of Conduct.

Any subsequent work, if requested, will be subject to direct discussion and negotiation between the Panel member and contacting organisation, is subject to the availability of the Panel member, and forms no part of this proposal.

Who is on the Panel?

The Top Level Panel will be led by Tod Cury, a senior advisor to OFE, who has specific expert knowledge of Open Source procurement in Government, having in the past been Government Sales Manager for Red Hat. He is backed up currently by 5 additional experts, specialist in specific areas of Open Source and/or Open Standards. For the full list and contact details click here.

The second tier list of company contacts is currently being established and will be available shortly.

How do I contact it?

Administration will be 'light touch' and consist primarily of maintaining an internal contact logging system. Queries may be made centrally but the emphasis initially is on email contact direct with a selected Advisory Panel member, based on their published skills register/biog published here.

Feedback on any contact discussion is welcome and will help OFE and the Cabinet Office both to review progress and further develop the scheme. You may also be contacted to ask your opinion on the usefulness of a conatact made. Feedback can be made here( link to google doc?)

FAQ Database

A database of actual and potential common questions will be developed and is available here ( link).