I started a big thread, and then couldn't get back to it for 2 days,
apologies.
I guess the point of this "tender" is to find a panel of 10 as a primary
contact for Linux and Open Source solutions. It certainly doesn't mean
that no one else can play, and 10 is quite a few when you think about it
so you may as well go for it :) The tender is specifically after support
and training, with an option to support other aspects like integration
and other stuff as opposed to hardware. There is an emphasis in
government now on trying to use x% of local businesses, and so this
isn't something just for the big guys. If you are truly interested
register with the Dept of Commerce and get your own copy of the tender
to check out. At the meeting on Thursday I'm hoping for two things:
- to clarify what the tender means, all the questions and such
- to create this matrix of skills (based around the tender
requirements) and capacity of interested participants so that everyone
knows who they can use for what. This also means we have an opportunity
to identify any areas where we as a community lack skills.
We need to ensure that we very specifically:
- don't talk about pricing AT ALL
- don't make any agreements in the meeting between parties
So the meeting is an information session only. If you're interested come
along, otherwise don't :) Many of the smaller companies simply don't
have time or resources to research this kind of stuff, and many don't go
for these kinds of tenders assuming they aren't big enough. The meeting
should hopefully address any questions and help people reply to the
tender with a better idea of what is out there. If small companies
reply, and can only cover say 30% of the requirements, then that is
still on the radar of the government. There is also the opportunity to
work with bigger companies as partners.
> As I see it, your concern has to tick off very strongly on
> hardware; desktop to mainframe,
No, the tender specifically excludes hardware, although it does talk
about the LSB, which is great!
> operating system(s),
Actually the tender only covers particular skills, not operating
systems.
> software development (major league)
> networking (LAN to statewide)
> documentation (real stuff)
> project management (with proven managers of major projects)
> Training (with certified trainers with the latest certification)
> financial backing
> comprehensive insurance,
> etc.
Erk! You don't need to do _everything_ to run for this. Otherwise they
would be after only 3 panel members, not 10. There are many ways to skin
a cat :)
Cheers,
Pia
--
Pia Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Linux Australia
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