GSA details interim software plan

The General Services Administration issued interim procedures for agency purchases of commodity software while it negotiates governmentwide licenses under the new SmartBuy program.

The procedures take effect immediately and expire in late December. They include:

* Buy software under the SmartBuy program where licenses have been negotiated.

* Inform GSA of any large software buys.

* Limit commodity software contracts to one-year terms.

* Expect to continue normal buying procedures in most cases, because SmartBuy won't cover a wide range of applications for some time.

GSA said it expects to have several agreements in place by Sept. 30. The procedures are at www.cio.gov/documents/ smartbuy_FAQ_rev.pdf.