Defense issues software rules
<FONT SIZE=2>	The Defense Acquisition Regulations Council published a final rule Oct. 25 requiring contracting officers to first review the defense inventory for commercial software and maintenance services before checking elsewhere. The rule adds the Enterprise Software Initiative requirements to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement Subpart 208.74. </FONT>
The Defense Acquisition Regulations Council published a final rule Oct. 25 requiring contracting officers to first review the defense inventory for commercial software and maintenance services before checking elsewhere. The rule adds the Enterprise Software Initiative requirements to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement Subpart 208.74.
The Defense ESI working group lobbied for the rule as a way to put some teeth in a 2-year-old mandate that was widely overlooked. A July 2000 memorandum from the Defense CIO's office required contracting officers to consult ESI when buying commercial software and maintenance services, but the memo was often ignored.
The latest move by the council makes the measure part of the DFARS, the rules procurement officials must follow in purchasing for military agencies. The rule requires defense contracting officers to first check the inventory for large software buys before using another vehicle, said James Clausen, co-chairman of the group.
The Defense ESI working group lobbied for the rule as a way to put some teeth in a 2-year-old mandate that was widely overlooked. A July 2000 memorandum from the Defense CIO's office required contracting officers to consult ESI when buying commercial software and maintenance services, but the memo was often ignored.
The latest move by the council makes the measure part of the DFARS, the rules procurement officials must follow in purchasing for military agencies. The rule requires defense contracting officers to first check the inventory for large software buys before using another vehicle, said James Clausen, co-chairman of the group.
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