The Region specifications state that all received proposals (proprietary or open source) will be evaluated technically and economically as follows:
|
Technical Evaluation |
Points |
|
|
A |
Quality and maturity of the proposed solution |
20 |
|
B |
Functional compliance with the needs |
35 |
|
C |
Quality and capacity of the service provider |
10 |
|
D |
Compatibility with the operating environment |
10 |
|
E |
Provision of a “re-usable” solution (1) |
3 |
|
F |
Provision of an “EUPL compatible” open source solution (2) |
+ 2 |
|
Economical Evaluation |
. |
|
|
G |
Delivery price |
14 |
|
H |
Yearly maintenance cost |
3 |
|
I |
Daily prices for “on request” support services |
3 |
|
Total of points |
100 |
|
(1) the solution is “reusable” when its licence authorizes all other local administrations in Italy to implement and use it.
(2) the solution is “open source” when its licensing conditions comply with the European Union Public Licence (EUPL) taken as reference. “+2” means that two points are added to the three points obtained for a “reusable” solution: open source solutions are always reusable.
Comments
The two technical parameters A and B (perceived quality and functional compliance, 55% in total) receive priority, which is normal.
Parameters C and D (technical capacity and compatibility with the existing environment, 20% in total) may provide some advantages to well established vendors (including proprietary software providers, especially if the existing environment is proprietary).
On the other hand, parameters E, F, G, H (22% in total) should advantage an open source solution, the open solution providers or integrators.
An advantage of 5% (for providing a solution that the administration could distribute under the EUPL or which is compliant with the EUPL requirements) may look minimal, but it may also be decisive when the technical and economical aspects of two proposed solutions are comparable. The formal reference to the EUPL is not exclusive (evaluators could accept other OSI approved licences with similar characteristics). However, the uniqueness of the EUPL (which has official value in Italian and complies with the European Union law) is a strong incentive to use this licence.
References:
This case was kindly submitted to OSOR by professore Fabio Bravo. See the comments of professore Bravo on: www.eupl.it (in Italian)
Specifications of the Region Sardinia (DISCIPLINARE DI GARA – in Italian)
The EUPL (in all EU languages)