Fwd: Huge contract gives DISA access to proprietary code from Microsoft -- Defense Systems

[John Scott]

discuss/rant

http://defensesystems.com/articles/2013/06/18/microsoft.aspx?s=ds_190613

Huge contract gives DISA access to proprietary code from Microsoft
• By Defense Systems Staff
• Jun 18, 2013

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) awarded Microsoft a $412 million contract for Microsoft enterprise technical support services necessary to obtain highly trained "Microsoft Blue Badge Cardholder-support."
These services require access rights to Microsoft's proprietary (closed-source) code, which is licensed under exclusive legal right of Microsoft. The core requirements are for the contractor to provide Microsoft consulting services that include software developers and product teams to leverage a variety of proprietary resources and source code, and Microsoft support services such as tools and knowledge bases, problem resolution assistance from product developers, and access to Microsoft source code when applicable to support Department of Defense mission.


The contract is for one year, with four one-year options. The original solicitation was issued as an other-than-full-and-open-competitive action, and one proposal was received.
----------------------------------------------
John Scott
240.401.6574
< jms...@gmail.com >
http://powdermonkey.blogs.com
@johnmscott

[Joshua L. Davis]

-1

Using taxes to pay for temporary partial and perceived freedom.  This is an example of how software can hold governments hostage. 

I really wonder what it is that disa needs and if any of the resulting source developed will be an unlimited licence to the government. Probably not.

~~
Josh
678.831.0182

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[John Scott]

maybe someone from DISA can answer?

for source code created in this contract does it become unlimited rights?

or did the taxpayer just help pay to fix buggy code (again)

[Wheeler, David A]

Hmm:

"The contract is for one year, with four one-year options. The original solicitation was issued as an other-than-full-and-open-competitive action, and one proposal was received."

What a surprise. It turns out it's important to have source code access, and since there's only possible proposer, the price is... well.. high.

Just to put $412 million in perspective... the DoD is furloughing workers because of a LACK of money; $1.8billion according to http://defensesystems.com/articles/2013/06/18/microsoft.aspx?s=ds_190613. This one contract is worth 20% of furloughing the entire DoD government workforce.

--- David A. Wheeler

-----Original Message-----
From: mil...@googlegroups.com [mailto:mil...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of John Scott
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 7:16 AM
To: mil...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [mil-oss] Fwd: Huge contract gives DISA access to proprietary code from Microsoft -- Defense Systems

discuss/rant

http://defensesystems.com/articles/2013/06/18/microsoft.aspx?s=ds_190613

Huge contract gives DISA access to proprietary code from Microsoft

* By Defense Systems Staff
* Jun 18, 2013

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) awarded Microsoft a $412 million contract for Microsoft enterprise technical support services necessary to obtain highly trained "Microsoft Blue Badge Cardholder-support."
These services require access rights to Microsoft's proprietary (closed-source) code, which is licensed under exclusive legal right of Microsoft. The core requirements are for the contractor to provide Microsoft consulting services that include software developers and product teams to leverage a variety of proprietary resources and source code, and Microsoft support services such as tools and knowledge bases, problem resolution assistance from product developers, and access to Microsoft source code when applicable to support Department of Defense mission.

----------------------------------------------
John Scott
240.401.6574
< jms...@gmail.com >
http://powdermonkey.blogs.com
@johnmscott

[John Scott]

4 planes too!

[Martin Stadtler]

Offlist

And in China the military has fully embraced Linux.  Frustrating.

[John M Weathersby]

they have done us a huge favor by putting a price on the cost of proprietary solutions: $412 million per year, for one agency...hmmm.  Thanks guys.  

-------------------------------------------------------------

John M. Weathersby, Jr.
Open Source Software Institute
www.oss-institute.org
voice: 601.427.0152

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[ben]

Guys, it is $412M over 5 years and it is an IDIQ contract.  Calm down a little.  Until you've seen the work statement or line item price list, you can't really determine what the ratio of the cost is for professional services versus the ability to view the code.

[ben]

The original press release:

Microsoft Corporation Sitz, Redmond, Wash., is being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract with a total cumulative face value of $412,240,000. The minimum guarantee is $5,000, for Microsoft Enterprise Technical Support Services (METSS) necessary to obtain highly trained “Microsoft Blue Badge Cardholder-support”.  These services require access rights to Microsoft’s proprietary (closed-source) code, which is licensed under exclusive legal right of Microsoft.  The core requirements are for the contractor to provide Microsoft Consulting Services that include software developers and product teams to leverage a variety of proprietary resources and source code, and Microsoft Premier Support services such as tools and knowledge bases, problem resolution assistance from product developers, and access to Microsoft source code when applicable to support Department of Defense’s mission. The period of performance is a one-year base period and four one-year option periods for a total period of five years.  Performance will predominantly be within the continental United States; however, support services may also be required at multiple overseas locations.  The original solicitation was issued as an other than full and open competitive action, one proposal was received.  The Defense Information Technology Contracting organization, Scott AFB, Ill., is the contracting activity (HC1028-13-D-0023).

[Ben Francis]

It's as if we had already bought digital buildings, and now we get to pay to inspect them.

Incompetence? Corruption? ... I'm looking for an option here that doesn't reek.

[John Scott]

and from what I've seen wot Winders 8, it might just take muliti-millions to fix it