OSD/AS&C Open Technology Development Report is out!

DUSD(AS&C), is examining how to deploy new technology development methodologies within DOD to increase the fielding rate of software and related technology based systems. AS&C is specifically focusing on Open Technology Development (OTD), which refers to technology and business process mechanisms to allow DOD-funded software code to be shared and collaboratively developed across DOD activities. This methodology would allow DOD organizations and contractors to rapidly adapt and extend existing software capabilities in response to shifting threats and requirements without, being locked in to a proprietary technologies/standard.

Downloadable here:

Open Source Software Institute
or
Open Technology Development Website

Comments

[William Smith]

Sounds good but how does this impact NMCI? I had a really awesome open source application that utilized MySQL. The operating cost was $0 because it was developed and deployed using entirely open source software. Once we "changed over" to NMCI this got shut down. The feedback I had was only Microsoft products were authorized. Oh and by the way, EDS/NMCI wanted tens of thousands of dollars to make it happen.

[Kit Plummer]

This could be just the document to drive OSS use for internal development projects at my DoD-contractor employeer.

Something that was only scratched in the roadmap is how classification of OTD projects should be handled. This is the piece of ammo we are missing as we've presenting our project. The question always comes up: "how do you get the 'app' into a classified area?". Our answer is always: "the same way you would a proprietary pieces of software." Unfortunately, NIST CC/EAL certification is becoming a requirement. COTS solutions have a better opportunity for meeting this requirement simply because the funds exist to get them through the stamping of approval process. Although, I recently read that we are looking at paying to have JBoss run through the ringer - there aren't a lot of options as soon as the CC thing comes up.

Is there a potential "Governmental" channel for getting OSS projects certified?

Great work...I hope to hear many success stories in the near future.