Vietnam: Regulations on the priority in procurement and use of open-source software in state agencies

Vietnam: Regulations on the priority in procurement and use of open-source software in state agencies (illustrative image)

Circular 20/2014/TT-BTTTT stipulates the priority in procurement and use of open-source software in state agencies and organizations. The open-source software products prioritized for procurement and use in state agencies and organizations in Vietnam include:

- Open-source software products listed in the Appendix attached to the Circular;

- Open-source software products that meet the criteria set forth in the Criteria for selecting open-source software products prioritized for procurement and use in state agencies and organizations, especially products developed, perfected, exploited, and provided by domestic organizations and enterprises.

State agencies and organizations, when they need to use state capital to invest in the development, procurement, or rent of software listed in the Appendix of this Circular, or software for which there is already a corresponding open-source software product in the market that meets the criteria for selecting open-source software products prioritized for procurement and use in state agencies and organizations, must prioritize the selection of corresponding open-source software products according to the above regulations and must clearly demonstrate this priority in documents such as preliminary designs, development designs, bidding plans, investment plans, bidding documents, quotation requests, price inquiry requests, or other procurement requirements.

State agencies and organizations in Vietnam must not include requirements, conditions, or technical specifications in documents such as preliminary designs, development designs, bidding plans, investment plans, bidding documents, quotation requests, price inquiry requests, or other procurement requirements that may lead to the exclusion of open-source software products.

Details can be found in Circular 20/2014/TT-BTTTT effective from January 20, 2015.

Ty Na

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