Navy Launches Second Expedition into Open Source

The Open Source Software Institute (OSSI) and the Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC) recently entered into a joint research and development agreement designed to facilitate the adoption and usage of open source software within Naval web services, scientific computing and enterprise architecture systems.

The Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) is the second such research and development program between the U.S. Navy and OSSI. The initial CRADA was conducted between October 2001 and 2004, and enabled the Navy to identify and document extensive usage of open source applications and programs within their enterprise systems.

The new CRADA, designated NCRADA-05-11, is also a three-year commitment by both parties. Key components of the CRADA include facilitating the transition of open source into selected Naval enterprise architecture environments and web services programs, as well as conducting economic and business case analysis of adoption and migration to open source solutions.

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Signing of the Navy Open Source CRADA: (L to R seated) John M. Weathersby, OSSI Executive Director; Ed Gough, CNMOC, Deputy/Technical Director; Dr. Andrew Strelzoff, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, University of Southern Mississippi; (L to R standing) John Lever, Director, Information Architecture Governance, CNMOC, Director, Information Technology, NAVOCEANO; and Dr. Rex Gandy, Dean of the School of Science and Technology, University of Southern Mississippi.
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“CRADAs provide a powerful tool for building productive partnerships between government users and industry and academia,” said CNMOC Deputy /Technical Director Ed Gough, during the signing ceremony at CNMOC headquarters. “Together we can confront emerging technologies as they impact our mission and develop innovative, mutually beneficial solutions.”

As part of the Navy's evaluation of open source, the Department of the Navy's Office of the CIO (DONCIO) launched a working group to craft an official open source policy within the Navy and Marine Corps. An official open source policy statement by the Navy is expected within the year.

“The essence of the program is to provide the opportunity for Navy, IT industry and Open Source Community representatives to work together to expand the Navy's internal and external perception, usage and adoption of open source software,” said OSSI executive director, John Weathersby.

“We will build upon the knowledge-base and experience gained through the first CRADA,” Weathersby continued. “The first program helped demonstrate that the Navy was benefiting, both technically and economically, from the use of open source. This CRADA will drill down into specific areas and help them learn where and how they can better leverage open source within their systems.

“From the beginning, the Navy has been open and proactive to the concept and adoption of open source. They understand that open source is part of the current and future fabric of information technology (IT). And none of this would be possible without constant, long-term vision and leadership within the Navy's command structure,” Weathersby said.

A kick-off ceremony for the CRADA participants is currently being scheduled and will be held at CNMOC headquarters at Stennis Space Center on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. At that time, OSSI will announce the members of its technical and research team who will work on the project.

About the Open Source Software Institute
The Open Source Software Institute is a non-profit (501 c 6) organization whose mission is to promote the development and implementation of open source software solutions within U.S. federal, state and municipal government agencies and academic entities. Information on OSSI activities, and a results briefing on the initial Navy CRADA can be found on the OSSI website at: http://oss-institute.org.

About CNMOC Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (http://pao.cnmoc.navy.mil) is a third echelon operational command reporting to Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (http://www.cffc.navy.mil/).

Source : http://www.oss-institute.org/