[okfn-za] Open Contracting Standard Launched

Tue Nov 18 07:51:27 UTC 2014

The Open Contracting Standard was launched today. Below is the press
release:

Standard launched to ensure transparency and efficiency in contracting

The world’s first Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) was launched in
Costa Rica today (November 18th, 2014) and is set to transform the way
governments publish contracting data. The OCDS is a product of the Open
Contracting Partnership (OCP), developed by the World Wide Web Foundation
through a project supported by the Omidyar Network and the World Bank. It
will shine a light on how trillions of dollars of public money are spent,
helping to fight corruption, improve service delivery and enhance market
efficiency.

Governments around the world spend 9.5 trillion USD each year in
contracting but until now, the data has largely been inaccessible.

The OCDS gives governments a common format and set of practical tools which
will allow them to consistently publish contracting data openly. The OCDS
will ensure contracting is transparent and efficient, allowing businesses
to compete effectively creating business growth and maximising public
engagement.

Gavin Hayman, Incoming Executive Director of the OCP said: "It is time to
end secret deals between companies and governments to make sure public
resources are spent openly, effectively and efficiently. Having accessible,
comparable data covering the key items of information in a deal is key to
achieving this objective"

Anne Jellema, CEO of the World Wide Web Foundation said: "Corruption adds
an estimated $2.3 trillion to the cost of government contracts every year.
This new standard is a big step forward in the fight to eliminate fraud and
waste in public procurement, enabling contracts to be published online in a
transparent, consistent and user-friendly format so that anyone can monitor
them."

As part of the announcement the Open Contracting Partnership are inviting
governments to access the Standard and adopt the tools to ensure
contracting is transparent and efficient, and citizens and NGOs are urged
to monitor and analyse published data.

-- 
Adi Eyal
Director
Code for South Africa
Promoting informed decision-making

phone: +27 78 014 2469
skype: adieyalcas
linkedin: http://za.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Adi/Eyal
web: http://www.code4sa.org
twitter: @soapsudtycoon

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South Africa, go to: http://www.code4sa.org/#community
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