An open specification is when an architect does not name a specific
supplier or product and allows for substitutions to be made by the
contractor. It does not limit competition, but rather is dictated by a set of
standards that more than one manufacturer can meet, allowing for many
alternatives to be submitted for approval. Performance specifications are
often considered to be open.
An open proprietary specification describes a single product or system but
allows the bidder to suggest an alternate or substitute product.
The correct use of alternate, option, and substitution is important when
writing proprietary specifications as each has a fundamentally different
meaning. An alternate is a product acceptable to the engineer or specification
writer for which the bidder submits alternative pricing. An option is one of
several, typically at least three, listed products in the specification.
A substitution is a request to substitute one product for another product
described in a specification. This could be in the form of a proposed substitution,
where the specification do not name alternate products or manufacturers but
allow submittal of substitute products, or a controlled substitution, where the
desired products or systems are described and named, but substitute products
with equal functionality may be submitted for review and approval.
An open specification that allows alternate products is similar to a closed
specification in that it describes a very specific product and may name only a
single product or manufacturer. However, open specifications include provisions
that encourage the bidder to submit alternate or substitute products. If alternate
products are requested, a list of the approved alternate products is included in
the specification. The bidder must submit pricing for the named product and is
permitted to submit alternate products from the list included in the specification,
along with pricing information for the alternate products.
Open proprietary specifications that allow substitutions name only a single
product, but include provisions within the product specification that allow the
bidder to submit substitute products. The bidder chooses to submit pricing for
either the named or base bid products or any products that the bidder feels
would meet the requirements of the named product. A product that is
submitted as a substitute product must have the same functionality and the
bidder must include pricing information.
Occasionally, you may come across an open specification that allows
controlled substitutions. This differs from a specification that allows substitutions in
that it includes a requirement to coordinate the substitution request with the
requirements for product substitution in Division 01, typically in a section called
"Product Substitution Procedures." What this means to the engineer is that
substitutions are not directly addressed in the product specification, but instead
may be submitted, reviewed, and used as long as the bidder complies with the
requirements for substitutions in Division 01. This means less work addressing the
substitution procedures, but requires the engineer to write a strong specification
that adequately details the desired characteristics or operation of the product.
All open and closed specifications, except for an open specification that
allows controlled substitutions, require that the engineer work with the owner or
contracting officer to ensure that provisions for the alternate or substitute
products are included within the bidding forms, since submission of these
products typically includes a difference in bid price. However, no special
requirements are needed for an open specification that allows controlled
substitutions since the requirements for submittal of a substitute product are
addressed in Division 01.
An open specification is a specification created and controlled, in an
open and fair process, by an association or a standardization body intending to
achieve interoperability and interchangeability. An open specification is not
controlled by a single company or individual or by a group with discriminatory
membership criteria. Copies of Open Specifications are available free of charge
or for a moderate fee and can be implemented under reasonable and non-
discriminatory licensing (RAND) terms by all interested parties.
What are Open specifications?
• Specifications created and controlled, in an open and fair way, by an
association or standardization body aimed at supporting interoperability and
interchangeability
• Open specifications are not controlled by a single company or individual or by
a group with discriminatory membership criteria
• Specifications should not be confused with standards Open Source Meets
Open Standards
What is Open source?
• A set of principles and practices on how to write software
• According to the Open Source Initiative, terms must include:
1. Free Redistribution
2. Source Code
3. Derived Works Integrity of The Authors’ Source Code
4. Integrity of The Authors’ Source code
5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
7. Distribution of License 8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product
9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software
10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral Open Source Meets Open Standards
Open Specifications + Open Source
Indust
-open specifications are interchange standards
-reference platform influences adopt
-shift towards solution-
-ability to integrate becomes an opportunity as increased platform adoption
leads to more things to integrate Open Source Meets Open Standards
REFERENCES:
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itution.
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