In a step toward modernizing access to Australian Standards, Australia’s peak standards development body is asking Australian and global publishers and distributors to provide market terms for the distribution of Standards Australia’s technical documents and other content.
This Request for Proposal (RFP) is designed on an open basis and is accessible to the global market.
Standards Australia is seeking proposals from potential partners as the organization prepares for the end of the initial term of its contract with SAI Global.
The current contract between Standards Australia and SAI Global provides for a further term of five years from December 16, 2018, in certain circumstances, on “market terms”. The proposal process will be conducted in a way that is consistent with Standards Australia’s obligations to SAI Global under that contract.
Given community demand for improved access to Australian Standards, Chief Executive Dr. Bronwyn Evans said she is pleased that an open and transparent process had commenced regarding distribution of standards in Australia.
“We are excited about getting to market terms,” Evans said. “We have pursued this market-based process because we want to hear from the innovators—from those investing in the customer experience and providing solutions that meet customer and publisher needs.
“Our stakeholders have consistently told us they want more. This process will allow us to understand directly from the market the current and future-focused distribution models that are evolving and support our transition following the end of the initial term of the contract with SAI Global.”
Evans confirmed that the process is open to all market participants, including SAI Global.
Chairman of the Standards Australia Board, Richard Brooks, said the board has set broad evaluation criteria through the RFP and is seeking responses from potential partners who have the appropriate infrastructure, standing, experience, customer focus, and skills to work with Standards Australia as opportunities present.
“At the core of our focus is the capacity to provide high quality content distribution services to Australian industry, government and the community,” Brooks said. “Our public purpose is our first priority. This must be supported by market based distribution arrangements set in an open and transparent way.
“We look forward to hearing from content distributors about how they are partnering, innovating, improving end user experiences and supporting technical publishers to deliver solutions to customers.”
Current arrangements with respect to the distribution of Standards Australia material remain as they are, with SAI Global having the exclusive right to sell, market, and distribute Australian Standard brand standards and other documents developed and adopted through the Standards Australia process.
The RFP will close on February 14, 2018.
Documents are available here.