OASIS members have created a new Electronic Procurement Standardization (EPS) Technical Committee to guide the coordinated development of global e-procurement standards and processes. The TC will seek to "establish broad global representation from a cross section of governments and industries to enable the most credible and effective representation in the development of EP standards and processes. EPS TC work will focus on: (1) Developing requirements and a comprehensive framework for electronic procurement standards, (2) dentifying existing and in-development standards within this framework, (3) Coordinating liaison activity with other groups developing these components, (4) Identifying new activities to be pursued. (5) Performing a gap analysis to highlight where major electronic procurement standards are required to fulfill market needs and prioritize those with the most promising results." The first meeting of the EPS TC will be held as a teleconference on May 19, 2003.

OASIS EPS TC Overview

Participants in the EPS TC will gather and analyze requirements for electronic procurement standards and processes from user-centric, government and industry organizations. A broad selection of technical and domain experts from organizations around the world in a series of specific technical committees will perform the actual technical work of developing e-procurement standards. These additional technical committees will be created, as needed.

The input of government and industry on the direction of the EPS TC activity is essential to ensure comprehensive, effective, and neutral specifications and processes. Broad global representation from a cross section of governments and industries will enable the most credible and effective representation in the development of EP standards and processes.

List of Deliverables. The EPS TC will create a robust framework that includes:

• Requirements for Global Electronic Procurement Standards; 2Q 2003
• Key organizations and standards bodies to liaise with to ensure interoperability and rapid development of components within this framework; 2Q 2003
• Key functional components of the procurement process; 3Q 2003
• Existing and emerging standards and specifications that could serve as components of this framework; 3Q 2003
• Gaps that exist in the framework and a prioritization of which new specific EP standards are needed; 3Q 2003
• Additional activities that may be needed to fulfill the requirements of this framework.

Charter Proponents:

• Terri Tracey, Institute for Supply Management, ttracey@ism.ws
• Rick Grimm, National Institute for Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), rgrimm@nigp.org
• Michelle Sisler, National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), msisler@amrinc.net
• Karen Cox, RosettaNet, karen.cox@rosettanet.org
• Michael Hoggard, Individual Member, operations@gpso.net

[Excerpted from the prpposal]