The European Science Foundation-Science Connect (ESF-SC), on behalf of cOAlition S, has issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) seeking a third-party contractor to conduct a large-scale consultation with the research community regarding cOAlition S's draft proposal titled ‘Towards Responsible Publishing.’
Over the past five years, the global shift toward full and immediate Open Access (OA) has gained momentum, making it an irreversible trend. However, traditional academic publishing practices have struggled to keep up with the rapid advancements in scientific research dissemination and usage. Additionally, the reliance on Article Processing Charges (APCs) as a means to fund OA publications has posed challenges, potentially hindering universal access due to high fees.
These pressing issues have prompted funders and stakeholders, particularly university libraries responsible for procuring publishing services on behalf of researchers, to reassess how Open Access can be delivered in a responsible, equitable, and sustainable manner.
To address this challenge, cOAlition S is developing a new proposal called ‘Towards Responsible Publishing.’ The proposal envisions a community-based communication system that is well-suited for open science in the 21st century. Such a system would empower scholars to share the full range of their research outputs and participate in new quality control mechanisms and evaluation standards. This approach aims to ensure the rapid and transparent dissemination of high-quality scientific knowledge.
Before finalizing detailed plans for the implementation of this proposal, cOAlition S intends to consult with the research community at large. The goal is to gather feedback and input from researchers to ensure that the strategy aligns with their needs and aspirations.
The consultation process will be facilitated by the contracted third-party, allowing researchers to express their opinions and contribute to the development of a strategy that best serves their requirements.
The consultation aims to achieve several overarching goals, including: Assessing the extent to which the vision, mission, and objectives outlined in the draft proposal align with the needs of the global research community, including researchers funded by cOAlition S and those who are not; Identifying areas where the "Towards Responsible Publishing" proposal can be modified or refined to better resonate with the needs and aspirations of the research community, garnering broader support and adoption; Identifying any potential showstoppers or unintended consequences within the draft proposal and proposing proactive measures to mitigate them, ensuring a successful implementation; and Evaluating whether the existing scholarly communication infrastructure can support the proposed changes and identifying areas where additional funding can strengthen the infrastructure.
Once the consultation process is complete, the contracted contractor(s) will analyze the outcomes and provide recommendations to the cOAlition S leadership. These recommendations will focus on refining the proposal to maximize its chances of success and contribute to the establishment of an open, scholar-led communication ecosystem that removes barriers to participation for the benefit of science and society.
The "Towards Responsible Publishing" proposal will be made public once the appointed contractor(s) have established a mechanism for gathering feedback. Shortlisted suppliers will also receive a copy of the working draft ahead of the scheduled interviews on September 13th, 2023.
Interested contractors can access the Invitation to Tender document, which details the tasks, deliverables, and project timeline. The document also provides guidance on the level of engagement expected from contractors. Applicants are required to use the response grid provided and submit their applications to Nora Papp-Le Roy (npappleroy@esf.org) by 09:00 CEST on Monday, September 4th, 2023.
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