As advised previously, Sustainability Victoria commenced a process to sell FirstRate5 early in 2015. We have since completed a ‘Call for Expressions of Interest’, and invited a shortlist of respondents to submit full tenders outlining their proposals for ongoing ownership, maintenance and distribution of the software.
Meanwhile, the Australian Building Codes Board has proposed a number of changes to the 2016 National Construction Code (NCC) which relate to the methods available for determining compliance with the thermal performance requirements of the NCC. If implemented, these changes may have a significant effect on the market for FirstRate5. The changes are subject to public consultation, and a statement announcing the outcomes of that process is expected to be made public in early 2016.
SV has extended the closing time for tender submissions to early 2016 in order to provide reasonable time for tenderers to accommodate this information into their tender submissions.
Tenders will be evaluated by a panel of Government and industry representatives who will seek to ensure that the new owner is capable of maintaining and improving FirstRate5 as well as providing ongoing support to users. We expect the process to take several months and hope to be in a position to advise users of the outcome of the tender in 2016.
We are proud of the impact that FirstRate5 has had on the energy efficiency of new dwellings in Victoria and interstate, and firmly believe there is an exciting future for this software in the marketplace. SV will continue to support improved resource efficiency in the built environment through a range of other programs.
Software support is still available at [email protected].
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