Many local, regional, and national governments are engaged with open source software and communities. Below are only a few resources that may help departments and agencies understand the value of open source software and development communities within the public sector, as well as how public institutions can engage with, and implement similar initiatives to realize the greatest returns for their citizens and governments.
Table of Contents:
- Press and media coverage related to open source software in government
- Reports on the adoption of open source software in government
- References of open source software in public policy and law
If you are aware of resources not listed here, please contact us and share your references.
News, Press & Media
2016
- Open Source Software Finds its Sweet Spot in the Public Sector,
by James Passingham, Technical Director and CEO at Foehn.
Public Sector Executive, June 15, 2016
Reports, Research, Surveys, White Papers
2016
- Open Source Observatory by Joinup, The European Commission
2010
- Government Open Source Policies, by Center for Strategic International Studies
- Report on the International Status of Open Source Software 2010, by The CENATIC Team, National Open Source Competency Centre, National Open Source Software Observatory (ONSFA)
Public Policy, Regulations & Law
If you’re looking for more information about what open source is, or regarding the value of open source software, development methods and communities in Government, we recommend these resources collected from other government initiatives:
India
Department Of Electronics & Information Technology
Creating and enhancing value using Free and Open Source Software within the ICT Framework for providing Efficient, Economical, Secured, and Quality Services.
Free and Open Source Software
http://deity.gov.in/content/free-and-open-source-software
Ministry of Communication & Information Technology
Department of Electronics & Information Technology
Policy on Adoption of Open Source Software for Government of India
there is a need to formulate a policy for the Government Organizations to adopt Open Source Software. The Policy on Adoption of Open Source Software for Government of India will encourage the formal adoption and use of Open Source Software (OSS) in Government Organizations.
http://deity.gov.in/sites/upload_files/dit/files/policy_on_adoption_of_oss.pdf
National Resource Centre for Free and Open Source Software
National Resource Centre for Free and Open Source Software (NRCFOSS) is an initiative of the Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Government of India. NRCFOSS was setup in Chennai in April 2005 with the twin roles of bridging the digital divide as well as strengthening the Indian Software industry. NRCFOSS contributes to the growth of FOSS in India through Research & Development, Human Resource Development, Networking & Entrepreneurship development, as well as, serve as the reference point for all FOSS related activities in the country.
http://www.nrcfoss.org.in/
New Zealand
NZGOAL Software Extension Guidelines
Licensing and releasing copyright software works under free and open source software licences. NZGOAL-SE makes use of the General Public Licence (GPL) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) licence, providing software specific guidance for releasing publicly funded software as open source.
https://www.ict.govt.nz/guidance-and-resources/open-government/new-zealand-government-open-access-and-licensing-nzgoal-framework/nzgoal-se/
United Kingdom
Government Service Design Manual
Using open source software: How open source fits into Government IT strategy
Where appropriate, government will procure open source solutions. When used in conjunction with compulsory open standards, open source presents significant opportunities for the design and delivery of interoperable solutions.
https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/making-software/open-source.html
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/85968/uk-government-government-ict-strategy_0.pdf
Procurement policy note 8/11: procurement of open source IT
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-8-11-procurement-of-open-source
Open source, open standards and re-use: government action plan
We want to encourage innovation inside Government by encouraging open source thinking, and outside by helping to develop a vibrant market. The IT Industry and the wider economy will benefit from the information we generate and the software we develop.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-source-open-standards-and-re-use-government-action-plan
More resources from the UK: https://www.gov.uk/search?q=open+source
United States of America
18F, United States of America, General Services Administration
The default position of 18F when developing new projects is to use Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), which is software that does not charge users a purchase or licensing fee for modifying or redistributing the source code, in our projects and contribute back to the open source community.
https://github.com/18F/open-source-policy/blob/master/policy.md
US Department of Defence
DoD Open Source Software (OSS) FAQ
An educational resource for government employees and government contractors to understand the policies and legal issues relating to the use of open source software (OSS) in the Department of Defense (DoD). The information on this page does not constitute legal advice and any legal questions relating to specific situations should be referred to legal counsel. References to specific products or organizations are for information only, and do not constitute an endorsement of the product/company.
http://dodcio.defense.gov/OpenSourceSoftwareFAQ.aspx
US Department of Veteran Affairs
VA CIO Lays out Open Source Strategy at OSEHRA Conference
http://www.openhealthnews.com/hotnews/va-cio-lays-out-open-source-strategy-osehra-conference
US White House
Leveraging American Ingenuity through Reusable and Open Source Software
Draft policy to support improved access to custom software code developed for the Federal Government.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2016/03/09/leveraging-american-ingenuity-through-reusable-and-open-source-software
Federal Source Code Policy
https://sourcecode.cio.gov/
More from the U.S.
Massachusetts State Department of Administration and Finance
Open Initiatives
http://www.mass.gov/anf/research-and-tech/it-serv-and-support/application-serv/open-initiatives/
Open Source For America
http://opensourceforamerica.org/
Government Open Source Office deal set to provide major savings
UK Government buyers have signed a new commercial deal for Open Source office applications on desktop, mobile, and cloud. The “Cloud Transition Agreement” between the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), an executive arm of the Cabinet Office, and British Open Source software firm Collabora Productivity, states the Government’s commitment to Open Source and Open Document Format, and offers major cost savings for public sector bodies.
Crown Commercial Service
October 20, 2015
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/collabora-deal-will-provide-savings-on-open-source-office-software