Aims to avoid duplicative custom software purchases, promote innovation and collaboration
The US’ Federal Government is asking for public comment on a draft Federal Source Code policy. The policy will require new software developed specifically for or by the Federal Government to be made available for sharing and re-use across federal agencies. Part of this code is to be made available publicly.
The US government is inviting the general public to help answer 15 questions. Examples include: “What opportunities and challenges exist in Government-wide adoption of an open source policy? To what extent is the proposed pilot an effective means to fuel innovation, lower costs, benefit the public, and meet the operational and mission needs of covered agencies?”
The public comment period closes on 11 April. The feedback will be analysed to help inform the development of the final policy.
The draft policy was announced by Tony Scott, the US Chief Information Officer, on 10 March.
The CIO writes:
“Through this policy and pilot program, we can save taxpayer dollars by avoiding duplicative custom software purchases and promote innovation and collaboration across federal agencies. We will also enable the brightest minds inside and outside of government to review and improve our code, and work together to ensure that the code is secure, reliable, and effective in furthering our national objectives. This policy is consistent with the Federal Government’s long-standing policy of technology neutrality through which we seek to ensure that federal investments in IT are merit-based, improve the performance of our Government, and create value for the American people.”
Important projects
The Federal Government is already building some of its most important projects using open source, Scott writes. Examples include a tool to find free housing counsellors, and the US open data platform data.gov, which combines WordPress and CKAN.
CIO Scott also points to NotAlone.gov, which provides resources and data for survivors of sexual assault, one of the many public projects developed by a digital delivery team within the US’ General Services Administration.
More information:
Source code policy
Announcement by US CIO Tony Scott
USA’s Second Open Government National Action Plan, 2014, pdf