The use of open source software

Further milestones on the path towards achieving more efficient and cost-effective public sector ICT have been reached as highlighted today by Cabinet Office Minister of State, Douglas Alexander MP.

The use of the Open Source Software policy within UK Government should encourage the procurement of value-for-money solutions and lessen the reliance on individual IT suppliers.

In answer to a PQ from Andrew Dismore (Hendon), Douglas Alexander MP yesterday announced the publication of the Open Source Software policy. He said:

"This government is intent on securing the best value for money in its IT procurements by encouraging the development of a flourishing IT industry which supplies both proprietary and Open Source Software solutions to the public sector. Government procurement decisions will be based on the ability of the solutions to deliver effective and economic systems and services.

"I am pleased to announce new policy on the use of Open Source Software within UK Government. It explains how we will consider Open Source Software solutions alongside proprietary ones in IT procurements and award contracts on a value for money basis, seeking to avoid lock-in to proprietary IT products and services. In addition, the UK Government will consider obtaining full rights to bespoke software code or customisations of COTS (Commercial Off the Shelf) software it procures wherever this achieves best value for money. It will also explore further the possibilities of using OSS as the default exploitation route for Government funded R&D software.

"The Open Source Software policy has been formulated for use within UK Government because we seek to embrace the fast moving pace of the software industry and to acknowledge the clear potential for Open Source Software to change the software infrastructure marketplace. It also serves as an appropriate response to the recent European Commission's Action Plan for the initiative eEurope - An Information Society for all. UK Government in joining with its European partners to explore the availability of Open Source Software solutions will seek to realise the significant potential for cost-savings in the future and to achieve an increased flexibility in the development, enhancement and integration of our IT systems."

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The Open Source Software policy Use of Open Source Software within the UK Government is available on this site.

> Open Source Software policy

Open Source Software (OSS) is software whose source code is openly published, is often developed by voluntary efforts and is usually available at no charge under a licence defined by the Open Source Initiative.

The definition of Open Source maintained by the Open Source Initiative (OSI) a non-profit corporation dedicated to managing and promoting the definition.

> http://www.opensource.org/docs/definition.html

The key entry promoting open source software from the Action Plan for the European Commission's initiative eEurope - An Information Society for all is available.

> http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/action_plan/
stimulate/egov/eu/targets_2001_2002/index_en.htm

The latest e-GIF is available.

> http://www.GovTalk.gov.uk

The Office of the e-Envoy is leading the drive to get the UK online, to ensure that the country, its citizens and its businesses derive maximum benefit from the knowledge economy. To support this aim, the Office has three core objectives:

• to make the UK the best environment in the world for e-commerce by 2002
• to ensure that everyone who wants it has access to the Internet by 2005
• to make all Government services available electronically by 2005

For more information contact:

Cabinet Office Press Office 70 Whitehall LONDON SW1A 2AS

Tel: 020 7276 0436 - Fax: 020 7276 0618

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