Use of open source software in the public sector

On 19 May, OGCBuying.solutions announced that it was collaborating with BECTA, the government agency for the use of IT in education, to establish a new framework agreement for educational software licensing.

What is interesting about the new framework agreement, which is expected to be worth £80 million over four years, is the following passage from the Official Journal of the European Union notice published earlier this month:

"We are particularly seeking suppliers who can provide a comprehensive choice of software solutions including appropriate open source and free-to-use alternatives and advise users on best value licensing."

Many large providers of open source software are expected to bid. This represents a significant milestone with regards to the adoption of open source software within the public sector and may be indicative of the future approach to be taken by central and local government in software procurement.

For those working in local government IT, either for an authority or for a supplier, this is an interesting issue. Wragge & Co's experts in IT have put together an analysis exploring the use of open source software in local government.