Guidance

Open Source Procurement Toolkit

The purpose of this toolkit is to ensure that there is a level playing field for open source and proprietary software.

This publication was withdrawn on

This guidance has been archived.

Documents

All about Open Source (PDF)

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All about Open Source v2 (ODT)

All about Open Source v2 (DOC)

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ICT Advice Note - Procurement of Open Source (PDF)

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ICT Advice Note - Procurement of Open Source (ODT)

Open Source Options v2 (PDF)

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Open Source Options v2 (ODT)

Open Source Options v2 (DOC)

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Open Source Software Toolkit Security Note (PDF)

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Open Source Software Toolkit Security Note (ODT)

Total Cost of Ownership – Calculation Model v1.0 (ODS)

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Total Cost of Ownership - things to consider v1.0 (PDF)

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Total Cost of Ownership - things to consider v1.0 (ODT)

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PPN Open Source (PDF)

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PPN Open Source (ODT)

Assessment of Software for Government v1 (PDF)

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Assessment of Software for Government v1 (ODT)

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Assessment of Software for Government v1 (DOC)

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Details

The government first set out its policy on the use of open source in 2004. This was restated in both 2009 and 2010. The Government ICT Strategy states that “Where appropriate, government will procure open source solutions”.

To support this, action 3 of the strategy says that “To create a level playing field for the use of innovative ICT solutions, the government will publish a toolkit for procurers on best practice for evaluating the use of open source solutions.”

The following set of documents make up that toolkit:

The purpose of this toolkit is to ensure that there is a level playing field for open source and proprietary software and that some of the myths associated with open source are dispelled.

It is intended for those who need to consider, evaluate or procure software as well as anyone just wanting to know more about open source.

Feedback on any of the toolkit documents is very welcome and should be sent to opensource@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

Published 2 November 2011