Open Source vs. Proprietary Software in the Federal Government

February 4, 2008 OpenSource Connections
Category: Uncategorized

Since I started with OpenSource Connections in July 2007, I have seen what an uphill battle it can be to get the various federal agencies to even consider an open source solution, let alone request one via a solicitation. This was somewhat surprising to me; during my five years with Microsoft, we were convinced that open source solutions like Linux were eating “our” lunch. On the other hand, it is not at all surprising given the marketing machines that back Big IT firms like Microsoft, Oracle, and Dell. Open source solutions with their shoe string marketing budgets struggle just to enter the federal market competition. That said, there are a lot of small IT consulting firms like mine who are putting up a good fight.

To document any changes in this space, I have decided to track the results. Each week I will scan the solicitations, synopses and sources sought on Federal Business Opportunities (aka “FedBizOpps“) the governments central repository for all procurements over $25,000. Each week, my methodology will be to run a series of queries with the following parameters:

• Dates: the previous week
• NAICS Codes: 541511 – 541519 (essentially all the computer-related NAICS codes)
• Presolicitation, Combined Synopsis, All Synopsis, and Sources Sought

I will then query that pool for the total number of postings, and compare the total to how many mention open source keywords by name (Apache, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Ruby, PHP, Java, Spring, Tapestry, Hibernate, Grails, Jboss, Liferay, Linux). Finally, to remove some of the human-error factor, I will scan the results for duplicates. (ie: FedBizOpps returns multiple results tied to a single project, such as modifications or amendments to the original project which have not substantially changed the original synopsis.) Enough about my methodology. Onto the results for the first week: January 27th – February 2nd, 2008. Of a total 57 solicitations, synopses and sources sought posted last week, nine mentioned either Microsoft or Oracle by name. Only six mentioned any of my 13 open source terms. A single entry accounted for five hits across the spectrum of my open source terms. (The Department of Health and Human Services is looking for someone to contract as a Senior IT Architect.) It also returned a hit for both Microsoft and Oracle. Well, at least DHHS is looking for a well-rounded individual. This gives a total of 10.5% of last weeks postings contained an open source term. Lets see if we can do better next week. I invite comments and suggestions regarding my methodology and keywords.