(Washington, D.C.) Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today commended Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the Department of Defense (DOD) for maintaining its existing policies on the use of software, which does not establish a preference for either open-source or proprietary software.  The DOD issued an official policy statement that accepts open-source software as long as it complies with the same policies established for commercial and government off-the-shelf software and meets certain security standards.

“This is a significant development in the world of technology, as DOD has done what it should by placing all software on an equal footing,” CAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “DOD resisted efforts to set a preference for open source, recognizing that it is more important that taxpayers receive the best quality programs for the least cost.  It is imperative that the federal government protect our tax dollars by determining which type of software is most efficient over the full life cycle of the software.  ”

Federal and state governments spend $125 billion annually on technology.  As a result, the debate has lingered over which is cheaper:  open-source or proprietary software.  Many people refer to open source as “free” software; yet while the software itself is free, the cost to maintain and upgrade it can become very expensive.  Furthermore, depending on which license the open source falls under, such as the General Public License, or GPL, any proprietary code mixed into it be forced into the public domain, thus losing its commercial value.  DOD rightfully takes these potential roadblocks into account by making sure that anyone who acquires software at DOD complies with all licensing requirements, including consulting with an attorney to make sure the implications of the license are completely comprehended.

“With budget deficits existing at all levels, governments are looking for ways to trim the fat,” Schatz continued.  “The official determination by DOD regarding open-source and proprietary software opens the door for other federal agencies and state governments to develop policies that even more clearly foster increased competition and as a result lead to lower prices and better quality for taxpayers.”

Citizens Against Government Waste is the nation’s largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.  For more information, please visit www.cagw.org.