Information Technology: DoD Needs to Fully Implement Program for Piloting Open Source Software
Abstract
Why GAO Did This Study. Open source software is code that is released under a license which grants users the right to modify, share, and reuse the software. Making code available for reuse as open source can have major benefits such as decreasing costs and improving efficiencies. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 required DOD to submit a plan to Congress for initiating the open source software pilot program established by OMB memorandum M-16-21. DOD submitted its plan to Congress in June 2018. The act includes a provision for GAO to report on DODs implementation of the open source software pilot program. GAO's objectives were to (1) assess the extent to which DOD has implemented the open source software pilot program and other related requirements established by OMB; and (2) describe the views of responsible DOD officials on the use of open source software to achieve efficiency, transparency, and innovation at the department. To address these objectives, GAO compared DODs plan for implementing the program to OMBs memo. GAO also interviewed defense officials at 11 DOD components including military departments, and defense agencies on their views about the benefits and risks of making code available as opensource software.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1152891
Entities
People
- Carol C. Harris
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office