Open Source becomes standard in Germany's Administration
6 hours ago
- #Open Source
- #Public Procurement
- #Digital Sovereignty
- The IT Planning Council revised eight EVB-IT model contracts to standardize open-source software procurement.
- Open-source software will now be the default for new projects, with provisions for OpenCoDE publication.
- Contractors must provide an SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) for transparency and vulnerability management.
- Checkboxes in templates allow procurement offices to select open-source software explicitly.
- The revision ends legal uncertainty that previously excluded open-source providers from public procurement.
- The changes align with § 16a of the E-Government Act, promoting 'Public Money, Public Code'.
- OpenCoDE facilitates software reuse, interoperability, and cost savings among administrations.
- Schleswig-Holstein saves €15 million annually by adopting open-source solutions.
- European initiatives are also pushing for open-source-first policies in public procurement.