Unlock Government Potential: Build Public Tech That Works for Everyone
After spending nearly two years in the federal government working alongside agencies like the CDC, FEMA, CMS, and FNS, I witnessed firsthand the same recurring challenges across the board. It became clear to me that open-source solutions could be the key to overcoming these obstacles, and I became a passionate advocate for their potential to drive change.
Governments have a fundamental duty to serve the public, and in today’s digital age, this means ensuring their online services are accessible, user-friendly, and effective. Yet, for too long, public tech solutions have been stuck in closed, proprietary systems that limit innovation and force agencies into costly, multi-year contracts. It’s time for a shift. Open-source technology offers a powerful, collaborative alternative, one that can truly unlock the potential of government services and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
The Problem with Vendor Lock-In: A Barrier to Progress
Imagine navigating a government website that feels outdated, difficult to use, and doesn’t meet your needs. Many citizens face this experience regularly due to outdated systems and government reliance on closed, proprietary technologies. These systems are often built by vendors who lock agencies into multi-year contracts, keeping knowledge and data away from government hands. This leads to a lack of control over tech infrastructure, increased costs, and a dependency on vendors that hinders government agencies from adapting to new challenges and serving citizens efficiently.
Predatory vendor practices — including vendor lock-in, inaccessible data, and proprietary rule engines — trap governments in a cycle that stifles innovation and evolution. A clear example of this inefficiency is in federally funded programs, such as Medicaid or SNAP, which are administered at the state level. While these programs are governed by the same federal policies, each state is forced to implement its own technology solution. This creates redundancy and fragmentation, with states left to either reinvent the wheel or build systems based on varying levels of resources and expertise. As a result, the quality and accessibility of services can differ widely, reinforcing inequities where wealthier states can afford better solutions, and poorer ones are left with outdated or underfunded systems.
Similarly, in public health, all states, counties, and tribal nations are required to track and report diseases to the CDC, but each is left to develop its own system for doing so. This leads to a patchwork of solutions, where some regions have robust, real-time reporting systems, while others struggle with outdated or fragmented tools, compromising timely responses to public health threats and creating significant disparities in data accuracy and accessibility.
Open Source: The Future of Government Tech
What if we could break free from vendor lock-in and create government services based on collaboration rather than contracts? The answer lies in open-source technology.
Think of tools like Login.gov, Notify.gov, U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) — powerful, shared solutions already proving the concept of open-source in government. Open source isn’t just about free code; it’s about collaboration, interoperability, and creating systems that work together for all. By shifting to open-source, we can develop shared services. These shared services can be used across the country, ensuring that states don’t need to recreate the wheel every time they launch a new program.
Here’s how open-source can make a difference:
- Adaptability: Open-source tools can be tailored to real, local needs, rather than relying on rigid, out-of-the-box solutions.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Open-source means more efficient use of taxpayer dollars by reducing dependency on expensive proprietary systems.
- Equity: States can avoid uneven solutions and ensure that all citizens, regardless of location or income, receive the same level of service and access.
But why now? In the age of digital transformation, the cost of continuing to rely on closed, proprietary systems is too high. With rapid advancements in technology, governments can no longer afford to fall behind. Open-source tools are flexible, scalable, and — importantly — transparent. This transparency ensures that citizens can have more confidence in the systems they rely on and guarantees that these systems will remain adaptable as needs evolve.
The Role of Vendors: Moving Beyond Proprietary Systems
While open-source is the future, vendors still have an important role to play in the transition. The key is shifting their role from proprietary systems providers to partners in government digital transformation.
Here are a few ways vendors can evolve:
- Shift to High-Value Services and Implementation: Governments will still need help with customization, integration, and compliance. Vendors can lead in these areas rather than maintaining proprietary rule engines. Additionally, migration support for transitioning from legacy systems presents a new opportunity for revenue.
2. Develop Premium Offerings Around Open Source: Vendors can profit from open-source foundations by offering enterprise-grade services on top — such as hosting, support, and analytics.
3. Strengthen Government Partnerships and Thought Leadership: By embracing open-source, vendors position themselves as trusted partners. Rather than simply selling products, they can become indispensable consultants helping government agencies navigate digital transformation.
Empowering Developers: Making Open Source Accessible and Scalable
For open-source solutions to thrive in government, developers must focus on creating reusable components and standardized interfaces that enable seamless integration across various systems. These components can be shared across agencies and states, reducing the need to reinvent the wheel every time a new project or service is launched. By standardizing interfaces, government teams can more easily plug in open-source tools to their existing systems, ensuring that these tools remain adaptable and scalable as needs evolve.
A common misconception about open-source software is that it is inherently less secure. In fact, the opposite is often true. Open-source projects benefit from community oversight, where security flaws are identified and patched faster than in proprietary software, which may have limited external scrutiny. When open-source projects follow established security protocols and are regularly maintained, they can be as secure, if not more secure, than proprietary alternatives.
To ensure that open-source solutions succeed in government settings, developers should:
A Shared Vision: Open-Source for All
By shifting to open-source technologies, we can build a digital future where public tech works for everyone. Imagine a government that can more easily deliver services, save taxpayer money, and innovate with the needs of the people in mind. A government that is agile, collaborative, and transparent.
But this vision won’t become a reality without collaboration. Developers, vendors, and government agencies must work together to create open-source solutions that are flexible, secure, and sustainable.
Join the Movement: Whether you’re a vendor, developer, or policymaker, the time to act is now. By embracing open-source technologies, we can create a future where government services are faster, more efficient, and available to everyone. Let’s work together to build a better, more accessible government.
