Scaling SDGs through Local Open Source Procurement
Procurement How can the public sector leverage procurement to grow national and local capabilities and vendor ecosystems? What’s missing?
- Date
2026-06-26
- Location
UNHQ, NYC
- Speakers
Mike Gifford
Slide 1
Slide 2
Procurement Matters
Governments are the biggest purchasers of goods & services.
- Stated policies and preferences impact vendor behavior
- Procurement is a bigger leaver than grants or credits
- Contract management & evaluation key to strategy
- Little understanding of digital, let alone open source
- 97% of the software Black Duck surveyed in 2025 contained open source software
Slide 3
Shaping Incentives
This has worked before!
- Accessibility (Section 508) has driven vendors globally
- GDPR has likewise shifted with regard to privacy
- Self reporting (VPATS) are of limited use
- Vendor lock-in costs more than the contract
- Everyone is using open source, but few are contributing back
Slide 4
Supporting Local
Do small/medium countries have the expertise?
- Anyone can support open source, but who will
- Typo3 model in Kenya
- Train an ecosystem of vendors and interested client
- Allow for sub-contracting to build up local experience
- Digital Services Coalition
Slide 5
Readiness Engagement Ladder
We can incentivize firms to move up their contributions.
- Ad Hoc / Informal
- Basic Compliance & Documentation
- Adopted & Participating (Drupal Certified Partners)
- Advanced Stewardship
- Strategic Ecosystem Partner
Slide 6
Resources and follow-up
- https://www.blackduck.com/resources/analyst-reports/open-source-security-risk-analysis.html
- https://new.drupal.org/association/become-a-drupal-certified-partner
- https://news.typo3.com/article/report-on-typo3-based-government-websites-in-rwanda
Slide 7