Study of Government it Procurement Processes and Free Software

Abstract

The advent and increasing use of free enterprise software presents new challenges and complexities in obtaining optimal governmental IT acquisitions. In this study, we consider the implications of pricing thresholds on government procurement processes in light of free software availability. We measure the prevalence of pricing thresholds in government procurement guidelines, understand how such pricing thresholds are calculated, and determine if IT managers avail themselves of the pricing threshold exemptions to acquire free software.