A new law designed to enhance collaboration and efficiency within the U.S. federal government’s technology sector was signed into law this week, requiring federal agencies to share custom source code with each other in order to streamline operations, improve software development processes, and reduce costs.
The Federal Technology Code Sharing Act was approved by Congress late last week and signed by President Joe Biden on December 26, 2024. The law mandates that all U.S. federal agencies must make publicly available any custom software code they develop, enabling other agencies to reuse, modify, and improve upon it for their own needs.
Supporters of the bill argue that it will foster innovation, reduce redundant efforts, and ultimately save taxpayers millions of dollars by enabling federal agencies to more efficiently share resources and avoid reinventing the wheel when it comes to software development.
The Problem of Fragmentation
Historically, U.S. government agencies have developed custom software solutions in isolation, leading to duplicated efforts, inefficiencies, and wasted resources. While many agencies develop robust, custom-built systems to meet their specific needs, these solutions often exist in silos and are not shared across government departments. This lack of coordination has resulted in overlapping projects and unnecessary expenditure on software that could be shared or adapted for use by multiple agencies.
The Federal Technology Code Sharing Act aims to break down these barriers by requiring agencies to share the code they develop for any custom-built software solution. The law specifies that agencies must publish their source code in an open, accessible manner, allowing other federal entities to review and reuse it under an open-source model.
“This is a major step forward in making government more efficient, more transparent, and more cost-effective,” said Representative Sarah Greenfield (D-CA), one of the bill’s primary sponsors. “By making custom software code available across the government, we can ensure that taxpayers are getting the most value out of their investment in federal technology. This law will help foster a more collaborative, results-driven approach to software development.”
Reducing Redundancy, Improving Security
The law is also expected to help the federal government tackle longstanding issues of redundancy in software systems. In many cases, agencies working in similar domains—such as the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Health and Human Services—have developed their own systems to handle similar tasks without consulting each other. This has led to duplicative efforts and inefficiencies.
One key feature of the new law is that it requires agencies to share source code for both legacy and newly developed systems. This will give agencies the opportunity to build on previous work, improving both the speed and quality of government technology projects. Experts argue that open-source software is also more secure and stable because it allows more eyes on the code, enabling bugs and security vulnerabilities to be spotted and addressed more quickly.
“By opening up the government’s source code to scrutiny and collaboration, we can improve security and reduce the likelihood of costly software failures,” said cybersecurity expert Dr. Paul Harris. “This is a step toward creating a more resilient and secure technology infrastructure within the federal government.”
What the Law Requires
Under the terms of the Federal Technology Code Sharing Act, federal agencies will be required to:
- Publish custom software source code: Agencies must publicly release the source code for any custom-developed software, whether it’s new or an update to an existing system. The code must be made available under open-source licenses, allowing other agencies to reuse and modify it as necessary.
- Collaborate on software development: Agencies will be encouraged to work together on the development of software solutions that could be useful to multiple departments, rather than each agency building its own system from scratch.
- Ensure security and privacy: Agencies will be responsible for ensuring that any shared code does not violate privacy laws or compromise national security. Agencies will be able to redact sensitive information or restrict access to certain parts of the code, where necessary.
- Create a centralized repository: A centralized, government-run platform will be established where agencies can publish and access the shared code. This platform will be maintained by the General Services Administration (GSA), which is tasked with ensuring that the repository remains accessible, up-to-date, and secure.
The bill received broad bipartisan support in Congress, with both Republicans and Democrats recognizing the potential for efficiency gains and cost savings. However, some lawmakers raised concerns about the practical implementation of such a large-scale initiative, citing potential bureaucratic hurdles and concerns over cybersecurity.
“I fully support the idea of reducing redundancy and making government operations more efficient,” said Senator Thomas Kingston (R-TX), a co-sponsor of the bill. “But we need to ensure that the implementation is done carefully. Sharing code can be a powerful tool, but we must balance transparency with the need to protect sensitive government operations from external threats.”
In response, lawmakers and the Biden administration have committed to closely monitoring the implementation of the law to address any potential risks and ensure the program is executed in a secure and effective manner.
A New Era for Government Technology
The Federal Technology Code Sharing Act is a significant step in the modernization of the federal government’s technology infrastructure. It represents a commitment to more agile, cost-effective, and secure software development, while also fostering a culture of collaboration among government agencies.
As federal agencies begin to implement the new law, experts expect that it could serve as a model for similar initiatives in other countries, as governments worldwide face similar challenges with fragmented technology systems and escalating software costs.
The law is expected to take full effect in 2025, with agencies given a grace period to publish and share their existing source code before they are required to comply fully with the new regulations.
Looking Ahead
While the passage of the Federal Technology Code Sharing Act is a milestone in U.S. government reform, there is still much work to be done. The successful implementation of the law will require careful coordination between federal agencies, ongoing investment in cybersecurity, and clear communication to ensure that the public and private sector can take full advantage of this new collaborative approach to government technology.
For now, the law stands as a significant step in the modernization of U.S. government IT systems—one that promises to bring long-term benefits in efficiency, security, and public service delivery.
