I am trying to ride the op n source wave in government in the UK (I want to make open source software that makes a difference in real lives).<p>But even though all <i>new</i> software produced for government should be FOSS, there is little movement because all the small authorities buy licenses at a speed and cost too low to allow productive n of new software.<p>A coder must develop the code first then try to sell it.  All the risk is on the coders, but they won&#x27;t get paid unless they sell licenses - which defeats the whole point<p>In short if there are 60 councils in the UK who all want a new system for one of the 2000&#x27;legally obligated services they must provide, they will generally ask for a license of say 1&#x2F;10 of the cost of production.  If they all do that then the UK overpays by six fold.<p>If the first one went FOSS and ponied up the money the UK saves six fold.<p>However no council will pay for everyone else&#x27;s free software.<p>So we keep over paying<p>&quot;&quot;&quot;The Council would like to hear from organisations willing to share information about their e-recruitment systems to gauge the likely level of interest in the project from the market. This will enable the Council to gain a better understanding of the systems available, the ways in which they could be supplied, an indication of the likely costs, and help determine the most effective way of packaging and scoping its requirements for any future procurement opportunity. As such the Council is undertaking this soft market testing exercise to engage with organisations and share information.&quot;&quot;&quot;<p>So I am looking to build some forms of mutualised contract where the first authority to want finds say nine others and agree upfront payments.<p>Anyone with ideas pease shout