Government off-the-shelf (GOTS) is a term for
software
Software consists of computer programs that instruct the Execution (computing), execution of a computer. Software also includes design documents and specifications.
The history of software is closely tied to the development of digital comput ...
and hardware government products that are ready to use and which were created and are owned by a government agency.
Typically GOTS products are developed by the technical staff of the government agency for which it is created. It is sometimes developed by an external entity but with funding and specification from the agency. Because agencies can directly control all aspects of GOTS products, these are sometimes preferred for government purposes.
GOTS software solutions can normally be shared among government agencies without additional cost. GOTS hardware solutions are typically provided at cost (i.e., R&D costs are not recouped).
The government pays for all the development and maintenance costs of GOTS products. GOTS products run the risk of becoming obsolescent when the government cannot afford those costs. Since GOTS products are created by the government for government use, this limits the number of users, which is another factor that can lead to obsolescence.
See also
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Non-developmental item (NDI)
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Commercial off-the-shelf
Commercial-off-the-shelf or commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) products are packaged or canned (ready-made) hardware or software, which are adapted aftermarket to the needs of the purchasing organization, rather than the commissioning of ...
(COTS)
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Free and open-source software
Free and open-source software (FOSS) is software available under a license that grants users the right to use, modify, and distribute the software modified or not to everyone free of charge. FOSS is an inclusive umbrella term encompassing free ...
(FOSS)
References
Government software
Government procurement
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