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They could've created feature/bug bounties and/or grants for open source contributors, and tried to build an open source community around what they're building.
by winter_blue 10y ago
They could've created feature/bug bounties and/or grants for open source contributors, and tried to build an open source community around what they're building. This would naturally attract/increase volunteer contributions, but they might also be able to control costs better with such a model.
18F is an uniquely special position since they are building software for the general public, and so are in a great position to attract OSS contributors, as contributing to 18F would be a way of helping your community/country, and would make people feel better.
- morisy 10y agoThey've actually done almost exactly this and are working to scale it up within limits of contractor system: https://micropurchase.18f.gov https://micropurchase.18f.gov
- winter_blue 10y agoWow, Micro-purchase @ 18F is very awesome. That is exactly what I had in mind -- it's so cool they're already doing it!