Using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products and services
A guidance page explaining how government teams should evaluate and use commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products and services when building digital public services.
The guidance explains when it may be appropriate for government teams to procure existing commercial software or services rather than developing custom solutions, emphasizing that teams must first complete a discovery and alpha phase to understand the problem and test alternatives before committing to a technology choice.
It stresses that COTS products must still meet the same standards as custom-built services, including accessibility requirements, sustainability considerations, and alignment with user needs. The page also highlights that teams should continue to use user-centred design and agile delivery practices, ensuring the purchased tools fit within the broader end-to-end service experience rather than dictating it.
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