On Monday 14 December 2009, jtd wrote:
> > Sorry for sounding like a stuck record, can I request if you could write
> > to the authorities using a FOSSCOMM template.
>
> Yes. I am doing that. Posted to keep the list informed.
> There is one more tender for CISF CCTV systems mandating M$2003. This is
> the worst possible os for raid + high speed read / write.
Dear Sir,
We refer to the tender W-11013/WS/TECH/CCTV/2009-10/4608 for installation of
CCTV systems.
Several of the clauses in the Apendix A (Technical specifications seem to be
contradictory to various government policies on software.
We wish to bring this to your notice as per the attached letter, so that
corrective action may be taken.
--
Warm regards
J. T. D'souza
To
Mr. Sanjit Das
Dy. Inspector General /WS
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL(WS)
CENTRAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY FORCE
(MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS)
Phone No. 022 - 22943642 FAX No. 022 - 25522343
CISF COMPLEX, SECTOR-35,
KHARGHAR, NAVI MUMBAI-410210
Dated: 16 December 2009
Sub – Stipulating proprietary software platforms in your tender
W-11013/WS/TECH/CCTV/2009-10/4608
Dear Sir/Madam,
We notice from your tender document (W-11013/WS/TECH/CCTV/2009-10/4608), that
you have specified that the windows platform should be used. Page 11
Appendix A Clause 4.
“4. NVR AND SERVER
Network video recorder server along with all essential software- for 5
cameras MPEG4 based.
The software should be windows based only. Server should be reputed .”
Various government policy documents have expressed support and preference for
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). These include
1.Draft Government of India's policy on Open standards also requires
Government software applications to confirm to open standards
(www.mit.gov.in/download/Policyonopensandards.pdf)
2.National Policy on ICTs in school education
(http://education.nic.in/secedu/ict.pdf)
3.Draft GOI Web site policy http://web.guidelines.gov.in/
4.Assam IT policy
(http://assamgovt.nic.in/pdf/ITPOLICY-2009-Final-Gazette-Style.pdf)
Several State Governments have actively promoted adoption of FOSS including
Kerala, Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Orissa etc. Several government agencies
such as NKC, Planning Commission, have expressed strong support for FOSS. A
study by IIM- Bangalore concluded that over 20,000 crore rupees can be saved
if Indian institutions opt for FOSS (http://www.iimb.ernet.in/~rahulde/) .
Pdf File (http://www.iimb.ernet.in/~rahulde/RD_FOSSRep2009.pdf)
FOSS is freely shareable without needing to make any payment of license fee to
any vendors. They are being used by millions of people all over the world.
They provide four freedoms,
1.Use,
2.Study
3.Modify
4.Share
Whereas proprietary software does not provide the last three freedoms,
imposing cost and other limitations on users. Governments and its agencies,
(such as yours ) specially need to adopt and promote FOSS since it is the
responsibility of governments to promote FOSS which is in the public
interest. Also FOSS is in the nature of a public good like common water
sources, or grasslands of forests and hence needs the active support of
governments.
As the tender stands companies like ours who provide solution on FLOSS based
systems cannot participate in your tender.
Hence we request that you remove any stipulation of proprietary software
products in your tender and instead encourage vendors to use FOSS.
Looking forward to your response. Do let us know if you need any
clarifications
Thanking you,
For Sparc Systems Ltd.
J. T. D'souza
--
Rgds
JTD
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