New Delhi, May 24 (KNN) In line with consistent representations made by IT majors for the need of a Software Procurement Policy, Government has formulated a model RFP under which there would also be special provisions for start-ups and MSMEs.

“Various concerns have been raised from time to time by the industry relating to their engagements (and contracts) with government funded projects. These issues include terms of payments, acceptance criteria, service level agreement and change management etc,” Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) has said.

IT majors like NASSCOM, TCS, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, IBM etc, have been stressing for the need of a model RFP to guide all the organizations across governments, so that all variations, vagaries and uncertainties may be avoided.

“Based on intensive deliberations with the industry and other stakeholders, this model RFP has been formulated,” MeitY said.

Model RFP will provide  a level playing field, to all stakeholders by defining appropriate pre-qualification and technical evaluation criterion. It will help aligning legal terms and conditions with the requirements of the IT Industry.

Model RFP will make payment terms, objective and easier, for industry and Government Department and provide guidance on simplifying payment related conditions.

It will help incorporating the Exchange rate variations and will also help converging Government schemes like Make in India / Preference for Domestically Manufactured Electronic Goods (PMA), provisions for Start-ups and MSMEs.

Further, model RFP will help in leveraging latest technologies like cloud, mobiles, etc; it will be aligned with the General Financial Rule 2017; and it will help in adherence to the latest standards. (KNN Bureau)