[Cryptech Core] multiple offers...

[Peter Stuge]

Leif Johansson wrote:
> We seem to have two offers on the table. One from bitsim (english
> version attached) and one from BMOCon (Joachim can perhaps talk
> to this company).

I am thoroughly unimpressed by the Bitsim offer.

The BMOCon offer looks reasonable:

 40h Completion of 0.007 Alpha Board block diagram, power supply etc.
 40h Creation of schematic symbols and PCB footprints
 60h Schematic
100h Review system design and schematic
160h PCB layout and BOM
 80h Review PCB and BOM
----
480h

Schematic and PCB will be created by Bob McDonough.

Estimated completion by Aug 31 assuming early May project start.

PCB manufacturing, parts procurement and assembly *not* included
but can be offered separately.

Deliverables:
1. Proposed system design
2. Gerber, PCB and schematic files
3. Recommendations PCB/assembly house

Invoices are sent on the last of each month, 30 day term, 8% interest.


It is clear from the offer that BMOCon has experience with similar
projects.


However, there is a glaring problem with both offers:

All deliverables are completely proprietary, locked to proprietary
software packages. Bitsim don't even say which tools: "its own design
tools" and BMOCon use Cadence OrCAD Capture and Mentor Expedition PCB.

Proprietary tools mean that re-use of the deliverables is essentially
only possible for those who already have a license for the respective
tools. This significantly reduces the value of the deliverables.


> Bitsim: 700-900 hrs @ 900 SEK: ~85-100k USD
> BMOcon: 450 hrs @ 600 SEK: 34k USD

I attribute the difference to BMOCon simply knowing what they are doing.


//Peter