Corporate partners can submit proposals for consideration
The City of Kansas City is accepting proposals to expand its globally-recognized and award-winning Smart City program. The City has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) that seeks a public-private partnership focusing on goals such as improving delivery of basic city services, increasing life expectancy through better health, and bridging the digital divide. "Kansas City’s implementation of smart city technologies has helped deliver services to our residents more efficiently, while transforming our city into one of the most connected and cutting-edge communities in the country," Mayor Sly James said. "This RFP will ensure that we continue to use data to innovate and work with with skilled, visionary partners to make life better and more equitable for all our residents. We look forward to receiving many compelling proposals." The first phase of the Smart City expansion will focus on building Smart City infrastructure on the Prospect Avenue corridor, alongside the planned Prospect MAX bus line upgrade. Smart City amenities will expand citywide in the following years, with the selected proposer investing millions of dollars to fund the expansion. The city’s RFP is a competitive process open to all interested companies. The City expects to negotiate a long-term contract with the preferred proposer. That contractor would become program manager of the city’s Smart City initiatives, which are overseen by the Office of Innovation. “We are building a 21st century city for our 21st century residents,” said Bob Bennett, Chief Innovation Officer. “Our Smart City projects will allow corporate partners to field-test emerging technology and concepts in a public service space.” The Smart City program launched two years ago in conjunction with KC Streetcar. Residents and visitors have enjoyed free public Wi-Fi along the route and smart, interactive kiosks. The free Wi-Fi system has served more than 4 million unique users in the past two years. Other Smart City successes to date include:
Creation of the Cisco Networking Academy at Manual Tech High School. Graduates receive a certificate in networking that qualifies them for high-paying tech jobs.
Creation of the “Pothole Predictor”, which is in the testing phase, designed to save taxpayer money and better maintain roads.
Dynamic traffic signal timing has shortened travel time on Main Street through downtown.
A partnership with Avis is conducting the nation’s largest test of connected vehicles in Kansas City right now.
Kansas City’s downtown area has 54 square blocks served by Smart City infrastructure. The goal is to use data gathered by smart sensors to improve the way people experience the City, from the flow of traffic to better city services and more free, public Wi-Fi, as well as to support entrepreneurship and economic development.
Companies wishing to submit a proposal must use the city’s existing procurement process:
On the city's website, go to Procurement Services
Scroll down and then click on the “Online Contract Advertising Search – Bidding Opportunities" link;
In the Ad Category window select “All Categories,” then click Search
The deadline to submit a proposal is July 31. Companies with questions about the procurement process should contact Cedric Rowan, Procurement Services Division, at 816-513-1156.
Those wishing to simply read the RFP requirements can do so at kcmo.gov/smartcity.