The RFP's aim is finding qualified AI vendors that can help Denver improve both city operations and the resident experience, per the announcement.
“Having a curated, responsive and responsible AI vendor bench allows the city to accelerate the time-to-value for AI projects, reducing procurement time and overhead costs. It also fosters innovation and ensures strategic alignment with the city and mayor's goals,” Suma Nallapati, Denver’s chief information officer, wrote via email.
The RFP aims to establish a prequalified pool of vendors who can use AI to deliver technology solutions that are both scalable and secure to meet the city’s needs.
It will evaluate vendors based on several key factors: technical capabilities, innovation potential, compliance with security standards, scalability and cost efficiency.
Vendors are required to submit their proposals online by April 15 to be considered.
Since taking on the CIO role, Nallapati has prioritized human-centered design and technology solutions that positively impact residents. AI is an area of tech that Nallapati has had her eye on since her appointment, having told Government Technology that Denver agencies want to pursue generative AI in a responsible way. She said that this has been a collaborative effort with industry experts.
Denver CISO Merlin Namuth previously told Government Technology that AI can both improve the efficiency in security monitoring and threat detection, it can also make it easier for bad actors to target an organization. As such, Denver has prioritized security in its approach to AI adoption.
Other government organizations have explored the use of AI vendor benches or pools to improve collaboration with the private sector.
"Local governments need trusted partners who meet their standards," explained Christopher Jordan, senior specialist on urban innovation with the National League of Cities, in an email. "Vendor pools could help cities adopt powerful tools quickly without compromising on innovation or community values.”
At the state level, California officials have also considered creating such a vendor pool. Ultimately, this was not necessary to have, as the Department of General Services expanded the technology delivery and development classifications to include classifications defining types of IT products and services that vendors can provide, according to an email from Bob Andosca, a spokesperson for the California Department of Technology (CDT).
"The outcome is a wider range of IT services through approved channels that align solicitations within categories, making requests for offers (RFOs) more efficient. CDT is vendor-neutral and focused on performance and meeting criteria set forth in a solicitation," said Andosca.
