The City of Cape Town today, 19 January 2018, issued a request for ideas (RFI) to the market calling for submissions detailing how the City can make use of digital technology and data to enhance its performance, and enable residents and businesses to engage more actively with the City.

Information and ideas are sought on any products, technologies or other offerings that could leverage existing infrastructure and data. The City is interested in exploring innovative ways to deliver on its objectives as an organisation. One of the over-arching requirements is the formation of partnerships that will take advantage of the City’s significant investment in optic fibre deployment, the CCTV camera network and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Areas of Interest include the following, among others:

• Public safety
• Infrastructure planning and maintenance
• Energy efficiency
• Transportation and integrated urban development
• Water and waste management
• Using  cloud computing technology as a disruptive model enabling clustered community commerce and to address social challenges within these communities

‘The global challenges of rapid urbanisation, climate change, increased pressure on resources, and the provision of infrastructure and services all need to be addressed at the city level and the City believes that there are technology-based solutions out there that can enhance service delivery and make economic growth for residents a real possibility. Thinking outside the box and developing these solutions will help us move this city from good to great,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Raelene Arendse.

The City has to continuously evaluate its performance in the digital space, and look at new and innovative ways to keep abreast of developments and changes in this space.

Ideas will be welcomed from innovators, technologists, telecommunications specialists, advertising agencies, social entrepreneurs, engineers, architects, designers, academic organisations, NGOs, and general city enthusiasts working locally or internationally.

All respondents have from 19 January 2018 to 16 February 2018 to submit their ideas via the City’s Have Your Say platform here: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Have-your-say/requests-for-information/submit-technology-and-data-ideas-for-a-digital-smart-city

This Request for Ideas (RFI) is not a request for proposal or a request for quotation, or offer or invitation for a bid, nor does its issuance restrict the City of Cape Town in its eventual implementation activities. This is an RFI only, and all information received will be used for planning purposes only.

‘We look forward to some brilliant ideas being shared with the City. Additionally, the creation of lasting partnerships will be welcomed as we work together to make Cape Town the most digitally connected city on the continent. As the City has the data and the digital technology available to enhance service delivery, let us make use of what’s available to develop long-term solutions to enhance the lives of Capetonians,’ said Councillor Arendse.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office