App with geolocation of services that users can filter based on need and demographics. The Homeless Services Division is interested in developing a mobile-based app that visualizes an interactive map of nearby resources that people currently or at-risk of experiencing homelessness can access food, shelter, hygiene, medical care, Internet, employment, or other supportive services. Key features of the app would allow users to filter by service type and get details such as walk-in hours, contact info, and directions as well as schedule appointments, if applicable. 

Requirements and Outcomes

• Filtering based on need and demographics
• Integrate with HMIS and other City agencies
• Feature an interactive map

Questions & Answers

General

What is a challenge based procurement?  

Challenge based procurement lets us as City staff articulate our challenge without prescribing how we want it to be solved. We are asking for tech vendor insights into how we might solve this challenge. If you think you can help, take 30 minutes and fill out our application.  

Will the pilot end after 6 months or is there potential for the pilot to carry on? 

The timelines have some flexibility but proposers should not expect for the pilot period to last longer than 6 months. The timeline for the pilot project will be finalized during the project scoping process. For questions on transitioning to a larger scale project, see question 5.  

What happens with leftover assets after the pilot process?  

Any equipment used will not be retained or considered property of the City or participating authorities. All products piloted as part of the Smart City Challenge will be returned at the end of the pilot and/or the partner is expected to remove them in a timely manner. 

How does the city plan to transition successful pilots to larger scale projects?  

We will have a robust evaluation process that is meant to assess whether the pilot is meeting the City’s strategic goals. If the City chooses to move forward with a larger contract, there is the potential for the opportunity to go through another competitive RFP process.  

Can you provide more information regarding the Smart City Initiative? 

More information here: http://www.longbeach.gov/smartcity/pilot-programs/2021-smart-city-challenge/ 

To learn more, proposers may contact Estefania Zavala, Digital Innovation Program Manager at estefania.zavala@longbeach.gov and Ryan Kurtzman, Smart City Program Manager at ryan.kurtzman@longbeach.gov.  

How many hours is the vendor expected to allocate on a weekly basis to the City during the pilot phase? 

The hourly expectations and schedule for the pilot project will be finalized during the project scoping process.  

Is there a stipend or any funds available for the vendor during the pilot period? 

No 

If a desired outcome is achieved before the end of the pilot phase can a contract be entered into early? 

Yes, after an appropriate and robust evaluation process. If the City chooses to move forward with a larger contract, there is the potential for the opportunity to go through another competitive RFP process. 

Who owns the Intellectual Property created? 

The solution is owned by the vendor and the City’s data is owned by the City.  

Is the City open to accepting solutions that include long-term partnerships with the vendor?   

The pilot project should be able to stand alone and should not depend on a long term partnership.  

If I own a company that usually consults on these types of challenges, should I apply for just one challenge or for every challenge if I think I have a solution? 

We would welcome the same proposer applying to multiple challenges. Please note, however, that if selected to provide a solution for multiple challenges, time constraints may be a challenge. 

Will the city permit applications from one company on multiple challenges? 

Yes. 

Challenge-Specific Questions

Will this application need to be desktop compatible as well as mobile compatible? 

The application should be accessible via various mobile-based devices such as a cellphone, tablet, and laptop. The minimum requirement is for it be available as a mobile-based app.  

Can you provide an expected number of users for the application? 

We are unable to provide a clear estimate. However, the application would be utilized by various outreach workers from the Health Department, nonprofit partners, residents, and persons experiencing homelessness who have access to the Internet.  

Can you please describe all expected user roles needed for the application e.g. administrator with read/write access, view-only user 

We would like to have a number of administrators from the Health Department who have read/write access, can modify settings in the backend, and can populate new services/resources into the application. This may be 3-5 assigned administrators. All other users would only need general view-only access. 

Is there already a database or dataset that has a list of all the resources that need to appear on mobile app? Or is the applicant expected to create and/or populate a database of such resources that would appear on the app? 

The Homeless Services Bureau currently uses a pocket guide that includes a comprehensive list of resources available in the Long Beach community that would be a baseline for the mobile app. However, the applicant would be expected to further develop the list and populate additional resources that might be identified.