Owosso Community Engagement Platform RFP

The City of Owosso, located in Shiawassee County, Michigan, is seeking a cloud-based Community Engagement Platform through a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued on September 11, 2025. The procurement targets a comprehensive digital solution designed to facilitate public input collection, analysis, and reporting with an emphasis on equity, transparency, and user accessibility. Key deliverables include an online platform supporting features such as digital surveys, AI-driven data analysis, real-time analytics dashboards, multilingual interfaces, and ADA/WCAG 2.1 compliance. The platform must enable broader resident participation beyond traditional in-person meetings, provide data-driven community insights, and support demographic tracking. Critical technical requirements include cloud-based SaaS architecture, mobile compatibility, concurrent user support, and integration capabilities with the city's existing website and social media platforms. Proposals are due on October 7, 2025, at 3:00 PM, with vendor selection and city council approval anticipated for October 20, 2025. Vendors must submit detailed cost proposals covering setup, licensing, annual maintenance, and a three-year total cost of ownership.

While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly mentioned in the RFP, the platform must demonstrate robust data privacy protocols, role-based access controls, and the ability to track project feedback outcomes. The solution requires comprehensive security measures and the capability to support equitable engagement with underrepresented population segments. No incumbent vendor is identified in the documentation, suggesting this may be a new technology implementation for the city. The RFP indicates that vendors must provide a comprehensive proposal detailing their platform's capabilities, with an emphasis on creating a transparent, accessible community engagement tool. Although a specific budget range is not disclosed, vendors are required to provide a detailed three-year cost of ownership breakdown, which will likely be a significant evaluation criterion. The platform's ability to provide meaningful, actionable community insights through advanced analytics and user-friendly interfaces appears to be a primary consideration in the vendor selection process.