Orange County, Florida is a current 2021 winner of the Smart Cities Council Readiness Challenge. Orange County is seeking to:
- Reduce the contribution of carbon emissions caused by its building assets - and as part of this, consider efficiencies that can be introduced for energy and water usage.
- Make its buildings safe and healthier for occupants.
- Finally -use the Smart Cities Council's Readiness Program to increase the solutions considered during the 'scoping' phase of the pre-procurement process.
Smart Cities Council Readiness Program
Most cities go to procurement with only about 1/3 of the available solutions. And then, even those solutions, can be dated and not represent what current technology allows. Many solution providers spend up to five (5) years educating their public sector prospects before they are willing to consider procuring their solution. So the question is - how can you expedite this process for everyone (city, residents and solution providers?)
The Smart Cities Council Readiness Program is specifically designed to expedite this process by:
- Increasing knowlege (capacity) about available solutions and converting 'thought-leadership' to brand and solution awareness. This process is unique as it goes beyond endless white papers, case studies and boring webinars.
- Introducing solution providers to the pre-procurment 'scoping' process to accelerate implementation of these innovative solutions.
- The significant distinction about the Smart Cities Council's offering is that - its process is unique, taking advantge of the world's only online collaborative planning platform, Smart Cities Activator. The Readiness Program accelerates procurement of innovative solutions for Orange County.
This is what Orange County is seeking- an expansion of available solutions and contact list of solution providers. All, in an expedited process.
How Can you Participate?
After you read this article, if you are interested in participating, here are your options:
- Register for any of the public sessions here.
- Register for the 'invite only' sessions by contacting the Smart Cities Council (see last slide in attachment called 'Agenda.)
- Submit an Innvovative Solution as follows:
- Email the Smart Cities Council (see last slide in 'Agenda' attachment.)
- Explain briefly your innovative solution
- The Council will review with Orange County and if interested, you will be provided a workspace in Smart Cities Activator, the world's only online collaborative project platform for cities.
- With Smart Cities Activator, you can review use-cases and include a description of your innovative solutions.
- Orange County and Smart Cities Council personnnel will join you online in a collaborative working session to review and move forward as agreed.
The schedule of upcoming sessions can be found in the 'Agenda' attachment and here
Need for Smart & Healthy Building Solutions
Orange County is seeking innovative air, energy, occupancy, security and water solutions for its building assets, which include the country's 2nd largest convention center. Building assets include:
Immediate Need - Improving Security at OCCC
Orange County is planning an 'invite only' session about improving security at OCCC. Interested parties are asked to contact the Smart Cities Council and after vetting, will be allowed ot participate in this 'invite-only' session about improving security at OCCC. This article explains how to become invovled in providing solutions for the Orange County Convention Center.
Additional Requirements for Orange County Building Assets
In the April 29 session with Jeff Benavides, Orange County's Chief Sustaianbiilty and Resilience Officer, he focused on the following requirements:
- How can OCCC show vistors that the building and any individual room is safe to use and in fact, make sure it is safe?
- Which air circulation, temperature and other occupancy enhancements can we add that will make the OCCC safer and healthier?
- How do we improve energy efficiency?
Innovative Solutions
In a unique, expedited process, Orange County is asking the Smart Cities Council to vet innovative 'smart and healthy building' solutions. If you have an approach that could meet some of the current needs, you should follow this process:
- Email the Smart Cities Council (see last slide in 'Agenda' attachment.)
- Explain briefly your innovative solutiion.
- The Council will review with Orange County and if interested, you will be provided a workspace in Smart Cities Activator, the world's only online collaborative project platform for cities.
- With Smart Cities Activator, you can review use-cases and include a description of your innovative solutions.
- Orange County and Smart Cities Council personnnel will join you online in a collaborative working session to review and move forward.
