FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Chelsea Palacio, Public Information Manager, Information Technology Department
408-406-5723;
chelsea.palacio@sanjoseca.gov
Tasha Dean, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
510-612-6488;
tasha.dean@sanjoseca.gov
San José to Release RFP for Generative AI Platform
City seeks scalable AI tool to increase productivity for 7,000 City employees
SAN JOSE, Calif. (October 15, 2025) – The City of San José is building on the successful launch of an AI Upskilling program by releasing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a secure, scalable Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) platform. As the Capital of Silicon Valley, the City’s goal is to enhance customer service by also providing its AI-trained workforce with the tools to create their own custom AI chatbot assistants on a City-secured platform.
“Our goal is to provide our employees with innovative, responsible technology that helps focus on the work that makes a difference for our residents,” said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “This platform strengthens our ability to serve the community effectively, empowering staff with tools that enhance responsiveness and productivity across all City services.”
“We’re working to integrate generative AI into everything we do at City Hall because you deserve government that is fast, responsive, personalized and cost-effective,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “Thanks to our workforce up-skilling curriculum, we’re already seeing city workers deploy these new tools to automate routine aspects of their jobs and deliver more impact for our community.”
City departments have identified a growing need for AI tools that streamline workflows and reduce repetitive tasks. The intended platform is expected to support a range of use cases, including:
- Analyzing and summarizing documents, including policies and contracts.
- Drafting reports and other communications.
- Supporting software development and code review.
- Generating charts and analyzing data.
The City is committed to selecting a secure, privacy-focused solution that aligns with its Digital Privacy and AI policies. The platform should provide secure access to conversational AI tools, have the ability to connect with internal systems and data, and include enterprise-level administrative and privacy controls. The solution must also support low-code and no-code features so employees with different levels of technical experience can use it effectively.
“Generative AI offers a path to fundamentally transform how government delivers services,” said Chief Information Officer and Director of the Information Technology Department Khaled Tawfik. “Our focus on secure, privacy-first technology ensures that as we innovate, we also build a future where public services are more efficient, responsive, and accessible, supported by our broader vision to upskill and empower government workforce with emerging technologies.”
The City’s RFP builds on San José’s broader commitment to responsible
AI adoption, including the launch of an AI-powered tool to speed up building permit reviews, bus route optimization by the Department of Transportation, object detection tools within the Information Technology Department, and a citywide network of Automated License Plate Readers managed by the Police Department. These efforts reflect San José’s commitment to responsibly leveraging technology to better serve the public.
The RFP is expected to release on October 17, 2025. Interested vendors are advised to create an account on the City’s
Biddingo portal to receive updates when the RFP is released. There is no cost to register for, receive, and respond to City of San José solicitations. For more information about the City’s purchasing process, please visit the
Bid Opportunities webpage.
About the City of San José
With almost 1 million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States and is Northern California’s largest city and the 12th largest city in the nation. San José’s transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world.
About the Information Technology Department
The City of San José’s Information Technology Department leads the City’s technology strategy, infrastructure, and digital services to improve operations and deliver exceptional service to residents, businesses, and visitors. The department is also recognized for its leadership in responsible AI innovation, ensuring that emerging technologies are implemented ethically, transparently, and in ways that protect privacy while delivering real benefits to the community.
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