Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13c3f-6bae-7213-a33a-6f969b3e34ca/thames-valley-berkshire-smart-city-cluster-challenge-fund-call-using-chatbot closed GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # Thames Valley Berkshire Smart City Cluster - Challenge Fund Call - Using Chatbots and AI to improve Council Highways,Waste and Recycling Services [Reading Borough Council](https://tendernation.io/buyers/reading-borough-council) Estimated value £100,000 Published 6 Aug 2019 Deadline Closed 18 Sept 2019 ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Buyer says suitable for VCSEs The buyer ticked “suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises” on the notice. - Small contract value Valued under £135,018 including VAT, the lowest Procurement Act threshold for goods and services. - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender This Challenge Call is funded through a £1.73m project funded by Thames Valley Berkshire (TVB) Local Enterprise Partnership. The Challenge Fund Calls involve addressing challenges developed by the four local authorities engaged in the project, namely Reading Borough Council, Bracknell Forest Council, Wokingham Borough Council and West Berkshire Council. This is the second of two Challenge Fund Calls to be launched in 2019. These challenges are being delivered in parallel with the deployment of a LoRa LPWAN internet of things network across the four authorities. This is one of five challenges that are each being published separately. The aim of the Challenge Fund Calls is to grant fund innovative projects that will address the challenges set out in each Call. The challenges have been developed through a series of workshops with senior officers within the local authorities and hence identify real needs that should be met. Through funding the projects we are expecting solutions and pilots that not only address the challenges set by the local authorities but also have a strong business case for the recipient of the funding so that we are growing innovative business in Thames Valley Berkshire. This call consists of challenge 8: Using Chatbots and AI to improve Council Highways, Waste and Recycling Services (West Berkshire Council), with a grant award of up to £100k. Each of the four authorities owns a challenge and will work with the successful applicant to help guide the solution to meet the local authority need. Additional information: Organisations interested in expressing an interest in this procurement should download the procurement documents which are available on the Council`s e-tendering system at: [in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc/aspx/Home](https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc/aspx/Home) and complete as instructed. The Portal is free of charge - to register please follow the supplier registration guidance which is available on the Portal. Contractors wishing to be considered for this tendering opportunity must complete the tender documents and return them electronically via the Council`s e-tendering portal. Please note: you must register your interest via the Council`s e-tendering portal if you intend to submit a tender. Interested parties must log onto the Council`s e-tendering portal at: [in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc](https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc), to express an interest and download the procurement documents. All communications regarding this procurement exercise will be conducted through the Council`s e-tendering portal including requests for clarifications or general enquiries. The procurement documents will be available for download up until the closing time and date for tender submissions, it is the organisation`s responsibility to ensure that they download the documents in ample time to ensure that they can be completed and returned electronically, along with supporting documents, prior to the closing time and date stipulated. Before completing the tender, potential providers/suppliers should ensure that the e-mail address that has been used to register their organisation will be checked regularly as the Council`s e-tendering system will generate automatic notifications to this e-mail address when there are updates, changes or messages sent relating to the project. Potential bidders should also check that their organisation`s details are correct and kept up to date. Technical questions and assistance regarding the use and operation of the Portal should be addressed to the In-Tend Help Desk - e-mail: , telephone number +44 8442728810. Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No Read full description ## CPV classification IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support Source Contracts Finder (UK) [View official notice](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/7dd81fb5-019a-4c1d-966c-20a9a99cca8b) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. 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