A breakthrough in AI contracts for local government

There is almost nothing you can do that touches more lives than public service. That’s something I’m reminded of every time I speak to local government teams. These are people that work week in, week out to make their cities better places for their citizens, because they care about their communities.

Lately, the same question keeps coming up in my conversations with agencies: How can we use AI to deliver better, more cost-effective services? It’s a topic that reaches far beyond the folks that I’ve spoken to. The recent EY State and Local Government Tech Modernization Survey found that adopting AI technologies is a top priority for 47% of state and local government decision makers. 

But agencies need to ensure tools offer good value for money, are secure, and sourced ethically before they can roll them out to help serve citizens. And AI is still a rapidly developing and uncertain industry, leaving many agencies in a difficult position. They want to bring in these new tools, but they don’t know where to start. In that same EY survey, 79% of agency IT leaders say that, if fewer barriers existed, they would be more likely to adopt private sector innovations.

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Breaking down barriers with AI cooperative contracts

That’s why I’m proud to share two groundbreaking cooperative contracts that’ll transform the way local governments implement AI for public services.

TXShare, the cooperative purchasing program of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), has just awarded the most comprehensive, competitively bid AI contracts designed for local government use, in partnership with Civic Marketplace and the Alliance for Innovation.

From 108 bids, we selected 77 fully-vetted providers. We chose each one based on a rigorous process that combined technical strength, regulatory compliance and alignment with civic values. The framework reduces pressure on internal teams by removing the need to craft AI-specific RFPs, vet suppliers and evaluate complex AI offerings.

The result is a curated catalog of trusted vendors that local governments can procure with confidence. These contracts are now available nationwide and have a strong representation of innovative start-ups and small businesses, allowing agencies to support their local economy while accessing cutting-edge AI. 

The first contract focuses on AI consultancy, with 35 expert partners ready to help navigate the early stages of AI adoption. These folks will meet you where you are with AI strategy development, roadmap planning, feasibility studies, and training. They can help identify where AI solutions can drive real value for citizens, and help to build solutions that align with your agency’s mission, goals, and day-to-day service needs.

The second contract covers AI solutions. The 42 awarded vendors are focused on real-world implementation: designing, developing, and deploying customized AI solutions across various government functions, including critical areas like cybersecurity.

Taken together, these two contracts remove barriers to AI adoption for agencies, and help procurement teams solve the challenge of knowing where to start.

From AI contract to community impact

We believe that procurement, done right, is the key to driving real change through every aspect of our public services. The appetite for change is there. The procurement teams we speak to every day are passionate about using technology to deliver more for residents, but at times they lack the tools that they need to find the right suppliers and engage them in the right way, particularly when it comes to AI. 

That’s why TXShare’s groundbreaking AI contracts are so transformative. They not only ensure that procurement teams are set up for success, they free up their time for high value work. 

In the words of Todd Little, Executive Director of NCTCOG:

"These contracts represent the start of a new era for local government procurement. The potential for AI to transform the delivery of public services is enormous. These contracts, now available nationwide through Civic Marketplace, equip agencies with the tools for transformation and empower them to embrace a new era of innovation.” 

That’s what it’s all for, not technology for technology’s sake, but tools that help us serve citizens better. 

Civic Marketplace is proud to have partnered with TXShare to award these contracts. I can’t wait to see what agencies across the country build with them.

To find out more, watch our video below, and check out the contracts live on our platform: AI consultancy and AI solutions.

I'll leave you with the thoughts of our good friends from a number of the awarded companies: 

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“Local governments shouldn’t have to choose between compliance and innovation. With this partnership, they get both. We’re using AI to streamline government workflows and communications, making resident services faster, more intuitive, and fully auditable. It’s civic tech that actually works for the public.”
– Parth Shah, CEO and Co-founder, Polimorphic

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"Every contract awarded is a promise to the public. This partnership ensures that promise is kept, with tools that make procurement more responsive, transparent, and aligned with what residents actually need. It’s a win for trust, speed, and impact."
– Mary Frances Coryell, Chief Revenue Officer, Citibot

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“We’re honored to be selected through TXShare’s new procurement vehicle for AI companies. This award is a powerful endorsement of our AI-powered solutions and their ability to transform critical infrastructure like ports, airports, and roads. GridMatrix is proud to help modernize transportation across Texas, and we’re excited to bring our technology to communities throughout the state and beyond.”
– Nicholas D’Andre, CEO, GridMatrix

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“We’re really excited to be a TXShare-awarded supplier. TXShare is changing the way local governments find cooperative contracts and AI companies that can help rethink the knowledge work shaping the future of our communities.”
– Heyden Enochson, Head of Marketing, Madison AI