Local tech firms have asked city governments in the Sacramento region to consider an alternative public contracting model that allows cities to test new technologies without first committing to purchasing them.

The model is said to benefit technology companies by providing a testing ground for products that can improve local government performance, while avoiding the lengthy approvals process for standard municipal contracts.

The proposal is modeled after a program in San Jose, but it also compares to another endeavor undertaken by the city of West Sacramento this year called Startups in Residence.

The Startups in Residence program partnered tech companies with three California cities to develop civic-enhancing apps over a 16-week period this summer. West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon called the program a success as it helped city officials think differently about technology and resulted in a potential long-term contract with one app-maker. The platform uses mapping software to help the city locate homeless people and direct them to public services.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2016/11/11/tech-startups-lobby-for-alternative-model-of.html