Aug 1, 2023 · Origin

Council awards Dell Technologies up to $582,948.89 to develop a website "digital human"

Consent item 8.O awarded Dell Technologies a contract, not to exceed $582,948.89 under Texas DIR contract DIR-TSO-3763, for "the development of a Digital Human and all associated Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge fabric to support website, digital literacy, and 311 functions." Councilmember Josh Craft asked that the item be considered separately; after Assistant City Manager and CIO Rich Gagnon presented it, the council approved it 5-0.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Rich Gagnon Josh Craft Cole Stanley Don Tipps Les Simpson Tom ScherlenDell Technologies

What the sources say

✓ Verified
August 1, 2023 consent item 8.O, "Consider Award - Digital Human Contract": award to Dell Technologies, not to exceed $582,948.89 (TX DIR-TSO-3763), for "the development of a Digital Human and all associated Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge fabric to support website, digital literacy, and 311 functions." Contact: Rich Gagnon, Assistant City Manager and CIO. ^[1]^[2]
Amount
$582,949
✓ Verified
The transmittal memo (department: Office of Engagement and Innovation) describes the purchase as "the design, creation, and implementation of an artificial intelligence 'digital human' which will assist visitors of the City of Amarillo website," and states, "Every known human language can be recognized, and spoken, by the AI digital human." Its funding summary lists project accounts 620075.17400.1040 ($299,999.76) and 620076.17400.1040 ($282,949.13); the memo does not name a funding program. Community engagement summary: "N/A." ^[2]
Account 620075
$300,000
Account 620076
$282,949
✓ Verified
Councilmember Josh Craft asked that item 8.O be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. After Mr. Gagnon presented it, the council approved it on a motion by Don Tipps, seconded by Josh Craft, 5-0 (ayes: Cole Stanley, Josh Craft, Don Tipps, Tom Scherlen, Les Simpson). The minutes do not summarize the discussion. ^[3]
Ayes
5
Noes
0

Sources

1.Amarillo City Council regular meeting agenda, August 1, 2023 — City of Amarillo (CivicClerk), Aug 1, 2023 · retrieved Oct 14, 2026primarySubject-authoredConsent item 8.O "Consider Award - Digital Human Contract"; date is the meeting date.
2.Amarillo City Council regular meeting agenda packet, August 1, 2023 — City of Amarillo (CivicClerk), Aug 1, 2023 · retrieved Oct 14, 2026primarySubject-authored101-page packet; item 8.O transmittal memo is on page 79 (department Office of Engagement and Innovation; funding summary lists two project accounts). Date is the meeting date.
3.Amarillo City Council minutes, regular meeting of August 1, 2023 — City of Amarillo (CivicClerk), Aug 1, 2023 · retrieved Oct 14, 2026primarySubject-authoredScanned (image-only) signed minutes; item 8.O pulled from consent and approved 5-0. Date is the meeting date.