RFI128/2025/26 – Cape Town Safety and Security Vehicles is a Request for Information (RFI)

The RFI128/2025/26 – Cape Town Safety and Security Vehicles is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the City of Cape Town seeking detailed information from the market about available safety and security vehicle solutions that could be deployed to strengthen the city’s public safety capabilities. Unlike a tender or procurement contract, an RFI is an exploratory tool used to gather insight into technologies, configurations, costs, and supplier capabilities before issuing a formal request for proposals or tender. This particular RFI focuses on vehicle platforms and associated systems that can support enhanced operational effectiveness for municipal safety, law enforcement, and security operations.

Purpose and Context

The City of Cape Town is responsible for maintaining public safety, supporting municipal law enforcement, and ensuring that municipal facilities and services are secure. To achieve these objectives, the City operates a fleet of vehicles dedicated to safety and security activities — including patrol units, rapid response vehicles, and specialised mobile units equipped for high‑visibility policing or incident management.

The purpose of this RFI is to identify what vehicle types, configurations, safety equipment systems, and supporting technologies are available in the market that could be integrated into the City’s fleet to improve response times, operational flexibility, and overall safety outcomes. The City recognises that technologies and vehicle solutions evolve rapidly, and it seeks to understand the breadth of options available before launching a competitive procurement process.

What Information the City Seeks

Suppliers, manufacturers, fleet solution providers, and systems integrators responding to the RFI are expected to provide comprehensive information on solutions that could support the City’s safety and security operations. Specifically, respondents are asked to outline:

• Vehicle Platforms: Types of vehicles suitable for safety and security duties — for example, patrol SUVs, 4×4 vehicles, mobile command units, rapid response vehicles, or multi‑purpose utility vehicles. Respondents should describe capacities, performance capabilities, load capabilities, and recommended use cases for each vehicle type.

• Safety and Security Equipment: Options for integrated security systems such as vehicle‑mounted cameras, mobile data terminals, GPS tracking, public address systems, lighting and warning systems, communication radios, and other operational equipment.

• Customisation Capabilities: How vehicles can be fitted or retrofitted for specific municipal use cases, including secure storage, prisoner containment (if applicable), modular equipment mounts, and ergonomic considerations for personnel.

• Technology Integration: Information on how vehicles can interface with command and control systems, central monitoring platforms, incident reporting tools, and real‑time communication networks used by municipal public safety departments.

• Costs and Pricing Structures: Indicative pricing for vehicle platforms, optional equipment packages, and any recurring service or maintenance costs associated with the solutions offered. Respondents should provide transparent cost models to help the City understand financial implications.

• Compliance and Safety Standards: How the proposed vehicles and equipment meet relevant safety, quality, and regulatory standards, including roadworthiness, vehicle certification, and equipment compliance.

Market Intelligence and Next Steps

Because this is an RFI — not a procurement contract — responses will not be evaluated to award a contract at this stage. Instead, the information gathered will help inform the City’s future procurement plans. Specifically, the City will analyse the submissions to:

• Understand what vehicle platforms and technologies are currently available and suitable for municipal safety operations;

• Identify trends, innovations, and best practices in safety and security vehicle solutions;

• Develop or refine technical specifications for a future tender or request for proposals;

• Estimate budget and funding requirements based on current market offerings.

The RFI enables the City to make informed decisions when it eventually issues a formal procurement that aligns with operational needs, industry standards, and cost‑effective investment approaches.

Benefits of Responding

For suppliers and manufacturers, responding to the RFI provides early engagement with a major municipal buyer. Respondents can:

• Showcase their products and capabilities to City decision‑makers;

• Influence the development of future technical specifications;

• Demonstrate experience and understanding of municipal safety operational requirements;

• Position themselves for participation in subsequent procurement processes.

Conclusion

The RFI128/2025/26 – Cape Town Safety and Security Vehicles initiative reflects the City of Cape Town’s proactive approach to modernising and strengthening its operational fleet for public safety duties. By gathering structured market information on vehicle platforms, specialised equipment, and integration capabilities, the City will be better prepared to develop a future procurement that delivers fit‑for‑purpose solutions. Qualified suppliers with relevant vehicle technologies and customisation experience are encouraged to respond comprehensively to this RFI to help shape future municipal investment in safety and security infrastructure.

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