The brains behind any great device or process generally rest on a great operating system.

Officials involved in Columbus, Ohio’s nationally-watched smart city initiative are moving forward with developing an operating system to support an ambitious coterie of applications to improve mobility, citizen engagement and equity for all the city’s residents.

“We see this as the backbone and the heart of the Smart Columbus portfolio of projects,” said Brandi Braun, Columbus' deputy innovation officer.

The city has issued an RFP to procure services to “design, build, test and implement” the operating system.

Submissions are due Feb. 13. The city will then score the proposals and make a recommendation to the city council. The consultant is expected to be on board by April or May.

Read the full story at govtech.com.