RFP21026002 Accelerated AI Engagement

We did not have an AI initiative in the previous year. Our current budget is maxed at $300k.

Yes, can be discussed. We have had some issues with offshore resources in the past. Resources must be able to work in PST.

Remote; We can discuss if onsite is needed.

Up to 10 indivuiduals. A mix of Business, leadership, external vendor, and IT stakeholders.

Timeline is flexible but budget is limited.

We use agile-like development practices, primarily iterative. We use Jira to develop and track user stories and project work.

Standard project tracking KPIs - % task completed, sprint velocity, burn down chart (scope creep), budget vs spend. This can be discussed further with the successful proponent.

This depends on the architecture decisions to implement the AI model / tools. This can be discussed and is likely cloud based but we can also consider on-premise. Current non-AI projects are developed on premise, this information will help feed our future state enterprise architecture.

This is cost and effort dependent. We do not have a preferred hyperscaler partner, however we do have a Microsoft ecosystem and use Azure Dev Ops server for non-AI projects.

The BCER must comply with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. A personal information assessment of solutions is required.

There are no active grants or funding programs subsidizing this work. Additional funding grants can be considered and should be discussed, and we are looking for partners who are able to help us with this process.

Ideally resources are in Canada however this is not mandatory.

Most BCER data is in one Oracle database with many schemas. BCER also has a data virtualization platform, Tibco Data Virtualization. Almost all data sources are internal to the BCER.

BCER has approx. 300 staff, 1/3rd may be involved in the permitting side of our business in some form. There are upwards of 1000 users, approx 100 companies that submit applications to the BCER. For a better understanding of volume of activities you may want to look at our website https://www.bc-er.ca/data-repo...

BCER was incorporated in 1998. There is application information, historical data prior to that but the older the data the less reliable it can be.

No.

Nothing out of the ordinary - standard Change Management processes are followed.

I wouldn’t say the budget is fixed but it is what we have internally. The AI MVP scope is not fairly known. We want to focus on Permit Streamlining but we are not sure of the AI model - architecture to be used. There are several items that could be considered for permit streamlining and each may have a different AI focus. An iterative or incremental implementation of functionality will mitigate any risk associated.

Could be risk classification – determining how much effort is put into reviews prior to a decision on an application. Could also consider automation of the permit letter. There are likely other scenarios to consider as well. I don’t think we can at this time - part of this initiative will determine the candidate processes.

Most of our data is stored in schemas in an Oracle database. There are some APIs for movement of data between systems. We also use Tibco Data Virtualization to bring in data and report from it.

Insights should feed into streamlining the application decision making process within the Application Management System (AMS) which is where all applications are submitted and decisions are made.

As AI is new to us we would prefer the proponent work with us to architect the solution.

We do not have a hyperscaler in our ecosystem at this time. We would consider on-prem or a cloud solution. Cost would be a factor.

We would consider .Net/C# but also happy to consider off-the-shelf platform capabilities as we assume that will be quicker to implement.

Internally we use Azure DevOps for our application and development but will consider the appropriate tools as Azure DevOps may not be totally appropriate in this case.

Yes. We can accept a few additional pages for the proposed approach – no more than 2-3.

No, that is a separate process and one that we will be undertaking this year - likely in June.

Demonstration of experience through sample representatives is sufficient.

The list of existing technologies is to provide an understanding of our current frame work. With a focus on permit streamlining, data that will be used for this project likely comes from the Oracle database.

Depending on the POC and focus on permit streamlining the datasource is likely to be one or more schemas in the oracle database.

Please go ahead and add a project approach section with no more than 2-3 additional pages.

There are not.

Most application data is structured and stored in an oracle schema.

If it makes sense, then integration with existing systems is good, however, we understand that by introducing AI we will introduce new systems and technologies.

Yes.

No.

The BCER currently has a max $300K for this project.

Yes, likely staff in the permitting and administration area.

Yes.

PowerBI, Jira

Can be discussed. Hybrid /cloud is acceptable. Cost and infrastructure requirements will be a factor.

Unsure at this time.

Can be discussed. Ideally it would integrate with Microsoft Entra ID.

Application data sits in an oracle schema. Risk profiles have not been created.

1 Week.

No but you can look at the data center on our website to review information about activity levels and applications as well as other data.

There is flexibility to deploy the correct tech stack for AI.

Yes, can be discussed. These need to be secured properly and a Privacy Impact Assessment and Security and Threat Risk Assessment may be required.

That would depend on the MVP solution that is developed.

Cloud services are acceptable.

As a BC Gov Crown crop we have to follow BC Gov rules, specifically around the freedom of information and protection of privacy act. An assessment is needed to onboard new services.

We run HP proliant servers. We have not, to date, spec'd our servers for AI solutions.

No.

Permit Streamlining, Compliance and Safety, Methane Regulation and Emission Reduction, Reconciliation and Indigenous Relations.

Not specifically around automation but more on overall streamlining of the permitting processes and looking for efficiencies.

We have been doing some early testing with a chat bot and working with UBC to develop a few models (application timelines) and Well Lifecycle but have limited AI tools or platforms. There hasn't really been any barriers to date. Its more about readiness to implement solutions.

Mostly on-prem, limited hybrid.

Yes, can be discussed. We have had some issues with offshore resources in the past. Resources must be able to work in PST to work with our staff.