New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) invites qualified organizations to submit proposals to operate the NYC AI Nexus, an initiative by NYCEDC that will accelerate the adoption of AI technologies across key industry sectors that drive New York City’s economy.

NYCEDC is committed to ensuring NYC’s diverse industry sectors and firms are prepared for, and reap the benefits of, the growth of artificial intelligence (“AI”). With the rapid increase in the capabilities of generative AI models, achieving that mission requires a diverse set of firms in New York City, across all industries and firm sizes, to adopt AI technology which will ultimately enhance their operational capabilities, create new market opportunities, and create more economic prosperity.

The AI Nexus, an initiative by NYCEDC, aims to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies across key industry sectors that drive NYC’s economy. While many sectors and large corporations are innovating and deploying AI aggressively to maintain their competitiveness and enhance productivity, other industry sectors and small- and medium-sized firms (“SMEs”) are lagging in this technological transformation. Staying ahead of the AI curve is crucial for industries and businesses to remain competitive and resilient and create further economic growth. Through the AI Nexus, NYCEDC seeks to support sectors and/or SMEs (“Applied AI Opportunity Sectors”) that may otherwise be slow to adopt AI and foster a culture of innovation to support their AI transformation and create a sense of urgency for adoption.

NYCEDC intends for the AI Nexus to achieve this goal by setting up structures within the New York City innovation ecosystem for technologists and industry practitioners to collaborate on Applied AI opportunities, or those that seek the creation and adoption of AI solutions to solve real-world problems and improve business outcomes. NYCEDC anticipates the AI Nexus will focus on AI adoption across a wide range of Applied AI Opportunity Sectors central to the New York City economy, potentially including, but not limited to, media, retail, legal and professional services, digital health and healthcare, real estate, and finance and insurance.

NYCEDC plans to select a consultant on the basis of factors stated in the RFP which include, but are not limited to: the quality of the proposal, the operator track record, financial and operational feasibility, and the M/WBE narrative.

Inquiries

Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC no later than 5pm on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to AINexusRFP@edc.nyc. Answers to all questions will be posted by Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP will not be accepted after 5pm on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, however, technical questions pertaining to downloading and submitting proposals to this RFP may be directed to RFPRequest@edc.nyc on or before Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Optional Informational Session

An optional informational session will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 9:00 A.M. at 1 Liberty Plaza, New York, NY 10006 and online.

Those who wish to attend can RSVP via Zoom registration page by clicking here on or before Monday, February 24, 2025.

Submission Guidelines

Detailed submission guidelines and requirements are outlined in the RFP, available as of January 31, 2025.

Please submit your response via electronic upload by clicking here and uploading your proposal.

Responses are due no later than April 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Please submit all documents in a single .zip file labeled with your company name. The Chrome Browser is the preferred method for uploading.

M/WBE

It is the policy of NYCEDC to comply with all federal, state and City laws and regulations which prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status and other protected category and to take affirmative action in working with contracting parties to ensure certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) share in the economic opportunities generated by NYCEDC’s projects and initiatives. Please refer to the Equal Employment and Affirmative Compliance for Non-Construction Contracts Addendum in Exhibit F of the RFP.

This project has Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (“M/WBE”) participation goals, and all respondents will be required to submit an M/WBE Participation Proposal with their response. To learn more about NYCEDC’s M/WBE program, visit edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe. For the list of companies who have been certified with the New York City Department of Small Business Services as M/WBE, please go to the sbsconnect.nyc.gov/certification-directory-search.

NYCEDC established the Contract Financing Loan Fund programs for Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE) interested in working on public construction projects. Contract Financing Loan Fund facilitates financing for short-term mobilization needs such as insurance, labor, supplies and equipment. Bidders/subcontractors are strongly encouraged to visit the NYCEDC website at edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe to learn more about the program.