N.Y.C. Groceries Operator(s) RFP

New York City Economic Development Corporation (“NYCEDC”), in collaboration with the City of New York (the “City”), is releasing a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to retain one or more (up to a maximum of five) grocery store operators or other qualified firms, either independently or in teams (each, a “Respondent”), to operate one or more (up to a maximum of five) of NYCEDC’s upcoming “N.Y.C. Groceries” stores, one to be located in each of the five boroughs of New York City.

Successful Respondents will demonstrate an ability to handle the full range of operations involved in running a grocery store, such as product sourcing across departments (via existing wholesale contracts and primary relationships with wholesalers), merchandising, customer service, and staffing. NYCEDC prefers Respondents who can demonstrate experience opening grocery stores on quick timelines.

NYCEDC plans to select a Respondent(s) on the basis of factors stated in the RFP which include but are not limited to: experience operating grocery stores or other retail food businesses, quality of the proposal, and requests for subsidy.

Optional Informational Session

An optional informational session will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 9:00 A.M. ET virtually via Zoom. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by using the informational session RSVP web form available HERE on or before Monday, August 3, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. ET.

Optional Site Visits

Optional site visit sessions will be held on Monday, August 17, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. ET at Peninsula at 1215 Spofford Avenue, Unit 8, Bronx, NY 10474; and on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. ET at La Marqueta at 1590 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10029. Those who wish to attend either should RSVP by using the site visit RSVP web form available HERE on or before Friday, August 7, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. ET.

Inquiries

This RFP has multiple deadlines for submitting questions and/or clarification requests. Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC on or before the following dates and times: Friday, August 7, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. ET and Friday, September 11, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. ET. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to the Q&A web form available HERE. Answers to questions will be posted on or by Friday, August 14, 2026 (for questions submitted by 5:00 P.M. ET on Friday, August 7, 2026) and on or by Monday, September 21, 2026 (for questions submitted by 5:00 P.M. ET on Friday, September 11, 2026). Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP will not be accepted after 5:00 P.M. ET on Friday, September 11, 2026, however, technical questions pertaining to downloading and submitting proposals to this RFP may be directed to [email protected] on or before Friday, October 16, 2026.

Submission Guidelines

Detailed submission guidelines and requirements are outlined in the RFP, available as of July 27, 2026.

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

Responses are due no later than October 16, 2026 at 4:00 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 M/WBEs (as defined below) share in the economic opportunities generated by NYCEDC’s projects and initiatives.

Companies who have been certified with the New York City Department of Small Business Services as Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (“M/WBE”) are strongly encouraged to apply. To learn more about M/WBE certification, NYCEDC’s M/WBE program, and programs to assist M/WBE in navigating current and upcoming opportunities on NYCEDC projects, please visit https://sbsconnect.nyc.gov/certification-directory-search/ and
edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe.