NYCEDC Issues Request for Proposals for ConstructNYC Training Operator

New Operator Will Oversee Implementation of Expanded M/W/DBE Training Program to Include Green Construction Components Ahead of City Investments in Building Retrofits

NEW YORK, NY—New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), today released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for operators to provide training, technical assistance, and access to public contract opportunities to the tenth cohort of ConstructNYC participants. The release of the RFP signals the launch of the new and improved ConstructNYC, which will expand and scale the Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE) capacity building program to encompass new project opportunities in the green economy and harness a connection to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ (DCAS) $4 billion green retrofit capital project pipeline. ConstructNYC advances the commitment to equitable and sustainable economic growth, while marking NYCEDC’s first major investment in growing an equitable green economy focused on decarbonization – a key administration priority outlined in Mayor Eric Adams’ Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint of New York City’s Economic Recovery.

The RFP seeks to:

• Increase the number of participating pre-qualified businesses/companies in the ConstructNYC network and increase their capacity for larger and more diverse project opportunities;
• Deliver sustainability focused capacity-building through green construction curriculum (e.g. green roofs, circular construction, materials reuse, solar installation);
• Scale to other city agencies by connecting ConstructNYC to DCAS’ $4 billion energy retrofit pipeline;
• Innovate solutions to barriers M/W/DBEs are facing in public procurement.

“Growing the capacity of local M/W/DBEs and connecting them to opportunities with the City is a major priority for this administration, and the expansion of EDC’s ConstructNYC program will achieve both goals,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “By expanding the curricula to topics in the green economy and fostering greater connection to DCAS, an agency that holds a significant portion of the City’s $30B annual contracting budget, we continue to arm M/W/DBEs with the tools they need to maximize their business growth.”

“This RFP demonstrates to New York City that we are serious about growing a green economy that is rooted in social equity,” said Andrew Kimball, NYCEDC President & CEO. “The expanded programming, which includes a green construction curriculum and access to a new pipeline of public contract opportunities, will help New York City meet its ambitious climate policy priorities, while ensuring that M/W/DBEs are equipped with the skills, capital, and access to capture the economic benefits of the city’s investment in decarbonization.”

“We are committed to innovating and creating new delivery channels to make our city government greener and increase equity and access for all New Yorkers, including the M/W/DBE partners who will have an opportunity to join this program," said DCAS Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. "Through this collaboration with NYCEDC, we will help bring green retrofit projects online faster and move us a step closer to decarbonization. Expanding the M/W/DBE training program charts new pathways for success, builds equity, and lays the foundation for a thriving green economy.”

“Meeting our climate goals, creating job pipelines, and focusing on our green economy is critical to moving NYC forward. I applaud NYCEDC and Mayor Eric Adams, in the wake of Climate Week, for the launch of the ConstructNYC RFP. As we continue to focus on our City's economic recovery, it is crucial we center equity in every sector and this program expands services and new opportunities in the green economy directly impacting the communities who need it first," said Council Member and Chair of Economic Development Committee Amanda Farías. "It is exciting to see the municipality anticipating sector growth and demands with a pre-skilled workforce. I look forward to continuing to support NYCEDC’s efforts in growing green jobs, creating new opportunities for a skilled labor workforce, and focus on recruiting women and minority owned businesses to carry out jobs in their local communities. Thank you to President Andrew Kimball and the entire NYCEDC team for your leadership.”

“Expanding the scope of ConstructNYC will allow minority and women-owned business enterprises to access new project opportunities in the green economy. As New York City's groundbreaking local law 97 takes effect, minority owned businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic must be given priority to meet the large demand for green construction services,” said Council Member and Chair of Committee on Small Business Julie Menin. “New York City is growing an equitable green economy and I applaud the New York City Economic Development Corporation for finding innovative solutions to barriers MWBEs are facing in public procurement.”

To address disparities in New York City’s public procurement process, NYCEDC launched ConstructNYC in 2016 to assist small-to-mid-sized M/W/DBEs in construction trades to bid on work in NYCEDC’s $9 billion capital project portfolio. The program aims to level the industry playing field by offering the training necessary for M/W/DBEs to build-out financial, technical, and workforce capacity, to take on larger capital construction projects. The program pipeline includes project opportunities up to $3 million. ConstructNYC training curriculum is designed to help M/W/DBEs learn best business/management practices to be successful. Since its inception in 2016, ConstructNYC firms have created 669 jobs in their communities and have been awarded close to $62 million across 106 contracts.

In 2019, the Climate Mobilization Act mandated ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reductions for New York City’s portfolio of government and private buildings. To comply with the City’s emissions reduction targets, demand for green construction services has boomed. Urban Green Council estimates that Local Law 97 will create a total energy retrofit market opportunity of $16.6B- $24.3B. New York City has led the charge to support achievement of these energy mandates by deploying DCAS to manage a $4 billion workstream of energy retrofits across public assets to be completed by 2030. DCAS will collaborate with NYCEDC to share best practices in energy and building operations training and connect ConstructNYC firms to their project pipeline.

NYCEDC is seeking operators with prior workforce development curriculum design and delivery experience, prior M/W/DBE training, construction industry experience, and proven business development success to administer the new and improved, green economy focused ConstructNYC training program.

Responses to the RFP are due by 11:59pm on October 26th. An optional virtual information session will be held on Tuesday, October 4th at 11 am via the link provided in the RFP.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that creates shared prosperity across New York City by strengthening neighborhoods and creating good jobs. We work with and for communities to bring emerging industries to New York City; develop spaces and facilities for businesses; empower New Yorkers through training and skill-building; and invest in sustainable and innovative projects that make the city a great place to live and work. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.