New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) invites engineering and landscape design firms to submit proposals for the design of the United Nations Esplanade project.

The project, which is conceived as an in-water esplanade atop concrete deck supported on steel piles, will serve greenway users by providing a better connection for pedestrians, cyclists, rollerbladers, and park users who currently use on-street bike lanes. It will connect to existing sections of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, spanning East 41st to East 53rd Streets.

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, experience of key staff identified in the proposal, experience and quality of any subcontractors proposed, demonstrated successful experience in performing services similar to those encompassed in the RFP, and the proposed fee.

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 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 http://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 https://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 http://edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe to learn more about the program

An optional digital/virtual information session will be held on November 16th, 2022, via Teams link. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by email to unesplanadedesignrfp@edc.nyc on or before November 15th, 2022.

Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC no later than 5pm on November 22th, 2022. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to unesplanadedesignrfp@edc.nyc. Answers to all questions will be posted by December 1st, 2022, to https://edc.nyc/rfps. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP will not be accepted after 5pm on November 15th, 2022, however, technical questions pertaining to downloading and submitting proposals to this RFP may be directed to RFPrequest@edc.nyc on or before Monday, December 12, 2022.