New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), in coordination with the City of New York (the “City”), by and through the New York City Department of Transportation (“NYC DOT”) and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (“NYC Parks”), is seeking qualified professionals with active transportation planning expertise, supported by relevant subconsultants, to develop and execute a robust process guided by community and stakeholder engagement to envision future New York City greenways and analyze, prioritize, and study potential greenway segments. This Project will result in the release of a public-facing Long-Term Citywide Greenway Expansion Planning Report (the “Long-Term Citywide Greenway Expansion Planning Report”). The Long-Term Citywide Greenway Expansion Planning Report, along with a technical report (the “Technical Report”), will guide the City’s long-term greenway expansion work.

The primary purpose of this project is for the selected consultant to develop and execute a robust, comprehensive, data-driven, and equity-focused citywide planning process for the long-term expansion of the New York City’s greenway network, focusing on underinvested communities outside Manhattan. The Consultant will lead best practices research about the impact and design of the next generation of New York City greenways, a citywide opportunity analysis to identify potential future greenway segments, the prioritization of these identified segments, and feasibility plans for a set of the prioritized segments. This project will also contribute to the City’s goals for an expanded greenway network, including increasing equity in the city’s greenway network, enhancing the city’s parks, open space, and protected bike infrastructure networks, encouraging increased bike and micromobility use for commuting and recreation, increasing the city’s public health and resilience, and creating new New York City destinations. The selected consultant will be a thought partner to the City Team (NYCEDC, NYC DOT, and NYC Parks) in developing and executing this Project and will thus work closely and collaboratively with the City Team, as well as key stakeholders, such as relevant elected officials, bike advocacy and other organizations, community leaders, other City agencies, and the public.

NYCEDC plans to select a consultant on the basis of factors stated in the RFP which include, but are not limited to: a strong understanding of the scope of services (the “Scope of Services”) needed to achieve a successful Project; a track record of successful, relevant experience leading similar projects; a strong knowledge and understanding of New York City urban planning and design and New York City’s greenway, biking and parks/open space networks; a strong background in contracting, accounting and invoicing for projects using federal funding;; and competitive disadvantaged business enterprise (“DBE”) utilization.

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 is being funded with Federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) funds provided, in part, by the Federal Highway Administration, through the New York State Department of Transportation, and this project has Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) participation goals. All respondents will be required to submit a DBE Utilization Plan with their response. A list of certified DBEs can be found at https://nysucp.newnycontracts.com/. More information on the federal DBE program can be found on the USDOT website at https://www.transportation.gov/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise. M/WBEs are also encouraged to apply.

NYCEDC, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1064, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally–assisted programs of the Department of Transportation and Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Title VI Program and Related Statutes, as amended, issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all who respond to this NYCEDC RFP that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, DBEs will be afforded full opportunity to submit proposals in response to this RFP and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap and income status in consideration for an award.

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.

There will be an optional information session held for this Project. The information session will be held on Thursday, January 11th, 2024 from 4-5pm in person at NYCEDC’s offices located at One Liberty Plaza, 165 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10006 or virtually via Microsoft Teams. Those who wish to attend the information session in person must RSVP by Monday, January 8th at 5pm by contacting NYCgreenwaysRFP@edc.nyc; Those who wish to attend virtually are encouraged, but not required to RSVP. The Microsoft Teams link and information will be posted on the RFP webpage at https://edc.nyc/rfps and will be emailed prior to the information session to those who have sent an RSVP.

Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC no later than 5pm on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to NYCgreenwaysRFP@edc.nyc, Answers to all questions will be posted by Monday, January 29th to https://edc.nyc/rfps. Questions regarding the
subject matter of this RFP will not be accepted after 5:00 PM on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 however, technical questions pertaining to downloading and submitting Proposals to this RFP may be directed to RFPrequest@edc.nyc on or before Tuesday, February 6th, 2024.

Detailed submission guidelines and requirements are outlined in the RFP, available as of Tuesday December 19th, 2023. To download a copy of the solicitation documents please visit https://edc.nyc/rfps. RESPONSES ARE DUE NO LATER THAN Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 at 11:59pm. Please click the link in the “Deadlines” section of this project’s web page (which can be found on https://edc.nyc/rfps) to electronically upload a proposal for this solicitation.