FAQs
Can international businesses participate?
Yes. Do I need to have experience working with the public sector?
No. What should I include in my submission?
Your submission should include responses to all of the questions listed in the submission application. NYCHA’s internal technical experts will review submissions and determine which solutions they would like to advance to a more detailed level of review. If you are selected, NYCHA will reach and request technical specifications for the solution you proposed. Details about the type of information, format, and length will be shared along with that request. Can I propose a novel solution that hasn’t been tested before?
You may propose a solution that has not yet been tested, however assumptions should be rigorous and provable. If NYCHA is interested in your solution, you will be asked to provide additional technical documentation demonstrating the outcomes that you are claiming. What is a financially self-sustaining solution?
A financially self-sustaining solution is a solution that generates an equal or greater amount of savings than what it costs to produce and operate. Will I have an opportunity to meet with NYCHA’s sustainability team to pitch my idea?
Depending on the number of proposals received, NYCHA will adjust its evaluation process and vendors may have the opportunity to pitch their idea in person or via a web conference. Are there any studies on NYCHA resident electricity demand?
No modelling study has been done. When are peak hours of demand?
7 p.m. to 12 a.m.If I apply to this challenge, can I also apply to other NYCHA Calls for Innovation?
Yes.What does your contractual agreement with Coned look like?
A typical New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) electric bill has two components. They are:
- Supply Component: Billed by New York Power Authority (NYPA) under Service Classifications within “Tariff no. 100”. See Appendix 5 for details. NYCHA falls under service classifications 62 conventional, 68 conventional, 69 conventional, 82 conventional.
- Delivery Component: Billed by ConEdison under rate schedules within “Schedule for PASNY: Power Authority of the State of New York (“PASNY” or “NYPA”) Delivery Service, P.S.C. No. 12 – Electricity”. See Appendix 6 for details. The ConEdison rate under which NYCHA is typically billed is “Rate I”. It’s a conventional rate (Non Time of Day) which is applicable for all those NYPA customers whose monthly maximum demand does not exceeds 1,500 kW.
Will the next step be to issue an RFP to procure the best solution?
Upon selection, Proposer will be offered the opportunity to install their solution at one development or building (depending on what is needed to demonstrate the benefits of the solution) as part of a pilot project. NYCHA and the Proposer will develop a method for evaluating the solution evaluation phase and, shall the solution prove successful, NYCHA may initiate an open procurement process to deploy the technology at a larger scaler. What is a master-metered building?
A master-metered building is a building connected to a single meter. What types of energy reduction incentive programs are there?
NYCHA is aware of two programs. See Appendix 4 for links to websites. Where can I learn more about the Smart Air Conditioning program?
See Appendix 2.
Will the contents of the submission remain as my intellectual property?
Once a proposal is submitted, NYCHA will own the contents of the submission. A proposer must clearly designate in its submission those portions of the submission, if any, that the proposer believes are trade secrets or are maintained for the regulation of commercial enterprise that, if disclosed, would cause substantial injury to the competitive position of the Proposer. To the extent the law permits, NYCHA will use reasonable efforts to hold the designated portions of the Submission in confidence.
Can the contents of my submission be applied without my further involvement?
NYCHA is interested in partnering with submitters to this open innovation challenge to implement some of the ideas that come from this submission process; however, if an idea is submitted but not selected for a pilot, NYCHA still has the ability to pursue that idea on its own in the future.
Is there is any available funding for the winning teams?
There is not funding provided for the winning teams but an opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of an installation at one NYCHA building in real-life conditions.
Additionally, the pilot might be followed by an open procurement to deploy the technology if the evaluation proves its financial benefits and NYCHA decides to pursue with it. NYCHA owns more than 2,550 buildings.
How do I access NYCHA energy data?
The NYCHA energy data is accessible on the NYC Open data portal. See Appendix 1 for details.