FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2025

SBS SEEKING PROPOSALS TO LAUNCH PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP NYC STREET VENDORS

Successful Proposals Will Address Needs of New York City's Diverse Street Vendor Ecosystem, Connect Legal Vendors to Resources and Services

NEW YORK – Today, New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Dynishal Gross announced that SBS is now accepting proposals from community partners to create and pilot programs focused on engagement, education, and interventions for New York City-based street vendors. The first-of-its-kind program, "Venture Forward," will promote economic opportunities for street vendors, while balancing the needs of brick-and-mortar businesses, residents, and visitors in the commercial corridors in which street vendors operate.

"Through the Venture Forward challenge procurement, SBS aims to engage with community members and organizations who understand the challenges of street vendors and street vending and can propose innovative solutions for how to best overcome them," said SBS Commissioner Dynishal Gross. "SBS exists to serve all entrepreneurs and small businesses in our city, and that includes individuals who sell products and expressive materials publicly and imbue our city streets with the energy and dynamism that makes New York City the greatest city in the world."

In an agency first, SBS will use the city's Challenge-Based Procurement process, a new approach to city procurement, whereby agencies seek solutions to problems instead of prescribing them. SBS is looking for partners who will identify and pilot sustainable and scalable programs to help street vendors navigate the current street vending regulatory environment, and access new and existing city- and community-based resources opportunities. Through this process, SBS is challenging the public to invent creative solutions to support the city's diverse ecosystem of street vendors, while also considering challenges faced by brick-and-mortar businesses and commercial corridors.

SBS presently conducts outreach to inform vendors of the availability of resources offered in-person through SBS's NYC Business Solutions Centers, as well as the full suite of SBS resources, including financing assistance consultations and financial counseling, government navigation, free legal consultations, and tax preparation services. Proposals may intersect with, but not duplicate, these services. The proposal period is live until Friday, January 30, 2026. All proposals must be submitted online. Contracts totaling up to $750,000 will be provided to one or more organizations. For more information on the evaluation process and to submit an application, interested parties can visit the PASSPort online portal.

"SBS's 'Venture Forward' program is a prime example of how our city is innovating procurement to address real-world challenges with creativity and intention," said City Chief Procurement Officer and New York City Mayor's Office of Contract Services (MOCS) Director Kim Yu. "More than ever, we are opening the door to community-driven solutions that respond to the lived experiences with fairness, transparency, and accountability in how the city partners with organizations. Challenge-Based Procurement allows us to move faster, think differently, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for vendors, providers, neighborhoods, and the city as a whole."

"New York's Strongest work tirelessly to ensure a safe, clean, healthy – and therefore vibrant – streetscape, and our interactions with street vendors are based in respect for the contributions they make to our city," said Acting New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan. "The Department of Sanitation applauds SBS's initiative to boost community-driven support for these smallest small businesses."

About the Department of Small Business Services (SBS)
SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information, visit nyc.gov/sbs, call 311, and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn.