Notice of Intent Issued for Manhattan Borough-Based Jail Facility

DDC: Ian Michaels, 646-939-6514, michaelia@ddc.nyc.gov

(Long Island City, NY – August 14, 2023) The NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced today that in response to construction industry feedback and following the easing of the COVID pandemic, it is releasing a Notice of Intent to re-issue the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) procurement process for the Manhattan jail facility that is part of the City’s Borough-Based Jails Program in order to increase competition for the Manhattan Facility.

“There have been numerous developments in the construction market, in the overall economy and in the Borough-Based Jails Program since we started the process of identifying the design-build team that will design and build the new jail in Manhattan,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley. “We’ve heard from new industry partners who would like the opportunity to participate and that’s very helpful to our program; the more firms that compete for the contract, the better we are able to deliver the more humane jail that New Yorkers deserve and create a civic asset fitting into Manhattan’s existing civic center.”

DDC anticipates issuing a new Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in September, followed by a Request for Proposals (RFP) to short-listed vendors in early-2024. DDC continues its collaboration on this procurement with various agencies including the Department of Correction (DOC), Correctional Health Services (CHS) and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ).   

The renewal process will also allow the City to re-engage with the community on the Design Guidelines, which are a key part of the RFP process and which have been developed for each of the four Borough-Based Jail facilities. The Design Guidelines for the Manhattan facility will help define physical building attributes, and the community will have input on streetscape and open space, the building’s exterior, community space and public areas, all within the constraints of the ULURP approved building envelope. 

Procurement for all Borough-Based Jails Program work takes place through a two-step process: the submittal of a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in response to an RFQ, followed by submittal of a Proposal by short-listed vendors in response to an RFP.

SOQs will be evaluated to create short-lists of firms that are deemed qualified to respond to the follow-up RFP. Up to three vendors will be short-listed for the Manhattan Facility project. Responses to the RFP will then be evaluated and will lead to contracting with the design-build team that will design and construct the Manhattan Facility.

DDC will utilize a best-value selection that prioritizes design, quality, past performance and qualifications. In selecting the teams and carrying out a collaborative design-build approach to project delivery, DDC is using best practices as defined by the Design-Build Institute of America. DDC will also make available stipends to short-listed firms that participate in the RFP process but are not selected to be awarded a design-build contract.

The City also highly encourages participation in the jails program by Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) and will set significant requirements for M/WBE participation in the program’s design-build contracts. To learn more about how eligible firms can become certified as an M/WBE, please visit: Certify With the City.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor Adams’ long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $24 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.