rfi lighting designers & manufacturers

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (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 thriving neighborhoods across the five boroughs. SBS has launched the new Commercial District Lighting Grant program to fund nonprofit organizations up to $100,000 to improve lighting conditions on commercial corridors through creative lighting projects. The awarded nonprofits will need to solicit bids from design and fabrication companies to develop potential subcontracts for the execution of these place-based lighting interventions. SBS is issuing this Request for Information (“RFI”) to invite designers and manufactures to submit descriptions of relevant work and contact information to be shared with awarded nonprofits as options to solicit bids for possible subcontracts. All work must be implemented between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

As part of this grant, SBS is compiling a list of interested design and manufacturing firms that are able to design, fabricate, and install innovative lighting projects for the awarded nonprofit organizations within this timeline. This list of interested firms will be shared with the awarded nonprofits as options to solicit bids for possible subcontracts. This request for firms’ information and the dissemination of firms' information with future grantees does not constitute an endorsement by SBS, nor are any firms guaranteed to be awarded a subcontract. Desired outcomes of the program include:

• Increased foot traffic for local businesses, especially at night

• The development of innovative and creative lighting systems and tools for future use citywide

• Improved perceptions of safety on commercial corridors

• Enhanced sense of place and improved quality of life for merchants, shoppers, and residents in commercial districts