The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is taking steps to shape the city’s next generation of civic buildings by seeking new architecture and engineering firms through its long-running Design and Construction Excellence Program. The initiative, now in its 21st year, has helped deliver more than 300 public projects across the five boroughs and has partnered with some of the world’s leading design firms, including BIG, Studio Gang, and LevenBetts.

The DDC announced that it will release three new Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) this summer, opening the door for design firms to submit proposals to join the program. These RFQs will cover architectural, technical, and engineering services for a range of civic projects, including libraries, firehouses, and police precincts.

A notable example of the program’s impact is the 40th Precinct Station House in the South Bronx, designed by BIG. The project reimagines the traditional police station as a transparent, community-oriented civic building, featuring a central atrium, a public-facing community room, and sustainable design elements.

In a bid to make the process more accessible and efficient, the DDC plans to implement a new two-step selection process for the upcoming RFQs. This approach is intended to simplify submissions, reduce administrative burdens on firms, and align the selection criteria with American Institute of Architects (AIA) standards regarding firm size categories.

The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and inclusion by emphasizing robust participation from Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) in the selection process.

DDC officials hope the changes will broaden the pool of applicants and bring innovative, community-centered solutions to the city’s civic infrastructure.

For firms interested in participating or learning more about the upcoming RFQs, additional information and updates are available at nyc.gov/ddc.

Originally reported by Archinect News.