(Long Island City, NY – August 12, 2025) – The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is inviting the nation’s leading architecture and engineering firms to help shape the city’s next generation of public buildings. The agency announced the release of three new Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for its prestigious Design and Construction Excellence Program, which has delivered more than 300 signature projects across the five boroughs since its launch in 2004.
The RFQs seek expertise in architectural design, technical design, and engineering design services. Selected firms will join an elite pool eligible for future Request for Proposal (RFP) opportunities. Shortlists will be announced in December 2025, marking the beginning of a new wave of civic design projects that will include cultural centers, health clinics, firehouses, and libraries.
“Following the priorities published in our Strategic Blueprint, we’ve reduced project delays, eliminated long reviews for most common change orders, streamlined paperwork and made it easier for our vendors to get paid,” said Eduardo del Valle, DDC Acting Commissioner. “Designing the City’s public buildings such as health clinics, cultural centers, libraries and firehouses can be very fulfilling and rewarding work. We especially encourage M/WBEs to respond to our RFQs so we can be more responsive to the many individual neighborhoods that we serve.”
Application Deadlines & Process
- Architectural Design SOQ Deadline: September 8, 2025
- Technical Design SOQ Deadline: September 25, 2025
- Engineering Design SOQ Deadline: October 29, 2025
The agency will host a virtual pre-proposal conference via Microsoft Teams on August 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
This year, DDC has introduced a two-step SOQ/RFQ process designed to simplify the application experience for vendors, particularly smaller firms and Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs). Changes include redefined firm-size categories to align with AIA standards, broader project eligibility for smaller firms, and streamlined forms to reduce administrative burden.
Program Legacy & Recent Projects
For more than two decades, the Design and Construction Excellence Program has partnered with world-renowned design firms, such as Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), whose award-winning design for the 40th Precinct in the Bronx opened in 2024. The program’s portfolio also includes:
- Far Rockaway Library, Queens – a modernized, light-filled facility serving as a community hub.
- East Flatbush Library, Brooklyn – a vibrant public space enhancing literacy and engagement.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center Music Hall, Staten Island – restored to preserve its historic architecture.
- Manhattan Pet Adoption Center – a state-of-the-art shelter for NYC’s rescue animals.
By selecting firms through quality-based competition, DDC has been able to reduce procurement timelines by up to six months per project, ensuring critical infrastructure reaches communities faster.
A Focus on Equity and Representation
DDC continues to be one of the city’s leading agencies in awarding contracts to M/WBEs, with a growing emphasis on hiring, promoting, and retaining diverse staff. The agency strongly encourages certification for eligible firms and trade partners, as certified M/WBEs often gain greater access to public sector opportunities.
How to Participate
Interested firms must be registered in PASSPort, New York City’s online procurement system, to submit qualifications. Notices are also available via the City Record, while contract details can be reviewed through Checkbook NYC.
About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The DDC is the City’s primary capital project manager, overseeing a $34 billion portfolio that includes public buildings and critical infrastructure in all five boroughs. Projects align with Mayor Eric Adams’ vision for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable city, bringing world-class design and construction to the heart of NYC neighborhoods.
Originally reported by Ian Michaels in NYC DDC.