Thermal Energy Network Financing, Development, Ownership & Operations RFEI

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is committed to positioning New York City as a global leader in decarbonized, resilient urban infrastructure while advancing equitable economic development across all five boroughs. NYCEDC has consistently leveraged innovative partnerships to address complex urban challenges, from climate adaptation to workforce development. In pursuit of New York City's carbon neutrality goals by 2050, as codified in the Climate Mobilization Act and related local laws including Local Law 97 of 2019 and Local Law 154 of 2021, NYCEDC is issuing this Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to identify potential partners and innovative approaches for financing, ownership, and long-term operations of NYCEDC’s two flagship Thermal Energy Network (TEN) projects: Hunts Point Thermal Energy Network in the Bronx and Sunset Park Thermal Energy Network in Brooklyn. These projects represent transformative opportunities to demonstrate how district-scale (“district” refers to the thermal energy network area of influence), electrified TENs can deliver climate benefits, cost savings, energy resilience, and quality job creation in underserved industrial and waterfront communities.

NYCEDC encourages respondents ("Respondents," each a "Respondent") to propose innovative ownership structures, governance models, and financing mechanisms tailored to the unique characteristics of these industrial and waterfront districts. Proposals should provide specific project delineations such as ownership of in-building versus central infrastructure, partial ownership of specific systems, or combined ownership/operational approaches. Proposals submitted will undergo a tiered evaluation process on the basis of factors stated in the RFEI which include, but are not limited to: the quality of the proposal, experience of key staff identified in the proposal, experience and quality of any subcontractors proposed, demonstrated successful experience in performing services similar to those encompassed in the RFEI, and the proposed fee. Strong proposals may be implemented through subsequent competitive procurements, or alternative partnership structures determined by NYCEDC.

An optional informational session will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. ET at One Liberty Plaza, New York, NY, 10006; a virtual alternative will be also provided. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by using the RSVP web form available here on or before April 3, 2026.

A second optional informational session will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. ET at One Liberty Plaza, New York, NY, 10006; a virtual alternative will be also provided. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by using the RSVP web form available here on or before May 1, 2026.

Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC no later than 5pm on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to the questions web form available here . Answers to all questions will be posted by Friday, May 22, 2026. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFEI will not be accepted after 5:00 P.M. ET on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, however, technical questions pertaining to downloading and submitting proposals to this RFEI may be directed to RFPREQUEST@edc.nyc on or before Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Detailed submission guidelines and requirements are outlined in the RFP, available as of March 10, 2026.

Responses are due no later than June 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Please submit all documents in a single .zip file labeled with your company name. The Chrome Browser is the preferred method for uploading.

It is the policy of NYCEDC to comply with all federal, state and City laws and regulations which prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status and other protected category and to take affirmative action in working with contracting parties to ensure certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (as defined below) share in the economic opportunities generated by NYCEDC’s projects and initiatives.

Companies who have been certified with the New York City Department of Small Business Services as Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (“M/WBE”) are strongly encouraged to apply. To learn more about M/WBE certification, NYCEDC’s M/WBE program, and programs to assist M/WBE in navigating current and upcoming opportunities on NYCEDC projects, please visit https://sbsconnect.nyc.gov/certification-directory-search/ and edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe .