Downstate Semiconductor Chip Design Center

Under this RFA, ESD anticipates selecting one qualified organization to lead the design, construction, development and operation a world-class Semiconductor Chip Design Center located in downstate New York. The creation of the Center may involve multiple partnersand could be a new building and/or the expansion or modification of an existing structure. “Downstate”, in the context of this RFA, shall refer to the counties of Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, and the five boroughs of New York City. Applicants are expected to deliver against the following program objectives:Center Establishment and Operations• Build and manage a physical semiconductor chip design center in downstateNew York.• Establish a sustainable operating model that leverages State support alongsideindustry, academic, and philanthropic partnerships. Access to Advanced Chip Design Tools and Infrastructure• Provide shared access to industry-standard electronic design automation (EDA)tools, computing resources, and secure design environments.• Reduce barriers to market entry for early-stage firms, academic teams, andemerging designers who lack the resources to independently access advanceddesign platforms.Chip Design Research, Prototyping, and Validation• Support innovation in early-stage chip design, including architecturedevelopment, design verification, and pre-manufacturing validation.• Facilitate pathways to fabrication by connecting design efforts with manufacturingand prototyping resources.Startup Incubation and Commercialization Support• Incubate and/or accelerate chip design and related semiconductor startups byproviding access to design tools, guidance on intellectual property strategy,information on commercialization pathways, and connections to investors andstrategic partners.Workforce Development and Talent Pipeline• Deliver training programs that prepare New York residents for high-skill chipdesign roles, including upskilling and/or reskilling opportunities.Performance Measurement and Reporting• Establish metrics to track outcomes, including number of startups supported,designs advanced, and partnerships formed.• Provide regular reporting to New York State on progress, challenges, and impact. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: None Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) SDVOB Goal: 6.00% Minority / Women Business Enterprise contracting goals (MWBE) MBE Goal: 15.00% WBE Goal: 15.00%