NeuroCatalyst Commercialization Fund Administrator

Empire State Development is seeking a qualified third-party firm to administer the 45 million dollar NeuroCatalyst Commercialization Fund. This initiative is designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of life science research targeting neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. The selected administrator will be responsible for a comprehensive scope of work over a three-year term, including the management of application development and processing, the creation and upkeep of a functional website and application portal, the establishment of a mentor program, and the identification and management of expert reviewers. The administrator must also provide regular reports on key performance metrics and establish standard operating practices for collecting grantee information. Proposals are due by 2:00 PM ET on November 18, 2026, and must be submitted via a specific Dropbox folder structure containing separate technical and administrative volumes. Evaluation is based on a 100-point scale, with 40 points allocated to firm and staff experience and 10 points for diversity practices. The contract includes strict socioeconomic goals, including a 30 percent overall MWBE goal and a 6 percent SDVOB goal. Required administrative documentation includes non-collusive bidding certifications, conflict of interest attestations, and various state finance law forms. Additionally, the successful respondent must maintain significant insurance coverage, including 3 million dollars in cyber liability and 2 million dollars in commercial general liability.