NYC Mass Timber Studio

The City of New York (the “City”) plays a powerful role in paving the way to decarbonize the built environment and scale the clean construction industry by enabling innovative solutions, facilitating bold policies, and operating pilot programs to overcome implementation challenges in tangible ways.
On September 20, 2023, to broaden awareness, identify new opportunities, and accelerate the utilization of mass timber practices in New York City, New York City Economic Development Corporation (“NYCEDC”) launched the New York City Mass Timber Studio (the “Studio”), a technical assistance program to support active mass timber development projects in the early phases of project planning and design.
Building on the success of the inaugural cohort, NYCEDC is launching the second round of the Mass Timber Studio — operated by NYCEDC and New Lab in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office for Climate and Environmental Justice with technical assistance provided by WoodWorks, and advisory support from the New York City Department of Buildings, the Fire Department of New York, and the American Institute of Architects New York.
Through this Request for Proposals (“RFP”), the Studio will identify a new cohort of applicants and select design and development teams involved in conducting early design phase mass timber technical and financial feasibility studies. The Studio will enable such selected teams to explore and fully consider the environmental, economic, and structural benefits of mass timber building materials and practices. Given the success of the initial cohort, the second iteration of the Studio will similarly be structured to engage local communities and stakeholders and provide multiple visibility platforms for best practice discussions, product presentations, study reports, and summary findings.
New demand in mass timber can enable harvesters, fabricators, suppliers, and providers to expand their existing businesses, and create new local and regional business and job opportunities. The Studio’s first cohort of awardees included seven projects across four boroughs with a diverse mix of building typologies and scales—from community centers and public libraries to multi–family residential and industrial adaptive reuse developments. Each project broadened public awareness of the benefits and practices of mass timber construction which in turn should result in more buildings being constructed with mass timber materials.
Small grants will be awarded to selected teams to support project specific mass timber analysis and design work—depending on funding availability. The Studio activities are anticipated to begin in May 2025 and run for a duration of approximately eight (8) months.
NYCEDC plans to select design and development teams on the basis of factors stated in the RFP which include but are not limited to: the capacity and availability of sufficient project planning time to actively participate in the Studio program, demonstration of ability to fulfill Studio program requirements (including fully assessing mass timber building solutions), the potential to implement mass timber building practices, and the commitment to carbon reduction strategies.
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.
All selected applicants will be subject to applicable federal laws and regulations in connection with funding granted through the Studio. Further details are outlined in the RFP.
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 and NYCEDC’s M/WBE program, please visit https://sbsconnect.nyc.gov/certification-directory-search/.
An optional informational session will be held virtually on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. EST. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by email to masstimber2025@edc.nyc before March 3, 2025.
Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC until no later than 5pm EST on Monday, March 10, 2025. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to masstimber2025@edc.nyc. Answers to all questions will be posted by Monday, March 17, 2025, to https://edc.nyc/rfps. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP will not be accepted after 5:00 P.M. EST on Monday, March 10, 2025, however, technical questions pertaining to downloading and submitting proposals to this RFP may be directed to rfprequest@edc.nyc on or before April 4, 2025.
Detailed submission guidelines and requirements are outlined in the RFP, available as of Tuesday, February 25, 2025. To download a copy of the solicitation documents please visit https://edc.nyc/rfps. RESPONSES ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 11:59 P.M. EST on Friday, April 4, 2025. Please click the link in the “Deadlines” section of this project’s web page (which can be found on https://edc.nyc/rfps) to electronically upload a proposal for this solicitation. Please upload your response in a single .zip file with your company name and the title of this project.