For Educational Institutions Interested in Leasing and Operating 20,000 SF of Space at the Research Yard
Open call presents a unique opportunity for an academic institution to solve urgent challenges and innovate critical technology at the Research Yard, a state-of-the-art applied research and learning facility housed within a dynamic advanced manufacturing campus and complemented by a robust business ecosystem
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) today released a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) from higher-education institutions seeking to lease, develop and operate 20,000 square feet of space at the Research Yard, a research and innovation facility within the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Qualified educational institutions are encouraged to apply if they are interested in leveraging their applied research expertise to tackle real-world problems and advance technological solutions. Click here to download the RFEI.
Established in 2023, in partnership with the Pratt Institute and the City University of New York’s (CUNY) City College of Technology (“City Tech”), the Research Yard is the Navy Yard’s on-site applied research and learning facility. Development of the Research Yard was divided into two phases. Phase I included the build out of 21,000 square feet of space that includes fabrication workshops (digital, woodworking and metalwork), robotics equipment, product galleries, student workspaces, conference rooms, among other amenities. The space also currently houses the Pratt Center for Community Development, the Center for Climate Adaption, the STEAMplant, the Spatial Analysis and Visualization Initiative Center, among other mission-aligned partners. BNYDC is now seeking a new academic partner to lease, develop and operate Phase II of the Research Yard.
“The Research Yard pays homage to the initial premise of opportunity and innovation that the Brooklyn Navy Yard was built on. The applied research and learning facility is a place to address real-world challenges and conceptualize and commercialize problem-solving technology,” said Lindsay Greene, BNYDC President and CEO. “This procurement presents a unique opportunity to collaborate with academic partners, entrepreneurs and manufacturing businesses in a robust, thriving ecosystem. We welcome educational partners actively seeking a blank canvas where they can complement our mission of innovating tangible solutions in a distinctive multi-institution project within a dynamic ecosystem campus.”
This procurement is divided into two stages. The RFEI stage of this solicitation seeks to identify qualified educational institutions interested in operating the second phase of the Research Yard and gain insight into their vision for further development of the applied research facility. Based on RFEI responses, the second stage of the solicitation is anticipated to be issued in the form of a Request for Proposals (RFP) and will require a prescriptive development plan that includes collaboration ideas with Pratt Institute and CUNY City Tech partners, among other requirements. An RFP would be issued in the fall should BNYDC pursue this option.
To realize the Research Yard’s maximum potential, the RFEI seeks academic institutions interested in leasing an adjoining 20,000 square-foot space to create collaboration opportunities between students, entrepreneurs and faculty that generate groundbreaking research, identify solutions and prototype problem-solving products. Through this collaborative framework, BNYDC would, in addition to its traditional landlord responsibilities, also work with partner institutions in developing and guiding strategy for the facility, as well as fostering connectivity with the rest of the Yard ecosystem, including workforce and talent programs, entrepreneurial studios/incubators and businesses.
Phase II development of the Research Yard must focus programming, facilities and operations centered on applied research and learning around innovative and sustainable solutions to pressing problems faced by people living in urban environments and supporting the commercialization pathway of viable products and solutions. Areas of applied research to be undertaken in Phase II could include but are not limited to:
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation, e.g., proptech, carbon capture, building management systems, data collection and analysis
- Development of sustainable products
- Climate resiliency
- Micromobility
- Quantum computing
- Smart cities
- Circular economy
- Artificial intelligence
Development of Phase II will be supported with over $5 million in City funding to fit out the space. To qualify for selection, respondents must meet the following criteria:
- Institution must be accredited by a reputable, recognized domestic or international accrediting organization.
- Operates undergraduate and/or graduate-level studies in fields including, but not limited to, engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, robotics, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), architecture, urban design, urban planning, product design, product fabrication and entrepreneurship, etc.
- Institution must have demonstrated experience as a leader in applied research;
- Institution must have demonstrated experience and expertise in technology transfer, commercialization and/or research/innovation partnerships with the private sector in the above-mentioned areas.
Established in 1801 as a U.S. Naval shipbuilding facility, the 300-acre Brooklyn Navy Yard is now a modern industrial hub that’s home to over 550 businesses, 13,000 workers and a diverse universe of industries ranging from traditional to advanced manufacturers, startups to multigenerational family-owned businesses and more. In addition to serving as the non-profit landlord, BNYDC also administers its own innovative programming, including Yard Labs, a robust tech piloting program that provides companies with a path to market validation and commercialization. The Navy Yard is also home to Newlab, an incubator and accelerator for established start-ups developing cutting-edge hardware needed to create a more equitable, resilient and sustainable world.
Interested respondents are invited to submit their RFEI proposals no later than 5 p.m. on June 12. Site visits will be held on April 23, and April 30. Respondents are required to submit a statement of qualifications, cover letter, previous experience, project approach and signed acknowledgement of any addendum to this RFEI. For additional submission guidelines, please refer to the requirements detailed in the RFEI.
For more information about the Brooklyn Navy Yard and to access the full RFEI, please visit BrooklynNavyYard.org.
About the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) is a not-for-profit corporation that serves as the real estate developer and property manager of the Yard on behalf of its owner, the City of New York. BNYDC’s mission is to fuel New York City’s economic vitality by creating and preserving quality jobs, growing the City’s modern industrial sector and its businesses, and connecting the local community with the economic opportunity and resources of the Yard. BNYDC’s vision is a vibrant and dense, modern manufacturing community where businesses are provided the stability needed to invest, grow, and thrive and where diverse candidates can attain quality jobs.
