Request for Information (RFI)

Metro New York

Request for Information (RFI)

Project No.  39273

Project Overview

The New York State Office of General Services (OGS) is seeking offers from qualified landlords interested in entering into a 10-year lease agreement pursuant to the New York State Public Buildings Law, to provide approximately 9,624 usable square feet (usf) of general office and testing center space, within Harlem, Bronx  or Queens, for 5-9 employees and up to 150 examinees.

Build-Out Requirements

Space requirements include: 

1. Approximately 350 usf of office space comprised of an open plan layout with (5) modular workstations.
2. Approximately 6,000 usf testing area for presentations to accommodate staff and visitors. The area shall include (5) computer testing rooms, (5) reasonable accommodation testing rooms, check-in area, test preparation room as well as storage and infrastructure for specialized technology and supplemental HVAC.
3. Approximately 1,500 usf for general support spaces and common use spaces such as a pantry/break room, enclave, gender neutral bathroom, restrooms, lactation room, copy area, network closet, storage, and a reception/queue area.

Additional requirements include, but are not limited to: 

1. Specialized lighting and acoustics will be required throughout.
2. 24-hour building access by staff.
3. Independent control of HVAC zones (if possible).
4. Infrastructure for power, telecommunications, security throughout.
5. Standard requirements for power and telecommunications; specialized needs will be specified including dedicated power. Power to the agency shall be measured and separate from other users, measured by a separate meter.
6. All spaces to be ADA accessible.

Electrical and telecommunications/data needs will include standard office requirements: for each workstation provide (1) duplex computer power outlet, (2) combination data/telephone outlet, and (3) duplex electrical outlets.  Specialty spaces will also require standard and computer receptacles with data/telephone receptacles.  Additional power and supplementary cooling will be needed for the server room.  Provide sufficient power for equipment and electrical convenience outlets per code. 

Special requirements for the server function are anticipated.  The plumbing requirements are bathroom fixtures and sinks (common bathrooms or within agency space, as available), and hot/cold water and drain for the kitchenette in the lunchroom.  Light and noise levels are to be within an acceptable office environment range.

Green Lease Requirements

The Office of General Services supports the State of New York in its policies of conserving, improving and protecting natural resources and the environment; preventing water, air and land pollution; and enhancing the health, safety and welfare of State residents and their overall economic and social well-being by incorporating the provisions of Executive Order 22 into State leases and promoting sustainable building practices and environmental stewardship.

Resiliency & Sustainability Summary

In order to be considered for this award, proposals must include a 1–2-page summary highlighting the building’s current sustainability and resiliency attributes, as well as planned upgrades to address energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.

Items to consider:

• LEED or other “Green Building” certification
• Energy Efficiency Ratio/Rating or Energy Star score
• Measures that have been taken to reduce energy consumption in the building
• Measures that have been implemented to ensure/improve air quality in the building
• Public transportation options, onsite bike parking facilities, and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations
• Availability of space/infrastructure for installation of charging stations for electric vehicles
• Onsite renewable energy generation, a “green“ roof, participation in a community solar program or other initiative
• Resiliency measures in effect to mitigate effects of flooding or other natural disasters
• For NYC locations, detail steps being taken to comply with Local Law 97

Executive Order 22

Executive Order 22 directs State entities to green their procurements including janitorial cleaning supplies and equipment, janitorial paper and paper supplies, and also to implement sustainability initiatives including source separating recycling practices.  The Order contains an annual reporting requirement.  Landlords will be requested to assist agencies in fulfilling the directives of the Order with respect to the purchase of “green cleaning” products and paper products and to assist with the completion of the solid waste management section of the annual report.

Submissions should include a description of any assistance to be provided by the Landlord to the agency to aid in the generation of an annual waste stream audit as mandated under Executive Order 22, including any costs to the tenant.  The reporting information will include the quantity and the unit of measure, i.e. tons, cubic yards, gallons, units, etc., for all solid waste and source separated materials generated by the occupying agency on an annual basis, as well as any special wastes disposed or recycled such as fluorescent light bulbs, tires, or mercury-containing equipment.

Terms

The occupancy and lease commencement are anticipated to be 2^nd quarter 2026.  Submissions should be for a term of 10 years.  Proposed base rental rates shall reflect the cost of a turnkey lease and shall include: base taxes and operating costs; janitorial service; repair and maintenance to the demised premises throughout the term; midterm painting; terms and availability of any parking available to the tenant should be noted on the Business Terms Sheet.

Eligibility / Qualifications / Requirements / Preferences

Submissions should include only sites within the Upper Manhattan, north of 110^th Street area. Submissions will be accepted, in writing, only from developers with site control, property owners, or their exclusive agents.  The Commissioner of General Services, at her sole discretion, may reject any or all submissions.  New York State Finance Law Sections 139-j and 139-k impose certain restrictions on communications between an offerer and the State during the procurement process.  An offerer is restricted from making contact with anyone other than designated staff (OGS Associate Commissioner of Lease Management, Stephanie Robinson; OGS Project Manager & Leasing Agent, John (Jack) Agard; OGS Space Planner, Melissa Stark Baldwin; OGS Building Construction Program Manager, Alexander (Alex) Kot; CBRE Account Managers, Rocco Laginestra, Peter Larkin, Mark Bezold, and Stephen Siegel;  OGS Lease Administration Unit, Tyler Housman,  Mackenzie Kresge, and Vanessa Velez; OGS Office of Business Diversity (mwbe@ogs.ny.gov)) from the date of the issuance of this Web notification through final award and approval of the lease by the Office of the New York State Comptroller (“restricted period”).  

Iran Divestment Act

By submitting an offer to lease in response to this solicitation or by assuming the responsibility of a lease awarded hereunder, the bidder certifies in accordance with State Finance Law §165-a: (i) that it is not on the “Entities Determined to be Non-Responsive Bidders/Offerers pursuant to the New York State Iran Divestment Act of 2012” (the “Prohibited Entities List”) posted at https://ogs.ny.gov/list-entities-determined-be-non-responsive-biddersofferers-pursuant-nys-iran-divestment-act-2012; and (ii) that, in the performance of the lease, it will not use any subcontractor that is identified on the Prohibited Entities List.

Freedom of Information Law / Trade Secrets

During the evaluation process, the content of each offer will be held in confidence and details of any offer will not be revealed (except as may be required under the Freedom of Information Law or other State law).  The Freedom of Information Law provides for an exemption from disclosure for trade secrets or information the disclosure of which would cause injury to the competitive position of commercial enterprises.  This exception would be effective both during and after the evaluation process.

SHOULD YOU FEEL YOUR FIRM‘S OFFER CONTAINS ANY SUCH TRADE SECRETS OR OTHER CONFIDENTIAL OR PROPRIETARY INFORMATION, YOU MUST SUBMIT A REQUEST TO EXCEPT SUCH INFORMATION FROM DISCLOSURE.  SUCH REQUEST MUST BE IN WRITING, MUST STATE THE REASONS WHY THE INFORMATION SHOULD BE EXCEPTED FROM DISCLOSURE AND MUST BE PROVIDED AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE SUBJECT INFORMATION.  REQUESTS FOR EXEMPTION OF THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF AN OFFER FROM DISCLOSURE HAVE GENERALLY NOT BEEN FOUND TO BE MERITORIOUS AND ARE DISCOURAGED.  KINDLY LIMIT ANY REQUESTS FOR EXEMPTION OF INFORMATION FROM DISCLOSURE TO BONA FIDE TRADE SECRETS OR SPECIFIC INFORMATION, THE DISCLOSURE OF WHICH WOULD CAUSE A SUBSTANTIAL INJURY TO THE COMPETITIVE POSITION OF YOUR FIRM.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Development

Article 3 of the New York Veterans’ Service Law provides for more meaningful participation in public procurement by certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (“SDVOBs”), thereby further integrating such businesses into New York State’s economy.  OGS recognizes the need to promote the employment of service-disabled veterans and to ensure that certified SDVOBs have opportunities for maximum feasible participation in the performance of OGS’s contracts.

In recognition of the service and sacrifices made by service-disabled veterans and in recognition of the economic activity such businesses offer in New York State, landlords are strongly encouraged and expected to consider SDVOBs in the fulfillment of the requirements of this Lease.  Such participation may be as subcontractors or suppliers, as protégés, or in other partnering or supporting roles.

Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises

Article 15-A of the New York State Executive Law provides for more meaningful participation in public procurement by certified Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses (“M/WBEs”), thereby further integrating such businesses into New York State’s economy.  OGS encourages the participation of minorities and women in its procurement and building construction projects. Per Executive Law, Article 15-A, certain contracts contain affirmative action requirements for the use of certified MWBEs as subcontractors and suppliers.  For purposes of this Request for Information,

OGS conducted a comprehensive search and determined that the Lease does not offer sufficient opportunities to set goals for participation by MWBEs as subcontractors, service providers, or suppliers to the Landlord.  The Landlord  is, however, encouraged to make every good faith effort to promote and assist the participation of MWBEs on this Lease  for the provision of services and materials.  The directory of New York State Certified MWBEs can be viewed at: https://ny.newnycontracts.com.    Additionally, following execution of the Lease the Landlord is encouraged to contact the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development (518-292-5250, 212-803-2414, or 716-846-8200) to discuss additional methods of maximizing participation by MWBEs on the Lease.

Submissions

Some major factors in determining a potential lease location are fair market value, overall move costs, equitable lease terms, adherence to the OGS Lease Boilerplate language and targeted occupancy dates.  Cost considerations, however, are of the utmost importance.  Accordingly, OGS and our occupying agencies are looking for Landlords to advance creative solutions for reducing costs and streamlining of operations in leased spaces.

Submissions must include a scaled architectural or CAD drawing (AutoCAD Version 2018 or earlier) of the space, and a completed copy of each of the following documents: Landlord and Tenant Obligations Under New York State Finance Law §§139-J and 139-K; Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire (www.osc.ny.gov/Vendrep); Business Terms Sheet; Substitute Form W-9; Building Fact Sheet; Certification Under Executive Order No. 16; Resiliency and Sustainability Summary; and Base Building Characteristics Questionnaire.

The complete RFI including the above-referenced documents may be found in PDF format by going to https://ogs.ny.gov/real-estate/real-property-leases and clicking on “Current List of Lease Space Wanted.”  

 Non-Internet users must call or write as directed below for the entire RFI.