Workforce Optimization
How might we equip inspectors and staff with tools, digital or physical, that improve safety, mobility, and efficiency in the field and back office?
Technologies may include but are not limited to solving the following use cases:
Inventory & Asset Tracking: Tools that modernize inventory and asset management systems to track IT and non‑IT equipment across departments, flag shortages and provide robust reporting, eliminating dependence on manual spreadsheets.
AI Support for Plan Examination: Technologies that employ AI to assist plan examiners by generating risk-based triaging of applications, auto‑generating objections based on current code language, analyzing past determinations to identify patterns of concern and scanning submissions for completeness and proper formatting.
Field Support Tools for Inspectors: including micromobility, mobile printing, and wearable protective technologies to navigate inspection routes more quickly, print documents in the field and enhance safety and comfort.
Automated Emissions Data Capture: Technologies that automate the extraction of building‑emissions data directly from utility records to streamline environmental reporting and compliance monitoring.
HR Performance Analytics: Tools that leverage HR analytics to evaluate employee performance relative to task complexity and workload, enabling tailored growth.
Information Session
Join us on Friday, October 10 at 1:00 p.m. ET for a remote information session and learn about applying to the 2025 program. Webinar attendees may submit questions in the registration form.
During this session you can expect to:
Discover the benefits of joining the Lab
Understand evaluation criteria and resources provided by the Lab
Learn directly from DOB experts to guide your application
The Buildings Tech Lab is a collaboration between the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Partnership Fund for New York City. We provide companies with expedited paths to testing, expert feedback, access to key decision makers from DOB, and an accelerated go/no-go decision.
Companies with exceptional use cases will be selected for a yearlong pilot with the agency.
Key Dates
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
Challenge Announcement
Challenges are announced based on DOB leadership’s goals and priorities.
SEPTEMBER 8 - OCTOBER 24, 2025
Open Application
Eligible companies from around the world are invited to apply to our open challenges.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1:00PM EST, 2025
Information Session
Interested applicants are invited to attend an information session to learn more (scroll up for more information)
DECEMBER 9-11, 2025 (NYC in-person)
Semi-Finalist Pitch & Demo Day
A subset of applicants are selected to attend in-person pitch and demo-days, showcasing their solutions directly with agency leadership.
Finalists are selected to complete a pilot with NYC DOB.
Q1 2026
Preparation for Pilots
Before starting pilot projects, Finalists must complete scoping, insurance, and cybersecurity requirements.
Q2-Q3 2026
6-month Pilots
Phase 1: technology validation (3 months) - Finishes with a midpoint in-person presentation to present technology test results to DOB leadership; DOB makes a go/no-go decision to proceed with testing*
Phase 2: cost validation (3 months) - Work with DOB to demonstrate economic value of technology and identify a pathway to scale
Q4 2026
Finalist Presentations and Next Steps
Finalists present the results of the Pilot to agency leadership and decision makers (NYC in-person)
Terms & Conditions
Please review our Terms & Conditions which govern participation in the Buildings Tech Lab.
