FAQs
Program Questions
How does the Buildings Tech Lab work?
How does the Buildings Tech Lab work?
Do companies receive compensation for participating in the Proof of Concepts or Pilots?
Do companies receive compensation for participating in the Proof of Concepts or Pilots?
Who is eligible to apply to the Buildings Tech Lab?
Who is eligible to apply to the Buildings Tech Lab?
Does an applicant have to be a U.S. corporation or resident?
Does an applicant have to be a U.S. corporation or resident?
Is there a maximum or minimum size of an entity that can apply?
Is there a maximum or minimum size of an entity that can apply?
Are the Proof of Concepts and Pilots a virtual opportunity? Can we collaborate more in person if we are local?
Are the Proof of Concepts and Pilots a virtual opportunity? Can we collaborate more in person if we are local?
Can we apply if we have already done work with the DOB?
Can we apply if we have already done work with the DOB?
How many teams are selected for the POC or Pilot phase?
How many teams are selected for the POC or Pilot phase?
Can we get sample data from the DOB to use for the POC or Pilot phase?
Can we get sample data from the DOB to use for the POC or Pilot phase?
What are protocols around submitting cloud-based solutions?
What are protocols around submitting cloud-based solutions?
What would make an application stand out?
What would make an application stand out?
How do you plan to capture and share lessons from the pilot year with the public?
How do you plan to capture and share lessons from the pilot year with the public?
How will access to NYC DOB data be managed for participants?
How will access to NYC DOB data be managed for participants?
Who owns IP developed over the course of the Lab?
Who owns IP developed over the course of the Lab?
Does applying earlier than September 20th favorably impact the evaluation of our application?
Does applying earlier than September 20th favorably impact the evaluation of our application?
Is partnering between two companies on one application acceptable?
Is partnering between two companies on one application acceptable?
Can the company market on their website that they have become a finalist?
Can the company market on their website that they have become a finalist?
Is the program limited to partnering in the near term with just data technology and processing technology? For example, will program managers consider (in the near term) HVAC and building controls technology offerings?
Is the program limited to partnering in the near term with just data technology and processing technology? For example, will program managers consider (in the near term) HVAC and building controls technology offerings?
Do you have digital data open source for the challenge participants?
Do you have digital data open source for the challenge participants?
Can a research group from the university join the challenge?
Can a research group from the university join the challenge?
DOB Questions
What is DOB's connection with NYCHA/ public housing?
What is DOB's connection with NYCHA/ public housing?
Would data on Short-Term Rental Housing Stock and Unpermitted Construction be of interest to staff (ex. address and owner information)?
Would data on Short-Term Rental Housing Stock and Unpermitted Construction be of interest to staff (ex. address and owner information)?
What are some biggest challenges DOB is facing when processing permits and inspections?
What are some biggest challenges DOB is facing when processing permits and inspections?
What type of data are you looking for from remote building inspections?
What type of data are you looking for from remote building inspections?
Is DOB looking for innovative data solutions for managing underground assets and utilities?
Is DOB looking for innovative data solutions for managing underground assets and utilities?
Are there Difficulties with Project Closeout?
Are there Difficulties with Project Closeout?
Are there difficulties with inaccurate as-builts?
Are there difficulties with inaccurate as-builts?
How will DOB incorporate solutions and make sure that different solutions will have the same chances to grow in the NYC market?
How will DOB incorporate solutions and make sure that different solutions will have the same chances to grow in the NYC market?
What are your biggest pain points from GCs?
What are your biggest pain points from GCs?
Do any of your challenges or process improvement areas touch on public engagement or neighbor notification re: building permits?
Do any of your challenges or process improvement areas touch on public engagement or neighbor notification re: building permits?
Is DOB interested in Digital Twins?
Is DOB interested in Digital Twins?
Is the goal of the pilot program to enhance DOB NOW or replace it?
Is the goal of the pilot program to enhance DOB NOW or replace it?
In addition to solutions that NYCDOB can use, would you be interested in technology that Owners would use to make their data easier to report and understand around Commissioning requirements and completion?
In addition to solutions that NYCDOB can use, would you be interested in technology that Owners would use to make their data easier to report and understand around Commissioning requirements and completion?
Is DOB responsible for stormwater management or flooding mitigation solutions?
Is DOB responsible for stormwater management or flooding mitigation solutions?
What are some of the expected outcomes of the Buildings Tech Lab that make you excited to see come to fruition?
What are some of the expected outcomes of the Buildings Tech Lab that make you excited to see come to fruition?
How is building data captured and stored by DOB? What are the sources of this data (BMS/BAS, IoT sensors, work orders, inspection records, etc.)?
How is building data captured and stored by DOB? What are the sources of this data (BMS/BAS, IoT sensors, work orders, inspection records, etc.)?
What CRM systems does the dept use and what sort of business processes/workflows do they drive?
What CRM systems does the dept use and what sort of business processes/workflows do they drive?
What data is most important for DOB?
What data is most important for DOB?
How much can we leverage DOB expertise and city officials to validate AI solutions?
How much can we leverage DOB expertise and city officials to validate AI solutions?
Speaking to the "data verification" topic: Does the DOB own, or have authority to grant permissions for data sharing/licensing (e.g. establishment of API connections)?
Speaking to the "data verification" topic: Does the DOB own, or have authority to grant permissions for data sharing/licensing (e.g. establishment of API connections)?
As to the ""API Creation"" tool, is DOB looking for a supported model (e.g. develop + maintain), or simply a developer's environment to enable DOB staff to develop and maintain API and similar integration paths?
As to the ""API Creation"" tool, is DOB looking for a supported model (e.g. develop + maintain), or simply a developer's environment to enable DOB staff to develop and maintain API and similar integration paths?
Following on, where will data from API/similar integrations be pointed?
Following on, where will data from API/similar integrations be pointed?
What systems are currently used by DOB for facilities management and what are the biggest pain points? What are you looking to automate? What workflows create the biggest pain points for your preconstruction/purchasing teams?
What systems are currently used by DOB for facilities management and what are the biggest pain points? What are you looking to automate? What workflows create the biggest pain points for your preconstruction/purchasing teams?
If selected, the pilot goes well, and we eventually reach a procurement process, how long does the procurement process typically take to complete?
If selected, the pilot goes well, and we eventually reach a procurement process, how long does the procurement process typically take to complete?
Are you using private data centers and public cloud? Are you using any Hybrid Cloud Management System?
Are you using private data centers and public cloud? Are you using any Hybrid Cloud Management System?
What case management system is DOB currently using?
What case management system is DOB currently using?
Are you currently using Acela?
Are you currently using Acela?