The Mayor of New York, de Blasio in collaboration with the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) has announced that the city has approved and reviewed six firms that will build four Borough-based jails. The contemporary, smaller, and more humane facilities will replace the antiquated Rikers Island facilities, which will close permanently in 2027. SOQs were reviewed by a panel of the Borough Based Jail team, which included DDC’s construction specialists, based on businesses’ financial capability, experience, design-build methodology, and historical performance.
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For each of the locations, the City will now launch a Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFP will request that Design-Build teams provide further information about their methods to designing and building the new facilities, such as how the team will accomplish the City’s goal for developing humane facilities and creative techniques to guarantee efficient, cost-effective construction. Based on reviews of their SOQs, two businesses will be the sole responders to RFPs for Manhattan and Queens, respectively. Two businesses will compete for the Brooklyn facility, while two firms will compete for the Bronx facility’s design and construction. Stipends will be offered to businesses who are not selected to work on one of the facilities due to the time and resources necessary to submit complete RFP replies.
Commentary on the New York borough-based jails
“New York City needs a prison system that is smaller, safer, and more equitable.” That begins with the construction of modern facilities and the permanent removal of Rikers Island. “I’m thrilled to see borough-based prisons moving forward, and I look forward to celebrating even more progress as experienced teams design and build these new facilities,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “Given the magnitude and complexity of this initiative, we had an extraordinary response from the industry.” “The answer gives us even more confidence that we will be able to deliver on the promise of a more compassionate judicial system for New York City on time and under budget,” said Tom Foley, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction.
