Empire State Development Centers for Advanced Technology (CAT) Program RFP 26-6181
NY-State-Empire State DevelopmentState · Albany, NY- Due
- Oct 16, 2026
- Due today
- Posted
- Sep 1, 2026
- Contract term
- 10 years
- Primary contact
- Ben Verschueren
- (518) 292-5700
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THE 30-SECOND BRIEF
Empire State Development (ESD), through its Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), is soliciting proposals to designate ten Centers for Advanced Technology (CAT). The program is designed to spur technology-based applied research and economic growth in New York State across seven technology foci: Artificial Intelligence and data-driven healthcare, Medical manufacturing, Space technologies and aerospace engineering, and Waste-to-value and circular manufacturing technologies. Eligible applicants include New York universities and university-affiliated research institutes. Designated centers will receive up to $903,954 annually for a ten-year period to support collaborative research with industry, workforce development, and outreach. Proposals must include a 1:1 matching fund commitment, with specific requirements for New York State company cash. Electronic submissions are due by October 16, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. EST. Written questions are accepted through September 14, 2026.
Proposal Cover Page, Checklist, Certification(s), Table of Contents, Glossary of Terms, Executive Summary, Proposal Narrative, Budget Forms, Appendices
Organizational Capacity and Delivery Plan (30 points), Economic Opportunity (45 points), Use of Funds (20 points), Diversity Practices (5 points)
SUMMARY
Empire State Development (ESD), through its Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), is soliciting proposals to designate ten Centers for Advanced Technology (CAT).
The program is designed to spur technology-based applied research and economic growth in New York State across seven technology foci: Artificial Intelligence and data-driven healthcare, Medical manufacturing, Space technologies and aerospace engineering, and Waste-to-value and circular manufacturing technologies. Eligible applicants include New York universities and university-affiliated research institutes. Designated centers will receive up to $903,954 annually for a ten-year period to support collaborative research with industry, workforce development, and outreach. Proposals must include a 1:1 matching fund commitment, with specific requirements for New York State company cash. Electronic submissions are due by October 16, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. EST. Written questions are accepted through September 14, 2026.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
9- Proposal Cover Page
- Checklist
- Certification(s)
- Table of Contents
- Glossary of Terms
- Executive Summary
- Proposal Narrative
- Budget Forms
- Appendices
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
9- CAT director CV
- Organizational chart
- Project summary templates
- Budget Forms One and Two
- Proprietary information exception request
- Diversity Practices Questionnaire
- OCSD-1
- OCSD-2
- OCSD-4
REQUIRED STAFFING
6- Submit to
- [email protected]
- Scope location
- Albany, NY
- Reported agency
- Empire State Development
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from NY-State-Empire State Development?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is October 16, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: [email protected]. For questions, contact Ben Verschueren.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including NY-State-Empire State Development in NY, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Ben Verschueren at (518) 292-5700. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What staffing is required for this project?
This solicitation outlines specific staffing requirements. The required roles include: CAT Director, Business Development Staff, Research Faculty, Graduate Students, Undergraduate Students, Support Staff. Proposers should demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience for each required role.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Proposal Cover Page, Checklist, Certification(s), Table of Contents, Glossary of Terms, Executive Summary, Proposal Narrative, Budget Forms, Appendices. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
Can I search RFPs like this in ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes. Civic IQ has an MCP server that connects ChatGPT, Claude and other AI assistants to live Civic IQ data: open RFPs, pre-RFP signals from public meetings, awarded contracts and agency decision-makers across 100,000+ US public agencies. Add https://beta.mcp.civiciq.com/mcp as a connector (in ChatGPT under Settings > Apps & Connectors, in Claude under Settings > Connectors) and sign in with a free Civic IQ account at civiciq.com/mcp.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Organizational Capacity and Delivery Plan (30 points), Economic Opportunity (45 points), Use of Funds (20 points), Diversity Practices (5 points)" Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from NY-State-Empire State Development?
All active and historical solicitations from NY-State-Empire State Development are tracked and searchable. As a state agency, NY-State-Empire State Development regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 10 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of October 16, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: CAT director CV, Organizational chart, Project summary templates, Budget Forms One and Two, Proprietary information exception request, Diversity Practices Questionnaire, OCSD-1, OCSD-2, OCSD-4. Additionally, proposals should address staffing requirements as outlined in the solicitation. Review the full document from NY-State-Empire State Development for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Albany, NY. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.