RFP To Develop a New York State Life Sciences Ecosystem Analysis

Empire State Development (ESD) is seeking a qualified real estate advisory firm to deliver a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of New York State's life sciences ecosystem. The analysis will provide ESD with objective market intelligence to inform future policy, business development priorities, and investment opportunities.

This engagement will produce an executive-level report presenting objective market intelligence, competitive benchmarking, and data-driven findings on New York State’s life science ecosystem.

The primary deliverable is an executive-level report suitable for presentation to ESD leadership and State government stakeholders. The report should include:

• Executive summary of key findings
• Comparative analysis of New York to leading peer life sciences markets across all five scope areas
• Site selection factor scorecard
• Win/loss deal analysis based on available data and primary research
• Geographic and submarket competitive assessment by life sciences segment
• Policy and regulatory benchmarking with identified friction points

To the extent possible, the report should be accompanied by a supporting data appendix.

The report shall provide an objective data-driven assessment of New York State’s life science ecosystem, including competitive benchmarking, market conditions, site selection factors, and regional strengths and constraints. The analysis should identify key findings, competitive advantages and disadvantages, and market opportunities supported by available data. Development of strategic recommendations, implementation plans, or policy proposals is outside of the scope of this engagement. ESD will independently evaluate the findings to inform future programmatic and policy decisions.

Respondents are invited to propose a scope of work that addresses all five engagement objectives. Engagement could include a combination of the following work streams:

• Existing proprietary data, market intelligence, and prior research wherever possible to minimize new primary research.
• Targeted primary research as needed to support answering the questions in the five scope areas.
• Competitive benchmarking across peer markets.
• Submarket analysis covering New York City, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Capital Region, and Buffalo/Western New York.
• Concise policy and regulatory process analysis based on existing research and data.
• Draft report with ESD review and revision period.

Proposals must be sent to the designated Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/request/zhmrsk3fb10ovhjgsda4

**Submission Deadline: 2:00 PM ET on December 3, 2026.** Proposals deemed to have arrived late will not be accepted.

Submission of proposals in a manner other than as described in these instructions (e.g., facsimile, hardcopies, emails) will not be accepted. Respondents must create a main folder using the naming convention "company name – RFP title – date of Submission", with two subfolders: one for the Administrative Proposal and one for the Technical Proposal. All documents in these folders should be clearly labeled.

**Selection criteria** (maximum of 100 points):

• Quality & Relevance of Past Experience and Qualifications (20 Points)
• Qualifications & Experience of Staff (15 Points)
• Data Availability & Market Intelligence (20 Points)
• Proposed Project Plan (15 Points)
• Fee Proposal (20 Points)
• Diversity Practices (10 Points)

The awarded contract, if any, may be subject to review and approval by the Office of the State Comptroller ("OSC") pursuant to Public Authorities Law §2879-a and the regulations issued thereunder.