How does the Environmental Tech Lab work?
The Environmental Tech Lab offers companies an opportunity to test their technologies with the nation's largest combined municipal water and wastewater system. After applying, select companies will be invited to PFNYC's offices for a Pitch and Demo Day to showcase their technology to a wide audience from NYC DEP. Select companies from Demo Day will be further evaluated by NYC DEP to determine whether a proof of concept is feasible and beneficial. At the conclusion of the evaluation process, NYC DEP will select companies to participate in a three-month proof of concept (POC) during which a minimally viable test will be conducted to understand selected products' capabilities and their value proposition. If additional testing is needed, proofs of concept may be extended for another three months for a deeper technology test. There is no set number of proofs of concept, and none are guaranteed. DEP selects the companies that best meet its needs.
Where can I learn more about the problems that DEP is trying to tackle through the Lab?
You can find the full challenge statements on our Apply page, which lays out the specific operational and infrastructure problems DEP is looking to solve this cohort. Be sure to check out the Resources section on that same page, which has additional background materials to help you understand the context behind each challenge. We'd also encourage you to sign up for the next information session, where our team walks through the program process and DEP answers questions live.
Who is eligible to apply to the Environmental Tech Lab?
Companies from anywhere in the world can apply, including those that have worked with DEP before. To be eligible, you must:
be a corporation, joint venture, partnership, or LLC as defined by Applicable Law, and be registered to do business in the State of New York ("NYS Registration") if selected for a proof of concept; and
have at least a beta version (i.e., working prototype with active users) of the solution you intend to propose as part of your application.
Subsidiaries of larger companies are not eligible to apply. Companies selected for a proof of concept may be subject to insurance and cyber reviews and must store all DEP data in the US.
Applicants must acknowledge and agree to be bound by the ETL program’s Terms and Conditions. Please consult the Terms and Conditions for any questions around eligibility.
When and how do I register to do business in NY?
Companies incorporated outside New York State that are selected to complete a proof of concept in the Environmental Tech Lab must complete the following steps:
Obtain a 'Certificate of Good Standing' or 'Certificate of Existence' from the US state or foreign country where your company is incorporated.
Complete the New York State Department of State 'Application for Authority' form located here. Please note this form has a filing fee of $225 USD. More information is available on the New York State Department of State website.
Please see the Eligibility Criteria under the How to Apply section of our website for more details.
How are written applications scored, and what separates the ones that reach Pitch and Demo Day?
Written applications are scored against the evaluation framework, which looks at impact, product, team, and value. We also weigh whether DEP's operational staff have the capacity and interest to take on a proof of concept in that area. The companies that move forward usually share a few traits: they address a critical pain point, their technology meets a need that existing tools don't, the team is adaptable, and the project has a strong champion inside DEP.
What does the proof of concept look like?
POCs are structured to last three months and may be extended for another three months if deeper testing is needed. If you advance to the second phase of evaluation, you'll be paired with a DEP project manager who is a subject matter expert and can bring in other stakeholders as needed. You'll propose a three-month scope in your application, and that becomes the starting point for scoping with your project manager. Your actual test may end up shorter, but we generally find that about three months is needed to show value.
Every POC runs with DEP staff in DEP's own environment. Depending on the project, you may use public or sample data, historical data from DEP systems, or new data generated during the test.
You don't need to be in NYC for the full POC, but we ask companies to attend the midpoint meeting and final presentation in person. You'll also have chances to present to DEP senior leadership. For program dates, see the Timeline section on the Apply page.
Do companies receive compensation if selected for a proof of concept?
No. There is no compensation for participation in the Environmental Tech Lab, and proofs of concept are unpaid. Companies are welcome to seek external grant funding to support their projects if applicable.
What do cyber and insurance reviews involve, and do we need SOC 2?
Companies that advance to the second phase of evaluation after Pitch and Demo Day start scoping conversations right away. Once the scope is confirmed, it determines which insurance coverage you'll need. Exhibit A of our Terms and Conditions shows the types of insurance that may apply, but the final requirements depend on your scope.
Cloud-based solutions are subject to the City's cloud review process, as described in the City of New York Cloud Review Process document (which the City may amend at any time). We'll take you through that review with the City's Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI). Requirements can be lighter for a narrower scope, but any cloud-based solution that ingests DEP data must go through OTI's review. SOC 2 Type II isn't required. Having it is a positive signal, but every company is evaluated either way and may need additional testing, such as a DAST scan.
Review times for both depend largely on how quickly documents move back and forth between your team and ours. The POC officially begins once the scope is confirmed, the cyber review is complete, insurance is cleared, and contracts are signed.
What does success look like? Is purchase guaranteed with success?
Success in ETL means your company has effectively demonstrated the value of your technology by solving a pressing agency challenge. Through the program, you get access to decision makers and VCs, a timely go/no-go decision, mentorship, and the ability to refine your technology in partnership with the largest municipal water and wastewater utility in the US.
Purchase is not guaranteed. It is within DEP's sole discretion to decide if and how to commercialize a technology, and DEP chooses the procurement mechanism that best fits the scope of work. Over three years, we've run POCs with 24 companies. Three have led to commercial contracts with DEP so far, and four more are in the pipeline. To help start those conversations, we ask every company to price both the POC work and what a paid, scaled engagement would look like.
My company is not based in the United States. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, as long as you can agree to our program Terms and Conditions you are eligible to apply!
Does the POC have to last 3 months? Can it be a shorter duration?
You will be paired with an agency project manager to scope a minimally viable test to demonstrate the value of your technology. It's possible the duration of your actual test could be shorter, but the program is structured for a 3 month engagement. We generally find a minimum of 3 months is needed to demonstrate value and success.
What data will we have access to during the POC?
It depends on the project. You'll be paired with a DEP project manager who will work with you to define the data you need to validate your technology. That could be public or sample data, or historical data from DEP systems. Together, we'll scope the test that can clearly show your technology's value using the least sensitive DEP data possible.
How is DEP thinking about defending OT environments against AI enabled cyber threats, particularly where traditional security tools may have limited visibility into operational networks?
DEP is following industry best practices on defending OT environments against AI enabled cyber threats. We remain open to learning from industry partners and exploring innovative approaches to strengthen the security and resilience of our critical operational infrastructure.
What are the existing processes DEP uses to monitor conditions? Does DEP use time-based preventative maintenance, precision maintenance, predictive maintenance, etc. techniques?
DEP conducts time-based inspections and then performs cleaning or repairs based on findings. DEP participates in additional inspections as part of initiatives, such as interagency storm preparation. DEP follows standard operating procedures and guidelines. Among this year's use cases, DEP is exploring technology for predictive approaches.
What is DEP's role in cooling tower water compliance?
This compliance falls under NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
In terms of resource recovery, how important is recovering ammonia? What about rare earth elements?
DEP has not evaluated recovery of rare earth elements. Ammonia recovery could be useful as DEP does have permit limits for ammonia at some treatment plants and total nitrogen limits at more than half of the treatment plants.