Questions and Answers
We are here to answer questions anytime. If they are relevant to the competition we may post them on this page along with an answer. Please send email to: info@nycbigapps.com.
I understand that the City gets a "royalty free" license for 12 months, but does that mean I can't sell my app?
Can I submit an iPhone App? If so, how?
We don't use the NYC.gov Data Mine but we are very much an NYC-related app. Would we qualify to enter?
Can more than one person work on an app and receive credit for it? And if the app wins a prize, will the prize money be split among the creators?
Can people enter more than once?
Do the submitted apps have to be ideas for newly created products, or can they be based on existing products?
I have entered a data competition with my app in the past. Is my app eligible?
Why is there no Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) data on the NYC.gov Data Mine?
What plans are there to add more data? I have some specific data requests and wonder how I can properly make them?
Why is the grand prize $5,000?
If I'm having problems with a specific data set on the NYC.gov Data Mine. Who should I contact?
I understand that the City gets a "royalty free" license for 12 months, but does that mean I can't sell my app?
The City maintains a royalty free license to display on www.NYCBigApps.com and utilize for non-commercial purposes the submitted version of your application throughout the competition and for 12 months following the close of the Submission Deadline. Your Submission to NYC BigApps must remain accessible for free "as is" on www.NYCBigApps.com for 12 months following the close of the Competition Submission Period. Contestants are free to continue working on their app after the Competition and to sell premium or enhanced versions elsewhere, during or after the Competition Submission Period.
Can I submit an iPhone App? If so, how?
For iPhone apps or apps developed for other platforms that are not easily shared on the web before store approval, you may submit your app using a web framework designed for those platforms (like PhoneGap, etc), or provide a link to a video of all the features of the application. The Competition Administrator may request access to the application in person or via any reasonable manner to verify any criteria about the software application.
We don't use the NYC.gov Data Mine but we are very much an NYC-related app. Would we qualify to enter?
No. The Official Rules specifically require apps to use at least one data set from the NYC.gov Data Mine. If you integrate such data into your submission, the app would qualify for consideration.
Can more than one person work on an app and receive credit for it? And if the app wins a prize, will the prize money be split among the creators?
Yes more than one person may work on an app and receive credit for it. The prize will be awarded to the group and it will be up to them to split the prize, as stated in the Official Rules.
Can people enter more than once?
Yes. There is no limit to how many times an eligible person or organization may enter. And, an individual may join more than one team, corporation, or nonprofit organization. However, no single Contestant or individual can receive aggregate cash prizes in excess of $5,000.
Do the submitted apps have to be ideas for newly created products, or can they be based on existing products?
Applications may be based on existing products provided they comply with all of the requirements outlined in the Official Rules.
I have entered a competition with my app in the past. Is my app eligible?
No. If the identical application has been submitted to another competition, it is not eligible. If your app has been substantially changed by incorporating data from the NYC.gov Data Mine and or the addition of new functionality then it may be eligible. The Competition Administrator and Sponsors retain sole discretion as to whether an app submitted has been substantially changed from a previous competition entry. The app and Contestant will still need to meet all other eligibility requirements outlined in the Official Rules.
Why is there no Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) data on the NYC.gov Data Mine?
Entities providing data on the NYC.gov Data Mine include agencies, bureaus, offices, departments and other discrete entities of the City of New York. The MTA is a public benefit corporation chartered by the State of New York.
What plans are there to add more data? I have some specific data requests and wonder how I can properly make them?
We welcome your feedback and suggestions for the NYC BigApps Competition and the NYC.gov Data Mine. We do not anticipate adding data sets to the NYC.gov Data Mine during the Competition Submission Period. However, the City will be posting additional data sets and new formats to the NYC.gov Data Mine on a rolling basis after the Competition. Please contact the NYC.gov Data Mine team with your suggestions: http://nyc.gov/html/datamine/html/contact/contact.shtml
Why is the grand prize $5,000?
The NYC BigApps prizes must comply with laws governing City procurement and disbursement of funds. These laws limit the amount of City funds that can be awarded to any individual Contestant. It is our hope that Contestants will derive other benefits from competing and winning prizes in NYC BigApps, such as increased visibility and publicity for their work. Contestants may also continue developing their apps after the competition and sell premium or enhanced versions of what was submitted. The City maintains a royalty free license throughout the competition and for 12 months following the close of the Submission Deadline to display on www.NYCBigApp.com and utilize for non-commercial purposes the submitted version of your application.
If I'm having problems with a specific data set on the NYC.gov Data Mine. Who should I contact?
We encourage you to report issues with the NYC.gov Data Mine directly to the Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications (DoITT). You can contact the NYC.gov Data Mine team here: http://nyc.gov/html/datamine/html/contact/contact.shtml