RICS Americas, the NYC-based division of the largest organization for professionals in property, land, construction and related environmental issues worldwide, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), in conjunction with the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), introduced a new standardized, construction-bidding initiative to New York City's top construction professionals at a seminar at the DDC office on Oct. 24, 2007. Speakers included Simon Taylor FRICS, RICS Americas spokesperson and vice president of Faithful + Gould; David Burney, AIA NYC DDC commissioner; David Resnick, AIA NYC DDC deputy commissioner; and Michael Burton, PE, senior vice president of URS Corporation, New York. "We hope to improve the relationship between the City and contractors by implementing RICS's new project information standards that better serve both parties, promote a fair, transactional relationship, and create a level playing field among bidders," said David Resnick, NYC DDC deputy commissioner.