New York City needs some better workflow technology for its Department of Buildings — and local officials are putting out a call for ideas.

The agency and the Partnership Fund for New York City — a nonprofit advocacy group that includes CEOs and other executives — have opened applications for the second annual technology competition via the public-private Buildings Tech Lab initiative.

The competition focuses on finding and testing tools that can support the Department of Buildings’ “work as the primary regulator of real estate and construction in New York City,” according to a statement.

This year’s contest focuses on what the statement called “transformative technologies to modernize internal workflows and improve workforce efficiency” for the department, responsible for some 1.1 million buildings in the city.

Applications are due by Oct. 24.

Before that, the building department will hold a virtual information session about the program on Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. ET.

This year’s challenge calls for better technology around “workflow modernization” — for instance, how to improve case tracking, code updates and internal agency workflows — along with “workforce optimization” — that is, providing better tools for building inspectors and other agency employees.

Companies that win acceptance into the challenge will take part in a pilot lasting six months, and which has two phases.

The first phase involves “validating the technology” in the agency’s “operational environment,” according to the statement.

The second phase brings cost and scalability evaluations. Along the way, agency staff will provide feedback as the startups work to demonstrate “both the effectiveness and the value of their solutions.”

The news of the new challenge comes as Buildings Tech Lab announces what it calls “proof of concept” results from last year’s inaugural cohort. They focused on process management and data utilization.

Eight participating companies emerged from 92 applications, with a process that included 28 public-sector evaluators.

“After seeing firsthand how the impressive technologies of the first cohort of companies could boost our enforcement operations, cut wait times and improve our service for New Yorkers, we were more than excited to run it back with a second annual innovation competition,” said Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo in a statement.

This is not the only time a big New York City agency and the Partnership Fund have turned to suppliers of government technology for help improving operations via a contest.

Earlier this year, the Transit Tech Lab — backed by Metropolitan Transportation Authority — named the finalists for its seventh annual challenge cycle. The new cohort will focus on such issues as public transit schedules, communications, inspections and maintenance.