Enhanced use lease for commercial data centers
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Army (DA) is soliciting competitive proposals for Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) agreements to develop commercial data centers on non-excess DA land at Fort Hood, TX; Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Bliss, TX; and/or Dugway Proving Ground, UT. The objective is to maximize financial return to the DA through these long-term leases. Proposals are due February 23, 2026.
Opportunity Overview
This Request for Proposals (RFP) invites private, public, and not-for-profit entities to lease DA land for a term of fifty (50) years, with a potential option for renewal. The selected Offeror(s) will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of the commercial data center(s), including design, financing, permitting, development, construction, installation, ownership, maintenance, operation, and decommissioning. The project must be viable without any financial or other commitment from the DA. Consideration for the EUL will be in-kind, cash, or a combination, not less than the fair market value, with the DA expressing a preference for in-kind consideration. The DA may award one or more EULs to multiple Offerors.
Scope of Work
Lessee responsibilities include:
- Full Project Lifecycle: Designing, financing, permitting, developing, constructing, installing, owning, maintaining, operating, and decommissioning commercial data centers.
- Compliance: Adhering to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations, including environmental and building codes.
- Infrastructure: Providing all necessary utilities, access roads, parking, and physical security at the Offeror's sole cost. Police, fire, and EMS services will be provided on a reimbursable basis.
- Property Restoration: Restoring the property to its original condition at the end of the lease term.
Key Requirements & Considerations
- Site-Specific Details:
- Fort Hood: Approximately 207 acres. Priority in-kind consideration includes road improvements. Wind turbines are not supported due to Army Aviation interference. Solar panels are permitted, but glint glare analysis is required.
- Fort Bragg: Six parcels totaling 734 acres. Height restrictions apply. Timber clearing will be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Fort Bliss: 1,384 acres available (reduced from 6,000 due to environmental/cultural factors). Offerors are responsible for environmental studies and mitigation. Preferred in-kind projects include quality of life improvements.
- Dugway Proving Ground: Three sites (A, B, C) totaling approximately 3,466 acres. DA prefers in-kind consideration.
- Environmental: Offerors are responsible for due diligence, environmental studies, and mitigation. NEPA compliance is detailed in RFP Section 2.2.2. Archaeological surveys are available for some sites, but biological surveys may be required as part of the NEPA process.
- Financial Capability: Proposals from Special Purpose Entities (SPEs) are acceptable if the parent company or sponsors demonstrate adequate financial capability and experience.
- Utilities: Offerors are responsible for coordinating with local utility providers (e.g., Oncor, Atmos Energy, Bell County WCID #1, El Paso Electric, City of Copperas Cove) as Fort Hood's utilities are privatized, and Fort Bragg will not provide utilities.
- Legal: This is a real estate transaction, not an acquisition of goods or services, and is not governed by the FAR. Offerors must comply with the Buy American Act for public works projects.
Submission & Evaluation
- Proposal Due: February 23, 2026, 5:00 P.M. (EST).
- Questions Due: February 13, 2026, 5:00 P.M. (EST).
- Submission: Proposals must be uploaded to the provided Smartsheet link. Each proposed project at different properties/installations should be submitted as its own proposal. A cover letter/executive summary will not count towards page limits.
- Evaluation Factors (equally weighted): Project Description, Project Plan, Financial Capability, Organizational Structure/Experience/Past Performance, and EUL Consideration (Rent).
- Award: DA will select the Offeror(s) whose proposal offers the best overall value and may make awards to more than one Offeror. AI will not be used for evaluation.
Important Notes
The DA reserves the right to modify, suspend, or waive terms, reject any or all proposals, or cancel the RFP process. Offerors are responsible for all costs associated with their proposal. Substantive lease terms and clauses are generally not subject to further negotiation.