NIGP 20617: Chips: Accelerator, Graphics, Math Co-Processor, Memory (Ram and ROM), Network, etc.

NIGP 20617 Chips: Accelerator, Graphics, Math Co-Processor, Memory (RAM and ROM), Network, Etc. is an Item code under which state and local governments procure high-performance computing hardware, networking equipment, and related infrastructure to support data-intensive operations, scientific computing, and institutional IT services. Recent solicitations show state and local bodies acquiring GPU clusters for AI and machine-learning workloads, enterprise networking equipment through cooperative purchasing agreements, Cisco Meraki licensing for distributed wireless and switching infrastructure, and classroom technology systems integrating networked audio-visual components. Issuing bodies span higher-education institutions, K-12 school districts, county purchasing cooperatives, and community colleges; repeat buyers include Region 7 Purchasing Cooperative in Texas (which has issued three network systems and supplies catalog discount bids since 2022) and public institutions in Florida and Texas seeking consolidated technology infrastructure.

Recent activity concentrates in Texas and Florida. Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) issued RFP 28-EQUI-RFP-1660 in June 2026 for a turn-key GPU High Performance Computing cluster called Texas IGNITE featuring a minimum of 500 next-generation GPUs optimized for AI/ML and scientific computing, with NVMe-based storage of at least 8 petabytes and cloud connectivity to Azure, AWS, and GCP; the proposal deadline was extended to March 31, 2026, with a 1 percent VetHUB participation goal and anticipated contract award in May or June 2026. Region 7 Purchasing Cooperative (Kilgore, Texas) reissued an RFQ for Network Systems & Supplies NET2628 on June 15, 2026, with proposals due July 28, 2026, for catalog discount pricing; estimated expenditures are $12.011 million over a two-year term from August 20, 2026 through August 20, 2028, with 31 previous awards on the prior iteration. Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida issued ITB 26045ITBDST in January 2026 for a 36-month Cisco Meraki Enterprise License Agreement covering 5,842 MS300 switch licenses and 20,737 MT/MR wireless access point licenses across approximately 651 network devices, with an estimated budget of approximately $10.3 million for the initial three-year term starting September 15, 2026; technical questions closed January 30, 2026, and bids were due February 22, 2026.