Computing Assets and White Space Infrastructure Advanced SI/AI and HPC Computing Infrastructure • Up to 5 MW IT Load

Empire AI Consortium, Inc. is requesting information on accelerator-based AI and HPC computing systems and supporting white space infrastructure for the Gamma phase of the Empire AI Research Computing Center at the University at Buffalo in Amherst, New York, with responses due December 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. This RFI is not a solicitation, and no contract will be awarded from it; submittal is not a condition for consideration in any future procurement.

Responses are invited from manufacturers, OEMs, resellers, system integrators, and engineering and construction partners, with no pre-qualification required and subcontracting, teaming, and joint ventures permitted. New York State MWBE and SDVOB goals of 16% MBE, 14% WBE, and 6% SDVOB apply to the white space portion only, with participation by New York State-certified firms. Future white space work is expected to be a Construction Manager at Risk agreement and may be subject to a Project Labor Agreement and prevailing wage requirements.

The computing scope covers systems up to 5 MW of IT load. White space scope covers coolant distribution units, technical cooling systems, flywheel uninterruptible power supply systems, and 480-volt distribution equipment. The facility is master-planned for 15 MW total, with Gamma and Delta as the first two deployments of up to 5 MW each. The Program Budget is approximately $160 million across both tranches, and respondents are invited to recommend the split. Indicative pricing should cover computing assets, white space, engineering, installation, integration, commissioning, acceptance testing, training, documentation, and hardware warranty and support for an initial three-year term, with optional five-year pricing. Respondents should exclude New York State and local sales and use taxes and may exclude utility and staff costs. Empire AI also seeks recommendations on technology architecture, hosting model (owner-operated, respondent-managed service, or hybrid), supply chain risk, and delivery timelines.

Anticipated milestones are an RFP on or about January 15, 2027, proposals due February 16, 2027, base building substantial completion in the fourth quarter of 2027, and Gamma power-on in approximately July 2028.

Contact with anyone other than the designated contact is restricted from issuance through final award under New York State Finance Law 139-j and 139-k (Procurement Lobbying Law). Responses become Empire AI property and are subject to public disclosure under the New York State Freedom of Information Law.