Consulting Services for a Data Center Impact Study

York County, South Carolina is soliciting proposals under RFP #3063 from qualified independent consultants or multidisciplinary consulting teams for a comprehensive Data Center Impact Study. A voluntary pre-solicitation conference is set for November 18, 2026, and proposals are due December 15, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. to York County Procurement. The successful firm must demonstrate independence from the data center industry, disclose any current or prior engagements or financial relationships with data center developers or operators within the past five years, and execute a Conflict of Interest and Independence Attestation. No set-asides are identified in this solicitation.

The study will evaluate the impacts of hyperscale data center development on county infrastructure, environment, and communities. Required scope covers electrical utility and grid infrastructure, water resources, environmental impacts, noise and community health, property values, cumulative impacts, and regulatory considerations. Community engagement must include at least two public listening sessions, an online survey available for a minimum of 30 calendar days, and targeted stakeholder interviews. Subconsultants must be identified and approved by the county, and the prime consultant assumes sole responsibility for all work quality and integrity. Required insurance is professional liability of $1.0 million per occurrence and general liability of $1.0 million combined single limit per occurrence, with York County named as additional insured.

Proposals will be evaluated on firm and team qualifications and relevant experience (25 points), technical approach and methodology (35 points), community engagement approach (15 points), project schedule and feasibility (15 points), and fee proposal (10 points).

Offerors must submit a detailed cost proposal covering all professional services, expenses, and overhead. Billing occurs monthly for hours worked by staff classification plus reimbursable expenses, payable within 30 days of receipt. The contract term will be negotiated against an agreed project schedule, with document completion targeted for July 16, 2027. The moratorium on data center applications established by Ordinance 26-27 is scheduled to expire in April 2027 unless extended. Questions are due November 24, 2026.