Consulting services for the preparation of a data center and large-load development regulatory framework

The City of Lakeland, Florida is soliciting proposals from qualified multidisciplinary consulting teams to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework governing the zoning, siting, permitting, utility service, and long-term operation of data centers and other large-load developments, with proposals due October 5, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. under RFP 2026-RFP-109. The City owns and operates electric, water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities — a governance structure that allows coordination of land use planning with utility planning and infrastructure investment. The City recently adopted a temporary 12-month moratorium on new data center and large-load development to evaluate existing regulations and develop a defensible regulatory framework.

The consulting team must evaluate existing conditions, identify regional and national best practices, assess utility service and municipal infrastructure capacity, and prepare implementation documents including recommended amendments to the City's Land Development Code, utility policies, GIS suitability analyses, and model agreements. The team must demonstrate experience in municipal planning, municipally owned utilities, infrastructure engineering, land development regulation, electric utility systems planning, water and wastewater utilities, data center operations, environmental planning, GIS analysis, municipal finance, and Florida municipal law.

The project spans four phases: Phase I (Project Initiation and Existing Conditions Assessment, estimated completion December 2026), Phase II (Technical Assessments, estimated completion January 2027), Phase III (Regulatory Framework Development, estimated completion February 2027), and Phase IV (Final Regulatory Framework and Adoption Support, estimated completion August 2, 2027). Proposals must include a detailed project schedule and cost proposal; no single contract price is specified. All deliverables become City property upon completion, though proposers may retain pre-existing proprietary methodologies and intellectual property if clearly identified. The City will provide planning documents, utility data, GIS information, capital improvement plans, and meeting facilities. Written questions are due September 18, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the City's OpenGov e-Procurement Portal. The City emphasizes cost allocation protecting existing utility customers from subsidizing growth-related infrastructure costs.