Data Center Co-Location

The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is soliciting proposals for a Data Center Co-Location contract (Bid No. GD 25-60) in Montgomery County, Ohio. The procurement seeks a third-party data center to host RTA servers as a backup and failover location for a three-year contract with potential extension. The project aims to address current data center risks at two existing locations by establishing a new co-location facility located 30 miles outside of Dayton. Technical requirements include full power redundancy, multiple internet carriers, raised floor space, and compliance with HIPAA and PCI standards. Proposals are due electronically by 10:00 am Eastern time on November 18, 2025, through OpenGov, with a pre-proposal conference available. Respondents must provide a comprehensive solution that ensures essential services can continue while moving most hardware offsite, demonstrating capabilities in secure, redundant data center infrastructure and operational continuity.

The contract includes a 0% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation requirement and will be partially funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The annual cost expectations range from approximately $100,000 for the backup site to $250,000-$300,000 for the production site, which represents a significant cost savings compared to building a new data center (estimated at $2 million). RTA views this co-location strategy as a temporary solution while planning a new data center, expected to be constructed in 2027. The procurement documents indicate that potential vendors must meet extensive insurance requirements, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, and excess/umbrella insurance with specific minimum coverage limits. Contractors will need to demonstrate compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, with particular attention to safety measures, intellectual property protections, and sensitive security information handling. Payment terms are set at net 30 days, and the contract will include standard provisions for performance expectations, delivery requirements, and potential termination clauses.