Kiehle Data Center Upgrade

The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota is requesting proposals for construction services to upgrade the data center at the University of Minnesota Crookston campus, with proposals due August 31, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. The project involves installation of an owner-supplied Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) system, new power feeders, an automatic transfer switch, new cooling for the UPS room, and reconfiguration of electrical circuits to replace existing UPS units reaching end of life.

The fixed lump-sum budget is $370,000 in current dollars with no escalation. Substantial completion is required by January 5, 2027, with the owner-supplied UPS expected to arrive November 6, 2026. The data center must remain operational throughout construction, with the owner providing temporary generators for power changeover.

Prevailing wage rate requirements apply. Respondents must comply with Minnesota Department of Human Rights workforce utilization goals of 12% for people of color and Indigenous people and 9% for women in the Northwest Minnesota region, submit valid Workforce and Equal Pay Certificates from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, or provide written confirmation of exemption due to fewer than 40 full-time employees. Workforce and equal pay verification and responsible contractor verification are pass-fail criteria.

Evaluation scoring allocates 45 points to project cost, 20 points to project approach and work plan, 15 points to team qualifications, 15 points to project schedule, and 5 points to safety. The contract incorporates the University's Construction Agreement (OGC-SC900) with AIA A201-2017 General Conditions as modified by the University, and respondents must acknowledge acceptance of all contract terms with no exceptions or deviations.

A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled August 17, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. Central Time. Questions are due August 24, 2026 at noon. The University anticipates identifying a selected respondent by September 9, 2026, with anticipated authorization to proceed by September 15, 2026.