Large-Scale Data Center Request For Information

Palm Beach County, Florida is issuing RFI 2026-007 to identify qualified planning, engineering, legal, economic development, utility, environmental, and multidisciplinary consulting firms for developing a comprehensive regulatory framework governing large-scale data centers and high-intensity industrial and technology uses, with responses due by September 3, 2026. This is a preliminary information-gathering exercise; the County has not committed to award a contract and may issue a subsequent RFQ or RFP based on responses received.

The scope requires assessment and recommendations across multiple domains: regulatory classification methodologies for hyperscale computing facilities, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and high-performance computing; infrastructure planning for electrical, water, wastewater, and telecommunications systems; legal considerations under Florida law; Community Benefit Agreements; monitoring and enforcement mechanisms; and future-proofing strategies adaptable to technological innovation over 20 years. Respondents must also identify existing regulatory gaps, document national and international best practices, and propose stakeholder engagement strategies.

Responses must address firm qualifications, recommended project approaches, suggested deliverables including Comprehensive Plan amendments and Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) amendments, proposed project phases and schedules, and estimated budget ranges by task or phase. All responses are subject to disclosure under Florida Public Records Law unless clearly marked confidential with citation to applicable statutory exemptions. The County will not compensate respondents for information provided.

The regulatory framework must remain consistent with chapter 2025-190, Laws of Florida (SB 180), which restricts local governments from adopting more restrictive land development regulations through October 1, 2027, while accounting for local authority preserved under chapter 2026-65, Laws of Florida (SB 484). Responses must be submitted in PDF format to the Palm Beach County Procurement Department.