28‐EQUI‐RFP-1660 GPU High Performance Computing Cluster

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) seeks qualified vendors to design, deliver, install, and support a state-of-the-art GPU High Performance Computing cluster called Texas IGNITE under RFP 28-EQUI-RFP-1660. The procurement requires a turn-key, fully integrated, and workload-ready cluster featuring a minimum of 500 next-generation GPUs optimized for AI/ML workloads, large-scale scientific computing, and multi-tenant operations, with the capability to scale to 1,000 GPUs with minimal redesign. The solution must include dedicated east-west compute fabric for GPU-to-GPU communication, north-south data processing units for infrastructure isolation, and comprehensive NVMe-based high-performance storage with a minimum of 8 petabytes of usable capacity and 2 terabytes per second aggregate read bandwidth, supplemented by 12 petabytes of enterprise long-term storage with cloud connectivity to Azure, AWS, and GCP. The system must support both Slurm and Kubernetes orchestration, achieve full capacity on Day 1, comply with CMMC Level 2, NIST SP 800-53, and NIST SP 800-171 security frameworks, and support multi-tenancy with attribute-based access control enabling secure coexistence of Controlled Unclassified Information and non-CUI workloads. Respondents must provide multiple co-location hosting options within Texas, including potential public-private partnership arrangements on A&M System property, and propose comprehensive professional services including workload management, cluster operations, and 24/7/365 next business day on-site hardware support. Evaluation criteria allocate 35 points to functionality and system integration capability, 30 points to cost, 20 points to timeline, 10 points to references, and 5 points to past experience and Texas A&M relationships. The deadline for questions was March 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST, with the proposal submission deadline extended to March 31, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CDT through the AggieBid portal, anticipated purchase order placement in May or June 2026, and deployment and workload-readiness required within 12 to 17 months after contract award.

TEES has established a 1 percent VetHUB participation goal and requires all respondents to submit a completed VetHUB Subcontracting Plan with their proposals, representing the primary set-aside designation for this procurement. Vendors must provide at least three references for comparable services performed within the last two years and demonstrate partnership and certification status with the proposed storage provider. Insurance requirements include workers' compensation, commercial general liability with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence, business auto liability, umbrella liability of $5,000,000, and cyber liability insurance with limits of $2,000,000 per occurrence. Proposers must submit detailed pricing broken down by scalable units or via separate spreadsheet with explanations for non-applicable line items covering all hardware, software licensing, co-location hosting, professional services, and full turn-key delivery and installation, though no specific budget has been disclosed in the procurement documents. The initial contract term is three years with potential extensions by mutual written agreement up to a maximum of five years, with payment to be made within 30 days of invoice receipt following acceptance of goods and services in accordance with the Texas Prompt Payment Act. TEES intends to make a single award, with the exception of Section 2.1.5, Option 4 (Public-Private Partnership), which may require a separate agreement with the Texas A&M System.