Bid guide
How to bid on construction of the Fontaine Data Center for the University of Virginia
What the agency is buying
The University of Virginia is seeking a construction contractor for a new three-story data center. This facility, approximately 50,000 square feet, will be located at Fontaine Research Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is designed to support academic research computing and UVA Health information technology.
The initial capacity will be 4 megawatts for research computing and 500 milliwatts for health IT, with future expansion plans up to 17 megawatts. This project is part of the 2018 Fontaine Master Plan and is adjacent to the new zero combustion Fontaine Central Energy Plant.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
The solicitation was published on September 04, 2026. The deadline for responses is October 06, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET. All submissions must be received by this time.
This is a Two Step Invitation for Bids (IFB) process. First, the University of Virginia will pre-qualify construction firms based on their submitted Statements of Qualifications. Only these pre-qualified firms will then receive the full Invitation for Bids with 100% Construction Documents. The final contract will be awarded through Competitive Sealed Bidding.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for construction firms with demonstrated experience in similar complex project settings. Specifically, the University is looking for contractors who can balance the needs of neighboring facilities, especially those focused on patient care, given the data center's proximity to UVA Health operations.
Firms specializing in large-scale data center construction, high-performance computing infrastructure, or projects within research park environments would find this relevant.
How to respond
To access the solicitation, you need to go to Virginia’s eVA eProcurement portal. The solicitation number is 127737. You can view the posting publicly without an account.
To respond to this opportunity, you must sign in with a free eVA vendor account before the stated deadline. Ensure your account is active and ready for submission.
Practical tips for preparing a competitive response
Given this is a pre-qualification process, focus your Statement of Qualifications on clearly demonstrating your firm's comparable experience. Highlight projects that involve data centers, high-capacity IT infrastructure, or complex construction within sensitive operational environments like healthcare or research campuses.
Emphasize your firm's ability to manage projects adjacent to existing facilities, especially those requiring careful coordination to avoid disruption. Provide specific examples of how your team has successfully navigated similar challenges. Ensure all required documentation for pre-qualification is complete and submitted accurately by the deadline.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from University of Virginia; the original posting controls.