The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) issued a Request for Offer (RFO) seeking proposals from companies to build and power AI data centers on DOE’s Paducah site in Kentucky.
This is a solicitation released under the Trump Administration’s effort to promote American leadership in AI and is aligned with executive orders, Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Unleashing American Energy, and Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure, which leverage federal land assets to quickly deploy data centers and energy generation projects, DOE said.
The Paducah site is one of four sites identified by the Department for AI infrastructure and generation projects on federal land. EM is now seeking proposals from U.S. companies to potentially enter into one or more long-term leasing agreements at the site that would be solely funded by the applicants.
Applicants will be responsible for building, operating, and decommissioning each infrastructure project and must secure utility interconnection agreements. Proposals will be competitively evaluated for technological readiness, financial viability, and detailed plans to complete regulatory and permitting requirements.
DOE will post future dates for proposal submittal and a sponsored industry day event for applicants to learn more about the solicitation process and requirements outlined in the RFO, and tour the sites available for consideration.
Registration is required and potential attendees should email Marcia Fultz at marcia.fultz@pppo.gov for more information.
RFOs must be submitted by Jan. 30, 2026.
Additional information on the RFO can be found at SAM.gov.
