Data Center Development Code Amendment

The San Bernardino County, Land Use Services Department (County), is seeking Proposals from interested and qualified Proposers to assist the County in advancing a development code amendment to introduce data centers and standards and restrictions to regulate and support the development of this use. This includes evaluating and developing land use and zoning regulations for the development and operation of data centers within the unincorporated San Bernardino County, including associated or supporting infrastructure necessary or generally associated with a data center including, but not limited to, on-site energy generation facilities, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and on-site wastewater treatment facilities.

The County is seeking proposals from qualified professional consulting firms with demonstrated expertise in land use and zoning regulation, particularly to introduce data centers and standards and restrictions to regulate large-scale, utility-intensive uses and emerging technologies related to data center development. The selected consultant will assist the County in evaluating data center development and associated or supporting infrastructure, including on-site energy generation systems, BESS, wastewater treatment facilities, and other related infrastructure, and in developing zoning standards and related regulatory amendments appropriate for the County.

Key responsibilities include:

• Siting and Infrastructure Considerations. Evaluate appropriate siting criteria and geographic considerations based on factors including availability of electric, water, wastewater, telecommunications, transportation, and emergency-access infrastructure; surrounding land uses; community compatibility; and environmental constraints/resource allocation issues (such as groundwater depletion, potential effects utility rates, etc.)
• Data Center Operations. Evaluate the various types, scales, and operational characteristics of data centers and their respective operations, including, but not limited to, cooling and heat dissipation systems, electrical and water demands, wastewater generation and treatment, backup and on-site energy generation.
• Regulatory Framework. Develop a comprehensive regulatory framework for data center development and associated or supporting infrastructure, including appropriate definitions and classifications, permitted locations and use regulations, development and performance standards, permitting requirements and processes, monitoring, compliance, enforcement and environmental clearance under the California Environmental Quality Act for the adoption of a regulatory framework.
• Potential Impacts. Evaluate relevant operational, environmental, infrastructure, and quality-of-life considerations, including noise, traffic, visual, air and water quality, heat dissipation and compatibility impacts with surrounding uses.
• Economic and Fiscal Considerations. Evaluate relevant economic and fiscal considerations associated with data center development and potential regulatory approaches to offset impacts.

The Proposer may recommend refinements to the work sequence, but proposals must address each task below: Project Management; Source Review; Siting Considerations; Development Code Amendment; Community Benefit Program; Public Relations and Community Engagement.

**Proposals must be submitted electronically through the County Electronic Procurement Network (ePro).** Proposals will not be accepted by email or facsimile. All Proposers must register with the ePro system prior to the date and time to submit the proposal or they will be disqualified.

The Proposer shall not include Attachment E, "Fee Proposal Sheet(s)", as part of the proposal submittal, but instead shall upload Attachment E as a separate attachment, clearly labeled.

The Contract period will be for a maximum of 2 years beginning on April 1, 2027 and ending on March 31, 2029.

Proposals shall remain open, valid and subject to acceptance anytime within nine (9) months after the Proposal submission.

A local preference of five percent (5%) shall be applied in the cost evaluation of proposals or bids for goods, services, equipment, or a minor public work project, unless an exemption applies.

Evaluation

• Qualifications and Experience: 35 points
• Technical Review: 35 points
• References: 15 points
• Interview, Presentation, or Demonstration: 15 points

Proposers must submit *Attachment J - Indemnification and Insurance Requirements Affidavit*.