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The Department of the Air Force is inviting private developers to propose long-term leases for building and operating advanced artificial intelligence data centers on underused land at three Alaska installations, releasing a Request for Lease Proposal on the federal contracting site SAM.gov and scheduling an industry outreach effort later this month.
Roughly 4,700 acres have been identified across Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, and Clear Space Force Station in the state’s interior. Twelve parcels are on the table, with the selected developer expected to arrange financing, secure permits, construct the facilities, and run them over the long term.
The effort will use the Air Force’s Enhanced Use Lease authority, which allows the service to lease non-excess property for commercial development in exchange for at least fair-market-value consideration, typically paid in cash. Officials cast the move as both a technology and economic play. “This is a unique opportunity for a true public-private partnership,” said Robert Moriarty, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations. “By making this land available, we are supporting the growing demands of the AI industry while generating value that directly supports our missions and the readiness of our Airmen and Guardians.”
A virtual industry day is set for April 23 to brief potential offerors on the proposal process and answer questions. On-site tours will follow: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on April 28, Clear Space Force Station on April 29, and Eielson Air Force Base on April 30. Attendance at the events is encouraged but not required to submit a proposal.
Firms wishing to join the virtual session or site visits must RSVP to [email protected] by April 16 for the online event and April 20 for the in-person tours. Proposal timelines and evaluation criteria are detailed in the Request for Lease Proposal on SAM.gov.
The initiative comes as Defense Department demand for computing capacity grows and data center operators look to colder climates to reduce cooling costs. Alaska’s installations offer extensive land and proximity to existing infrastructure, while the Air Force seeks to monetize underused property in ways that support mission readiness. Further milestones, including deadlines for offers, will follow the schedule laid out in the solicitation.
