High-Performance Computing RFP Underway

The investment in High-Performance Computing (HPC) is supported by currently funded research, facilitating a $5 million hardware refresh scheduled for early 2026. To ensure a well-informed procurement process, the Research & Discovery team engaged with the research computing community and the Research Computing Governance Committee to define the specifications for the upcoming system.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in November 2024, with responses now under review. The contract is expected to be finalized and approved by June 2025, with implementation targeted for spring 2026. The funding allocation includes $2 million for CPU nodes, $2 million for GPU nodes, and $1 million for network and infrastructure enhancements.

The HPC platform plays a critical role in supporting research at the university, with 73 of the top 100 UA researchers relying on its resources. In FY24, the system contributed to securing 2,620 active awards, underpinning $408 million in research expenditures.

Managed by University Information Technology Services (UITS), the HPC environment continues to evolve to meet the growing demands of the research community. In recent years, the UITS research consulting team has expanded, welcoming two new HPC consultants to enhance service offerings. Additionally, the integration of an IT security analyst has brought the Research & Discovery team to 19 dedicated members, underscoring the university’s commitment to a secure and robust research computing infrastructure.