Ohio State University (OSU) will solicit priced proposals soon from prequalified bidders for a long-term lease of its district energy system. The university expects to name a preferred bidder in April and close the financing 90 days later. OSU’s campus occupies 1,900 acres in the City of Columbus and serves about 57,000 students and 30,000 employees or visitors. The energy system provides chilled water, electricity and heat to 411 buildings through a network of tunnels, pipes, generating plants, and other facilities.