Quiz: AI Data Center Project Delivery & Procurement (Part 2)

10 questions from Part 2 of the guide. Score instantly; every explanation links to the chapter that derives the answer.

The single milestone an AI build program is managed toward is…
time-to-first-train (or first-token)MEP substantial completionutility energization onlycertificate of occupancy
What determines the program's critical path?
always GPU deliveryalways network cablingthe building (12–18 months shell-to-MEP)the dependency-network path with zero or least float for the selected project configuration (Wood Mackenzie reported US substation-transformer lead times above 160 weeks in May 2026)
Long-lead procurement in AI builds means ordering critical equipment against…
vendor stock, off the shelfa fully complete designa materially incomplete design — the register accepts controlled change risk to buy schedulethe previous project's spec
The fundamental contract-stack fork is…
domestic vs imported equipmentone integrated EPC wrap carrying schedule risk vs multi-prime with the owner holding the interfacesunion vs non-unionfixed price vs cost plus, only
What does a bankruptcy-remote SPV establish — and what does it not establish by itself?
exemption from building codes and interconnection ruleslegal asset and cash-flow ring-fencing; financing documents separately set recourse, and VIE/control analysis sets consolidationautomatic accounting deconsolidation and zero sponsor exposureautomatic tax-free treatment for project power
Owner-furnished equipment (OFE) is the default for GPUs and transformers because…
it avoids sales taxwarranties require itallocation and lead times make them strategic supply, not commodity procurement a GC can be trusted to schedulecontractors refuse to buy them
What does the guide say about simulation before steel is cut?
thermal/CFD, power-system/EMT, and network simulation need fidelity matched to the design decision and acceptance criteriaonly cooling gets simulatedsimulation replaces commissioningit's optional polish
The projected ~$10B data-center construction-related coverage figure for 2026 represents…
a legally mandated minimum for each campusprojected total construction-related insurance premiums, not a DSU-only limit or capacity poolGPU residual-value warranty limitsa DSU-only capacity pool available to one project
What exactly does SemiAnalysis's reported ~7-day MTBF describe?
a portable per-512-GPU fleet rateevery 100,000-GPU clustera universal burn-in stopping rulethe typical 512-H100 cluster at a top-tier operator
Level-5 integrated systems testing for a liquid-cooled AI hall now takes about…
10–14 weeksa yeara weekend1–2 weeks

Check your understanding: Project Delivery, Procurement & Risk