Echelon Reports | Research checked October 16, 2026
SpaceXAI advertises construction roles across Memphis and Southaven. Contractors can register in the xAI supplier portal to receive requests for proposals (RFPs). Neither a job listing nor supplier registration is an open subcontract bid for Colossus 2. The Southaven power plant and Memphis water project have separate work and schedules. [16][17][18]
The commercial risk deserves equal attention. Darana Hybrid, a major contractor on the development, has asserted substantial unpaid claims. SpaceXAI has sued Darana alleging overbilling, which Darana disputes. Before committing labor or buying materials, a subcontractor needs to know who controls the package. Who owes the payment must also be clear. Neither side’s allegations establish liability. [2][7]
Workers can apply on the owner’s open roles board. Companies can register with xAI as suppliers. For union referrals, call the hall about the exact site. We have not identified an open Colossus 2 bid package or the contractor that took over Darana’s work. [16][17][18]
Quick routes
- Apply for owner-direct jobs. Search the role and confirm its site before applying. [18]
- Register as an xAI supplier. The Greater Memphis Chamber says registration is open to companies seeking RFPs, with local firms encouraged. Registration does not mean a bid is open. [16][17]
- Check regional trade halls. Ask which contractor and site a call serves before traveling. [12]
Treat Memphis and Southaven as separate job sites
The original Colossus facility is on Paul R. Lowry Road in Memphis. Colossus 2 is on Tulane Road in Whitehaven. The associated power project is across the state line at 2875 Stanton Road in Southaven, Mississippi. Reported liens identify work at 3231 Paul R. Lowry Road and 5420 Tulane Road; Mississippi’s regulatory order identifies MZX Tech LLC as the operator of the Stanton Road generation site. [2][4]
Those addresses matter when a recruiter says “Memphis” or a supplier says “Colossus.” The owner’s power-generation manager posting uses Memphis in its title. The job itself is in Southaven and requires relocation. Licensing, permits and the party signing a contract depend on the actual assignment, not the regional project name. [3]
| Workstream | Evidence checked | What it means for a contractor or worker |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis and Southaven construction | Owner advertises construction jobs, including a traveling electrical team | Direct employment is a verified application route, separate from subcontract bidding. [1] |
| Southaven power plant | Regulatory order covers 69 temporary turbines and construction authorization for 41 permanent turbines | Investigate installation, replacement and commissioning schedules. The order does not establish open contracts. [4] |
| Memphis water recycling | Supplier announced final membrane shipments in October 2025; later reporting describes a construction restart commitment by Q1 2027 | Equipment delivery and plant completion are different milestones. Confirm revised design and mobilization before pricing. [5][6] |
Electricians have an owner-direct application route
The current Journeyman Electrician listing explicitly describes SpaceXAI’s internal construction team. It covers Memphis and Southaven. Workers must travel between active projects as priorities change. [1]
The advertised work includes underground duct banks, conduit, cable pulling, switchgear, transformers, generators, uninterruptible power supplies, busways and grounding. Testing duties include insulation-resistance testing, functional checks and energization support. The listing also calls for electrical drawings, as-built records and coordination with contractors and engineers. [1]
This is industrial construction work with significant safety and documentation requirements. The employer names lockout/tagout, arc-flash procedures, NEC compliance and NFPA 70E. The listing also calls for nights, weekends and extended shifts during critical builds or startup work. [1]
Before accepting, get the wage, overtime rules and expected schedule in writing. Settle the travel terms too. Ask whether the employer pays for lodging, mileage, travel time and per diem, and what happens when the assignment moves. The listing we reviewed does not establish those commercial terms. The page displayed an application section when checked. It does not guarantee a vacancy or start date.
Where workers can apply and call
The employer pages linked below displayed application sections when checked on October 16, 2026. They cover construction and facilities work across Memphis and Southaven. No listing guarantees assignment to the Colossus 2 building. Confirm the work site, start date and pay before accepting an offer. The official open roles board carries the broader vacancy list. [18]
| Employer-direct role | Advertised work | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician | Traveling internal construction team; power distribution, installation and testing | Employer application |
| Sr. Electrical Commissioning Technician | Memphis/Southaven; testing, troubleshooting and energization; at least three years of relevant experience | Employer application |
| Plumbing Technician | Memphis/Southaven; process water, wastewater, piping and pumps; at least three years of plumbing experience | Employer application |
| Construction Manager, Power Generation | Southaven onsite role; turbines, fuel gas, electrical infrastructure and commissioning | Employer application |
The additional postings cover hands-on construction and facilities operations. Rigging, pipefitting, welding and ironwork postings require significant travel. HVAC and chiller positions include maintenance, so workers seeking construction-only assignments should confirm the balance of work with the employer.
| Additional role | Work described in the employer posting | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Rigger | Plan lifts, signal operators and set pumps, cooling towers and other equipment | Rigger application |
| Industrial Pipefitter | Install large-bore piping, supports and valves; support pressure tests | Pipefitter application |
| Industrial Welder | Weld industrial piping and structural steel to specified welding procedures | Welder application |
| Iron Worker (Construction) | Erect structural steel, pipe racks, platforms and equipment supports | Ironworker application |
| HVAC Technician | Maintain and repair HVAC equipment, pumps and piping; perform ductwork modifications | HVAC application |
| Chiller Technician | Operate and maintain facility systems; support equipment startup and testing | Chiller application |
Union halls and training routes
These are verified regional contacts, not confirmed Colossus staffing agreements. Ask the hall which contractors are hiring for the exact site and whether it has a current referral. Applying for membership or an apprenticeship does not secure a project assignment.
| Hall | Trade and contact | Worker route |
|---|---|---|
| IBEW Local 474 | Electricians. 901-726-4060; extension 1 for the recorded job line | Journeyman job calls and experienced-worker information |
| UA Local 614 | Pipefitters, welders and HVAC technicians. 901-386-8166; 5670 Commander Drive, Arlington, Tennessee | Experienced-worker application and apprentice application |
| Plumbers Local 17 | Plumbers. 901-368-0900; 4229 Prescott Road, Memphis | Applications and hall contact |
| IUOE Local 369, District 1 | Heavy-equipment operators and mechanics. 901-754-7599; 878 Willow Tree Circle, Cordova | Official hall contact |
| Iron Workers Local 167 | Structural and reinforcing ironwork in the regional labor market | Official local website |
Local 474 says unemployed IBEW members joining its out-of-work list need a letter of introduction from their home local. The letter can be emailed to info@ibewlocal474.com. Its recorded job line runs from 5 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Confirm referral rules with the hall before traveling. [12]
Gephart and Copperhead are named leads, not confirmed Colossus awards
Local 474’s October 16 board lists six Gephart Electric calls for a Memphis data-center job. It describes four 12-hour shifts and two 10-hour shifts, overtime at double time, and pay $10 above scale. OSHA 10 and a background check are required. The call does not name xAI or give a site address. [12]
The same board lists five Copperhead calls for night-shift data-center work, referred through the hall. It requires industrial/commercial controls and rigid-conduit experience, OSHA 10, a drug test and a 10-year background check. The posted terms include $10 above scale, time-and-a-half Monday through Saturday and double time Sunday. It does not name the customer or establish the job’s connection to Colossus. [12]
Ask the hall: are these calls for SpaceXAI, which site do they serve, and what terms apply to today’s referral? The board also lists Google work in West Memphis, Arkansas. Those jobs must not be described as Colossus work. An earlier retrieval returned an older version of the board, so verify the displayed date and call the hall before making travel plans.
Gephart’s own careers page showed no openings in the retrieved listing, despite the hall’s advertised calls. For these field positions, start with the hall rather than assuming the company website lists every referral. [13]
How contractors can pursue bid opportunities
The Greater Memphis Chamber links to the xAI supplier information portal and describes it as a way for companies to register to receive RFPs. Any company can register; xAI encourages local participation. The portal asks for supplier and contact details, office locations, company size, industry, experience, revenue range, desired project size, capabilities, prior xAI work and a company presentation. Its desired-size help text mentions Starbase. Treat the form as a general supplier route, not a Colossus 2-only prequalification or proof that a Memphis package is accepting bids. We did not submit the form or verify backend acceptance. [16][17][19]
An RFP is a request for a proposal on a defined scope. Registration puts a firm into a supplier process; it does not identify an open package, deadline or award. The employer application pages above are for workers, not subcontract prices. [16][19]
Other routes help identify the party responsible for a package before estimating:
| Route | What a contractor can do | What the route does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| xAI supplier portal | Register company capabilities for possible RFPs; keep a copy of the information submitted. [16][17][19] | No verified open Colossus 2 package, invitation, deadline or award. |
| Gephart Mid-South | Call 662-363-9700 or email Gephart.MS@GephartElectric.com through its official contact page. Ask which Memphis data-center job its crews serve and who handles estimating or supplier qualification. | This is a general business inquiry, not a verified Colossus award, invitation to bid or prequalification portal. |
| Memphis permit research | Use the city’s Buildings and Zoning page to reach Develop 901. It supports current and prior permit searches. Begin with 5420 Tulane Road, the Colossus 2 address identified in the lien reporting. | A permit contact is a lead to check, not proof that a package is open or that the named party can award your work. |
| Verified package holder | Once the owner or current prime identifies the responsible firm, request its actual procurement contact, qualification requirements and bid instructions for the named scope. | We have not identified Darana’s replacement or a current public bid recipient for the main electrical, mechanical or steel packages. |
Gephart publishes its Mid-South office at 1574 Old Commerce Road, Robinsonville, Mississippi. Its contact page invites general project inquiries. We have not submitted a bid, contacted the office or confirmed that it is accepting subcontract proposals for Colossus. [14]
Before submitting a price, request the package number, site address, current drawings and specifications, deadline, scope exclusions and contracting entity. Confirm whether the work is still being tendered or has already been awarded. Ask about insurance, bonding, safety records, licensing and the proposed payment terms before committing estimating time.
Prepare a short capability statement with your trade, licensed legal entity, relevant industrial work, geographic coverage and realistic crew availability. Send sensitive financial or employee information only through a verified qualification process. A public project announcement or a job call is not an invitation to send confidential documents to an unverified address.
The permit portal can identify parties worth checking, but we did not retrieve individual permit records in this pass. Confirm the current package holder and follow its bid instructions for any named scope. [15]
The power plant is a distinct construction opportunity
The owner’s power-generation construction manager posting provides a useful description of the Southaven work. It names gas turbine packages, generators, fuel-gas systems, electrical equipment buildings, protection systems and 34.5 kV collection/export infrastructure. The manager must also work with equipment makers and trade partners. The posting names engineering, procurement and construction contractors as part of that work. [3]
The role runs from site development through mechanical completion, commissioning, energization and handover to operations. That supports a trade-demand assessment covering civil construction, industrial piping, electrical installation and startup work. It does not name the firms holding those contracts. It also does not say whether more packages are available. [3]
For a specialty contractor, the useful inquiry is specific: who controls fuel-gas installation, turbine setting, electrical testing or commissioning support at Stanton Road? A general request to “bid Colossus” gives the recipient little to route.
December 31 is a date worth checking
Mississippi’s July 30, 2026 agreed order contains more detail than the broad statement that temporary turbines must retire by July 2027. Appendix A assigns retirement dates to individual units, including December 31, 2026 for the SMT-130 group. The order says delays in supplying permanent turbines led to extensions for 13 mobile units. [4]
The same order prohibits additional mobile turbines after July 15, 2026 and requires reports every two weeks identifying deactivated units. It also requires emissions tests for the 14 SMT-130 turbines, followed by monitoring. The last retirement dates listed in the appendix fall on July 14, 2027. [4]
These deadlines do not prove that equipment has been removed. They also do not establish that replacement work is available. Before using them to schedule a crew, obtain the latest order, deactivation reports and construction schedule. A later regulatory action could change the requirements.
For rigging, electrical and commissioning firms, the practical signal is a sequence of equipment changeovers rather than one distant completion date. Whether those changeovers require outside crews remains a procurement question.
Water equipment shipped, but the plant’s restart still matters
CERAFILTEC announced on October 27, 2025 that its final shipment of ceramic membrane modules was leaving Germany for Memphis. The supplier said the plant would reuse 13 million gallons of city wastewater each day. That is a dated supplier milestone, not proof that the plant was installed, accepted or operating. [5]
Later reporting by Data Center Dynamics says construction stalled in April 2026. It quotes the City of Memphis saying SpaceXAI committed to resume construction no later than the first quarter of 2027. The article describes an $80 million facility, but that reported figure should not be treated as the value of remaining construction packages. [6]
Concrete, piping, electrical and controls firms need a revised design and a named construction lead. They should also ask for a bid notice or a firm start date. A restart commitment does not establish a bid date. Suppliers should check who holds the delivered equipment. Ask who handles storage and inspection, and whether warranty terms have been met. Do not assume the equipment is ready to install.
Payment exposure belongs in the bid decision
The 901 Report identifies two Darana lien instruments recorded in Shelby County: 26064556 for Lowry Road and 26064953 for Tulane Road. Its reporting gives the combined asserted amount as approximately $136.9 million. That figure covers two Memphis properties, not Colossus 2 alone, and is distinct from Darana’s larger claims concerning the regional development. We reviewed the reporting, not the underlying recorded instruments. [2]
Action News 5 separately reports that SpaceXAI and its subsidiaries sued Darana on August 4, alleging overbilling and improper charges. Darana’s chief executive denied overbilling. The article also describes disputed payments involving vendors and suppliers. The accounts describe a dispute. They are not court findings that either side’s claims are true. [7]
Before mobilization, a subcontractor should establish:
- The exact legal entity signing the subcontract and the entity responsible for payment.
- The current prime or construction manager’s authority over the specific package.
- The treatment of retainage, disputed invoices, change orders and stored materials.
- Who can authorize extra work, and what written approval is required.
- Whether a payment bond, joint-check arrangement or other payment protection applies to the package.
- Which notices and deadlines preserve contractual and lien rights in the relevant state.
Have a construction attorney review those provisions and the current recorded claims. A familiar parent company’s name on a project does not mean it guarantees payment. Check whether it backs the actual party that owes you. This is commercial due diligence, not a conclusion about the outcome of the litigation.
A Tennessee license does not clear Mississippi work
Tennessee’s contractor board says a license is required before bidding, offering to engage or negotiating a price for covered projects of $25,000 or more. The rule includes prime contractors. It also covers specified electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC and roofing subs when their portion reaches that amount. The masonry subcontractor threshold is $100,000. [8]
Check the contracting entity’s classification, status and monetary limit. Tennessee says an out-of-state license does not authorize work in the state. Its reciprocity rules concern possible trade-exam waivers. An individual electrician’s credential and a business’s contractor license are different checks. [8]
Mississippi’s board says contractors and subcontractors performing commercial jobs over $50,000, including equipment installation, require its commercial license. Fire-sprinkler work has separate thresholds: over $5,000 on public projects and over $10,000 on private projects. Confirm the applicable classification and local requirements with the board before quoting Southaven work. [9]
The official starting points are the Tennessee contractor board and Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Do not rely on a recruiter’s assurance that “the license carries over.”
Workers should resolve safety and travel terms before arrival
The 901 Report, citing local reporting, describes a wrongful-death suit following a worker’s fall at the Tulane Road site. The complaint alleges inadequate fall protection. We have not independently inspected the court complaint or safety-agency file, and the lawsuit’s allegations should not be presented as established findings. [10]
For a worker considering an assignment, the questions are practical: who provides site orientation, who supervises the crew, and who controls fall protection, lift plans and energized work? Ask how hazards are reported and how work is stopped when protection is missing. Before traveling, get an offer that names your employer, site and supervisor. Confirm how payroll works.
The owner’s electrical listing specifically names lockout/tagout and arc-flash requirements. A fast construction schedule does not remove those obligations. [1]
Watch the permit decision, not just the expansion announcements
Data Center Dynamics reports that Memphis council members voted 7–5 to postpone a proposed 12-month data-center moratorium and that a vote was likely on October 20. That is a reported prospective date, not confirmation that the council has enacted a pause. [11]
Check the final text and official council action first. Then determine how it affects existing permits, changes or new work. Memphis city action and Mississippi approvals are separate jurisdictions. A regional project announcement cannot answer which permits a particular package still needs.
Use the owner board for employment and the supplier portal for possible RFPs. For a specific power or water scope, confirm who holds the package and when it is being priced. Set payment terms before a crew mobilizes. Workers should settle pay, travel and safety arrangements before accepting an assignment.
Frequently asked questions
How do contractors register to bid on xAI Memphis work?
Use the xAI supplier information portal at https://xaivendors.com/ to register company and contact details, capabilities and a presentation. The Greater Memphis Chamber says companies can register to receive RFPs and encourages local firms. Registration is not an open Colossus 2 bid or an award. [16][17][19]
Is there an open Colossus 2 subcontract bid list?
The supplier portal is a registration route, not a public schedule of available packages. The sources reviewed did not identify an open Colossus 2 subcontract package or deadline. Ask the owner or verified package holder for the scope, drawings and bid instructions before pricing. [16][19]
Where can construction workers apply directly?
Start with the official xAI open roles board at https://x.ai/careers/open-roles and follow the application link for the role. Its Memphis and Southaven listings included electrical work, rigging, industrial pipefitting and welding, ironwork, and HVAC or chiller work at the October 16, 2026 check. Read each posting and confirm the actual site; a regional listing is not necessarily for the Colossus 2 building. [18]
Are the Gephart and Copperhead union calls confirmed xAI jobs?
No. IBEW Local 474 listed Memphis data-center calls for Gephart and Copperhead, but the calls did not name xAI or a Colossus site. Ask the hall which customer and address the current call serves before making travel plans. [12]
Which construction work is in Southaven, Mississippi?
The power-generation site is at 2875 Stanton Road in Southaven. The owner’s power-generation construction manager posting describes turbine packages, fuel-gas systems, electrical infrastructure and commissioning there. Confirm the site for any individual job; Memphis and Southaven fall under different state licensing rules. [3][4][8][9]
What should a subcontractor check before mobilizing?
Confirm the contracting legal entity, who controls the scope, payment terms, change-order authority and any bond or other payment protection. Darana has asserted liens on two Memphis properties, while SpaceXAI disputes charges in litigation. Those allegations are not findings of liability. Have counsel check the current records and applicable notice deadlines. [2][7]
What this article establishes
We checked employer postings, Mississippi’s agreed order, a supplier announcement, state licensing guidance and reporting on the construction dispute and project schedule on October 16, 2026. Job postings describe advertised work across the Memphis/Southaven cluster and should not all be assigned to the Colossus 2 building.
The sources reviewed do not identify Darana’s replacement, current trade-package holders, an open subcontract bid, project wages, per diem or a project labor agreement. Recheck dated job calls, regulatory orders and council action before making a decision. Capacity and total-investment figures do not tell a contractor which work can be priced.
For other contractor-focused project coverage, see Echelon’s Abilene Stargate construction report and Piketon PORTS-Pike project report.
Sources
- SpaceXAI: Journeyman Electrician, Memphis and Southaven.
- The 901 Report: Darana’s recorded Memphis lien claims.
- SpaceXAI: Construction Manager, Power Generation.
- Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality: MZX Tech agreed order, July 30, 2026, including Appendix A.
- CERAFILTEC: Final membrane shipments, October 27, 2025.
- Data Center Dynamics: Water plant restart commitment by Q1 2027.
- Action News 5: SpaceXAI lawsuit and Darana’s denial, August 10, 2026.
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors: Contractor licensing requirements.
- Mississippi State Board of Contractors: Frequently asked questions.
- The 901 Report: Reporting on the Tulane Road wrongful-death suit.
- Data Center Dynamics: Memphis moratorium decision postponed.
- IBEW Local 474: Job calls, October 16 version retrieved.
- Gephart Electric: Careers.
- Gephart Electric: Mid-South office contact.
- City of Memphis: Buildings and Zoning, Develop 901 permit research.
- Greater Memphis Chamber: xAI Memphis launches RFP portal.
- Greater Memphis Chamber: xAI portal page.
- xAI: Open roles.
- xAI: Supplier information portal.