UNSPSC 41115313: Handheld refractometers or polarimeters

UNSPSC 41115313 Handheld refractometers or polarimeters is a Commodity code that encompasses portable optical measurement instruments used by laboratories and research institutions to analyze material properties. State and local procurement activity under this code shows limited recent volume. The single recent opportunity in the source — a sole-source procurement by the University of Southern Mississippi — involves a Waters/TA Instruments Discovery Hybrid Rheometer HR 30, which is a laboratory rheometer rather than a handheld refractometer or polarimeter. This mismatch suggests the code has been misapplied to the solicitation, or the code sees little activity aligned with its nominal scope.

The University of Southern Mississippi issued Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase 3150006993 (USM SSP 27_010) on September 3, 2026, with an objection deadline of September 18, 2026, for the $130,271 Discovery Hybrid Rheometer HR 30 system. USM justified sole-source status based on compatibility with existing TA Instruments infrastructure at the Mississippi Polymer Institute and the exclusive availability of the Air Cooling Accessory (ACS-3) from Waters Material Sciences. The quoted system included the rheometer unit, heating elements, environmental test chamber, software, installation, and training. Given the single recent opportunity and its apparent misalignment with the code's stated scope, purchasers should verify whether state and local governments are actively procuring handheld refractometers or polarimeters under this code or whether activity has migrated to alternate UNSPSC classifications.