467 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE.pdf

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

#SS 467

The University of Mississippi (UM) anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a sole source purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase as a sole source shall follow the procedures outlined below.

Commodity or commodities to be purchased (manufacturer, model, description):

Bruker Scientific smartfleX MALDI-Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (Refurbished) Serial Number:

189012200003 , a gridless microSCOUT™ MALDI ion source, a 200 Hz smartbeam™ solid-state laser, and the Compass™ for Flex software package for MS control and data acquisition.

The need to be fulfilled by this item(s) and why it is the only one that can meet the specific needs of the department:

The School of Pharmacy research protocols rely on the specific sensitivity provided by Bruker’s proprietary PAN™ mass range focusing and smartbeam™ laser technology. Bruker’s proprietary PAN™ mass range focusing maintains high sensitivity across a broad range, preventing the loss of detail when analyzing larger intact glycoproteins or complex glycopeptides and diverse glycoforms. And the high-dynamic-range FlashDetector™ system integrated with the PAN™ mass range focusing improves detection of low-level impurities and degradation products. The smartbeam laser provides enhanced sensitivity and analytical flexibility for diverse matrices, helping to ionize difficult, large intact glycoproteins with enhanced shot-to-shot reproducibility through the smartbeam™ laser design.

Additionally, the smartfleX provides a widely adopted academic MALDI software ecosystem (flexControl, flexAnalysis, BioTools), ensuring long-term flexibility as research needs evolve. Critically, this purchase is for a specific refurbished unit that has been factory-certified to meet original manufacturing specifications. Unlike generic used equipment, this unit ensures "like-new" performance essential for reproducing high-sensitivity data and comes with a factory 1-year warranty.

Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible source that can provide the required item(s):

Bruker Scientific, LLC is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and the sole possessor of this specific refurbished unit (S/N: 189012200003). Only the OEM can provide the needed critical components of Smartbeam laser and PAN™ mass range focusing and is the only provider of a factory warranty on refurbished equipment. Third-party resellers of used equipment cannot offer valid OEM-backed warranties. Market research confirmed that Bruker Scientific, LLC, as the Original Equipment Manufacturer, is the exclusive provider providing the needed technologies that meets our research needs for analyzing complex glycopeptides and intact glycoproteins. No third-party provides the technologies such as smartbeam laser and PAN™ mass range focusing.

Why the amount to be expended for the commodity is reasonable:

The total amount of $119,902.50 is reasonable as the refurbished unit is offered at a discount of approximately 67% ($234,250.00 in total savings) allowing the University to acquire a manufacturer-certified, fully warranted, research-grade instrument for roughly one-third of the list price.

Efforts that the agency went through to obtain the best possible price for the commodity:

To secure the best possible price, the department has engaged with Bruker to obtain the best price. The price is approximately one-third of the list price.

Submission Instructions and Format of Response from Objecting Parties:

Interested parties who have reason to believe that the item(s) above should not be certified as a sole source should provide information in the following format for UM to use in determining whether or not to proceed with awarding the Sole Source purchase.

1.1 Interested Party Information

1.1.1 Contact Name, Phone Number, Address and email address

1.1.2 Company Website URL, if applicable

1.2 Objection to Sole Source Certification

1.2.1 Interested parties must present specific objections to the Sole Source certification using the criteria listed above.

1.2.2 A statement regarding the Interested Party's capabilities as related to this Sole

Source Certification Request.

1.2.3 Comments will be accepted at any time prior to Monday, March 23, 2026 at 10:00 am (Central Time). Comments should be addressed to:

Jeff Wells, Procurement Manager The University of Mississippi Procurement Services 164 Jeanette Phillips Drive PO Box 1848 University, Mississippi 38677

1.2.4 Responses may be delivered by hand, via regular mail, overnight delivery, or e-mail at solesource@olemiss.edu with cc: to purchase@olemiss.edu and must reference the sole source number.

1.2.5 UM WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DELAYS IN THE DELIVERY OF RESPONSES. It is solely the responsibility of the Interested Parties that responses reach UM on time. Interested parties may contact Jeff Wells to verify the receipt of their responses. Responses received after the deadline will be rejected.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, UM determines that the commodity in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then UM will withdraw the sole source certification and submit the procurement of the commodity to an advertised competitive bid or selection process.

If UM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then UM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board for approval to purchase.

mailto:solesource@olemiss.edu mailto:%20purchase@olemiss.edu