ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITYSOLE SOURCE NOTICE-CAMPUS ESP.docx

Alcorn State University Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 2026-04

RFx 3150006653

Alcorn State University anticipates purchasing the services/products listed below as a sole source purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase shall follow the procedures outlined below.

1. Commodity or commodities to be purchased (make, model, description):

Campus ESP is a parent and family engagement platform designed to help colleges and universities keep families informed and involved in their students’ academic journey. It provides a centralized portal where institutions can share personalized content, important dates, and campus updates tailored to each family’s needs.

2. Explanation of the need to be fulfilled by this item(s), how it is unique from all other options, and why it is the only one that can meet the specific needs of the department:

Campus ESP strengthens family engagement and supports student success. The platform gives parents and families a centralized portal for personalized updates, important dates, and campus news, helping them stay informed and involved in their student’s academic journey. By integrating with campus systems, it ensures accurate and timely communication, reducing administrative workload. Institutions also benefit from analytics that track engagement, allowing them to refine outreach strategies. Ultimately, Campus ESP helps improve retention and graduation rates by fostering collaboration between families and the university.

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

Campus ESP is the sole source provider of the Campus ESP Parent portal, which is unique in the marketplace as the only commercially available parent engagement platform focused on postsecondary parent engagement that includes portal access, content management, analytics and email features in a single platform.

4. Estimated cost of item(s) and an explanation why the amount to be expended is considered reasonable: The estimated cost of this product is $37,796 per year. Campus ESP delivers personalized communication, integrates with campus systems for accurate and timely updates, and provides analytics to track family engagement. These features help institutions strengthen family involvement, reduce administrative workload, and improve student retention and graduation rates—all in one centralized platform.

5. Explanation of the efforts taken by the department to determine this is the only source and the efforts used to obtain the best possible price:

The department contacted partners across the state to determine if any other vendor could provide a comparable suite of products. After thorough outreach and review, no alternative solution was identified that offers the same integrated features as Campus ESP, including parent portal access, content management, analytics, and email capabilities in a single platform. This confirms Campus ESP as the only source for the required services.

Any person or entity that objects and proposes that the services/products listed is not sole source and can be provided by another person or entity shall submit a written notice to:

Mertha George Purchasing Agent mgeorge@alcorn.edu Subject Line must read “Sole Source Objection”

The notice shall contain a detailed explanation of why the services/products is not a sole source procurement. Appropriate documentation shall also be submitted if applicable.

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

If ASU determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then ASU will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. ASU will have the burden of proving that the services/products are only provided by one (1) source.