ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITYSOLESOURCE-MYCAREERCLOSET.docx

Alcorn State University Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 2026-03

RFx 3150006632

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): MyCareerCloset.org Turnkey Career Readiness Platform — including digital career closet management system, curated professional clothing kits, virtual styling and coaching services, rental and purchase wardrobe options, and access to industry-led workshops and seminars. This includes the online portal, student access modules, digital hosting, style advisement tools, and full-service fulfillment of student clothing packages.

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

Alcorn State University seeks to provide equitable, high-quality professional attire solutions for students preparing for interviews, internships, career fairs, and workplace entry.

MyCareerCloset is the only known platform that integrates digital closet technology, curated professional clothing boxes, rental options, virtual styling, and career-readiness coaching into a single turnkey system.

Where traditional career closets rely solely on donated clothing and in-person access, MyCareerCloset uniquely offers:

· A digitized career closet that allows students to browse, request, and reserve clothing online.

· Complete professional outfits shipped directly to students, which they may rent or keep based on the selected service package.

· Personalized 1:1 virtual styling sessions with trained industry professionals.

· Access to high-end professional wear at 70–80% below MSRP, which no traditional vendor or donation-based model can replicate.

· Career readiness support, including seminars and workshops led by industry experts.

No other platform currently combines wardrobe fulfillment, digital closet management, professional styling, coaching, and in-person event support. This makes MyCareerCloset the only solution capable of meeting the University’s comprehensive, student-centered career readiness goals.

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

MyCareerCloset.org MyCareerCloset is the only provider offering a full-service, turnkey digital career closet ecosystem designed specifically for higher education and workforce programs.

Competing vendors sell clothing only, provide styling only, or offer limited donation-based support. None provides a combined system that digitizes the existing campus career closet while also offering personalized clothing kits, virtual styling, direct shipping, discounted high-end brands, and on-campus seminars. As a result, MyCareerCloset is the sole provider capable of delivering all required components as one integrated platform.

4. Estimated cost of item(s) and an explanation why the amount to be expended is considered reasonable:

6030.00

The estimated cost is based on the selected service package, which includes the digital platform, clothing kits, virtual coaching, event support, and fulfillment services. This pricing is considered reasonable because:

· It bundles multiple services (styling, clothing kits, shipping, coaching, digital management) at a significantly lower combined cost than procuring them separately.

· Students gain access to high-end clothing at 70–80% off MSRP, creating substantial value.

· The investment expands access beyond what a traditional donation-based career closet can provide, especially for first-generation, low-income, and rural students.

· MyCareerCloset’s pricing aligns with industry standards for professional wardrobe rental/purchase programs, while also offering career readiness services at no additional cost.

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 reviewed alternative options including donation-based closet management tools, commercial clothing retailers, and third-party wardrobe rental services. None offered a unified platform that digitizes an existing career closet while providing clothing fulfillment, virtual stylists, discounted professional wear, and student-focused coaching.

Comparisons were made with platforms such as StitchFix, Rent the Runway, and other styling subscription services. These options do not digitize university career closets, do not specialize in student career readiness, and do not provide institutional packages or educational programming.

MyCareerCloset provided institutional pricing designed for higher education and bundled services at a significantly reduced cost compared to purchasing styling, clothing, and management tools separately. Negotiations included confirmation of student volume, platform needs, and long-term partnership intentions to secure the most competitive package available.

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.