EARTH FLOW SOLE SOURCE.pdf

USM SSP 25_0021 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of In Vessel Composter.

http://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Bid

RFx: 3150006293

Comments/objections will be received as required per Section 31-7-13 (C) of the Mississippi Code until

8:00 a.m. (Central Time) on May 28, 2025.

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

Jacob Cochran

Interim Director of Procurement & Contracts 118 College Dr. Box 5003 Hattiesburg, MS 39406 bids@usm.edu

Phone: 601-266-4131

Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection USM SSP 25_021"

The notice shall contain a detailed explanation of why the commodity is not a sole source procurement.

Appropriate documentation shall also be submitted if applicable.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, USM determines that the commodity in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then USM 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 USM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then USM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. USM will have the burden of proving that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.

Run Dates: 5/8, 5/15 http://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Bid mailto:bids@usm.edu

The University of Southern Mississippi

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 25_021

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

1. Description of the commodity that USM is seeking to procure:

Green Mountain Technologies, Earth Flow In-vessel composting system.

2. Explanation of why the commodity is the only one that meets the needs of the agency:

The Earth Flow is uniquely positioned to meet the specific requirements for our testing and demonstration needs for compostable materials. This system will enable

USM to effectively showcase how BPI certified compostable plastics can be effectively composted using the hot aerobic composting process, thereby contributing to gardening and landscaping efforts both on campus and in the broader community.

Key differentiators of the Earth Flow include:

• Retention Time: For composting food scraps and BPI certified compostable plastics, the Earth Flow requires a retention time of 21 days, which is essential for allowing the hot aerobic composting process to fully decompose organic materials, including compostable plastics. This extended timeframe ensures thorough biological activity and high-quality compost production.

• Volume Reduction and Moisture Control: The Earth Flow in-vessel composting system is designed to reduce the volume of organic waste by only 40% during the composting process, while maintaining a moisture content of 40%-60%. This moisture level is crucial for sustaining microbial activity, which is vital for effective composting. In contrast, dehydrators and hybrid systems often promote a higher volume reduction and excessive moisture loss, negatively impacting the microbial community necessary for proper decomposition.

• Traditional Compost Recipe: The Earth Flow system utilizes a traditional compost recipe that balances nitrogen and carbon effectively. USM intends to compost naturally occurring carbon residuals found on-site, such as wood chips, which are essential for maintaining optimal carbon-to-nitrogen ratios. This differentiates the

Earth Flow from other systems that may not require or accommodate carbon bulking agent additions.

• Unique Mixing System: The Earth Flow features an auger mixing system that enhances aeration and material mixing throughout the entire length and width of the single chamber vessel without dehydration, maintaining optimal conditions for effective composting.

• Biofiltration System: The Earth Flow includes a pipe-on-grade biofiltration system utilizing wood chips as media, which enhances the odor control process by providing effective aeration and additional filtration of hot process air from the aerobic composting process happening inside the vessel. This feature further ensures the quality and sustainability of the composting operation.

• High-Quality End Product: The finished compost from the Earth Flow is ready to use without amendments after the curing period, ensuring that it meets high-quality standards necessary for application in gardens and landscaping.

3. Explanation of why the source is the only source is the only person or entity that can provide the required commodity:

Green Mountain Technologies is the only producer of an in-vessel system that meets the unique and highly specific requirements for our innovation project.

4. Explanation of why the amount to be expended for the commodity is reasonable:

This system will allow us to develop field studies and demonstrate the efficiency of composting certified compostable plastics. Additionally, the system will divert food waste and brown waste from the community and campus that would end up in a landfill.

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

We met with multiple sales representatives and companies that gave us presentations on their composting and hybrid composting systems.

Advertisement Schedule Date

1st scheduled 5/8/25

2nd scheduled 5/15/25

Any person or entity that objects and proposes that the commodity listed is not sole source and can be provided by another person or entity shall submit a written notice by September 11, 2024, 8:00 AM CST, to:

Jacob Cochran

Director of Procurement & Contracts

Jacob.Cochran@usm.edu

Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection 25_021"

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

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, USM determines that the commodity in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then USM 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 USM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then

USM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. USM will have the burden of proving that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.