FISHTRACKING_SOLE_SOURCE_NOTICE_20230707.docx

Mississippi State University Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase 245-05 Mississippi State University anticipates purchasing the item(s) 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):

We require a fish tracking system that contains the following components:

Vemco acoustic telemetry receivers – they need to be a 180kHz High Residency Receiver with battery capability (at least 6 months battery life). The receiver needs to have simultaneous PPM and HR signal capabilities. Receivers should have 3D tracking capabilities at a 1m to 5 m resolution. Receivers should also be backed with testing data that shows they can pick up tracking signals in noisy environments such as those surrounding dams, boat motors, or large surface aerators (as seen in catfish ponds).

The receivers need to be paired with acoustic tags that transmit both PPM and HR signal in unique codes so that individual animals can be tracked. Tags should be able to be set with various time delays to prevent signal overlap between animals and have a minimum 6-month battery life.

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

The equipment is required for a catfish tracking study that is being conducted in a noisy environment (i.e., within catfish earthen ponds that have 10HP surface aerators). Thus, the tracking system has to be able to track animals even with noise produced by the aerator. There are no other companies we have been able to find that sell this specific equipment or anything comparable to it.

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

Company: Innovasea We have not been able to find any alternative sources for the required equipment. The companies contacted either cannot provide something comparable or they have redirected us to Innovasea.

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

The estimated cost of the system is:

$37, 680

V9 180 kHz Transmitter

- Worldwide Unique ID Codes: provided

- Programming: 120 second PPM delay with 25 second HR delay

- Estimated Tag Life: 751 days

Tag activator

$395

4 months data processing

$4,485

TOTAL with shipping and handling

$51,201

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:

We knew the noisy environment within a catfish pond with aerators would create difficulties in tracking. We tested the Innovasea product within our ponds and were able to, after trials with several different types of receivers, find a receiver that would work even with noise produced by the aerator which aligns with our study aims. Indeed, the tracking system HAS to work when the aerator is on or there is no point in purchasing the system.

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:

Jennifer Mayfield, CPPO Interim Deputy Director of Procurement & Contracts jmayfield@procurement.msstate.edu Subject Line must read “Sole Source Objection” 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, MSU determines that the commodity in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then MSU 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 MSU determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then MSU will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. MSU will have the burden of proving that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.