LEVEL ACCESS - SOLE SOURCE LETTER (VENDOR).pdf

Sole Source Letter

September 21, 2026

University of Southern Mississippi

Docusign Envelope ID: 780AD4E3-87A9-8788-802B-A0648872521F

2 Privileged & Confidential

Re: Sole Source Justification for University of Southern Mississippi

To Whom It May Concern, Please find below justification for the sole source purchase of services from Level Access, a provider of comprehensive digital accessibility software, services, training, testing, and accessibility maturity consulting.

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) requires a unified solution that enables the institution to assess, manage, remediate, and continuously improve the accessibility of its digital properties, including websites, web applications, online learning resources, and digital content. Through the implementation of the Level

Access Platform (LAP) and the proprietary Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM), USM seeks to establish an enterprise-wide accessibility program and achieve measurable progress toward digital accessibility maturity.

Level Access' offering is uniquely positioned to meet these requirements for the following reasons:

• Comprehensive Accessibility Platform: LAP provides a single integrated platform that combines automated scanning, reporting, remediation workflows, remediation tracking, training, knowledge resources, and ongoing support. This eliminates the need for USM to procure and manage multiple disconnected solutions.

• Proprietary Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM): Level Access provides exclusive access to

DAMM, a structured framework that benchmarks organizational accessibility maturity against industry best practices and guides institutions through sustainable accessibility program development. No comparable framework is offered as part of a comprehensive accessibility solution by competing vendors.

• Integrated Automated and Manual Testing: The Level Access solution combines automated testing technology with expert manual testing and functional testing performed by certified accessibility professionals, including individuals with disabilities. This delivers a level of validation and real-world usability insight not available through automated tools alone.

• Code-Level Remediation Guidance: LAP provides detailed technical findings and code-level recommendations that assist developers and content creators in consistently remediating accessibility barriers and preventing future accessibility issues.

• Enterprise Training and Knowledge Resources: The platform includes accessibility education, knowledgebase access, and unlimited on-demand support through email and chat, enabling continuous learning and broad institutional adoption across USM.

3 Privileged & Confidential

• Accessibility Program Governance and Reporting: Level Access provides executive and operational reporting capabilities that allow USM to monitor progress, prioritize remediation efforts, document compliance activities, and measure institutional accessibility maturity over time.

A review of alternative accessibility vendors found that while other organizations may offer individual accessibility products or services, no other provider offers the same combination of enterprise accessibility management, proprietary maturity modeling, automated and manual testing, remediation management, training resources, knowledgebase access, and unlimited on-demand support within a single integrated solution.

Based on these findings, Level Access is uniquely qualified to fulfill the University of Southern Mississippi's requirements. The proprietary nature of the Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM), together with the integrated capabilities of the Level Access Platform (LAP), makes Level Access the only vendor able to provide the comprehensive accessibility solution required by USM. Therefore, procurement of these services through a sole source acquisition is justified.

Sincerely, Andrew Snyder

Chief Customer Experience Officer

Level Access

9/23/2026