NOTICE 267-043.pdf

Mississippi State University Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

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):

Small Instrument Bag containing Models 104 and 106 — precision spreading and sliding calipers Model 218 Mandibulometer with protractor (improved execution, black type) Model 216 Orbitometer o These instruments are designed for the collection of standardized cranial, mandibular, and skeletal measurements used in forensic anthropology. The quoted quantities are one of each instrument/set.

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:

These instruments are required for forensic anthropological examination of human skeletal remains, including the collection of standardized osteometric measurements used in biological profile estimation, case documentation, comparison, and other analyses for forensic and research purposes.

o The SERITEX instruments are specifically designed and manufactured for anthropometric and osteometric applications. The Model 216 Orbitometer and Model 218 Mandibulometer are specialized instruments for collecting measurements of the eye orbit and mandible, respectively, and equivalent instruments meeting the department’s forensic casework requirements are not available from other manufacturers.

o Although general-purpose spreading and sliding calipers are commercially available, the SERITEX Models 104 and 106 are precision anthropometric instruments specifically manufactured for standardized skeletal measurement. The accuracy, repeatability, construction, and measurement characteristics of these instruments are necessary for forensic casework in which measurements may form part of an official forensic anthropology report and may ultimately be subject to peer review, legal discovery, or expert-witness testimony. Moreover, these instruments are the gold standard for osteological research and practice.

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

SERITEX Inc., Branchburg, New Jersey o SERITEX Inc. is the source for the specified GPM anthropometric instruments.

The Model 216 Orbitometer and Model 218 Mandibulometer are proprietary/specialized GPM instruments available from SERITEX and are not available from alternative manufacturers in equivalent configurations.

The spreading and sliding calipers included in Models 104 and 106 are likewise SERITEX precision anthropometric instruments selected because their specifications and construction meet the measurement accuracy and reproducibility requirements of the department’s forensic anthropology casework. Accordingly, SERITEX is the only source capable of supplying the complete set of required instruments with the necessary specifications.

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

Total estimated cost is $6,732.00 (quote valid for 60 days), consisting of:

o Models 104 and 106 instrument set/bag: $2,999.00 o Model 218 Mandibulometer with protractor: $3,199.00 o Model 216 Orbitometer: $469.00 o UPS Ground freight: $65.00

The cost is considered reasonable because these are specialized, precision instruments intended for professional anthropometric and forensic applications rather than general-purpose measuring tools. The instruments are durable equipment expected to be used repeatedly for forensic casework, research, and associated professional activities over many years. Their precision and reproducibility are particularly important because measurements collected with these instruments may contribute to forensic conclusions reported to medicolegal and law-enforcement agencies and may be subject to scrutiny during expert-witness testimony.

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 available instruments capable of collecting the specialized skeletal measurements required for forensic anthropological casework. This review included consideration of commercially available anthropometric and general-purpose measurement instruments.

The review determined that the Model 216 Orbitometer and Model 218 Mandibulometer are specialized instruments available through SERITEX for which equivalent instruments meeting the department’s requirements could not be identified from another source. Alternative general-purpose spreading and sliding calipers were also considered; however, these products do not provide the same combination of anthropometric design, precision, reproducibility, and suitability for standardized forensic skeletal measurements as the SERITEX Models 104 and 106.

Because these instruments will be used in medicolegal forensic casework and measurements may contribute to conclusions contained in official reports or expert testimony, selection was based on measurement reliability and fitness for forensic use rather than price alone.

A formal quote was obtained directly from SERITEX Inc. to establish current pricing and shipping costs. Estimate No. 1738, dated August 17, 2026, provides a total cost of $6,732.00 and is valid for 60 days.

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 Director of Procurement Services, Chief Procurement Officer 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.

mailto:jmayfield@procurement.msstate.edu