NOTICE.docx

Mississippi State University Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase 245-102

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):

SPA 2018. External TIENet bubbler module. Order bubble tube, bubble line, and other accessories separately. Order TIENet bulk cable as necessary to support remote operation.

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 items will be used to monitor water flow and water quality in runoff from crop production fields. The item listed is made by Teledyne Isco and is solely compatible with sampling equipment manufactured by Teledyne Isco. It is unique due to its capability of being adapted to fit any field situation and to water monitoring equipment already acquired by the department. The department currently has Teledyne Isco equipment, and this bubbler manufactured by Teledyne Isco is the only component that will work with the current equipment. Continuity of equipment manufacturer will be important to prevent unnecessary malfunctions and purchase of equipment that may not be compatible with our current Teledyne Isco equipment.

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

C.C. Lynch is the sole vendor authorized by the manufacturer to sell and represent Teledyne Isco equipment and supplies in Mississippi.

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

The estimated cost of the items is $6,463.00 We desire to purchase: two external TIENet bubbler module units with an estimated cost of $6,234.00 and estimated shipping cost of $229.00. The total for the pieces to be purchased is $6,463.00. This is a reasonable estimate based on market value and estimates for similar equipment previously purchased in January and October 2023, April 2024 and January 2025.

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 obtained an official letter from Teledyne Isco that states C.C. Lynch is the only authorized dealer of Teledyne Isco equipment in Mississippi (as well as Alabama, Louisiana, and parts of Florida and Texas). Therefore, C.C. Lynch carries the full backing of Teledyne Isco and is able to not only sell the equipment, but also provide service at an unmatched level. In an effort to ensure the best possible price, we compared quoted prices to those published on Teledyne Isco’s website and determined that C.C. Lynch’s prices were consistent or less than the website’s.

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 & 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.