NOTICE.docx

Mississippi State University Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase 234-97 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):

Nikon Eclipse Ti2-E Inverted Microscope and its Components

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 Ti2 inverted microscope offers an unsurpassed, and industry-leading, 25mm field of view (FOV) for wide-field necessary for the colorimetric and monochrome imaging needed for our research. NIS-Elements software offers unmatched versatility and flexibility for all imaging and image analysis techniques, including scalability for dedicated high content imaging. The package contains modules for automated object counting, image stitching and z-stacking, and optional modules for object tracking, intensity measurements over time, quantitative deconvolution and extended Depth of Focus functions. Nikon’s unique flexibility and versatility would enable this microscope to perform as a cost efficient, high-throughput imaging system.

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

Nikon Instruments Inc.

Mark Nilges Ph.D. (Bioscience Sales Specialist) Dr. Nilges is a representative of Nikon in the U.S.

Nikon Instruments is the sole source U.S provider of the products listed. Nikon Corporation holds the patent on these products and there is no other source in the U.S where you would be able to purchase the products with the warranties provided.

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

The microscope and all its components cost $49,637.00 We have acquired several quotes from other companies (Zeiss and Olympus) and Nikon’s cost is within the range of other companies, if not less. And the Mississippi State is offered competitive pricing under this contract by Nikon.

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:

Several microscope manufacturers have been contacted and Nikon (and their representative in the U.S.) provides the best price with the required specifications 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.