NOTICE.docx

Mississippi State University Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase 234-124 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):

SchedMD’s Slurm workload scheduler software.

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 MSU/HPC2 exclusively utilizes the slurm workload manager for its job submission software. This software is used in currently funded research at MSU/HPC2. For initial deployment, researchers compared functionality, features, and support. They determined this software to be the most effective solution to complete research goals in a timely manner.

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

SchedMD is the only reseller for slurm providing level 3 support.

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

SchedMD provides yearly subscriptions to their level 3 support services and is based on the number of systems. The MSU/HPC2 will license its 512 node hercules cluster system at an annual cost of $19,897.

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:

SchedMD has provided a statement that they are the only provider of level 3 support for their software. To confirm, a diligent web search yielded no other resellers for the US academic market. They have provided best pricing for their products and an educational discount.

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.