NOTICE OF PROPOSED SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE - 477.pdf

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

#SS 477

The University of Mississippi (UM) anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a sole source purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase as a sole source shall follow the procedures outlined below.

Commodity or commodities to be purchased (manufacturer, model, description):

Saturo Infiltrometer Set w/carrying case

The need to be fulfilled by this item(s) and why it is the only one that can meet the specific needs of the department:

Principles of infiltration and measurement are covered in classes such as Hydrogeology, but up to now, we have been limited to showing photos of advanced measurement systems that employ a constant water level and pressure (constant head). The Saturo units have the lowest variability of all infiltration methods due to the fact that the process is automated and provides a constant head of pressure (i.e., a constant head infiltrometer, as opposed to a dynamic head infiltrometer). A dynamic head changes the amount of water pressure applied to the soil surface as a function of head height, thus increasing measurement variability. A constant head removes those differences and allows for more precise measurements. In addition, the automation eliminates human error during determination of head height. The requested equipment will allow active demonstration and field experience with automated measurement.

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

METER Group, Inc. is the sole manufacturer and North American supplier of the SATURO dual head infiltrometer, and is the only instrument on the market that maintains a constant water pressure and automates calculations.

Why the amount to be expended for the commodity is reasonable:

The amount of $6,813.00, including shipping is reasonable when compared to ones that are not automated.

Efforts that the agency went through to obtain the best possible price for the commodity:

Our researcher performed a thorough search for other companies that manufacture a similar product and has found no alternative on the market. The price is the standard price quoted to research institutions.

Submission Instructions and Format of Response from Objecting Parties:

Interested parties who have reason to believe that the item(s) above should not be certified as a sole source should provide information in the following format for UM to use in determining whether or not to proceed with awarding the Sole Source purchase.

1.1 Interested Party Information

1.1.1 Contact Name, Phone Number, Address and email address

1.1.2 Company Website URL, if applicable

1.2 Objection to Sole Source Certification

1.2.1 Interested parties must present specific objections to the Sole Source certification using the criteria listed above.

1.2.2 A statement regarding the Interested Party's capabilities as related to this Sole

Source Certification Request.

1.2.3 Comments will be accepted at any time prior to Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 10:00 am (Central Time). Comments should be addressed to:

Jeff Wells, Procurement Manager The University of Mississippi Procurement Services 164 Jeanette Phillips Drive PO Box 1848 University, Mississippi 38677

1.2.4 Responses may be delivered by hand, via regular mail, overnight delivery, or e-mail at solesource@olemiss.edu with cc: to purchase@olemiss.edu and must reference the sole source number.

1.2.5 UM WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DELAYS IN THE DELIVERY OF RESPONSES. It is solely the responsibility of the Interested Parties that responses reach UM on time. Interested parties may contact Jeff Wells to verify the receipt of their responses. Responses received after the deadline will be rejected.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, UM determines that the commodity in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then UM will withdraw the sole source certification and submit the procurement of the commodity to an advertised competitive bid or selection process.

If UM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then UM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board for approval to purchase.

mailto:solesource@olemiss.edu mailto:%20purchase@olemiss.edu