NOTICE OF PROPOSED SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE.pdf

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

#SS 435

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):

ORCA-Quest qCMOS camera, ET-DAPI Filter Set and cellSens software for an Olympus IX-81 microscope.

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:

The Department of Biology currently utilizes an Olympus IX-81 microscope in one of its Biology research labs. The software for the system is severely outdated and several components such as the camera and filters are nearly non-functional as to make the entire microscope useless. Funds were requested in a recently awarded NSF grant to purchase replacement parts and upgrades to restore functionality to this critical piece of equipment. Without upgrades, many valuable research projects will be halted or shelved completely. All products are replacements or upgrades for the IX-81 to return it to full functionality. The ORCA-Quest qCMOS camera in the purchase is a quantitative CMOS (qCMOS) camera, delivering photon number resolving capability with unprecedented sensitivity. It features a back-illuminated Gen-III qCMOS sensor, offering 95% peak quantum efficiency (QE), 0.3 e- read noise, and up to 120 fps full-frame (CoaXPress). Designed for ultra-low-light imaging and precise photon detection, the ORCA-Quest 2 outperforms traditional EMCCD and sCMOS sensors in quantum-level and scientific imaging applications. The ET-DAPI Filter Set is the only filter set that will work with the IX-81. The cellSens imaging software is proprietary to the Olympus IX-81 microscope system and is needed to extend the life and research functionality of the microscope.

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

Hunt Optics & Imaging, Inc. is the only option for upgrading, maintaining, or repairing an Olympus microscope in Mississippi. They are the sole authorized dealer for Olympus-branded parts in the state, and new parts may be required during installation of the purchased components. Any upgrade or replacement parts must be purchased through Hunt Optics. Simply put, they are who must be called when the microscope needs service. If Hunt Optics is not used, Olympus will not warranty the microscope or parts. Choosing another vendor would mean either purchasing an entirely new microscope—at four times the cost—or relocating the equipment to another state.

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

The total amount of the purchase is $51119.85. The prices are in line with market prices for these types of products and the price of the cellSens software is less than a third of the price paid for the Metamorph software currently running the out-of-date system.

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

The department engaged in negotiations with Hunt Optics to obtain discounts for the various components.

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 Monday, September 15, 2025 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