SOLE SOURCE PUBLICATION 7.14.25.docx

Mississippi Department of Revenue Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

RFx # 3150006410

The Mississippi Department of Revenue anticipates obtaining the item(s) listed below as a sole source purchase for the Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control Enforcement Agency of the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Please be advised that this is a retraction for RFx # 3150006373. Anyone objecting to this procurement shall follow the procedure outlined below.

1. Service/Material to be purchased:

The MDOR is seeking to purchase the technological features only for the VS300 Car Simulator that has already been purchased. MDOR is not looking to purchase another simulator; but rather have additional features added on the simulator. The technological features should include the addition of a motion system, the addition of blind zone displays, and the addition of a backing up display system.

1. What is the personal or professional service offered in the contract?

The VS300 Car Simulator has already been purchased. MDOR is looking to add technological features only which should include the addition of a motion system, the addition of blind zone displays, and the addition of a backing up display system that will be utilized by the Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control Enforcement Agency of the Mississippi Department of Revenue. The simulation package will involve the development of customized scenarios, training, installation of software, and installation of the simulator.

1. An explanation of why the personal or professional service is the only one that can meet the needs of the agency.

Virage Simulation is the original creator, designer, programmer, manufacturer and sole source provider/distributor of the VS300 car driving simulator and its associated products, software, and training scenarios.

1. An explanation of why the source is the only person or entity that can provide the required personal or professional service.

Due to Virage’s simulator’s unique specifications and proprietary hardware and software, additional components and training programs to be incorporated into the VS300 software and hardware package are only available through Virage Simulation. The proprietary nature of their simulators requires knowledgeable personnel trained and skilled in the design, development, software manufacture, maintenance and upgrades of these simulators who have access to their proprietary technology. There are no authorized distributors or maintenance organizations who have access to these items or are sanctioned to independently service simulators on Virage’s behalf.

1. The efforts the agency made to obtain the best possible price for the personal or professional service.

Quotes were issued to a total of four (4) different vendors that were likely able to provide the services. Virage Simulation was the only vendor capable of providing the VS300 car driving simulator and its associated products, software, and training scenarios.

Sole Source Objection Procedures

Comments/objections will be received until 2:00 p.m. (Central Time) on August 1, 2025.

Any person or entity that objects and proposes that the service listed is not sole source and can be provided by another person or entity shall submit a written notice to:

Nyla Kendrick Procurement Officer nyla.kendrick@dor.ms.gov

Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection"

The notice shall contain a detailed explanation of why the service is not a sole source procurement. Appropriate documentation shall also be submitted if applicable.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, DOR determines the service can be provided by another person or entity, DOR will withdraw the sole source publication. The procurement will then be submitted to an advertised competitive bid or selection process.

If DOR determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required service, DOR will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. DOR will have the burden of proving that the service is only provided by one (1) source.