SOLE SOURCE-RUDZIN.docx

Mississippi State University Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase 234-123

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):

Vaisala Atmospheric Dropwindsondes - NRD41 Mini Dropsonde

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 mee the specific needs of the department:

This instrument is being requested as it is the only instrument make/model that is used for dropwindsonde deployments out of NOAA WP-3 Hurricane Hunter aircraft. It is also known that this instrument performs successfully with the deployment software with this aircraft.

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

The company is Vaisala. A competing company, Skyfora, has an instrument in testing phase and it is not known if the data acquired will be accurate whereas dropsondes acquired from Vaisala are proven to be accurate within reasonable parameters.

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

$1298.00 per unit x 40 units = $51,920 + freight shipping Each unit provides a unique profile of atmospheric winds, moisture, and temperature in a tropical cyclone environment which is necessary for research goals

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:

This is the best possible price for the amount of units requested per the vendor. Bulk discount is not able to be obtained for the amount of units requested.

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.