SS 429- NOTICE OF PROPOSED SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE.pdf

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

Notice of Intent to Certify Sole Source

#SS 429

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):

BioAssemblyBot® 400 Series 3D Bio-printer – Advanced Solutions

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 BAB400 is an advanced bio fabrication system designed specifically for life sciences and drug discovery applications. The Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy is dedicated to advancing pharmaceutical sciences through cutting-edge research in drug delivery systems, dosage form design, and biopharmaceutics. Our research focuses on developing innovative, patient-centric solutions, including personalized medicine and advanced 3D bioprinting technologies for drug discovery and tissue engineering. The BioAssemblyBot 400 (BAB400) robotic 3D printer from Advanced Solutions is uniquely positioned as the only system capable of meeting our department’s specific needs due to its unparalleled technical capabilities, compatibility with existing infrastructure, and alignment with our research objectives. Unlike traditional 3D printers, the BAB400 features an intelligent six-axis robotic arm that mimics human dexterity, enabling precise bioprinting, handling of biological materials, and execution of complex assays. This system includes interchangeable fabrication tools (referred to as "BAB hands") that allow for a wide range of functions, such as controlling temperature, pressure, and UV exposure, as well as automating processes like cell passaging, organoid dispensing, and tissue model production. The BAB400 is uniquely suited for producing consistent, reproducible 3D biological structures—such as living tissues, organoids, and spheroids—at scale, addressing the critical needs of modern biological research and pharmaceutical development.

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

Advanced Solutions Life Sciences, LLC Address: 1901 Nelson Miller Parkway, Louisville, Kentucky 40223, USA Phone: +1 (502) 638-1390 Email: info@advancedsolutions.com Website:

www.advancedsolutions.com. Advanced Solutions Life Sciences, LLC is the sole source capable of providing the BioAssemblyBot 400 (BAB400) robotic 3D printer because it is the original manufacturer, developer, and exclusive distributor of this proprietary technology. The BAB400 is not a generic or widely available 3D printing system; it is a highly specialized bio fabrication platform designed and engineered by Advanced Solutions. No other company or individual has the legal authority, technical expertise, or manufacturing capability to produce or supply this specific system.

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

The quoted purchase price for the BioAssemblyBot 400 (BAB400) robotic 3D printer from Advanced Solutions Life Sciences, LLC reflects the cost of the system, including its proprietary hardware, software, and initial support services, and is deemed reasonable based on a comparative analysis of similar technologies, the system’s unique capabilities, and its value to the Department and to the University’s’ research goals.

http://www.advancedsolutions.com/

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

The lab undertook a diligent and proactive approach to secure the best possible price for the BioAssemblyBot 400 (BAB400) robotic 3D printer from Advanced Solutions Life Sciences, LLC.

The PI contacted Advanced Solutions directly via multiple emails and subsequent conversations with a sales representative, emphasizing our department’s academic mission, the potential for long-term collaboration, and our intent to showcase the BAB400’s capabilities in high-impact research publications and grant proposals. After these discussions, Advanced Solutions agreed to a 5% discount.

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.

1.3 Comments will be accepted any time prior to Tuesday, May 6, 20 2 5 at 10:00 am (Central Time) to Jeff Wells at solesource@olemiss.edu (with Cc: to jeffw@olemiss.edu ) at The University of Mississippi Procurement Services Department, 164 Jeanette Phillips Drive, PO Box 1848, University, Mississippi 38677. Responses may be delivered by hand, via regular mail, overnight delivery, or e-mail.

The e n v e l o p e or emai l should r e f e r e n c e t h e sole source n u m-be r .U M 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 Frank Kemp or 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.

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

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.