SS 9703 - NOTICE OF INTENT TO CERTIFY SOLE SOURCE SAVE AS WORD.docx

Notice of Intent to Certify Sole Source

To: Interested Parties

From: Alfred Faulk III Applications Officer

Date: 6/18/2025

Re: Sole Source Certification Number SS9703 for Instructional Design and Accessibility Tools for Local Course Development Renewal

Contact Email Address: solesource@umc.edu

Sole Source Certification Award Details

Regarding UMMC Sole Source Certification Number SS 9703, please be advised that UMMC intends to award the renewal of Instructional Design and Accessibility Tools for Local Course Development (DesignPlus and UDOIT) to Cidi labs.

UMMC issues this notice in accordance with Mississippi state law, policy, and procedures for sole source procurements.

Sole Source Criteria

1. Where the compatibility of equipment, accessories, or replacement parts is the paramount consideration (and manufacturer is the sole supplier).

2. Where a sole supplier’s item is needed for trial use or testing.

3. Where a sole supplier’s item is to be required when no other item will service the needs of UMMC.

Schedule

Project Details

1. Describe the commodity/service that the agency/institution is seeking to procure:

DesignPlus is a toolset that efficiently allows for the build of robust, high quality courses and course templates in Canvas that make learning engaging and accessible for all. DesignPLUS includes the Content Editor Toolbox, the Multi-Tool, and the Upload/Embed Image Tool. UDOIT (Universal Design Online Content Inspection Tool) enables course designers to identify and fix accessibility issues within Canvas Courses.

2. Explain why the commodity/service is the only one (1) that can meet the needs of the agency/institution:

DesignPlus helps course designers build quality courses in Canvas for all learners. The need for visually appealing and easy to navigate courses is essential to support students in meeting course outcomes. DesignPlus and UDOIT help ensure courses are ADA compliant in regards to Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Presently, there are no tools available at UMMC to address course building or accessibility issues in online courses.

DesignPLUS - No other product on the market is built specifically for integration with Canvas which allows for the native creation of Canvas HTML content.

UDOIT - No other product on the market allows for the ability to convert non-accessible PDFs to Canvas HTML pages.

3. Explain why the source is the only person or entity that can provide the required commodity/service:

Cidi Labs is the sole provider of these products and related support.

4. Explain why the amount to be expended for the commodity/service is reasonable:

The estimated amount to be expended for the renewal of Instructional Design and Accessibility Tools for Local Course Development is $125,255.00 for three years. Please be advised that UMMC will determine if additional enhancements, upgrades, support, or equipment are within scope during the certification period and may increase the spending authority accordingly. Should Cidi Labs change their name during this certification period, then UMMC will determine if a recertification is necessary. This amount is within the expected price range for these products.

5. Describe the efforts that the agency/institution went through to obtain the best possible price for the commodity/service:

Pricing is compared against available market intelligence and identified discounts are pursued where applicable.

Submission Instructions and Format of Response from Objecting Parties

Interested parties who have reason to believe that the renewal of Instructional Design and Accessibility Tools for Local Course Development (hereafter, “Products”) should not be certified as a sole source should provide information in the Vendor Form for the State to use in determining whether or not to proceed with awarding the sole source to Cidi Labs.

The Vendor Form may be found at Bureau of Purchasing and Contracting | Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration (ms.gov), under “Purchasing Forms."

Objections must include the certification in Attachment B.

Comments will be accepted at any time prior to Monday, July 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. (Central Time) to solesource@umc.edu. Responses may be delivered via email to solesource@umc.edu. UMMC WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DELAYS IN THE DELIVERY OF RESPONSES. It is solely the responsibility of the Interested Parties that responses reach UMMC on time. Responses received after the deadline and responses that lack all required information will be rejected. UMMC reserves the right to inspect Interested Party’s commodity for comparison purposes.

If you have any questions concerning the information above or if we can be of further assistance, please contact solesource@umc.edu.

Attachment A: Vendor Correspondence Attachment B: Objection Certification

Attachment B

SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO

Sole Source Certification No. SS9703

Accepted until Monday, July 14, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.

I certify that the information contained in this objection is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that UMMC will investigate all statements made in this objection and that any false or misleading information provided may result in adverse action.

Objector Name Objector’s title

Date