SS6000_INSTRUMENTED SPLIT-BELT TREADMILL SYSTEM_NOTICE OF INTENT TO CERTIFY SOLE SOURCE.docx

Notice of Intent to Certify Sole Source

To: Interested Parties

From: Andrea Williford Senior Director, Category Management and Procurement

Date: August 31, 2026

Re: Sole Source Certification Number SS6000 for Instrumented Split-belt Treadmill System

Contact Email Address: solesource@umc.edu

Sole Source Certification Award Details

Regarding UMMC Sole Source Certification Number SS6000 for Instrumented Split-belt Treadmill System, please be advised that UMMC intends to award the purchase to Bertec as the sole source provider.

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

1. A description of the commodity that UMMC is seeking to procure.

The Bertec FIT5 is a research-grade, split-belt instrumented treadmill that incorporates independent six-component force measurement under each belt. Each belt independently measures three components of ground reaction force and three moments (Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, and Mz), with data acquisition at up to 1,000 Hz. The Bertec FIT5 is also compatible with UMMC’s existing and planned biomechanics research infrastructure.

2. An explanation of why the commodity is the only one that can meet the needs of UMMC.

The referenced instrumented split-belt treadmill system provides a combination of capabilities that are essential to UMMC’s grant funded research as well as education programs, and this equipment will be used in UMMC's research programs focusing on postural stability, gait, fall prevention, aging, rehabilitation, human performance, and injury prevention. No other treadmill provides the combination of independent split-belt control, embedded six-component force measurement under each belt, high-frequency kinetic data acquisition, precise acceleration control, reverse walking capability, incline capability, and integration with research-grade the motion-capture system which provides synchronized biomechanical data for multimodal movement analysis and are required and compatible with UMMC research applications.

3. An explanation of why the source is the only person or entity that can provide the required commodity.

The Bertec FIT5 Dual-Belt Fully Instrumented Treadmill with incline is the only identified system that satisfies the required combination of dual independent force-measuring belts, six-component kinetic measurement, high-frequency data acquisition, independent forward/reverse belt control, motorized incline capability, research-grade treadmill dynamics, safety infrastructure, and integration with existing movement-analysis technologies. Bertec is the sole manufacture and distributor of this equipment.

4. An explanation of why the amount to be expended for commodity is reasonable.

The estimated amount to be expended is for the purchase of the instrumented split-belt treadmill system and associated components is $232,312.49. This amount is within the expected price range for these products.

5. List the efforts that UMMC went through to obtain the best possible price for the commodity.

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 Bertec Instrumented Split-belt Treadmill System, (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 Bertec. The Vendor Form may be found at objectiontosolesourcedetermination.pdf.

Objections must include the certification in Attachment B.

Comments will be accepted at any time prior to October 9, 2026, 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 A Attachment B

SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO

Sole Source Certification No. SS6000 Accepted until October 9, 2026 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

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