SSP 25_012 BLADE MICROWAVE DIGESTOR.pdf

USM SSP 25_0012 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of BLADE Digestion Microwave System.

http://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Bid

RFx: 3150006025

Comments/objections will be received as required per Section 31‐7‐13 (C) of the Mississippi Code until

8:00 a.m. (Central Time) on January 13, 2025.

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:

Jacob Cochran

Interim Director of Procurement & Contracts 118 College Dr. Box 5003 Hattiesburg, MS 39406 bids@usm.edu

Phone: 601‐266‐4131

Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection USM SSP 25_012"

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, USM determines that the commodity in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then USM 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 USM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then USM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. USM will have the burden of proving that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.

Run Dates: 12/23, 12/30

The University of Southern Mississippi

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 25_012

The University of Southern Mississippi anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a sole source purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase shall follow the procedures outlined below.

1. Description of the commodity that USM is seeking to procure:

The BLADE is a laboratory scale microwave heating system designed for small-scale reactions. It applies microwave energy to reactions under temperature and pressure feedback-controlled conditions to accelerate the reaction time. CEM Corporation is the sole provider of the CEM Corporation BLADE System.

2. Explanation of why the commodity is the only one that meets the needs of the agency:

We will be handling client samples at high volume and high sample mix. The BLADE allows us to process mixed sample types in one batch so we can run testing in a cost and time efficient manner.

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

CEM is the sole source of supply for an automated single mode cavity microwave digestion system with an autosampler to load and unload individual vessels into and out of the microwave cavity. The autosampler allows you to run multiple sample types in one batch. The BLADE is also the only system that incorporates a camera for real time digestion viewing.

4. Explanation of why the amount to be expended for the commodity is reasonable:

The cost is reasonable because of the labor that will be saved with the capability to run multiple types of samples in one run rather than multiple runs.

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

We met with multiple sales representatives and companies that gave us presentations on the microwave digestion systems offered. The BLADE by CEM is the only equipment that can handle high sample mix in one batch.

The University of Southern Mississippi

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 25_012

Advertisement Schedule Date

1st scheduled 12/23/24

2nd scheduled 12/30/24

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 by January 13, 2024, 8:00 AM CST, to:

Jacob Cochran

Director of Procurement & Contracts

Jacob.Cochran@usm.edu

Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection 25_012"

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, USM determines that the commodity in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then USM 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 USM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then

USM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. USM will have the burden of proving that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.