SSP 26_027 TPS ANISOTROPY UPGRADE.pdf

USM SSP 26_027 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of TPS Anisotropy Upgrade.

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

RFx: 3150006844

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 June 8, 2026.

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

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 26_027"

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: 5/22, 5/29

The University of Southern Mississippi

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 26_027

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:

This purchase is for the software for an additional sensor type, a TPS sensor, for MPI’s CTherm Thermal Conductivity instrument.

This instrument was purchased as a sole source instrument in 2024, where we required an instrument conforming to ASTM D7984 with a wide thermal conductivity range of 0.01 to 500W/mK, offering versatility and applicability across a broad spectrum of materials from aerogels and insulation/foams to metal and ceramics. ASTM D7984 specifically stats that the sensor requires a “Guard Ring” for a uni-directional heat pulse, MTPS is the only sensor that can fully conform to that ASTM standard.

2. What efforts were made by the Agency to determine that the proposed provider is the only entity that can provide the commodity needed?

Several vendors, such as TA Instruments, Hukseflux, and KEM Kyoto Electronics, offer thermal conductivity measurement systems. However, upon evaluation, none of these vendors can fulfill the specific requirements needed for our testing.

For instance, the FOX 50 Heat Flow Meter from TA Instruments has a thermal conductivity range of 0.1 W/mK to 10 W/mK, which falls short of the broader range provided by C-Therm instruments (0.01 to 500 W/mK). Similarly, the QTM- 710/700 from KEM Kyoto Electronics offers a narrower range of 0.03 W/mK to 12 W/mK and a limited measurement temperature range of 5°C to 35°C. These limitations make them unsuitable for our needs, particularly in testing a wide variety of materials. Thus, it is evident that C-Therm Technology is the sole source capable of providing the required commodity, given its unmatched range, temperature capabilities, and conformity to ASTM standards.

3. What efforts were made to ensure the best possible price for the commodity was obtained?

Several vendors, such as TA Instruments, Hukseflux, and KEM Kyoto Electronics were contacted. This vendor is the only one who provides this product, this sensor, and this software for the sensor.

4. Why is the commodity the only one that can meet the needs to the Agency?

This TPS sensor (purchased) is a specialty sensor designed to be a thin, flexible sensor which is for testing of thin films and coatings. It can be inserted into layered systems to read thermal conductivity of very specific material types. This purchase request is for the software that is required to control this new TPS Sensor. No other entity makes this hardware or software.

5. Why is the amount expended for the commodity reasonable?

With the academic discount, $14,400 is reasonable for this delicate and specific testing type.

Advertisement Schedule Date

1st scheduled 5/22

2nd scheduled 5/29

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 June 8, 2026, 8:00 AM CST, to:

Jacob Cochran

Director of Procurement & Contracts

Jacob.Cochran@usm.edu

Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection 26_XXX"

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.