SSP 27_004 UMBILICAL CABLE.pdf

USM SSP 27_004 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of Umbilical Cable.

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

RFx: 3150006964

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 August 26, 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 27_004"

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: 8/9, 8/16

The University of Southern Mississippi

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 27_004

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:

Fibron RM0049 Armoured R.O.V. Lift Cable (Drawing RM0049), 5,100 metres, per Fibron Commercial Offer SQ50420-01 (Rev 01, dated 04/06/2026). This is a double-armoured electro-optical umbilical containing three 5 mm² power conductors and six single-mode optical fibres.

The total quoted value is approximately $239,300 USD (equivalent to £178,100). Full specification sheets and commercial offer are attached.

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

Market research was conducted on major manufacturers of ROV umbilicals and lift cables.

Alternative cables were evaluated against USM’s technical requirements for the mROV program.

Two representative examples are provided below:

A surplus Rochester A302351 (681-type) cable was tested and found to exhibit unacceptable optical attenuation (particularly at 1550 nm) when subjected to the compressive forces present on direct-drive winch drums. This attenuation makes the cable unsuitable for reliable mROV operations.

A Southbay umbilical was reviewed and failed to meet multiple critical specifications, including: overall diameter (0.77" vs. required 0.681"), minimum breaking strength (40,000 lb vs. required 41,570 lb), and voltage rating (2,660 V vs. required minimum 2,800 V line-to-line).

No other commercially available ROV umbilical meets the full combination of electrical, optical, and mechanical requirements necessary for USM’s mROV operations on direct-drive winches.

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

A formal quote was obtained directly from Fibron (SQ50420-01). Pricing for comparable armoured ROV umbilicals from other manufacturers was reviewed. However, no alternative cable was found that meets all of USM’s required specifications. Among the technically acceptable options, the Fibron RM0049 represented the lowest cost solution.

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

The Fibron RM0049 is the only ROV umbilical that satisfies all of USM’s technical requirements, including:

Compatibility with direct-drive winch systems without causing problematic optical attenuation.

Overall diameter of 0.681".

Minimum breaking strength of 41,570 lb.

Voltage rating of 2,800 V line-to-line.

Three 5 mm² power conductors and six single-mode optical fibres in a double-armoured configuration.

Other cables, such as the Rochester 681 and Southbay umbilicals, fail to meet one or more of these critical specifications and are therefore not suitable for USM’s mROV operations.

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

The Fibron RM0049 is a highly specialized, armoured electro-optical umbilical built to rigorous oceanographic standards. Its unique combination of power conductors, optical fibres, and mechanical properties makes it the only cable that fully meets USM’s operational and safety requirements for the mROV program. The total quoted price of approximately $239,300 USD is reasonable for this capital equipment item. This is a one-time purchase essential to the mROV Operating Budget.

Advertisement Schedule Date

1st scheduled 8/9/26

2nd scheduled 8/16/26

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 August 26, 2026 by , 8:00 AM CST, to:

Jacob Cochran

Director of Procurement & Contracts

Jacob.Cochran@usm.edu

Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection 27_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.