SSP 27_008 QUESTIONNAIRE MARINESITU UNDERWATER MONITORING.pdf

The University of Southern Mississippi

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 27_008

RFQI#3150006987

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:

USM is seeking to procure an integrated underwater imaging, machine-learning, and cloud-based monitoring system from MarineSitu for monitoring Gulf White Shrimp in research tanks at the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center. The system includes the MarineSitu C3-PoE underwater camera system, associated computing and cabling, Mangrove software, SaltySuite™ cloud platform access, and project-specific machine-learning models for shrimp sizing and spawning-behavior detection.

The system will provide underwater imagery and automated analytical capabilities specifically developed and tuned for this research application. The proposed sizing model will detect shrimp head and tail locations for measurement, and the behavior model will identify shrimp spawning periods. These models operate within MarineSitu’s proprietary software environment and are integrated with the proposed imaging and data-management system. The vendor’s quoted ML deliverables specify 90% accuracy criteria for both shrimp sizing and spawning-period detection.

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

USM requested written documentation from MarineSitu identifying which components and capabilities are proprietary or exclusive, whether MarineSitu is the sole provider or authorized source, whether the proposed machine-learning models depend upon MarineSitu technology, and whether technical, compatibility, intellectual-property, or licensing restrictions would prevent another vendor from providing the proposed solution.

MarineSitu confirmed in writing that it is the sole provider and only authorized source for the Mangrove software, SaltySuite™ platform, and project-specific tuned machine-learning models. MarineSitu also confirmed that the C3-PoE camera SKU proposed for this project is available only from MarineSitu.

SSP 27_008

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

Because the proprietary software, cloud platform, and project-specific machine-learning models are available only from MarineSitu, USM cannot obtain competitive quotations for the identical integrated system. USM reviewed the proposed scope and individual line items to distinguish proprietary components from commercially available ancillary components. Prior to award, USM will request confirmation from MarineSitu that the quoted pricing represents its best available pricing for the proposed system and project scope.USM is seeking to procure an integrated underwater imaging, machine-learning, and cloud-based monitoring system from MarineSitu for monitoring Gulf White Shrimp in research tanks at the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center. The system includes the MarineSitu C3-PoE underwater camera system, associated computing and cabling, Mangrove software, SaltySuite™ cloud platform access, and project-specific machine-learning models for shrimp sizing and spawning-behavior detection.

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

• Provides the project-specific shrimp sizing and spawning-behavior machine-learning models proposed for this research within MarineSitu’s proprietary Mangrove software environment.

• Provides access to MarineSitu’s proprietary SaltySuite™ cloud platform for storage and review of system imagery and detection records.

• Provides machine-learning models specifically tuned for shrimp at the USM research site using MarineSitu’s proprietary model architectures, training pipeline, and methods.

• Integrates the machine-learning models with an underwater imaging system already integrated and validated with the Mangrove platform.

• Provides the C3-PoE camera configuration upon which the proposed sizing model can be calibrated. The sizing model depends upon camera optical geometry;

substitution of a camera with different optics or baseline geometry would require

SSP 27_008

model retuning, and integration of a non-C3 camera would require additional development.

• Provides the Mangrove software, SaltySuite™ platform, and sizing and behavior models from their sole provider and authorized source. These technologies are not licensed to third-party vendors for delivery, hosting, modification, or resale.

• Provides the required imaging, processing, machine-learning analysis, and data-management capabilities as a single integrated and validated solution without requiring USM to procure a materially different system requiring separate software development, integration, model training, tuning, and validation.

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

The proposed price is considered reasonable based on the complete scope of the procurement, which includes specialized underwater imaging hardware and integration, proprietary software licensing, cloud-platform access, and the development, tuning, and delivery of project-specific machine-learning models for shrimp sizing and spawning-behavior detection. The price therefore represents more than the acquisition of commercially available camera or computing hardware and includes specialized software, intellectual property, machine-learning development, integration, and validation necessary to achieve the research objectives.

Because MarineSitu is the sole provider of the proprietary Mangrove software, SaltySuite™ platform, and proposed tuned machine-learning models, directly comparable competitive pricing for the identical solution is not available. USM reviewed the scope and individual components of the proposed purchase and determined that the pricing corresponds to the hardware, software, integration, and specialized model-development deliverables required by the project. USM will also seek confirmation that the quoted amount represents MarineSitu’s best available pricing prior to award.

SSP 27_008

Advertisement Schedule Date

1st scheduled 8/19/2026

2nd scheduled 8/26/2026

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:

Millissa Weaver

103 McIlwain Dr. Ocean Springs, MS, 39564

Ph: 228-818-8001

Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection 27_008"

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.

SSP 27_008

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.