SSP 27_010 DISCOVERY HYBRID RHEOMETER HR 30.pdf

USM SSP 27_010 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of Discovery Hybrid Rheometer HR 30.

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

RFx: 3150006993

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 September 18, 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_010"

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: 9/3, 9/10

The University of Southern Mississippi

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 27_010

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:

• Waters/TA Instruments Discovery Hybrid Rheometer HR 30 (DHR HR 30)

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

• The laboratory specifically requires the DHR-HR30 because of its compatibility with our existing TA Instruments equipment, particularly the Air Cooling Accessory already owned and operated with our Discovery DMA 850. A rheometer from another manufacturer would represent a different instrument platform and would not provide the same manufacturer-supported integration with our existing TA

Instruments accessories. Therefore, Waters/TA Instruments is the appropriate sole source for the specific DHR-HR30 configuration required by the laboratory.

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

• The laboratory evaluated its technical requirements, existing instrumentation, and available infrastructure to determine the most cost-effective approach for adding advanced rheological testing capabilities. Consideration was given not only to the initial instrument purchase price but also to the total cost of ownership, including required accessories, temperature-control equipment, installation, training, maintenance, and long-term instrument support. Because the laboratory already owns a compatible TA Instruments Air Cooling Accessory and operates a

Discovery DMA 850, acquisition of the DHR-HR30 avoids duplication of equipment and allows the laboratory to maximize its previous investment in TA

Instruments technology. The laboratory has also worked with the manufacturer/vendor to obtain pricing for the required instrument configuration and to ensure that the proposed purchase includes only the equipment and capabilities necessary to meet the laboratory’s research needs. Taken together, these considerations support the determination that the proposed DHR-HR30 purchase provides the best overall value to the agency.

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

• The laboratory specifically requires the DHR-HR30 because of its compatibility with our existing TA Instruments equipment, particularly the Air Cooling

Accessory already owned and operated with our Discovery DMA 850.

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

• Cone and plate rheometers are typically in excess of $100,000 for the instrument itself. A quote from a similar company, Anton Parr, had their rheometer (MCR302) quoted at $105,800. This $105,800 did NOT include the heating element, the attachments (cone, parallel plate, etc.), access to the software, nor did it include installation and setup.

• The quote from Waters/TA Instruments for the HR30, $130,271, is considered reasonable. The rheometer itself was quoted $71,400, which is below the equivalent quote from Anton Parr. The addition of the Peltier heater, environmental test chamber, software, installation/training and attachments account for the total cost of the DHR-HR30.

Advertisement Schedule Date

1st scheduled 9/3/26

2nd scheduled 9/10/26

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 by September 18, 8:00 AM CST, to:

Director of Procurement & Contracts bids@usm.edu

Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection 27_010"

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.