1301-27-R-RFIN-00007

The Mississippi State Department of Health's Purchasing Department is issuing a notice of proposed sole source purchase of an Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 5 Dx Real-Time PCR System (Cat. # A47326) for the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory, with objections due November 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CST. The sole source designation is the decision-flipping constraint: if a written objection demonstrates that another provider can supply the commodity, the department will withdraw the procurement and move to advertised competitive bidding. Objections go to Cynthia Brasher and must include a detailed explanation and supporting documentation.

The system is an in vitro diagnostic device that performs fluorescence-based PCR to detect nucleic acid sequences in human-derived specimens, for use by trained personnel in professional laboratory environments. The notice specifies physical dimensions, a 4-99.9°C block temperature range, completion of 40-cycle real-time PCR runs in under 30 minutes, and an OptiFlex optical system supporting up to 21 unique wavelength combinations.

The vendor offers a limited warranty of 12-15 months from shipment, orientation training through eLearning or a technical scientist, and consumables for instrument qualification and performance verification. Optional post-warranty service contracts provide next-business-day on-site repairs. Telephone technical support and field applications support are also included.

If the department finds sole source status justified, it will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board and bears the burden of proof that only one source provides this commodity.