9210-26-R-RFIN-00006

Alcorn State University is proceeding with a sole-source purchase from Driven Elite Canton, LLC for comprehensive athletic department services under SSP 2026-05, with objections to the sole-source designation due June 18, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CST. This is a decision-flipping constraint: the university asserts that no other vendor offers the required combination of services in a unified contract meeting NCAA holistic care compliance standards and integrated performance management capabilities.

The scope encompasses oversight and implementation of a holistic sports performance department, strength and conditioning programming, athletic training management, nutrition education with supplementation access, NCAA compliance consulting, business operations support for revenue-generating activities, and facility development consultation. The estimated annual cost is $200,000. Driven Elite Canton, LLC is authorized to offset costs through internal revenue-generating activities on campus.

The university's justification rests on the assertion that segmented market procurement of individual services across these functional areas would be more costly and would not satisfy the integration requirement for NCAA compliance. If Alcorn State University determines after review of objections that another entity can provide these services, the procurement will be converted to a competitive bidding process. If the university maintains the sole-source determination, it will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board.

Objections must be submitted in writing to Purchasing Agent Mertha George at mgeorge@alcorn.edu with subject line "Sole Source Objection," including detailed explanations and supporting documentation as to why the services can be provided by other vendors. All inquiries should also be directed to Mertha George, 1000 ASU Dr #509, Lorman, Mississippi 39096.