9250-24-R-RFIN-00051

This is a Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase from Mississippi State University (MSU) for Vaisala Atmospheric Dropwindsondes - NRD41 Mini Dropsonde. MSU anticipates purchasing 40 units of this specialized instrument that is used for dropwindsonde deployments out of NOAA WP-3 Hurricane Hunter aircraft. MSU has determined this is a sole source procurement as Vaisala is the only manufacturer that provides this instrument that is compatible with the deployment software used on the NOAA aircraft. The total estimated cost is $51,920 plus freight. MSU is providing the opportunity for any objections to this sole source purchase, which must be submitted in writing with a detailed explanation of why the commodity is not a sole source. If no acceptable alternative is identified, MSU will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board to justify this as a sole source procurement. The pricing of $1,298 per unit is considered reasonable by MSU, as each unit provides a unique profile of atmospheric winds, moisture, and temperature data in a tropical cyclone environment, which is necessary for MSU's research goals.

There are no set-asides or incumbent information provided. Funding for this purchase will come from MSU's procurement budget. The deadline for submitting any objections to the sole source determination is June 7, 2024.