9250-25-R-RFIN-00005

Mississippi State University is seeking to procure a Haas Model 2019 VF-6SS Super-Speed CNC Vertical Machining Center through a sole source procurement for their mechanical engineering and advanced composites institute. The specific machine being requested features 64" x 32" x 30" travel capabilities, a 55-gallon coolant tank, Ethernet interface, rigid tapping, high-speed tool changer, 12,000-rpm spindle, and wireless probing capabilities. The procurement is specific to Monroe County and is being conducted as a competitive sole source request, with the university providing an opportunity for potential objections to the sole source determination. The contract opportunity is currently posted with a posting date of August 21, 2024, and a response deadline of September 4, 2024. The university has determined this specific Haas machine is critical for supporting their mechanical engineering competition teams and advanced composites research, and is uniquely compatible with their existing equipment and CAM systems.

The procurement appears to be unrestricted in terms of vendor qualifications, with the university specifically seeking to purchase from Clark Machinery Sales/Troy Clark Sims. The estimated procurement value is $99,500, which represents a significant discount from the standard new machine price of over $200,000. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documentation. The university has conducted market research to validate this as a sole source procurement and is open to written objections from potential alternative vendors. The machine will integrate with the university's existing Haas equipment infrastructure, allowing students continuous exposure to industry-standard CNC machining technology. The procurement is intended to enhance the university's mechanical engineering and advanced manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of this specialized machining center.