9270-26-R-RFIN-00007

The University of Mississippi, specifically the School of Pharmacy, is seeking to procure an Aquaneering Zebrafish Tank System through a sole source procurement method (SS 452). The system consists of three single-sided and one double-sided 6-shelf racks and a breeding unit, intended to replace existing failing tank systems. Key deliverables include a modular tank design with interchangeable tank sizes, proprietary "no-maintenance" filters, full automation with remote monitoring (Aquatouch 2.0), automated feeding capabilities, and 24/7 technical support. The procurement is unique in that Aquaneering LLC is identified as the sole manufacturer and distributor of these tank systems in North America. Interested parties may submit objections to the sole source certification by October 17, 2025, at 10:00 am Central Time, with responses to be delivered to Jeff Wells, Procurement Manager. The procurement timeline indicates the contract opportunity was posted on October 5, 2025, with a final due date of October 20, 2025.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The total purchase value is $132,062, which the university considers reasonable and comparable to similar tank systems. Aquaneering LLC is the incumbent and sole potential vendor for this specialized equipment. The university has already negotiated the price and obtained a quote lower than the original Zebrafish tank system's purchase price. If no viable alternative sources are identified during the objection period, the university will seek approval from the Public Procurement Review Board to purchase directly from Aquaneering LLC. The procurement is specifically for the School of Pharmacy and appears to be a targeted replacement of existing research infrastructure with advanced zebrafish research technology.