9270-26-R-RFIN-00019

The University of Mississippi Procurement Services issued a Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase (Opportunity 9270-26-R-RFIN-00019) on March 20, 2026, for the acquisition of one SynDaver Labs Synthetic Human, SynTissue, Anatomy Model SST Bundle (Female). The procuring agency is the University of Mississippi Department of Biology, which seeks to acquire this educational equipment to support its Human Anatomy course (BISC 310) for upper-division science majors. The synthetic cadaver is a flexible, dissectible unit that requires no specialized building construction or air handling systems and can be reconditioned and upgraded to meet departmental needs throughout its extended usable life. The primary objective is to address current capacity constraints—the department's existing single SynDaver unit limits student access to approximately 30 to 40 minutes per week due to high demand—and thereby enhance the overall educational experience by providing students with substantially increased access to the flexible, synthetic cadaver. The University asserts that SynDaver Labs is the sole entity capable of producing a flexible, dissectible synthetic human unit meeting these specifications. The deadline for interested parties to submit objections to the sole source certification is Monday, April 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time, with submissions directed to Jeff Wells, Procurement Manager, at the University of Mississippi Procurement Services office or via email to solesource@olemiss.edu.

The notice does not specify set-asides or restrictions limiting responses to particular types of organizations, nor are disadvantaged enterprise designations mentioned. SynDaver Labs is identified as the incumbent vendor and sole source provider currently supplying the existing synthetic cadaver unit to the Department of Biology. The University conducted phone and video consultations with SynDaver Labs representatives to itemize requirements and customize pricing to obtain the best possible cost, demonstrating an effort to ensure reasonable pricing for this durable asset. If objections are received and substantiated, the University will withdraw the sole source certification and proceed with a competitive bidding process; if the sole source determination is upheld, the University will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board for approval to proceed with the purchase. The specific purchase amount is not disclosed in the available documentation, though the University's determination characterizes the proposed cost as reasonable given the extended usable life and reconditionable nature of the synthetic cadaver compared to single-use, disposable alternatives.