9270-27-R-RFIN-00005

The University of Mississippi's Procurement Services is seeking to execute a sole-source purchase of a Moorfield nanoETCH-FC-MSE reactive ion etching system for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, with objections due October 27, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. This is a sole-source procurement; objections must be submitted to Jeff Wells, Procurement Manager, via hand delivery, mail, overnight delivery, or email to solesource@olemiss.edu with copy to purchase@olemiss.edu to trigger conversion to a competitive bid process.

The Department requires a benchtop RIE system for low-power soft-etch control, fluorine-based reactive ion etching chemistry, and high-vacuum operation for controlled etching of graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, silicon dioxide, silicon, and ultra-thin resist materials. The University asserts that Moorfield is the sole designer and manufacturer of the nanoETCH system with its proprietary soft-etch capability and that no other commercially available RIE systems meet these specific research requirements. MSE Supplies acts as the U.S. reseller.

The total purchase amount is $110,000. The University negotiated the equipment price down from $152,800 to $101,000, representing a $51,800 discount, with an additional $9,000 tariff cost. This special pricing is contingent upon the University issuing the purchase order by the end of October 2026. If the sole-source determination is upheld following review of any objections, the University will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board for approval to proceed with the purchase.