9280-24-R-RFIN-00029

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is seeking to procure Gear Motor Mounts, R+W Clutches, Lip Seals, and Diaphragms for the Eagle Ray Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) planes through a sole source procurement. The parts are proprietary and can only be provided by the original manufacturer, International Submarine Ltd. USM is required to post this Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase and accept comments or objections to the sole source procurement until June 24, 2024. If USM determines the commodity can be provided by another source, the procurement will be submitted for competitive bid. Otherwise, USM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board to prove the commodity is only available from one source. The parts are required for the continued operation of the AUV, which is a critical research tool for USM's OECI-funded research. USM worked with the manufacturer to obtain the best possible pricing, and the total estimated expenditure for the parts is reasonable based on the proprietary nature and the manufacturer's quoted replacement part value.

There are no incumbents, set-asides, or additional funding requirements noted in the document. The contract opportunity is specific to Greene County, Mississippi, and the total award value is not provided. Interested parties must submit any comments or objections to the Interim Director of Procurement & Contracts at USM by the June 24, 2024 deadline.