9280-25-R-RFIN-00024

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is pursuing a sole source procurement for a RaptIR Microscope to be integrated with an existing ThermoNicolet iS50 FTIR instrument located in the Accelerator building. The microscope will enable advanced Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy capabilities, specifically designed to analyze small particles like microplastics with enhanced resolution and wavenumber range. The procurement is specifically targeted for a microscope that does not require liquid nitrogen, which is unavailable in the current facility. Key procurement dates include a notice publication on May 20 and May 27, 2025, with all objections or alternative source documentation due by June 5, 2025, at 8:00 AM Central Standard Time. USM will either proceed with the sole source purchase or appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board if no valid objections are received. Interested parties must submit any objections using the specific subject line "Sole Source Objection USM SSP 25_020" and direct communications to Jacob Cochran, Interim Director of Procurement & Contracts.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent organizations. The proposed microscope is priced at $90,000 with an academic discount, which USM claims is comparable to similar instruments in the market. USM argues that alternative microscopes would either be incompatible with their existing equipment or require purchasing an entirely new FTIR system at a significantly higher cost. While less expensive versions exist, the university contends they would not provide the same technical specifications or performance characteristics. If alternative sources are identified during the review process, USM will withdraw the sole source request and pursue a competitive bidding process. The procurement is specific to Greene County, Mississippi, and is being conducted through the state's standard procurement protocols. The total budget for this specific procurement appears to be approximately $90,000, with potential flexibility depending on the outcome of the sole source review process.