9280-26-R-IFBD-00008

The University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, located in Jasper County, Mississippi, is seeking sealed bids for a comprehensive plumbing supplies procurement for the Cedar Point Oyster Hatchery, designated as Bid No. 26-08 with RFX number 3160007664. The procurement specifically requires true union PVC/CPVC ball valves, with Spears Manufacturing Model 2000 Series as the primary product specification. The solicitation encompasses approximately 800 individual valve components across various sizes, including 16 units of 3/4" PVC Union 2000 SOC EPDM, 9 units of 1" PVC Union 2000 SOC EPDM, and 129 units of 2" PVC Union 2000 SOC EPDM. Qualified bidders must provide valves manufactured from PVC or CPVC, featuring PTFE seats, EPDM O-rings, and compliance with NSF/ANSI 61 for potable water use. The valves must be pressure-rated between 150-235 psi, incorporate blowout-resistant stems, and be manufactured under an ISO 9001 certified quality management system. Sealed bids are due on October 14, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. CST, to be submitted to the Shipping and Receiving Office at 103 McIlwain Drive in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, with procurement contact Millissa Weaver available for questions.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the documentation. The bid allows for alternative brand names and specifications if bidders cannot precisely match the Spears Manufacturing requirements, provided they submit complete alternative specifications on a separate sheet. Payment terms are structured as 2% ten days, net 45 days, in accordance with Mississippi law, and the university reserves the right to accept or reject any part of the bid. While no specific budget range is provided, the procurement appears focused on supplying critical infrastructure components for an aquaculture facility, emphasizing corrosion resistance and chemical compatibility. The bid will be published twice in the Sun-Herald newspaper on September 24 and October 1, 2025, to ensure broad vendor awareness. Potential bidders are encouraged to review the full technical specifications available on the university's procurement website to understand the precise requirements for these specialized plumbing supplies.