9280-26-R-RFIN-00018

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), specifically the Mississippi Polymer Institute, is pursuing a sole source procurement for a Solid Sample Vessel with Mixing upgrade kit designed for an Echo Respirometer system. The primary objective of this procurement is to acquire a specialized mixing upgrade that will enable sample mixing without opening vessel containers, thereby reducing weekly labor requirements by several hours during scientific experiments. Green Science Solutions has been identified as the exclusive United States-based distributor and certified service provider for this specific equipment, holding authorized distribution rights through December 31, 2025. The procurement is being managed by the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration under RFx number 3150006627, following the state's sole source purchase procedures outlined in Section 31-7-13(C) of the Mississippi Code. Key dates include the initial publication of the Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase on November 28 and December 5, 2025, with a formal objection period ending at 8:00 a.m. Central Time on December 15, 2025. Any potential objectors must submit detailed written documentation to Jacob Cochran, USM's Director of Procurement & Contracts, explaining why the commodity is not a sole source item and can be provided by alternative suppliers.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations were explicitly detailed in the procurement documents. The sole source nature of the procurement effectively limits potential vendors to Green Science Solutions, located in Little Canada, Minnesota, which has been designated as the exclusive distributor for Echo Instruments equipment in the United States and Canada. While no explicit award value or budget range was disclosed in the documents, the procurement appears focused on a specialized equipment upgrade for research purposes. The current infrastructure involves an existing Echo Respirometer system at the Mississippi Polymer Institute, with the proposed upgrade intended to enhance operational efficiency. If any objections are successfully raised during the specified comment period, USM would be required to withdraw the sole source request and conduct a competitive bidding process. Alternatively, if no successful challenges are mounted, USM may proceed with the direct procurement from Green Science Solutions, with the potential for appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board if necessary.