9280-26-R-RFIN-00028

The University of Southern Mississippi is pursuing a sole source purchase of a Data Acquisition Labs Expansion under Mississippi Code Section 31-7-13(C), with objections due by June 8, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time. This is a non-competitive procurement; competition is not feasible because the university's existing laboratory systems are designed to integrate with PASCO Scientific equipment, and alternative vendors lack compatible data acquisition systems or would require prohibitively expensive complete replacements that would render existing assets obsolete.

The scope comprises educational laboratory equipment including electron charge-to-mass ratio apparatus, photoelectric effect systems, spectrophotometer systems, optical benches, laser equipment, data acquisition interfaces, and supporting optical and acoustic components. Quantities range from one to ten units depending on item type. The procurement is driven by increased physics major enrollment; the new equipment is expected to double laboratory capacity from 16 to 32 students per course, addressing scheduling constraints.

The estimated contract value is $38,119.90 from PASCO Scientific. PASCO's justification rests on proprietary technology, specialized expertise, existing system compatibility, and special educational pricing that enhances cost effectiveness. The university determined that alternative vendors such as Arbor Scientific, Ward's Science, and Vernier cannot meet these integration and compatibility requirements without uneconomic system replacement.

Objections and comments on the sole source justification should be directed to Jacob Cochran, Director of Procurement & Contracts, USM Department of Procurement & Contracts, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The procurement is identified as USM SSP 26_026 with RFx number 3150006851. If no viable objections are received, the matter will be submitted to the Public Procurement Review Board for final authorization.