9280-27-R-RFIN-00008

The University of Southern Mississippi is pursuing a sole-source purchase of a pdc Machines SimpleFuel Ambient Hydrogen Auxiliary Dispenser (H35 Dispenser) under SSP 27_009 (RFx 3150006984), with a comment and objection period closing September 2, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time. This is a notice of proposed sole-source purchase; Mississippi Code Section 31-7-13(C) governs the objection process, and if the sole-source justification is upheld, the matter will be appealed to the Public Procurement Review Board with burden of proof on USM.

The H35 Dispenser is an optional upgrade to the SimpleFuel Fueling Appliance installed at USM's Mississippi Polymer Institute in July 2025. The existing appliance operates at 700 barg pressure; the H35 Dispenser adds capacity to refuel vehicles and equipment at the lower 350 barg pressure, including forklifts, heavy-duty trucks, tractors, buses, and vans. USM asserts that the pdc Machines H35 Dispenser is the sole source meeting requirements because it is the only unit compatible with and integrable into the existing SimpleFuel Appliance architecture, which manages power and control through a Site Control Panel and Emergency Safety System.

The dispenser operates at approximately 5,000 psi and must comply with SAE J2601 and ISO 19880-1. All wetted components must be hydrogen-service-compatible and qualified to resist hydrogen embrittlement, sustained-load cracking, and permeation through specialized alloys and elastomers. The unit requires third-party type approval and material-traceability documentation including hydraulic proof testing.

The estimated capital expenditure is approximately $300,000 or more. Funding is provided through an NIST Advanced Clean Energy Materials Validation and Product Demonstration federal grant (Award 60NANB23D204). The procurement supports USM's role as third-party validator for clean-energy technologies and demonstrates hydrogen viability for industrial equipment as part of regional hydrogen-corridor development.

Objections must be submitted in writing to Jacob Cochran, Director of Procurement & Contracts, at Jacob.Cochran@usm.edu.