Intent to sole source carolina stalite

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is pursuing a sole source procurement for Rotary Kiln expanded Lightweight Aggregate from Carolina Stalite Co, specifically for use in highway projects and bituminous surface treatment applications. The procurement is authorized under S.C. Code Ann. 11-35-1560 and S.C. Regulation 19-445.2105, with a justification document submitted to the State Fiscal Accountability Authority on January 10, 2023. SCDOT's Materials & Research Lab conducted extensive market research and testing, determining that Carolina Stalite Co is the only manufacturer of this specialized aggregate approved for use in bituminous surface treatment within South Carolina. The procurement process is centered on acquiring a specific product that meets precise technical requirements for highway construction and maintenance. The document indicates that if the contract value exceeds $50,000, the vendor must obtain a Drug-free Workplace certification. The procurement was authorized by Madeleine Hendry, Acting Deputy Secretary for Finance and Administration, with the intent to sole source the product from Carolina Stalite Co.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational respondents. Carolina Stalite Co is identified as the sole vendor capable of providing the required Rotary Kiln expanded Lightweight Aggregate, effectively creating a single-source procurement scenario. No specific award value or budget range is explicitly stated in the documentation. The procurement is specific to Richland County and involves the South Carolina Department of Transportation as the primary agency. While precise contract terms are not detailed, the justification suggests this is a targeted procurement for a specialized highway construction material. The document does not provide information about incumbent vendors, existing infrastructure requirements, or integration specifications. No additional context is provided regarding potential competitive considerations or alternative sourcing strategies beyond the sole source justification for Carolina Stalite Co's unique product.