USM SSP 27_010 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of Discovery Hybrid Rheometer HR 30.

Location:	Mississippi
Posted:	Sep 3, 2026
Due:	Sep 18, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Mississippi
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	A - Research and development
Solicitation No:	9280-27-R-RFIN-00011
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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http://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Bid

RFx: 3150006993

Comments/objections will be received as required per Section 31-7-13 (C) of the Mississippi Code until

8:00 a.m. (Central Time) on September 18, 2026.

Any person or entity that objects and proposes that the commodity listed is not sole source and can be

provided by another person or entity shall submit a written notice to:

Jacob Cochran

Director of Procurement & Contracts 118 College Dr. Box 5003 Hattiesburg, MS 39406

bids@usm.edu

Phone: 601-266-4131

Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection USM SSP 27_010"

The notice shall contain a detailed explanation of why the commodity is not a sole source procurement.

Appropriate documentation shall also be submitted if applicable.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, USM determines that the commodity in the

proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then USM will withdraw the

sole source request publication from the procurement portal website and submit the procurement of

the commodity to an advertised competitive bid or selection process.

If USM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then USM

will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. USM will have the burden of proving that the

commodity is only provided by one (1) source.

Run Dates: 9/3, 9/10

The University of Southern Mississippi

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 27_010

The University of Southern Mississippi anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a sole

source purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase shall follow the procedures outlined below.

1. Description of the commodity that USM is seeking to procure:

• Waters/TA Instruments Discovery Hybrid Rheometer HR 30 (DHR HR 30)

2. What efforts were made by the Agency to determine that the proposed provider is

the only entity that can provide the commodity needed?

• The laboratory specifically requires the DHR-HR30 because of its compatibility

with our existing TA Instruments equipment, particularly the Air Cooling Accessory

already owned and operated with our Discovery DMA 850. A rheometer from

another manufacturer would represent a different instrument platform and would

not provide the same manufacturer-supported integration with our existing TA

Instruments accessories. Therefore, Waters/TA Instruments is the appropriate sole

source for the specific DHR-HR30 configuration required by the laboratory.

3. What efforts were made to ensure the best possible price for the commodity was

obtained?

• The laboratory evaluated its technical requirements, existing instrumentation, and

available infrastructure to determine the most cost-effective approach for adding

advanced rheological testing capabilities. Consideration was given not only to the

initial instrument purchase price but also to the total cost of ownership, including

The University of Southern Mississippi

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 27_010

required accessories, temperature-control equipment, installation, training,

maintenance, and long-term instrument support. Because the laboratory already

owns a compatible TA Instruments Air Cooling Accessory and operates a

Discovery DMA 850, acquisition of the DHR-HR30 avoids duplication of

equipment and allows the laboratory to maximize its previous investment in TA

Instruments technology. The laboratory has also worked with the

manufacturer/vendor to obtain pricing for the required instrument configuration

and to ensure that the proposed purchase includes only the equipment and

capabilities necessary to meet the laboratory’s research needs. Taken together,

these considerations support the determination that the proposed DHR-HR30

purchase provides the best overall value to the agency.

4. Why is the commodity the only one that can meet the needs to the Agency?

• The laboratory specifically requires the DHR-HR30 because of its compatibility

with our existing TA Instruments equipment, particularly the Air Cooling

Accessory already owned and operated with our Discovery DMA 850.

5. Why is the amount expended for the commodity reasonable?

• Cone and plate rheometers are typically in excess of $100,000 for the instrument

itself. A quote from a similar company, Anton Parr, had their rheometer (MCR302)

quoted at $105,800. This $105,800 did NOT include the heating element, the

The University of Southern Mississippi

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 27_010

attachments (cone, parallel plate, etc.), access to the software, nor did it include

installation and setup.

• The quote from Waters/TA Instruments for the HR30, $130,271, is considered

reasonable. The rheometer itself was quoted $71,400, which is below the

equivalent quote from Anton Parr. The addition of the Peltier heater, environmental

test chamber, software, installation/training and attachments account for the total

cost of the DHR-HR30.

Advertisement Schedule

1st scheduled

2nd scheduled

Date

9/3/26

9/10/26

Any person or entity that objects and proposes that the commodity listed is not sole source and can be

provided by another person or entity shall submit a written notice by September 18, 8:00 AM CST, to:

Director of Procurement & Contracts

bids@usm.edu

Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection 27_010"

The notice shall contain a detailed explanation of why the commodity is not a sole source

procurement. Appropriate documentation shall also be submitted if applicable.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, USM determines that the commodity in the

proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then USM will withdraw

the sole source request publication from the procurement portal website and submit the procurement

of the commodity to an advertised competitive bid or selection process.

The University of Southern Mississippi

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

SSP 27_010

If USM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then

USM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. USM will have the burden of proving

that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Smart Number	9280-27-R-RFIN-00011	Advertised Date	09/03/2026 8:00 AM
RFx #	3150006993	Submission Date	09/18/2026 8:00 AM
RFx Status	Open	Major Procurement Category	COMMODITIES
RFx Opening Date	09/18/2026 8:00 AM	Sub Procurement Category	EQUIPMENT - NON-TECHNOLOGY
RFx Type	Req. for Information
Agency	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
RFx Description	USM SSP 27_010 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of Discovery Hybrid Rheometer HR 30. http://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Bid RFx: 3150006993 Comments/objections will be received as required per Section 31-7-13 (C) of the Mississippi Code un

Name	Amber Floyd	Email	amber.floyd@usm.edu
Phone	601 266 4855	Fax

PRODUCT CATEGORY	PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
17575	Refractometers

Attachments ACS Sole Vendor Letter
Attachments MPI Business Justification
Attachments SSP 27_010 Discovery Hybrid Rheometer HR 30
Attachments USM SSP 27_010 Advertisement

USM SSP 27_010 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of Discovery Hybrid Rheometer HR 30.

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See also