Leica Microscope TCS SP8 FALCON Upgrade

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
#SS 494
The University of Mississippi (UM) anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a sole source
purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase as a sole source shall follow the procedures outlined below.
Commodity or commodities to be purchased (manufacturer, model, description):
Upgrade of the University of Mississippi's existing Spectral Evolution OreXpress spectrometer (Serial No.
252-8020) to an RS-3500 spectroradiometer
The need to be fulfilled by this item(s) and why it is the only one that can meet the specific
needs of the department:
The Department of Geology & Geological Engineering needs to upgrade the University of Mississippi's
existing Spectral Evolution OreXpress spectrometer (Serial No. 252-8020) to an RS-3500
spectroradiometer. The upgrade includes conversion of the existing instrument, inspection, spectral
calibration, recalibration, and associated maintenance/refurbishment services. The upgrade converts
the existing OreXpress to an RS-3500 spectroradiometer and includes manufacturer inspection and
recalibration. Because the work must be performed on the existing Spectral Evolution instrument using
the manufacturer's proprietary upgrade procedures, an alternative product or third-party service would
not provide the required compatibility or manufacturer-authorized conversion of the existing
equipment.
Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible source that can
provide the required item(s):
Spectral Evolution, Inc. has certified that it is the exclusive manufacturer and supplier of Spectral
Evolution instruments in the United States and that it has no authorized distributors or external service
centers in the United States. No other vendor is authorized to perform the required upgrade.
Why the amount to be expended for the commodity is reasonable:
The total estimated purchase amount is $14,549.03 is reasonable because it includes the manufacturer-
authorized conversion of the University's existing instrument, inspection, and recalibration, while also
providing the University with an academic discount.
Efforts that the agency went through to obtain the best possible price for the commodity:
The department obtained a formal estimate directly from Spectral Evolution and negotiated a 3%
academic discount.
Submission Instructions and Format of Response from Objecting Parties:
Interested parties who have reason to believe that the item(s) above should not be certified as a sole
source should provide information in the following format for UM to use in determining whether or not
to proceed with awarding the Sole Source purchase.
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1.1 Interested Party Information
1.1.1 Contact Name, Phone Number, Address and email address
1.1.2 Company Website URL, if applicable
1.2 Objection to Sole Source Certification
1.2.1 Interested parties must present specific objections to the Sole Source certification
using the criteria listed above.
1.2.2 A statement regarding the Interested Party's capabilities as related to this Sole
Source Certification Request.
1.2.3 Comments will be accepted at any time prior to Monday, September 28 at 10:00
am (Central Time). Comments should be addressed to:
Jeff Wells, Procurement Manager
The University of Mississippi Procurement Services
164 Jeanette Phillips Drive
PO Box 1848
University, Mississippi 38677
1.2.4 Responses may be delivered by hand, via regular mail, overnight delivery, or e-
mail at solesource@olemiss.edu with cc: to purchase@olemiss.edu and must
reference the sole source number.
1.2.5 UM WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DELAYS IN THE DELIVERY OF RESPONSES. It
is solely the responsibility of the Interested Parties that responses reach UM on
time. Interested parties may contact Jeff Wells to verify the receipt of their
responses. Responses received after the deadline will be rejected.
If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, UM determines that the commodity
in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then UM will
withdraw the sole source certification and submit the procurement of the commodity to an
advertised competitive bid or selection process.
If UM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required
commodity, then UM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board for approval to
purchase.
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