Cambridge Structural Database.

Mississippi State University
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
Mississippi State University anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a
sole source purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase shall follow the
procedures outlined below.
1. Commodity or commodities to be purchased (make, model, description):
Cambridge Structural Database
2. Explanation of the need to be fulfilled by this item(s), how is it unique from all other
options, and why it is the only one that can meet the specific needs of the department:
Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) is a comprehensive collection and repository of crystal
structures that contains information, chemical, and bibliographic data for over 1.25 million
small-molecule organic, metal-organic, and organometallic compounds. The Cambridge
Structural Database (CSD) is the principal product of the Cambridge Crystallographic Data
Centre (CCDC). It is the central focus of the CSD System, which also comprises software for
database access, structure visualization and data analysis, and structural knowledge bases
derived from the CSD.
This purchase is critical to the mission of the university for undergraduate and graduate
teaching and research. This database subscription is unique and is not available from any other
source.
3. Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible
source that can provide the required item(s):
Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre is a non-profit organization based in Cambridge,
England. Its primary activity is the compilation and maintenance of the CSD, a database of small
molecule crystal structures. They also perform analysis on the database for the benefit of the
scientific community, and write and distribute computer software (such as ConQuest and
Mercury).
4. Estimated cost of item(s) and an explanation why the amount to be expended is considered
reasonable:
$6,489.00 for one year subscription. This amount is reasonable and customary for access to this
database. All academic institutions pay this same fee.

5. Explanation of the efforts taken by the department to determine this is the only source and
the efforts used to obtain the best possible price:
The CSD from CCDC is unique and a one-of-a-kind resource and depository utilized by
researchers across the globe.
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:
Jennifer Mayfield, CPPO
Interim Deputy Director of Procurement & Contracts
jmayfield@procurement.msstate.edu
Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection"
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, MSU determines that the commodity
in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then MSU 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 MSU determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity,
then MSU will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. MSU will have the burden of
proving that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.