SOLE SOURCE REQUEST TO PURCHASE CEAD B.V. AM Flexbot

Mississippi State University
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
267-039
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):
The MSU ACI plans to purchase a CEAD B.V. AM Flexbot. It is a turnkey hybrid robotic large-
format 3D printing system based on six-axis industrial robot equipped with an E40 pellet
extrusion system with a maximum output of up to 130 lbs/h and CNC milling feature with
automatic tool change, controlled through a Siemens Sinumerik CNC control software,
hardware, and interface.
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:
The MSU ACI requires additional capacity to produce custom tooling (molds and fixtures)
and end-use parts across low- to high-temperature manufacturing processes in support of
its programs for the DoD. Traditional tooling methods carry lead times that extend ACI's
development and manufacturing cycles and no longer keep pace with the rate of design
iteration these programs demand. ACI's need is to remove those lead times while
maintaining the quality assurance and part-level traceability that are integral to the
applications it delivers.
Several technologies provided by CEAD are patented and cannot be provided by any other
source. CEAD holds a patent on its non-mechanical bonding printbed, which secures the
part during printing without mechanical fixturing and is directly relevant to reliable,
repeatable production of ACI's molds. CEAD also holds patented technology for wider,
horizontal printing on a robotic platform, enabling the production of longer molds through
linear track extension.

3. Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible
source that can provide the required item(s):
CEAD Group, Inc. is the exclusive authorized source for the sale, installation, training, and
support of the CEAD AM Flexbot in the United States. CEAD Group, Inc. is the US entity of the
manufacturer, CEAD B.V. (Delft, Netherlands), and the system is not available through any
distributor, reseller, or other channel. The manufacturer has confirmed this in a signed OEM
sole source certification, attached to this notice as [Exhibit "02_CEAD Sole Supplier
Letter_202605"]. The patented technologies that manufacture the Flexbot uniquely capable
of meeting ACI's requirement, as described in Section 2, are proprietary to CEAD and are not
manufactured, licensed, or sold by any other source.
4. Estimated cost of item(s) and an explanation why the amount to be expended is considered
reasonable:
The estimated price for the Flexbot in the configuration as currently proposed is
$1,253,364, per quote CQ22- 3789.
The quoted price represents the manufacturer's direct commercial pricing for a complete
turnkey system. The base system pricing is consistent with similar systems acquired by
other U.S government customers and commercial customers. The amount covers the full
scope of the system, including transport, installation, calibration, commissioning, training,
and ongoing service and maintenance support, as a fixed turnkey price.
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:
ACI conducted a literature review through web search and discussed with ERDC who
recently purchased this specific equipment.
Pricing for the system followed numerous discussions between ACI and CEAD to down
select key performance parameters required for the application, while allowing for future
growth.
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.