Sole Source Notice for Collection Devices and Reagents.

MISSISSIPPI STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase # 301-137

RFX # 3150005969

The Mississippi State Department of Health anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a sole source purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase shall follow the procedures outlined below.

Commodity or commodities to be purchased (make, model, description):

The Mississippi Public Health Laboratory (MPHL) Environmental Microbiology Section performs testing for drinking water microbiology and dairy water in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines respectively. Idexx offers reagents that are EPA approved and for a presence/absence test for total coliform and E. coli in drinking water and FDA approved for dairy water. Both tests must use reagents approved by these regulatory agencies to maintain certification for testing.

Explanation of 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 Idexx collection devices and reagents will fulfill the EPA requirements for drinking water microbiology testing and the FDA requirements for dairy water testing. The MPHL performs both tests and must use reagents approved by these regulatory agencies to maintain certification.

Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible source that can provide the required item(s):

Idexx Laboratories, Inc. is the sole supplier and distributor of the test products listed above to test for total coliform in drinking water and dairy water for the water market.

Estimated cost of item(s) and an explanation why the amount to be expended is considered reasonable:

Annual estimated cost -$338,861.98

• All applicable discounts were explored and applied.

• Shipping costs are included.

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:

• Idexx Laboratories, Inc. is the sole supplier and distributor of the microbiology test products listed above to test for total coliform in drinking water and dairy water in the US water market.

• No other test reagents are EPA and FDA cleared for a presence/absence test for total coliform and E. coli in drinking water and dairy water.

• All applicable discounts were explored and applied.

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: Cynthia Brasher, Mississippi State Department of Health Purchasing Department, 570 E. Woodrow Wilson, Room 134 Underwood Building, Jackson, MS 39216 or P. O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700.

Responses may be hand delivered, via regular mail, overnight delivery or by e-mail: Cynthia.Brasher@msdh.ms.gov . The envelope or e-mail should reference the sole source number.

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. The enclosed form (OSS) may be used if you so desire.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, Mississippi State Department of Health determines that the commodity in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then Mississippi State Department of Health 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 Mississippi State Department of Health determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, the Mississippi State Department of Health will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. Mississippi State Department of Health will have the burden of proving that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.

Notices/objections, etc. will be accepted at any time prior to: August 24, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (CST)