Sole source notice for an Gas Cluster Ion Beam (Argon Source) System

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
#SS 480
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):
Ionoptika GCIB 10S
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 Chemistry & Biochemistry has a need for a high-performance gas cluster Ion Beam
system offering rapid, low-damage sputtering that enables superior surface analysis. Specifically, the
laboratory needs a stand-alone GCIB argon source that allows for controlled removal of ultra-thin films
over a 7 x 7 mm area that also integrates with custom instrumentation currently in use in the laboratory.
The GCIB instrument should allow for real-time cluster measurement, sample current imaging, and easy
integration with various high-vacuum instruments and software. The Ionoptika GCIB 10S is needed for
research and compatibility with current custom equipment.
Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible source that can
provide the required item(s):
Ionoptika is the sole manufacturer and direct distributor of this proprietary instrument. There are no
third-party distributors or domestic brokers capable of offering a stand-alone argon cluster source that
is compatible with the laboratory's custom equipment.
Why the amount to be expended for the commodity is reasonable:
The total purchase price of $121,740 is below market costs for custom ion sources.
Efforts that the agency went through to obtain the best possible price for the commodity:
The price was negotiated by the department PI while determining the needs of his research.
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.
1.1 Interested Party Information
1.1.1 Contact Name, Phone Number, Address and email address
1.1.2 Company Website URL, if applicable
Page 1 of 2

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 Tuesday, August 4 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.
Page 2 of 2