Autonomous mobile robots outfitted with basic material handling applications, including...

Location:	Mississippi
Posted:	Jan 20, 2026
Due:	Feb 5, 2026
Agency:	Mississippi State University
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	39 - Materials Handling Equipment 70 - General Purpose Information Technology Equipment (including software).
Solicitation No:	SSP 256-054
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Mississippi State University

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

256-054

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):

Quantity Make

OTTO

Model

100

Description

Autonomous mobile robots outfitted with basic material

handling applications, including cart handling and conveyor

system. Must correspond with existing equipment in AiM UP

lab including the same charging adapters, material handling

applications, and software.

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 equipment will be used for education and training purposes. This equipment pairs

with proprietary software that is specific to the units desired to be purchased. The

advisory counsel of manufacturing employers who are involved in the project have

agreed that the brand is a leader in the domain and have expressed training needs for

the technology. Some of the employers actively deploy these specific units in their

facilities. Any delineation from this would fail to meet the goals of the project, as

software differences would prevent the project team from providing adequate training

opportunities on the technology.

3. Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible

source that can provide the required item(s):

- Name of company: SIVAD, Inc.

- SIVAD has been named the sole educational reseller of OTTO products in the state of

Mississippi. Additionally, SIVAD supports the integration of the technology into the lab

space as well as facilitates the adoption of educational material into programs. Special

discounts and training packages are also only available through SIVAD.

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

reasonable:

- The total estimated cost of the items to be purchased is $67,320.41. This cost is

considered reasonable due to the academic pricing that is offered through the reseller.

The purchase includes industrial-grade technology, and the price offered to our

academic institution is discounted from the price that would be offered to a commercial

or industrial customer, according to the vendor.

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:

- A sole source letter has been provided by the equipment manufacturer, OTTO, stating

that SIVAD is the sole educational provider of OTTO products in the state of Mississippi.

o “This letter is to confirm that SIVAD, Inc. is the sole provider of OTTO Motors

products to the educational sector in the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, and

Arkansas.

The sale price offered to your educational institution is significantly discounted

from the price that would be offered to a commercial or industrial customer and

shows SIVAD’s and OTTO Motors’ commitment to supporting technical

educational institutions.

OTTO Motors supports U.S. based manufacturing through its portfolio of AMR’s,

fleet management software, and built-in data analytics tools. We are pleased to

be working with SIVAD Inc. on this opportunity for your institution.”

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.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.