USM SSP 27_009 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of Ambient H35 Dispenser.

To Whom it May Concern,

I am writing to request approval for the purchase of pdc Machines' SimpleFuel(R) Ambient Hydrogen Auxiliary Dispenser (H35 Dispenser). The Ambient H35 Dispenser is an optional upgrade to the SimpleFuel(R) Fueling Appliance and will allow USM and MPI to refuel an increased number of vehicles and equipment due to the lower refueling pressure of 350 barg. In July of 2025, USM and MPI had the SimpleFuel(R) Fueling Appliance with the H70 Dispener installed, allowing USM and MPI to refuel commercial vehicles with hydrogen fuel at the rated pressure of 700 barg. Due to different energy demands and size restrictions, certain vehicles that operate using hydrogen fuel cells can only be filled at 350 barg. Examples of equipment and vehicles that can only be fueled at dispense pressures of 350 barg include,

Forklifts (),

Heavy duty trucks (e.g. Hyundai's Hyzon(R) Class 8),

Tractors (e.g. New Holland's NH2TM Hydrogen tractor),

Buses (e.g. Solaris' UrbinoTM 12) and

Vans (e.g. Hyundai's H350TM).

The H35 Dispenser from pdc Machines is the only auxiliary 350 barg-dispenser that is compatible with the SimpleFuel(R) Fueling Appliance. The H35 Dispenser is designed to be integrated with the SimpleFuel(R) Appliance itself, which powers and controls both the H70- and H35- Dispensers. The entire system is designed to be inherently safe, actively managing the full fueling operations. Local and remote access to the system is protected with varying tiers of access (direct user, service, and factory). Supervisory control and safety of the appliance is provided by a Site Control Panel (SCP) with the Emergency Safety System (ESS). The Emergency Safety System (ESS) incorporates a proven network of safety components to provide both security and flammable gas safety for the fueling appliance and dispenser, with additional interface connections to site-level safety equipment. The ESS dictates power to all electrical components contained within the fueling appliance and is completely independent of the process control.

Funding for the H35 Dispenser will come from MPI's federal grant Advanced Clean Energy Materials Validation and Product Demonstration (Award Number: 60NANB23D204). One of the main purposes of this grant is to create working demonstration sites for commercially ready clean-energy technologies. This effort is designed to be a collaborative activity involving industry, academics, national labs, and standardization/certification bodies to support faster technology adoption. Demonstration sites facilitate technology adoption and promote economic development. The private sector does not fund demonstration but expects it to consider the new technology feasible for implementation. Material failures are current issues for long term viability, and new materials are advancing capabilities but need further testing and validation. This opportunity allows MPI and USM to be the third party validation for innovative technologies.

The use of the H35 Dispenser will help to demonstrate the feasibility of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source for common industrial equipment (e.g. forklifts). The installation of the H35 Dispenser broadens the scope of this initiative, reaching beyond the commercial sector and lowering the risk mitigation for potential industrial users of this clean-energy technology.

Key Benefits for the H35 Dispenser Installation Include:

Economic Demonstration: Attractive solution for heavy-duty fleets, forklifts, buses, mining vehicles, and industrial equipment that commonly use 350 barg storage.

Technology Development: Illustrates the ease of phased infrastructure deployment where stations can choose to expand their dispensing capabilities.

Diversification: Better economic viability for early-stage hydrogen markets with moderate fuel throughput demands.

Strategic Placement: Helps establish regional hydrogen corridors for commercial transportation and municipal fleets.

Given these strategic, financial, and environmental advantages, I strongly recommend proceeding with the acquisition of pdc Machines' SimpleFuel(R) Ambient Hydrogen Auxiliary Dispenser (H35 Dispenser) as an addition to the already installed SimpleFuel(R) Fueling Appliance from pdc Machines.

Thank you for considering this proposal. I am happy to provide technical specifications, site suitability analysis, and estimated ROI calculations upon request.

Sincerely,

Samuel H. Lahasky, PhD

Chief Scientist

Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI)

46 Shelby Thames Dr

Hattiesburg, MS 39402

(601) 266-6388