Thermo-Calc software.

Location:	Mississippi
Posted:	Jul 10, 2026
Due:	Jul 20, 2026
Agency:	Mississippi State University
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	70 - General Purpose Information Technology Equipment (including software).
Solicitation No:	SSN 267-004
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Mississippi State University

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

267-004

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):

Thermo-Calc software - annual maintenance renewal

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:

Thermo-Calc is used by CAVS materials scientists and engineers to generate

material properties data to answer questions related to a specific material and/or its

processing and perform thermodynamic and phase diagram calculations for

multicomponent systems. This software is used in currently funded research at

MSU/HPC2 and is required to fulfill research obligations.

Renewal is required on an annual basis in order to have continued access to licenses,

support, and upgrades. Without renewal, current research projects as well as

future funded research projects could be in jeopardy.

For initial purchase, researchers compared functionality, features, and support.

They determined this software to be the most effective solution to complete research

goals in a timely manner. Since then, researchers have developed methodologies

and workflows that require Thermo-Calc’s continued use. These methodologies and

workflows cannot be used with competing products.

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

source that can provide the required item(s):

Thermo-Calc sells their product direct and provides no other sales outlets for this

market.

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

considered reasonable:

Annual renewal cost is $5,730.75. As an academic institution, MSU receives a

significant discount over commercial pricing.

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:

Upon asking Thermo-Calc, they provided documentation stating they are the sole

source for their product. To confirm, a diligent web search yielded no other

resellers for the US academic market. They have provided academic pricing for

their products.

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.

Thermo-Calc software.

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See also