Mississippi State University
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
256-081
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): Optitrack
Motion-Capture System
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:
OptiTrack is required as the motion capture system for the WindShape WindWall. This
Windwall will be used o support controlled aerodynamic and environmental testing of
uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and associated propulsion and control subsystems for
the AMC-BGAD project.
3. Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible
source that can provide the required item(s): NaturalPoint, Inc. dba Optitrack provides
the OptiTrack motion-capture system for the WindShape WindWall. WindShape only
supports OptiTrack for calibration, tracking, and control of the programmable wind field
environment. Because of this dependency, OptiTrack isn’t interchangeable with other
tracking systems and needs to be procured as a companion component to the
WindWall. Using anything else would add integration time and risk hitting Phase 1
schedule/performance targets.
4. Estimated cost of item(s) and an explanation why the amount to be expended is
considered reasonable: $273,503.59 with shipping included. This amount is considered
reasonable as it is part of specialized equipment for the Windwall, which will only
function with this item.
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: Discussions were had with the
vendors of the equipment, and the specs for the specialized equipment were
researched and reviewed. It was determined that the Optitrack motion-capture is the
best option for optimal performance.
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
Director of Procurement Services, Chief Procurement Officer
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.
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