SSP 27_008 Underwater Monitoring and Machine Learning System

USM SSP 27_008 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of Underwater Monitoring and
Machine Learning System.
http://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Bid
RFQI#3150006987
Comments/objections will be received as required per Section 31-7-13 (C) of the Mississippi Code until
2:00 p.m. (Central Time) on September 9, 2026.
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:
Millissa Weaver
103 McIlwain Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Phone: 228-818-8001
Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection USM SSP 27_008"
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, USM determines that the commodity in the
proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then USM 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 USM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then
USM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. USM will have the burden of proving that
the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.
Run Dates: 08/19/2026, 08/26/2026

The University of Southern Mississippi
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
SSP 27_008
RFQI#3150006987
The University of Southern Mississippi anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a sole
source purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase shall follow the procedures outlined below.
1. Description of the commodity that USM is seeking to procure:
USM is seeking to procure an integrated underwater imaging, machine-learning, and
cloud-based monitoring system from MarineSitu for monitoring Gulf White Shrimp in
research tanks at the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center. The system includes the
MarineSitu C3-PoE underwater camera system, associated computing and cabling,
Mangrove software, SaltySuite(TM) cloud platform access, and project-specific machine-
learning models for shrimp sizing and spawning-behavior detection.
The system will provide underwater imagery and automated analytical capabilities
specifically developed and tuned for this research application. The proposed sizing model
will detect shrimp head and tail locations for measurement, and the behavior model will
identify shrimp spawning periods. These models operate within MarineSitu's proprietary
software environment and are integrated with the proposed imaging and data-
management system. The vendor's quoted ML deliverables specify 90% accuracy criteria
for both shrimp sizing and spawning-period detection.
2. Explanation of why the commodity is the only one that meets the needs of the
agency:
USM requested written documentation from MarineSitu identifying which components
and capabilities are proprietary or exclusive, whether MarineSitu is the sole provider or
authorized source, whether the proposed machine-learning models depend upon
MarineSitu technology, and whether technical, compatibility, intellectual-property, or
licensing restrictions would prevent another vendor from providing the proposed
solution.
MarineSitu confirmed in writing that it is the sole provider and only authorized source for
the Mangrove software, SaltySuite(TM) platform, and project-specific tuned machine-
learning models. MarineSitu also confirmed that the C3-PoE camera SKU proposed for
this project is available only from MarineSitu.
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The University of Southern Mississippi
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
SSP 27_008
RFQI#3150006987
3. Explanation of why the source is the only source is the only person or entity that can
provide the required commodity:
Because the proprietary software, cloud platform, and project-specific machine-learning
models are available only from MarineSitu, USM cannot obtain competitive quotations
for the identical integrated system. USM reviewed the proposed scope and individual line
items to distinguish proprietary components from commercially available ancillary
components. Prior to award, USM will request confirmation from MarineSitu that the
quoted pricing represents its best available pricing for the proposed system and project
scope.USM is seeking to procure an integrated underwater imaging, machine-learning,
and cloud-based monitoring system from MarineSitu for monitoring Gulf White Shrimp
in research tanks at the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center. The system includes
the MarineSitu C3-PoE underwater camera system, associated computing and cabling,
Mangrove software, SaltySuite(TM) cloud platform access, and project-specific machine-
learning models for shrimp sizing and spawning-behavior detection.
4. Explanation of why the amount to be expended for the commodity is reasonable:
* Provides the project-specific shrimp sizing and spawning-behavior machine-learning
models proposed for this research within MarineSitu's proprietary Mangrove
software environment.
* Provides access to MarineSitu's proprietary SaltySuite(TM) cloud platform for storage
and review of system imagery and detection records.
* Provides machine-learning models specifically tuned for shrimp at the USM research
site using MarineSitu's proprietary model architectures, training pipeline, and
methods.
* Integrates the machine-learning models with an underwater imaging system already
integrated and validated with the Mangrove platform.
* Provides the C3-PoE camera configuration upon which the proposed sizing model
can be calibrated. The sizing model depends upon camera optical geometry;
substitution of a camera with different optics or baseline geometry would require
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The University of Southern Mississippi
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
SSP 27_008
RFQI#3150006987
model retuning, and integration of a non-C3 camera would require additional
development.
* Provides the Mangrove software, SaltySuite(TM) platform, and sizing and behavior
models from their sole provider and authorized source. These technologies are not
licensed to third-party vendors for delivery, hosting, modification, or resale.
* Provides the required imaging, processing, machine-learning analysis, and data-
management capabilities as a single integrated and validated solution without
requiring USM to procure a materially different system requiring separate software
development, integration, model training, tuning, and validation.
5. Efforts that the agency went through to obtain the best possible price for the
commodity:
The proposed price is considered reasonable based on the complete scope of the
procurement, which includes specialized underwater imaging hardware and integration,
proprietary software licensing, cloud-platform access, and the development, tuning, and
delivery of project-specific machine-learning models for shrimp sizing and spawning-
behavior detection. The price therefore represents more than the acquisition of
commercially available camera or computing hardware and includes specialized software,
intellectual property, machine-learning development, integration, and validation
necessary to achieve the research objectives.
Because MarineSitu is the sole provider of the proprietary Mangrove software,
SaltySuite(TM) platform, and proposed tuned machine-learning models, directly comparable
competitive pricing for the identical solution is not available. USM reviewed the scope
and individual components of the proposed purchase and determined that the pricing
corresponds to the hardware, software, integration, and specialized model-development
deliverables required by the project. USM will also seek confirmation that the quoted
amount represents MarineSitu's best available pricing prior to award.
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The University of Southern Mississippi
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
SSP 27_008
RFQI#3150006987
Advertisement Schedule Date
1st scheduled 8/19/2026
2nd scheduled 8/26/2026
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:
Millissa Weaver
103 McIlwain Dr. Ocean Springs, MS, 39564
Ph: 228-818-8001
Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection 27_008"
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, USM determines that the commodity in the
proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then USM 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.
4

The University of Southern Mississippi
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
SSP 27_008
RFQI#3150006987
If USM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then
USM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. USM will have the burden of proving
that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.
5