SOLE SOURCE REQUEST TO PURCHASE iGC-NOVA High Temperature Surface Energy Analyzer

Location:	Mississippi
Posted:	May 7, 2026
Due:	May 21, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Mississippi
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	66 - Instruments and Laboratory Equipment
Solicitation No:	9250-26-R-RFIN-00038
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Procurement Details

Smart Number	9250-26-R-RFIN-00038	Advertised Date	05/07/2026 12:00 AM
RFx #	3150006819	Submission Date	05/21/2026 12:00 AM
RFx Status	Open	Major Procurement Category	COMMODITIES
RFx Opening Date	05/21/2026 12:00 AM	Sub Procurement Category	EQUIPMENT - TECHNOLOGY
RFx Type	Req. for Information
Agency	MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
RFx Description	SOLE SOURCE REQUEST TO PURCHASE iGC-NOVA High Temperature Surface Energy Analyzer

Contact Information

Name	Debra Raines	Email	draines@procurement.msstate.edu
Phone		Fax

RFx Items

PRODUCT CATEGORY	PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
49043	Lab Eqpmt-Lab & Scie

Awarded

VENDOR NAME

VENDOR NUMBER

AWARD DATE

AWARD AMOUNT

FUNDING SOURCE

Bid Attachments

Attachments
Notice

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Mississippi State University

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

256-090

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):

iGC-NOVA High Temperature Surface Energy Analyzer

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:

This is the only iGC instrument of its kind that allows investigations into material surface

properties. The unique aspects of this instrument that are required by this research into

materials for nuclear facilities include:

a) Flame Ionisation Detector with sensitivity capabilities of 10 ppb carbon

b) Vapor phase injection system for infinite dilution as well as finite dilution with

temperature-controlled solvent probe reservoirs

c) Hydrogen generator with hydrogen leak detector

d) flow rates at least for 40 mL/min with accuracy of 0.03 at around room temperature

e) Software with surface uniformity mapping and solvent calibration modes

f) Furnace for direct column heating up to 500 ˚C

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

source that can provide the required item(s):

Surface Measurement Systems is the only company providing a configured inverse

chromatography instrument with software calculating results, temperature-controlled

reservoirs and columns, an automated vapor injection system, a humidity unit, and with a

detector resolution capable of the needed range.

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

reasonable:

Our quoted price for this item is $190,353.90.

The price for building such an instrument would exceed the amount of the commercially-

available unit. Pairing a detector with the proper specifications, heating and cooling of solvent

reservoirs, chamber for heating the column capable of 100 ˚C heating rate, injection system with

automation, mass flow controllers, gas generation would already rival this cost, and developing

a software with calibration modes and information for each solvent, along with analysis

software for calculations of acid-base component, surface energy heterogeneity mapping, BET

surface area, isotherm, Gibbs free energy desorption, enthalpy, solubility parameters, sorption,

and many more, would definitely exceed the quoted price significantly

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:

This instrument has been determined to be unique after a 3-year search for alternative units

with the same capabilities. Searches within most commercial scientific instrument vendors,

general company and product searches, as well as references within the academic literature

were conducted with no existing instrument outside of the iGC-NOVA.

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 and CPO, 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.

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SOLE SOURCE REQUEST TO PURCHASE iGC-NOVA High Temperature Surface Energy Analyzer

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