Aquaneereing Zebrafish Tank System

Location:	Mississippi
Posted:	Oct 6, 2025
Due:	Oct 20, 2025
Agency:	State Government of Mississippi
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	66 - Instruments and Laboratory Equipment J - Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment
Solicitation No:	9270-26-R-RFIN-00007
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

#SS 452

The University of Mississippi (UM) anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a sole source

purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase as a sole source shall follow the procedures outlined below.

Commodity or commodities to be purchased (manufacturer, model, description):

Aquaneering Zebrafish Tank System

The need to be fulfilled by this item(s) and why it is the only one that can meet the specific

needs of the department:

The School of Pharmacy is conducts research using Zebrafish and the current tank system has parts that

are failing and cannot be serviced. The Aquaneering tank system (three single-sided and one double-

sided 6 shelf racks and a breeding unit) is solely compatible with the existing Aquaneering Zebrafish

units that have been in the facility since 2018. These will replace old units that are failing and cannot be

serviced. The systems being purchased have a modular design which maximizes the housing available in

a small (115.5) square foot room. The modular design allows the researchers the ability to interchange

tank sizes on rack shelves. The tank system will provide a more uniform culture and condition for the

fish which will allow researchers to buffer infrastructure inconsistencies (water and heating) in our 50

year old building. Having consistent housing is key for research as it eliminates as many research

variables as possible. Researchers have been trained on Aquaneering tanks and compatibility with the

existing equipment/supplies will help eliminate operational errors which would have a negative impact

on the fish and thus the research. The Aquaneering system has full automation including remote

monitoring (Aquatouch 2.0), automated feeding, and a “no-maintenance” filtration system that ensures

high water quality and undetectable levels of ammonia and nitrites. Aquaneering provides 24/7

technical support and expert service which is critical for the building infrastructure issues faced by

researchers.

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

provide the required item(s):

Aquaneering LLC is the sole manufacturer and distributor of it tank systems in North America.

Aquaneering Zebrafish Tank Systems have several unique features which other vendors cannot provide.

The ability to interchange tank sizes on rack shelves is not a feature available from any other

manufacturer of aquatic housing. The “no-maintenance filters” are a proprietary design not found

elsewhere. And the 24/7 technical support and service is not offered by any other vendor

Why the amount to be expended for the commodity is reasonable:

The total cost of $132,062 is comparable with similar tank systems that do not offer the features and

compatibility required by the School of Pharmacy.

Efforts that the agency went through to obtain the best possible price for the commodity:

To secure the best possible price, the department engaged in negotiations with Aquaneering, LLC and

obtained a quote that is less than the purchase price of the original Zebrafish tank system.

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Submission Instructions and Format of Response from Objecting Parties:

Interested parties who have reason to believe that the item(s) above should not be certified as a sole

source should provide information in the following format for UM to use in determining whether or not

to proceed with awarding the Sole Source purchase.

1.1 Interested Party Information

1.1.1 Contact Name, Phone Number, Address and email address

1.1.2 Company Website URL, if applicable

1.2 Objection to Sole Source Certification

1.2.1 Interested parties must present specific objections to the Sole Source certification

using the criteria listed above.

1.2.2 A statement regarding the Interested Party's capabilities as related to this Sole

Source Certification Request.

1.2.3 Comments will be accepted at any time prior to Friday, October 17, 2025 at

10:00 am (Central Time). Comments should be addressed to:

Jeff Wells, Procurement Manager

The University of Mississippi Procurement Services

164 Jeanette Phillips Drive

PO Box 1848

University, Mississippi 38677

1.2.4 Responses may be delivered by hand, via regular mail, overnight delivery, or e-

mail at solesource@olemiss.edu with cc: to purchase@olemiss.edu and must

reference the sole source number.

1.2.5 UM WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DELAYS IN THE DELIVERY OF RESPONSES. It

is solely the responsibility of the Interested Parties that responses reach UM on

time. Interested parties may contact Jeff Wells to verify the receipt of their

responses. Responses received after the deadline will be rejected.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, UM determines that the commodity

in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then UM will

withdraw the sole source certification and submit the procurement of the commodity to an

advertised competitive bid or selection process.

If UM determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required

commodity, then UM will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board for approval to

purchase.

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Smart Number	9270-26-R-RFIN-00007	Advertised Date	10/05/2025 12:00 AM
RFx #	3150006543	Submission Date	10/20/2025 10:00 AM
RFx Status	Open	Major Procurement Category	COMMODITIES
RFx Opening Date	10/20/2025 10:00 AM	Sub Procurement Category	SOLE SOURCE NOTICES
RFx Type	Req. for Information
Agency	UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
RFx Description	Sole source notice for Aquaneering Zebrafish Tank System.

Name	Jeff Wells	Email	jeffw@olemiss.edu
Phone	662 915 7448	Fax

PRODUCT CATEGORY	PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
49515	Lab Field-Aquariums

Aquaneereing Zebrafish Tank System

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See also