Sole Source Procurement of Pasco Reflection & Refraction Experiment Kits

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is planning to acquire the Pasco Reflection & Refraction Experiment Kits through a sole source procurement process. The solicitation, identified by the number 3150006549, was posted on October 9, 2025, with a response deadline of October 29, 2025. The purchase is valued between $50,000 and $150,000, with the initial estimated cost of the kit at approximately $7,800, which the university considers reasonable given the equipment’s educational value and longevity. The procurement is driven by the need to replace outdated optics lab equipment used in physics and engineering courses, with the selected kit being uniquely compatible with existing Pasco optics experiments and exclusively available from Pasco, the sole manufacturer and distributor. The process involves a detailed justification for the sole source designation, including efforts to negotiate a discount and the necessity of compatibility with current laboratory setups. Interested parties have the opportunity to object to the sole source designation by submitting their objections and relevant information by the specified deadline. If valid alternative sources are identified, the university will withdraw the sole source certification and pursue a competitive procurement process. Otherwise, the university will seek approval from the Public Procurement Review Board to proceed with the purchase. The procurement is managed by Jeff Wells from Procurement Services, and additional details can be accessed through the provided online link.