SOLE SOURCE REQUEST TO PURCHASE Integrated Early Head Start/Head Start support model for ECE & operations.

Mississippi State University
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

256-047

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):

Integrated Early Head Start/Head Start support model for ECE & operations,

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:

Shine provides a fully integrated and proprietary system for Head Start/Early Head Start operations, curriculum, compliance & leadership development. We currently use Shine's curriculum in Harrison county, change or inclusion would create misalignment, disrupt program continuity, & pose compliance risks.

3. Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible source that can provide the required item(s):

Shine Early Learning is a division of Acelero, Incorporated and is the sole vendor that provides a comprehensive package for Head start/Early Head Start in both programmatic and compliance requirements as aligned by the Department of Health and Human Services-Administration for Children and Families.

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

$2,192,585.00 Other vendors can only provide rragmented or partial services which in turn forcing MSU/Head Start to bring multiple vendors leading to higher costs, duplicated work and documented risks of inconsistency and non-compliance

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:

The department reviewed various vendors and confirmed that others only offer isolated components (training, coaching, software). No other vendor early childhood vendors provide a fully integrated system.

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.