USM SSP 27_002 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of SeaSonde Antenna Repair.

USM SSP 27_002 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of SeaSonde Antenna Repair.
http://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Bid
RFx: 3150006944
Comments/objections will be received as required per Section 31-7-13 (C) of the Mississippi Code until
8:00 a.m. (Central Time) on August 13, 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:
Jacob Cochran
Director of Procurement & Contracts 118 College Dr. Box 5003 Hattiesburg, MS 39406
bids@usm.edu
Phone: 601-266-4131
Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection USM SSP 27_002"
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: 7/27, 8/3

The University of Southern Mississippi
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
SSP 27_002
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 to repair the antenna
system:
Loopstick Antenna Board (25MHz)
Dome Antenna Top Cover
Delrin Outer Flange set for Dome Antenna
Antenna Holder Backing Ring
(2) 25 MHz T/R Dome Antenna Whip 8 ft (25MHz)
2. What efforts were made by the Agency to determine that the proposed provider is the
only entity that can provide the commodity needed?
The SeaSonde Combined Transmit-Receive Antenna (or separated SeaSonde
Transmit Antenna and Receive Antenna pair) supplied as part of each SeaSonde
Radar Unit is specially designed to be compatible with SeaSonde electronics and
automated diagnostic software. Replacement and use of any other transmit and/or
receive antenna that is not constructed and tuned identical to that supplied by
CODAR Ocean Sensors will produce different measured values in automated
monitoring and diagnostics functions that render those measurements useless in
the course of ongoing system monitoring and maintenance. This would also
impair the integrity of the radar system and remove its capability for automated
diagnostics, and may even cause damage to the electronics. It is therefore
important for the SeaSonde Radar Unit system integrity that any required
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The University of Southern Mississippi
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
SSP 27_002
replacement part be guaranteed compatible which can only be purchased from
CODAR Ocean Sensors, Ltd.
3. What efforts were made to ensure the best possible price for the commodity was
obtained?
USM currently operates eight CODAR stations along the Gulf Coast; Destin,
Florida, Orange Beach, AL, Singing River, MS, Gulfport, MS, Pass Christian,
MS, Waveland, MS, Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River, LA and Port
Fourchon, LA. All of the stations currently are operating with equipment from
CODAR Ocean Sensors. The original purchases for six of these sensors were sent
to bid and the only bidder was CODAR Ocean Sensors. The other two stations
were purchased by Fugro from CODAR Ocean Sensors and Fugro is in the
process of donating those stations to USM.
4. Why is the commodity the only one that can meet the needs to the Agency?
The commodities requested are parts of the CODAR station which were damaged
by lightening. This request is for the replacement of those specific parts that were
damaged.
5. Why is the amount expended for the commodity reasonable?
The cost of the required items is $19,519 and the prices are consistent based on
previous sole sourced equipment from CODAR Ocean Sensors. This is a
reasonable amount to spend for these specialized items.
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The University of Southern Mississippi
Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase
SSP 27_002
Advertisement Schedule Date
1st scheduled 7/27/26
2nd scheduled 8/3/26
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 by August 13, 2026, 8:00 AM CST, to:
Jacob Cochran
Director of Procurement & Contracts
Jacob.Cochran@usm.edu
Subject Line must read "Sole Source Objection 27_XXX "
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.
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