USM SSP 27_012 Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase of Level Access.

Docusign Envelope ID: 780AD4E3-87A9-8788-802B-A0648872521F
September 21, 2026
University of Southern Mississippi
Sole Source Letter

Docusign Envelope ID: 780AD4E3-87A9-8788-802B-A0648872521F
Re: Sole Source Justification for University of Southern Mississippi
To Whom It May Concern,
Please find below justification for the sole source purchase of services from Level Access, a provider of
comprehensive digital accessibility software, services, training, testing, and accessibility maturity consulting.
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) requires a unified solution that enables the institution to assess,
manage, remediate, and continuously improve the accessibility of its digital properties, including websites,
web applications, online learning resources, and digital content. Through the implementation of the Level
Access Platform (LAP) and the proprietary Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM), USM seeks to
establish an enterprise-wide accessibility program and achieve measurable progress toward digital
accessibility maturity.
Level Access' offering is uniquely positioned to meet these requirements for the following reasons:
* Comprehensive Accessibility Platform: LAP provides a single integrated platform that combines
automated scanning, reporting, remediation workflows, remediation tracking, training, knowledge
resources, and ongoing support. This eliminates the need for USM to procure and manage multiple
disconnected solutions.
* Proprietary Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM): Level Access provides exclusive access to
DAMM, a structured framework that benchmarks organizational accessibility maturity against industry
best practices and guides institutions through sustainable accessibility program development. No
comparable framework is offered as part of a comprehensive accessibility solution by competing
vendors.
* Integrated Automated and Manual Testing: The Level Access solution combines automated testing
technology with expert manual testing and functional testing performed by certified accessibility
professionals, including individuals with disabilities. This delivers a level of validation and real-world
usability insight not available through automated tools alone.
* Code-Level Remediation Guidance: LAP provides detailed technical findings and code-level
recommendations that assist developers and content creators in consistently remediating accessibility
barriers and preventing future accessibility issues.
* Enterprise Training and Knowledge Resources: The platform includes accessibility education,
knowledgebase access, and unlimited on-demand support through email and chat, enabling
continuous learning and broad institutional adoption across USM.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 780AD4E3-87A9-8788-802B-A0648872521F
* Accessibility Program Governance and Reporting: Level Access provides executive and operational
reporting capabilities that allow USM to monitor progress, prioritize remediation efforts, document
compliance activities, and measure institutional accessibility maturity over time.
A review of alternative accessibility vendors found that while other organizations may offer individual
accessibility products or services, no other provider offers the same combination of enterprise accessibility
management, proprietary maturity modeling, automated and manual testing, remediation management,
training resources, knowledgebase access, and unlimited on-demand support within a single integrated
solution.
Based on these findings, Level Access is uniquely qualified to fulfill the University of Southern Mississippi's
requirements. The proprietary nature of the Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM), together with the
integrated capabilities of the Level Access Platform (LAP), makes Level Access the only vendor able to provide
the comprehensive accessibility solution required by USM. Therefore, procurement of these services through
a sole source acquisition is justified.
Sincerely,
9/23/2026
Andrew Snyder
Chief Customer Experience Officer
Level Access
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