Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase – TCS SP8 FALCON Upgrade

The University of Mississippi is issuing a sole‑source procurement notice for a TCS SP8 FALCON upgrade to its existing Leica SP8 confocal microscope. The upgrade provides the electronic control and software needed to perform FLIM‑FRET imaging, a capability the university’s imaging core lacks. Leica Microsystems is the only vendor that can supply this proprietary upgrade; other manufacturers only offer complete new systems, which exceed the university’s budget. The university has negotiated the price to approximately $49 K (≈5 % of a brand‑new system) and is seeking objections to the sole‑source justification by September 28, 2026. If no valid objections are received, the purchase will proceed under the sole‑source authority. • Item: TCS SP8 FALCON upgrade (hardware + software) for Leica SP8 confocal microscope • Vendor: Leica Microsystems, Inc. (sole manufacturer) • Estimated cost: ~$49,000 (budget ceiling $50,000) • Reason for sole source: proprietary compatibility; no alternative upgrades exist • Deadline for objections/comments: Monday September 28 2026 10:00 am CT • Submission method: hand, mail, overnight, or email to [email protected] (cc [email protected]) • Contact: Jeff Wells, Procurement Manager (email [email protected], phone (662) 915‑7448)