Notice End Date: January 24, 2024

Vendor Name: Quantum Design MPMS3 SQUID Magnetometer with DC Scan and related accessories

Contract Amount: $598,210.00

Agency Procurement Manager: SC Young

Agency Procurement Manager Email: scy@clemson.edu

Agency Procurement Manager Telephone#: 864-656-2830

The Agency hereby provides notice that it intends to enter into a sole source contract per S.C. Code Ann. §11-35-1560 with Vendor for the following supplies, services, information technology, or construction:

Clemson University's Chemistry Department seeks to sole source a Quantum Design MPMS3 SQUID Magnetometer with DC Scan and related accessories.  The research program requesting this equipment focuses on designing and developing quantum materials – a special class of materials that display unique physical properties that cannot be explained by classical models. Developments in quantum materials could be a game changer for humanity by advancing science, technologies, environment conservation, national security, and healthcare.  However, it is challenging to characterize the physical properties of the materials, especially when approaching a quantum regime with very small magnetic moments. Thus, it requires a sensitivity of <1 x 10-8 emu and capabilities for measuring magnetic, resistivity, and optical properties as a function of temperature and magnetic field. It is believed that the MPMS3 SQUID is the only equipment that has the required sensitivity and capabilities.  Some manufacturers exist for just one or two of the desired options. However, no other manufacturer exists that incorporates all the options into a single instrument.  Quantum Design, Inc. is the sole manufacturer of the DC SQUID and the equipment cannot be purchased from any other reseller or distributor.  For these reasons, this is a sole source procurement.

Agency's justification for a sole source procurement may be viewed or immediately obtained at: Agency Procurement Manager (Listed Above)

PROTESTS:
Any actual or prospective bidder, offeror, contractor, or subcontractor aggrieved in connection with the intended award or award of this sole source contract, shall notify the appropriate chief Procurement officer in writing of its intent to protest within five (5) business days of the date this notice is posted. Any actual or prospective bidder, offeror, contractor, or subcontractor who is aggrieved in connection with the intended award or award of this sole source contract and has timely notified the appropriate chief procurement officer of its intent to protest, may protest to the appropriate chief procurement officer in the manner set forth below within fifteen days of the date this notice is posted; except that a matter that could have been raised as a protest of the solicitation may not be raised as a protest of the award or intended award of a contract.
A protest must be in writing, filed with the appropriate chief procurement officer, and set forth the grounds of the protest and the relief requested with enough particularity to give notice of the issues to be decided. The protest must be received by the appropriate chief procurement officer within the time provided above. Days are calculated as provided in S.C. Code Ann. § 11-35-310(13).

Any Notice Of Intent To Protest And Protest Must Be Addressed To: Materials Management Officer