Notice End Date: May 11, 2026

Vendor Name: Tecniplast USA

Contract Amount: $103,984.01

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:

This purchase is justified as a sole source because Tecniplast zebrafish systems are fully compatible with the Aquatic Animal Research Laboratory’s existing aquatic housing infrastructure. We currently operate Tecniplast systems, and all tanks, racks, and components are interchangeable. No other manufacturer offers systems compatible with our existing equipment. This compatibility is critical for animal welfare and emergency preparedness. In the event of a system failure or emergency, tanks can be transferred immediately to other Tecniplast systems without moving or stressing the fish, ensuring continuity of care and minimizing risk of animal loss.  Facility staff are also already trained and experienced in the operation and maintenance of Tecniplast systems. Using the same manufacturer avoids the need for retraining, reduces the risk of error, and ensures consistent husbandry practices. Introducing a different system would increase operational complexity and risk.  For these reasons, this is a sole source.

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