Opportunity Overview
The University of Southern Mississippi is soliciting quotations from qualified suppliers for a complete, turnkey low-background high-purity germanium (HPGe) well detector gamma spectrometry system for installation in a university research laboratory. The solicitation is Bid 27-15, RFx 3160008273, Smart No. 9280-27-R-IFBD-00011.
Status and Deadline
USM lists the solicitation as current, and the controlling bid coversheet requires receipt by October 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM CT. Mississippi DFA also lists the RFx as Open with the same submission date and time.
Funding / Contract Value
No official maximum contract value or procurement budget is stated in the controlling documents reviewed.
Scope
The procurement is for a turnkey low-background HPGe well-detector gamma spectrometry system supporting radioisotope geochemistry, sediment geochronology, particle-flux studies, and assay of naturally occurring and anthropogenic radionuclides in marine sediment, suspended particulate, filter, and water-column samples. The selected supplier must provide all required hardware, shielding, signal-processing electronics, software and licensing, factory characterization, documentation, and technical support needed for routine operation.
Vendor Qualifications and Technical Requirements
Suppliers must demonstrate proven experience supplying well-geometry HPGe systems to low-level counting laboratories. The system must be new, currently in production, manufacturer-supported, and delivered as a mechanically and electrically compatible assembly. The bid specifies minimum detector efficiency, active volume, energy resolution, cryostat/dewar configuration, low-background shielding, signal processing, software, calibration, installation, acceptance testing, documentation, support, and service requirements. Equal or better substitutions may be proposed when clearly identified and technically justified.
Submission Requirements
The bid requires at least one signed original and one signed copy, plus a virus/malware-free electronic copy in the response package unless the University later requests an identical electronic copy. USM also permits electronic response through the Mississippi procurement portal. Responding suppliers must provide a total delivered price, itemized line pricing, estimated lead time for each major component, quotation validity of at least 90 days, disclosure of surcharges or adjustments, technical/application-support contacts, confirmation that parts and service will remain available for at least ten years, and a deviation table for any nonconforming item.
Acceptance and Optional Services
The solicitation requires factory test data, on-site acceptance demonstration, installed-system background-spectrum results, complete hardware/software documentation and safety data, with final payment contingent on demonstrated compliance. Optional items include on-site installation and performance verification, operator training, first-year service/support, and extended warranty coverage.
Eligibility, Match and Cost Share
This is a competitive procurement for qualified suppliers, not a grant. No non-Federal match or cost share is stated. Grant-style eligible-cost rules do not apply.
Contact
The bid identifies Amber Floyd as the buyer. Mississippi DFA lists Amber Floyd at amber.floyd@usm.edu and 601-266-4855.
Atlas Analysis
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The N9+ remote physical examination platform does not satisfy the specialized gamma-spectrometry system specification.
Dr. Miltie direct-vendor fit: 0/100. Atlas found no verified basis to represent Dr. Miltie as a qualified supplier of HPGe detector systems or the required specialized support.
Atlas Opportunity Score: 0/100 for direct pursuit. No Dr. Miltie bid is advanced.
Atlas Action
Published as verified Mississippi university procurement intelligence. No CRM Deal, WorkDrive pursuit folder, applicant record, follow-up task, or outreach is created because there is no legitimate Dr. Miltie direct-pursuit fit.
Official sources: University of Southern Mississippi Procurement and Contract Services current-bids page, official Bid 27-15 PDF, and Mississippi DFA procurement record for RFx 3160008273. Atlas verified September 18, 2026.