AI helper
The University of Mississippi (UM) is proposing a sole source purchase for a technology platform to fulfill specific business requirements for the Mississippi Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Lender Network Initiative. This platform, fundme. ms, developed by Startup Space, LLC dba Economic Impact Catalyst (EIC), is described as the only system capable of meeting the department's needs for lender network coordination, borrower intake, multilender matching, support services, and analytics in a single integrated system. Alternatives would require integrating multiple separate platforms. UM has researched other companies and found the cost of EIC's integrated solution to be more reasonable than building a new system or combining other platforms. Interested parties who object to this sole source purchase must submit their objections by Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM Central Time. Submissions should include contact information, company website (if applicable), specific objections to the sole source certification, and a statement regarding the objecting party's capabilities. Responses can be delivered by hand, mail, overnight delivery, or email to ***@***. *. * with a CC to ***@***. *. *, referencing the sole source number. UM will not be responsible for delivery delays, and responses received after the deadline will be rejected. If UM determines that the commodity can be provided by another entity, the purchase will be submitted to an advertised competitive bid process.
The deadline for comments from objecting parties is Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM Central Time.
The bid notice does not explicitly state the award criterion for this sole source purchase, but it mentions that if UM determines the commodity can be provided by another entity, it will be submitted to an advertised competitive bid or selection process.
Interested parties must present specific objections to the sole source certification and provide a statement regarding their capabilities as related to this sole source certification request.
Comments will be accepted at any time prior to Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM Central Time.