Universities have a need to acquire ergonomic and sustainable products in their efforts to meet legislative and internal initiatives. Currently, there is only one furniture vendor that meets environmental certifications for all products, not just a select few and that vendor is Humanscale. Humanscale certifications are Sustainability: ANSI/BIFMA e3 / LEVEL 3, highest level attainable. Ergonomic: ANSI/HFES 100 Human Factors Engineering and BIFMA G! Ergonomic Guidelines. The end result of this sole source will be enhancing the amount of ergonomic/sustainable products available to universities. IPHEC, on information and belief, has concluded that only one vendor can meet its need or can meet the need economically. That vendor is Humanscale. IPHEC has provided detailed justification to support its conclusion as shown on the attached Sole Source Justification Form. Although IPHEC has presented this as a sole source procurement, we are seeking competitive information from firms with the capability of meeting the university's need (even if performed in a manner different from what has been presented) to contact us and provide sufficient information to show the need can be met. If we receive that information, the Chief Procurement Officer will offer a public hearing to consider the matter. Hearing information is described below.

The University has determined that this purchase is only economically available from this source because the item or service is copyrighted or patented and is not available except from the holder of the copyright or patent.