The Large scale structural testing planned at High Bay Structures Laboratory requires hydraulic actuators to mimic loading due to wind, earthquake etc. Hydraulic pump and hardline distribution system will allow UIC faculty to accelerate the transition of innovative structural systems and materials to practice by providing mid-scale testing capabilities. In addition to the research component, the purchase of the equipment will have a strong educational impact on civil and materials engineering students. Students will have hands-on and real life experiences to validate the theories they learned in the classroom and will have the opportunities to visualize structure deformation and failure modes.

The university, on information and belief, has concluded that only one vendor can meet its need or can meet the need economically. That vendor is MTS Systems, Inc. The university has provided detailed justification to support its conclusion as shown on the attached Sole Source Justification Form.

Although the university 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.

All sole source hearings under the jurisdiction of the Chief Procurement Officer for Higher Education will be conducted by tele-conference only until the in-person option is reinstated.

The University has determined that this purchase is only economically available from this source because the compatibility of equipment, accessories, replacement parts, or service is a paramount consideration.