The University has a need to conduct quantitative & qualitative marketing research, positioning & messaging strategy, student persona, marketing operations & communication analysis, and create a marketing plan. This is needed as the Grainger College of Engineering requires increased strategic marketing efforts, improvement of marketing operational structures and establish better coordination mechanisms across all units of the college. The end result of this will be a competitive strategy to elevate the programs reputation. 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 (vendor name). 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 universitys 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 Proprietary resources and tools, and specialization in higher education make Carnegie Dartlet the only vendor able to perform the work required.