Announcement of a Sole Source Purchase

An upgrade to the existing Startel Emergency system equipment is critical to the needs of campus security. The system provides a direct, two way emergency communication from the calling unit to either the University Police or the Campus Parking Services main office. This PBX system presently is comprised of nearly 1650 operating units. It includes outdoor emergency kiosks, indoor emergency calling units for elevator and washrooms and parking assist units (PAUs), which are located at the entrances and exits of surface parking lots and structures. The installation of these units has evolved over the past 5 years due to the expansion of the campus and the increased need and demand for campus security and services. These emergency systems that are located throughout the campus provide for improved safety, communication and service to the students, faculty, staff and the general public. Due to the age of the current system replacement parts are no longer being produced or have limited support. System upgrade is the only viable option to keep future reliability. We also are nearing system capacity, an upgrade will be the only option to expand.

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 Startel, 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.