Illinois Procurement BulletinPublic Institutions of Higher Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
SoleSource #1JEZ26206822879

Announcement of a Sole Source Purchase

Award Info Published Monday November 10, 2025

Advanced Research Systems IncMacungie, PA

  • Amount: An estimated $149,471
  • Terms: One-time transaction

Summary

Vendors

1 total
0 BEP vendors
0 VBP vendors
0 Small businesses

The University award process may be delayed as this award goes through a state approval process.

This notice has been modified
Published Monday, November 10, 2025
The hearing has been cancelled
Published Wednesday, October 29, 2025
The hearing has been cancelled since no vendors registered to attend or submitted comments regarding this notice.
First published Tuesday, October 14, 2025
The University awarded a contract for Close-cycle low temperature vacuum probe station to Advanced Research Systems Inc, Macungie, PA, for an estimated $149,471.
The University has a need to purchase a close-cycle low temperature vacuum probe station. This is needed for research to develop new materials and computational paradigms for beyond silicon electronics and that resarch requires a cryogen-free vacuum probe station. The end result of this will be the ability to characterize the electronic transport properties of functional nanomaterial building blocks. 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 Advanced Research 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.
The University has determined that this purchase is only economically available from this source because the items are required for research and no other source is able to meet the researcher's documented needs.

For instructions on how to obtain a comprehensive purchase description, disclosure or contract forms, contact:
Joan E. Zocher
212 Illini Plaza
1817 S. Neil Street
Champaign, IL 61822
Phone: (217) 300-0546
FAX: (217) 239-6877
Purchasing Website
Chief Procurement Officer - Bridget McHatton
State Purchasing Officer - Catherine Bradbury

We will hold a public hearing at the date, time and location specified below, if we receive a request to testify regarding the sole source determination. We will also hold a hearing if any vendor submits a signed statement showing the capability to provide the stated supplies/services at or below the amount indicated.

The public hearing allows any interested party the opportunity to testify for or against the sole source determination as described in this notice. The purpose of the hearing is to receive information from the public in a reasonable manner. Formal rules of evidence will not apply. The hearing officer will produce minutes of the hearing and may record it in order to aid in the production of the minutes. After conclusion of the hearing we will decide whether the sole source determination was appropriate.

We must receive any request to testify and any vendor statement no later than the registration date and time indicated below. If we do not receive a timely request or statement, we will not hold the hearing. We reserve the right to cancel the procurement prior to any scheduled hearing. Please confirm the status of the hearing with the Hearing Contact.

Hearing Details

Date:
October 29, 2025
Time:
9:00 AM
Location:
IL

Hearing Contact:
Catherine Bradbury
Phone: (217) 993-2327
E-mail:Catherine.Bradbury@illinois.gov
Additional Information: All sole source hearings under the jurisdiction of the Chief Procurement Officer for Higher Education will be conducted by teleconference only until the in person option is reinstated.
Date, time, and location are subject to change and/or cancellation. It is the responsibility of potential participants to confirm these details prior to attendance.

Registration

Registration Deadline:
October 24, 2025
Register with:
Catherine Bradbury
Phone: (217) 993-2327
E-mail:Catherine.Bradbury@illinois.gov

The State of Illinois has a policy to encourage prospective vendors to hire qualified veterans, minorities, females, persons with disabilities and ex-offenders.

Documents

To obtain any of the following documents, please log into your Bulletin account.

Sole Source Justification

  • 1JEZ26206822879.pdf (864 KB)

Sole Source Justification Part 2

  • 1JEZ26206822879Pt2.pdf (105 KB)
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