The Utah Procurement Code provides that a procurement may be made without competition when the University determines that there is only one source that can reasonably meet the University’s need for the required supply or service, as described in Utah Code Ann. § 63G-6a-802.
The Purchasing Department has received the following request for sole source procurement
Product and/or Service to be purchased: Museum exhibition showcase
Sole Source Supplier: Click Netherfield
Earliest Proposed Purchase Date: April 18, 2024
Buyer Name: Ryan Harvey
Sole Source Justification:
NHMU requires an exact replica of its existing collections cases to accommodate a collection of valuable baskets woven by Indigenous peoples. The glass museum exhibit display cabinets, with associated environmental seals, hinges, locks, shelving, and other hardware, were originally purchased from Click Netherfield in 2011. Initially designed, engineered, fabricated, and installed by Click Netherfield, the cases are using a patented and proprietary showcase system that cannot be replicated by external suppliers. Moreover, the manufacturing records associated with these cases are safeguarded as intellectual property assets, prohibiting their sharing with third parties. This case must precisely replicate those previously constructed by Click Netherfield for NHMU's permanent collections. This not only ensures consistent exhibition design and artifact preservation and care requirements but also maintains the interchangeability of all the Museum’s cases for when exhibits need to be moved or new collections are attained and displayed.
The University proposes purchasing from Click Netherfield. Estimated transitional costs of $4.6 million are considered unreasonable and/or cost prohibitive.