Patent attorney services
Aston University. UK-Birmingham: patent and copyright consultancy services
2012/S 61-099415
Contract notice
Services
Directive 2004/18/EC
Section I: Contracting authority
Aston University
Aston Triangle
Contact point(s): Central Procurement Team
For the attention of: Judith Hemming / Louise Stanwell-Jones
B4 7ET Birmingham
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +44 1212044396 / 1212044392
E-mail: purchasing@aston.ac.uk
Internet address(es):
General address of the contracting authority: http://in-tendhost.co.uk/astonuniversity
Address of the buyer profile: http://in-tendhost.co.uk/astonuniversity
Further information can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Specifications and additional documents (including documents for competitive dialogue and a dynamic purchasing system) can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Section II: Object of the contract
Service category No 27: Other services
Main site or location of works, place of delivery or of performance: Aston University, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
NUTS code UKG31
maximum number of participants to the framework agreement envisaged: 6
Duration of the framework agreement
Duration in years: 4
Estimated total value of purchases for the entire duration of the framework agreement
Estimated value excluding VAT: 1 072 000 GBP
Aston University wishes to appoint patent agents to provide services in respect of intellectual property (IP) management.
The tender will be split into two lots, tenderers may submit tenders for either, or both of these lots.
The contract period will be for an initial term of 3 years with the option to extend the agreement by a further year with effect from 1.8.2015.The performance of the agents will be monitored on a regular basis with formal reviews of performance being undertaken annually.
It is essential that suppliers responding to this invitation to tender are prepared to work in partnership; identifying areas where value for money may be achieved, sometimes at the cost of reduced spend by Aston University with suppliers.
79120000
Tenders may be submitted for one or more lots
It is expected that the successful agent will be able to offer expertise and provide intellectual property services in at least two of the research disciplines detailed in the full ITT.
The successful agents will be expected to ensure that all work performed under the contract is performed by a Chartered Patent Agent (CPA) or European Patent Agent (EPA) as appropriate. Where work under the contract is proposed to be carried out by persons who do not possess the above qualifications the prior written consent of the University must be obtained and the work should be directly supervised by a qualified CPA or EPA agent who can certify that the work has been carried out to a suitable standard.
Some of the work requires face to face discussions between the agent and the University inventors and therefore applicants should be prepared to visit the University as required.
Lot 2 Fee payments (renewals national phase entry and validation fees).
This lot is for an economic, responsive service in respect of renewals, national phase entry and validation fees.
It is expected that the successful suppliers will provide an automated system to enable Aston University to register renewals, national phase entry and validation fees. The supplier will notify Aston University when fee payments are due. There will also be a need to facilitate and arrange translation services, and make payments to patent offices in the UK and abroad. To have appropriate systems in place to invoice or make payments.
Information about lots
Lot No: 1 Lot title: IP management (protection, licensing and advice)
Some of the work requires face to face discussions between the agent and the University inventors and therefore applicants should be prepared to visit the University as required.
This lot is for a comprehensive service comprising of the following:
A) Drafting filing and prosecution of patent applications
Note – Aston is required to balance IP protection with the academic need to publish promptly. This means that occasionally instructions may be provided to our agents at short notice. The successful agent will be expected to be available to draft and file patent applications and provide intellectual property advice potentially at short notice (occasionally less than 48 hours) and will be expected to provide a reasonably fast turnaround time for all work that is instructed.
B) Provision of timely reminders of patent deadlines
C) Instruction of overseas attorneys
D) Intellectual property monitoring & searching
E) Handling of cases transferred from other agents
F) Patent assignments & licensing
G) Patent auditing
H) Advising on patent infringement & validity
I) Advising on UK & European patent law
J) Providing trade mark advice & registration services
79120000
It is expected that the successful suppliers will provide an automated system to enable Aston University to register renewals, national phase entry and validation fees. The supplier will notify Aston University when fee payments are due. There will also be a need to facilitate and arrange translation services, and make payments to patent offices in the UK and abroad. To have appropriate systems in place to invoice or make payments.
79120000
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
Unless otherwise agreed in Writing, payment for the Goods and/or Services will be made by the Buyer in respect of each invoice submitted to the supplier subject to these standards conditions of contract, at the end of the month following the month in which the invoice is received by the Buyer, (for example: if the invoice is received on 15th july the payment will be due by 31st august) unless specified otherwise on the settlement terms stated, and provided that a correct invoice is received.
Full details and questions are outlined within the ITT and tender pack.
Section IV: Procedure
Payable documents: no
Section VI: Complementary information
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Approx 3/4 years.
Aston University – Central Procurement Team
Aston Triangle
B4 7ET Birmingham
UNITED KINGDOM
E-mail: purchasing@aston.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 1212044396 / 1212044392
Internet address: www.aston.ac.uk/procurement
VI.5)Date of dispatch of this notice:23.3.2012