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
I.1)Name, addresses and contact point(s)
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)
I.2)Type of the contracting authority
Other
I.3)Main activity
Education
I.4)Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities
The contracting authority is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities: no
Section II: Object of the contract
II.1)Description
II.1.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:
Patent attorney services.
II.1.2)Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance
Services
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
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
II.1.3)Information about a public contract, a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system (DPS)
The notice involves the establishment of a framework agreement
II.1.4)Information on framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
maximum number of participants to the framework agreement envisaged: 6
Duration of the framework agreement
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
II.1.5)Short description of the contract or purchase(s)
Aston University is inviting tenders for the provision of Patent Agency services.
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.
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.
II.1.6)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
79120000
II.1.7)Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): no
II.1.8)Lots
This contract is divided into lots: yes
Tenders may be submitted for one or more lots
Tenders may be submitted for one or more lots
II.1.9)Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: yes
II.2)Quantity or scope of the contract
II.2.1)Total quantity or scope:
Lot 1 IP Management (protection licensing and advice).
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.
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.
II.2.2)Information about options
Options: no
II.2.3)Information about renewals
II.3)Duration of the contract or time limit for completion
Starting 1.8.2012. Completion 31.7.2016
Information about lots
Lot No: 1 Lot title: IP management (protection, licensing and advice)
1)Short description
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.
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
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
2)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
79120000
3)Quantity or scope
4)Indication about different date for duration of contract or starting/completion
5)Additional information about lots
Lot No: 2 Lot title: Fee payments (renewals, national phase entry and validation fees)
1)Short description
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.
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.
2)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
79120000
3)Quantity or scope
4)Indication about different date for duration of contract or starting/completion
5)Additional information about lots
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1)Conditions relating to the contract
III.1.1)Deposits and guarantees required:
III.1.2)Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them:
Invoices must state the official Aston University order number. In the event that this is omitted, a revised invoice will be submitted stating the correct order number and payment terms will commence from receipt of the revised invoice.
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.
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.
III.1.3)Legal form to be taken by the group of economic operators to whom the contract is to be awarded:
III.1.4)Other particular conditions
III.2)Conditions for participation
III.2.1)Personal situation of economic operators, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: All agencies are required to complete a mandatory supplier questionnaire which covers all areas of general company information, financials, policies, enforcements and prosecutions, references, sub-contracting etc.
III.2.2)Economic and financial ability
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: All agencies are required to provide financial information as part of the mandatory supplier questionnaire, Aston University also reserves the right to utilise third party credit referencing agencies to assist in the assessment of a companies financial and economic viability against the contract.
III.2.3)Technical capacity
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met:
Full details and questions are outlined within the ITT and tender pack.
Full details and questions are outlined within the ITT and tender pack.
III.2.4)Information about reserved contracts
III.3)Conditions specific to services contracts
III.3.1)Information about a particular profession
Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession: no
III.3.2)Staff responsible for the execution of the service
Legal persons should indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff responsible for the execution of the service: no
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1)Type of procedure
IV.1.1)Type of procedure
Open
IV.1.2)Limitations on the number of operators who will be invited to tender or to participate
IV.1.3)Reduction of the number of operators during the negotiation or dialogue
IV.2)Award criteria
IV.2.1)Award criteria
The most economically advantageous tender in terms of the criteria stated in the specifications, in the invitation to tender or to negotiate or in the descriptive document
IV.2.2)Information about electronic auction
An electronic auction will be used: no
IV.3)Administrative information
IV.3.1)File reference number attributed by the contracting authority:
EU/093/0112/PA
IV.3.2)Previous publication(s) concerning the same contract
no
IV.3.3)Conditions for obtaining specifications and additional documents or descriptive document
Time limit for receipt of requests for documents or for accessing documents: 27.4.2012
Payable documents: no
Payable documents: no
IV.3.4)Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
3.5.2012
IV.3.5)Date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
IV.3.6)Language(s) in which tenders or requests to participate may be drawn up
English.
IV.3.7)Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.3.8)Conditions for opening tenders
Date: 3.5.2012
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1)Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Approx 3/4 years.
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Approx 3/4 years.
VI.2)Information about European Union funds
The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
VI.3)Additional information
VI.4)Procedures for appeal
VI.4.1)Body responsible for appeal procedures
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.4.2)Lodging of appeals
VI.4.3)Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained
VI.5)Date of dispatch of this notice:23.3.2012