Trademark licensing management services

The State Fiscal Accountability Authority (SFAA), Division of Procurement Services, is soliciting proposals for Trademark Licensing Management Services on behalf of South Carolina State University, specifically targeting Pickens County. The procurement seeks an exclusive licensing agent to manage the university's intellectual property, including trademarks such as the University Seal, Running Bulldog, Block "S," and Circular Logo. Key responsibilities for the selected contractor include conducting on-site audits of licensees, approving merchandise samples, providing legal services for trademark infringement, collecting quarterly royalty fees, and maintaining a web-based system for artwork review and royalty tracking. Mandatory qualifications require a minimum of five years of continuous experience in trademark licensing management for colleges or universities, with current representation of at least three Division I NCAA institutions. The solicitation timeline included a pre-proposal conference on March 26, 2019, with questions due by 4:00 p.m. that same day, and proposal submissions required by April 22, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. The contract is structured for an initial one-year term beginning July 1, 2019, with four optional one-year renewal periods extending through June 30, 2024.

The solicitation does not include specific set-aside designations for minority or disadvantaged businesses, nor does it provide preferences for in-state vendors. The university's current licensing program has generated annual gross royalties ranging from $34,218 to $42,243 over the preceding seven years, with an existing vendor base of 147 approved manufacturers and distributors detailed in Attachment A. Contractors must obtain necessary business licenses in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and procure comprehensive liability insurance with limits of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. The procurement requires submissions including a technical proposal with detailed organizational background, methodology, expansion approach, and client list, alongside a separate price proposal detailing the proposed percentage split of gross royalties between the university and the contractor. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the proposal requires vendors to demonstrate their capability to expand the licensing program with projected yearly growth percentages. The solicitation allows for potential negotiations on contract terms following initial evaluation, with compliance required under South Carolina's Consolidated Procurement Code.