Trademark licensing management services

Coastal Carolina University (CCU), through the State Fiscal Accountability Authority's Division of Procurement Services, is seeking a contractor to provide exclusive worldwide trademark licensing management services. The selected vendor will manage CCU's portfolio of registered trademarks, words, phrases, and institutional marks, with key responsibilities including vendor development, royalty collection, merchandise compliance audits, and intellectual property enforcement. Offerors must demonstrate a minimum of five years of continuous experience in trademark licensing management for colleges or universities and provide references from at least three similar higher education clients, including those with NCAA Division I athletic programs. The procurement requires a comprehensive proposal with two components: a technical proposal detailing executive overview, organizational background, methodology, and a demonstration video of the proposed management system, and a separate business proposal outlining the royalty-sharing structure. Key deadlines include a pre-proposal conference on April 3, 2023, at 10:00 AM EST, written questions due by April 6, 2023, at 12:00 PM EST, and sealed proposals due online by May 2, 2023, at 11:00 AM EST. The initial contract period will span one year, from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2028, with four potential one-year renewals.

The procurement does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contractor must establish a web-based platform for artwork review, royalty tracking, and vendor status reporting, and will be required to perform quarterly audits of licensees while maintaining strict data security protocols. Historical financial data shows CCU's gross royalties have ranged from approximately $172,121 to $326,303 annually, with net royalties between $132,697 and $259,470. The current royalty structure maintains a 12% base rate, with advance royalties of $200 for apparel and $100 for non-apparel products. The selected vendor will be compensated through a percentage of gross royalties, which will be detailed in the business proposal, and must submit pricing as a percentage of gross royalties to be paid to CCU and a percentage retained as compensation for services. The contractor will be expected to meet quarterly with CCU licensing staff and demonstrate capabilities to expand the university's licensing and merchandising opportunities. Award notification is scheduled for June 14, 2023, with the potential for a five-year total contract period.