Research and development services and related consultancy services

Tender description

The Open University's Research, Enterprise and Scholarship unit are looking to appoint a Commercialisation Support Organisation (CSO) that will assist the Research & Enterprise office in developing new opportunities with external organisations and exploiting IP generated across the University. The contract is for an initial period of 2 years and may be extended by the OU for a further periods of up to 1 year (3 years in total) at its discretion. The Open University's Research, Enterprise and Scholarship unit are looking to appoint a Commercialisation Support Organisation (CSO) that will assist the Research & Enterprise office in developing new opportunities with external organisations and exploiting IP generated across the University. A key aim of our Research and Enterprise Plan is to increase the commercialisation and exploitation of all forms of IP generated across the University. To achieve this, the OU will substantially increase the quantity and diversity of (i) collaborative R&D, (including consultancy and contract research) with organisations in the public and private sector, (ii) licencing of technologies to third parties, (iii) establishment of spin-out companies and social enterprises. The successful supplier will have specific experience in IP in the HE sector, patent searches and applications, market assessments for inventions, partnership development, business modelling, licensing negotiation, and spin-out and social enterprises. Please see the documents for further information. The contract is for an initial period of 2 years and may be extended by the OU for a further periods of up to 1 year (3 years in total) at its discretion. It is anticipated that the top three scoring bidders will be selected to participate in a presentation in June 2020 as a second stage of the tender evaluation process. The OU may withdraw this second stage, or hold presentations electronically, should circumstances dictate.