The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has received a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) equivalent to US$ 67 million and a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) equivalent to US$ 33 million (total US$ 100 million) toward the cost of Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Operation functioning under the Ministry of Education.

The AHEAD Operation is based on three results areas.

1. Increasing Enrollment in Higher Education in Priority Disciplines for Economic Development
2. Improving the Quality of Higher Education
3. Promoting Research, Development and Innovation

Under the Promoting Research, Development and Innovation Results Area of the AHEAD program there will be different types of support: (a) Development Oriented Research (DOR) grants for research activities leading to publication and dissemination of research; (b) Research, Innovation and Commercialization (RIC) grants for research and innovation activities leading to intellectual property (IP) such as patents and copyrights, and the promotion of university-business linkages for the commercial development of these IPs by private sector firms and companies; (c) Innovation Commercialization Enhancement Grants (ICE); and (d) development of the policy and enabling environment for research, innovation and commercialization activities by universities and research institutions.

A Consulting Firm with a track record in undertaking protection of the intellectual property is required to enhance the patent portfolio of universities under the AHEAD operation.

The AHEAD Operation intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this loan and credit to eligible payments under the contract for which this Request for Proposal is issued. Estimated Patents to be filed – 05 Nos. Refer to Terms of Reference (TOR)

View

1. Purpose and Objective of the Consultancy:

The main objective of the assignment is to provide the consultancy service to the University of Kelaniya to prosecute the Intellectual Property of the University of Kelaniya arising from the research conducted by the University researchers. A Consulting Firm with a proven track record on undertaking protection of the intellectual property is required to provide the necessary support for the researchers to protect their innovative research work.

2. Qualification & Experience of the Consultancy firm

• The Consultant should have at least 10 years’ experience and track record on filing Patents, Industrial designs, Trademarks and copyrights successfully. State any international filing entities such as at USPTO, EPO, JPO, KIPO and filing of PCTs.
• Consultant should identify a team consisting of a key expert for overall coordination and other experts from a wide variety of disciplines under STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) research areas, the team members should have the following qualifications, relevant skills and experience. Professionals with,

Educational & Professional

1. A Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science (Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, Microbiology) or equivalent qualifications related to the field from a recognized university/institution.
2. A Bachelor’s degree in Physical Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology or equivalent qualifications related to the field from a recognized university/institution.

Experience

1. At least 5 years of experience in patent drafting.

3. Shortlisting Criteria

1. Experience of the firm in Intellectual property field: No. of Years
2. Experience in producing new patent reports: No. of patent reports generated within the last 05 years

• The number of clients where the consultancy firm supported in producing new patent reports within the last 05 years

1. Key Expert - Coordination: Number of years of experience in managing the work in relation to IP management
2. Expert/s for generating new patent reports: No. of Available Experts with Skills and Competencies to produce new patent reports

Relevant documents shall be included in the Expression of Interest (EOI) to justify the above information specified under the Section 03 Shortlisting Criteria.

4. Conflict of Interest

Prospective Consultants shall refer and adhere to Section 1.6 – Conflict of Interest of the document on Standard Request for Proposals on Selection of Consultants under the National Procurement Agency - 2007 December.

5. Invitation to Submit Expression of Interest

The Chairman, Committee B – Selection of Consultant, now invites qualified eligible Consultancy Firms to indicate their interest in providing the service.

Interested Consultants must provide their EOI indicating that they are qualified to perform the services specified in the TOR. They may obtain further information from the contact details below between 9.00 am – 3.30 pm on working days.

6. Method of Selection

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Guidelines 3.12 - Consultant’s Qualification Selection (CQS) of the NPA Guidelines on Selection and Employment of Consultants – 2007 August.

7. Submission Details

Duly completed Expression of Interest, one original and one copy must be delivered under sealed cover by registered post or courier service to the address below by 2.00 pm, 22.09.2022 Please indicate “EOIs for Consultancy Service to Prosecute Intellectual Property of the University of Kelaniya” on the top left-hand corner of the envelope.

Chairman

Committee B – Selection of Consultants

Operations Technical Secretariat (OTS)

Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Operation

University of Kelaniya

Dalugama, Kelaniya

Phone: +94 11 2903132/0777445406 Ext. 183/179

Fax: 011-2914476

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

08.09.2022