Geographical Indications System Study

The mission of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is to foster innovation and competitiveness by providing high quality, timely examination of patent and trademark applications, guiding domestic and international intellectual property (IP) policy, and delivering intellectual property information and education worldwide. Geographical Indications (GIs) and trademarks offer producers in all countries, including developing countries, an opportunity to build brands and capture value through the use of intellectual property systems and licensing regimes. A key policy objective of USPTO is to advance a balanced approach to the protection of GIs. Some countries' GI regimes allow for the negative treatment of U.S. exports due to unbalanced and expansive GI protection under their system. In addition, international discussion of the benefits of GI protection has focused almost entirely on its role in fostering agricultural sustainability for developing countries, without much of an examination of the specific features of GI systems that actually increase farmer income. Thus, the USPTO has a requirement to conduct a Study of Geographical Indications Systems (GI Systems) of developed and developing countries, focused on fact-based national case studies of GI products that examine the specific attributes of the national GI system that contributed to the success or failure of GI products to capture increased income for agricultural producers. The study shall include the following: 1) Research the national GI systems of developed countries, of the European Union (EU), and developing countries of Africa, Asia, Caribbean, and Latin America. 2) Select at least ten case studies that illustrate, identify factors and analyze countries' promotion and branding of GIs or the lack thereof. At least five of these case studies should comprise examples involving GI products that have failed to capture increased income for agricultural producers. 3) Identify and analyze business models used in the promotion and branding of GIs, identifying the factors in each case associated with the success or failure of the GI product to capture increased income for agricultural producers. 4) Provide qualitative and quantitative market access information concerning the European champagne industry in the U.S. NAICS Code 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services is applicable to this procurement. The size category threshold for a small business is $15 million for this NAICS Code. The USPTO intends to negotiate and award a Firm Fixed Price contract with Light Years IP, 611 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Suite 261, Washington, DC 20003 for a period of six months (6 months) from the date of award, with an estimated value of $25,000. The anticipated award date is September 24, 2015. Based on its relevant experience, Light Years IP is the only vendor qualified to provide the required study at the level of quality and the required timeframe. As a result of USPTO's exemption from the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), the subject requirement is being procured using the Alternative Competition Method in accordance with the Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines (PTAG) and the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act, 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(4)(A). This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals.