Commerce Awards $17.2M for Patent Services to Cardinal Intellectual Property Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,231,105 ($17.2M)
Contractor: Cardinal Intellectual Property Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2025-02-02
End Date: 2026-02-01
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $47.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) INTERNATIONAL SEARCH AND OPINION (PISO) SERVICES - BASE YEAR TASK ORDER AWARD
Place of Performance
Location: EVANSTON, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60201
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $17.2 million to CARDINAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INC. for work described as: PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) INTERNATIONAL SEARCH AND OPINION (PISO) SERVICES - BASE YEAR TASK ORDER AWARD Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, indicating a competitive process. 2. The award is for Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) International Search and Opinion services. 3. Services are categorized under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 4. The contract has a base year duration of 364 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract is firm fixed price, which is generally favorable for the government in managing costs. The base year award amount of $17.2 million appears reasonable for specialized intellectual property services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This suggests that while competition was sought, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of some potential sources before the final award.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure the government receives the best value and price for taxpayer dollars.
Public Impact
Ensures continued support for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's international patent processes. Supports innovation by facilitating the PCT application process for inventors and businesses. The services are critical for the global competitiveness of U.S. intellectual property.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature of services.
- Risk of cost overruns if scope expands beyond base year.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
- Awarded through a competitive process.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically related to intellectual property. Benchmarks for this sector vary widely based on specialization, but the award amount suggests a significant scope of work.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if this contract specifically targeted small business participation. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business impact.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of Commerce's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, implying standard federal procurement oversight. The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants closer examination for transparency and fairness.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential lack of transparency due to source exclusion.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical patent services.
- Risk of scope creep impacting budget.
- Limited information on small business participation.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-commerce, il, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $17.2 million to CARDINAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INC.. PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) INTERNATIONAL SEARCH AND OPINION (PISO) SERVICES - BASE YEAR TASK ORDER AWARD
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CARDINAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-02-02. End: 2026-02-01.
What specific criteria led to the exclusion of certain sources in this 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award?
The specific criteria for excluding sources are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions might be based on technical qualifications, past performance, security requirements, or specific capabilities not met by all potential bidders. A thorough review of the solicitation documents and award justification would be necessary to understand the precise reasons for exclusion.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar PCT PISO services awarded by other federal agencies or internationally?
Benchmarking this contract's price requires access to comparable contract data for PCT PISO services. Factors like service scope, duration, and provider expertise influence pricing. Without specific comparative data, it's difficult to definitively assess if $17.2 million for a 364-day base year is high or low. However, the firm fixed-price nature provides cost control for the government.
What is the potential impact on U.S. innovation and global patent filing if these services are not effectively delivered?
Ineffective delivery of PCT PISO services could significantly hinder U.S. inventors and businesses seeking international patent protection. Delays or errors in search and opinion reports can lead to missed opportunities, increased costs for corrective actions, and potentially weaker patent rights globally. This could reduce the competitiveness of U.S. intellectual property on the international stage.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1603 ORRINGTON AVE, EVANSTON, IL, 60201
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,231,105
Exercised Options: $17,231,105
Current Obligation: $17,231,105
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1333BJ23D00151001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-02-02
Current End Date: 2026-02-01
Potential End Date: 2026-02-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-18
More Contracts from Cardinal Intellectual Property Inc.
- Patent Cooperation Treaty — $193.4M (Department of Commerce)
- Patent Cooperation Treaty International Search and Opinion Services - Option Year ONE Task Order Award — $4.8M (Department of Commerce)
View all Cardinal Intellectual Property Inc. federal contracts →
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