RFQ 2026-034 Commercialization Consulting Services

Agency:	University of Maine
State:	Maine
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services 541618 - Other Management Consulting Services
Posted Date:	Oct 21, 2025
Due Date:	Nov 21, 2025
Solicitation No:	2026-034
Original Source:	Please Login to View Page
Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
Bid Documents:	Please Login to View Page

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Administered by University of Maine System

Office of Strategic Procurement

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Commercialization Consulting Services

RFQ #2026-034

Issued Date: October 21, 2025

Response Deadline Date/Time: November 21, 2025, 11:59 p.m.

EST

Response Submission Information:

Submitted electronically to UMSResponses@maine.edu

Email Subject Line – DH: Commercialization - RFQ#2026-034

Response Contact Information:

Email: UMSResponses@maine.edu

Request for Qualifications – Commercialization Services

Dated: 10/21/2025

Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Definitions, Background, Purpose and Specifications................................................. 3

1.2 General Information ............................................................................................................... 6

1.3 General Submission Provisions ....................................................................................... 10

2.0 EVALUATION AND AWARD PROCESS............................................................................... 12

2.1 Evaluation Criteria................................................................................................................ 12

2.2 Award....................................................................................................................................... 12

2.3 Tie Bids.................................................................................................................................... 13

2.4 Negotiations ........................................................................................................................... 13

2.5 Award Protest ........................................................................................................................ 13

3.0 RESPONSE FORMAT REQUIREMENTS.............................................................................. 14

3.1 General Format Instructions.............................................................................................. 14

3.2 Response Format Instructions ......................................................................................... 14

Appendix A – University of Maine System Response Cover Page................................... 16

Appendix B – Debarment, Performance and Non-Collusion Certification...................... 17

Appendix C – Master Agreement ............................................................................................... 18

Appendix C1 – Evaluation Question(s) – Master Agreement ............................................. 28

Appendix D – Organization Reference Form .......................................................................... 31

Appendix E – Qualifications Statement ................................................................................... 32

University of Maine System RFQ

Rev. 08/16/2023

Page 2 of 32

Request for Qualifications – Commercialization Services

Dated: 10/21/2025

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Definitions, Background, Purpose and Specifications

1.1.1 Definitions

The University of Maine System will hereinafter be referred to as the "University."

Respondents to the document shall be referred to as "Respondent(s)” or

“Respondent”.

The Respondent to whom the Agreement is awarded shall be referred to as the

"Contractor."

The University of Maine System and other components of the University shall be

referred to as “Multi-Institution”.

1.1.2

Background

Overview

Established in 1968, the University of Maine System (UMS) unites six distinctive

public universities, comprising 10 campuses and numerous centers, in the

common purpose of providing quality higher education while delivering on its

traditional tripartite mission of teaching, research, and public service.

A comprehensive public institution of higher education, UMS serves more than

30,000 students annually and is supported by the efforts of more than 2,000 full-

time and part-time faculty, more than 3,000 regular full-time and part-time staff,

and a complement of part-time temporary (adjunct) faculty.

Reaching more than 500,000 people annually through educational and cultural

offerings, the University of Maine System also benefits from more than two-thirds

of its alumni population residing within the state; more than 123,000 individuals.

The System consists of six universities: The University of Maine (UMaine),

including its regional campus the University of Maine at Machias (UMM); the

University of Maine at Augusta (UMA); the University of Maine at Farmington

(UMF); the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), the University of Maine at

Presque Isle (UMPI); and the University of Southern Maine (USM). The System

also includes the University of Maine School of Law and the University of Maine

Graduate and Professional Center.

University of Maine

The University of Maine, founded in Orono in 1865, is the state's land grant and

sea grant university. As the state’s only public research university, UMaine has a

statewide mission of teaching, research and economic development, and

community service. UMaine is among the most comprehensive higher education

institutions in the Northeast with nearly 100 majors and academic programs. It

attracts students from Maine and 49 other states, and more than 60 countries. It

currently enrolls more than 11,400 undergraduate and graduate students who can

directly participate in research, working with world-class scholars. UMaine offers

more than 100 degree programs through which students can earn graduate

certificates, master's, doctoral or professional science master's degrees. The

university promotes environmental stewardship, with substantial efforts campus

wide aimed at conserving energy, recycling and adhering to green building

standards in new construction.

University of Maine System RFQ

Rev. 08/16/2023

Page 3 of 32

Request for Qualifications – Commercialization Services

Dated: 10/21/2025

1.1.3

Purpose

The University of Maine is seeking responses to provide commercialization

consulting services as defined in this document. This document provides

instructions for submitting responses, the procedure and criteria by which the

Respondent(s) will be selected, and the contractual terms which will govern the

relationship between the University and the awarded Respondent(s).

The University of Maine (UMaine) is seeking qualified consultants to support the

advancement and commercialization of university intellectual property and

research service offerings. As Maine's flagship research university, UMaine

generates significant innovations across multiple sectors including advanced

manufacturing, forest bioproducts, marine/blue economy, food & agriculture,

materials science, biomedical/biotech, and outdoor recreation.

This engagement represents an opportunity for experienced business

development professionals to leverage their industry networks and expertise to

create meaningful partnerships between UMaine's world-class research

capabilities and commercial markets.

Respondents should review 1.1.4 Specifications / Scope of Work of this

document to see the full Scope of Services/Products required.

The University is committed to providing increased access and opportunity to

diverse businesses include and not limited to: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and

Transgender Business Enterprise (LGBTQ+BE); Minority Business Enterprise

(MBE); Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVBE); Small Business

Enterprise (SBE); veteran-owned; service-disabled veteran-owned; HUBZone;

small disadvantaged business; women-owned; minority-owned; Veteran Business

Enterprise (VBE); and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE).

Though this document is primarily for the University of Maine, all campuses in the

University of Maine System must be afforded the use of this solution, with all the

same terms and conditions applicable to the various University locations.

1.1.4 Specifications / Scope of Work

Consultants will be engaged to support the University of Maine in

advancing commercialization of university intellectual property and

research service offerings. Activities include:

Market Development: Identify potential clients, licensees, strategic

partners, and investors across priority sectors aligned with UMaine

research strengths.

Business Development Outreach: Establish contact with decision-

makers at target companies and organizations; introduce UMaine's IP

portfolio and capabilities.

Deal Facilitation: Assist in structuring partnership, licensing, or sponsored

research agreements in coordination with UMaine's Office of Strategic

Partnerships, Innovation, Resources, and Engagement (SPIRE).

University of Maine System RFQ

Rev. 08/16/2023

Page 4 of 32

Request for Qualifications – Commercialization Services

Dated: 10/21/2025

Pipeline Building: Develop and maintain a qualified prospect pipeline with

status updates and progress metrics.

Market Intelligence: Provide feedback on competitive landscape, industry

trends, and opportunities for applied research and technology deployment.

Reporting: Submit regular progress reports on outreach, contacts made,

leads generated, and deals under discussion.

Compliance: Ensure all activities are consistent with UMaine's policies on

IP, conflict of interest, confidentiality, and state/federal regulations.

Engagement Structure

Compensation Model: Commission-based compensation only. Detailed

commission structure will be discussed with qualified candidates.

Work Arrangement: Remote engagement for US-based consultants, with

occasional travel to Orono, Maine as needed.

Duration: 12 months, with annual renewals as agreed upon by both

Parties.

Preferred Qualifications

Consultants should demonstrate:

Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success in technology

commercialization, licensing, or business development, preferably in

academic, government, and corporate research settings.

Sector Knowledge: Familiarity with industries relevant to UMaine's

strengths including:

•

Advanced manufacturing

•

Forest bioproducts

•

Marine/blue economy

•

Food & agriculture

•

Materials science

•

Biomedical/biotech

•

Outdoor recreation

Established Networks: Existing relationships with potential client firms,

licensees, and investors in the target sectors.

Business & Negotiation Skills: Experience negotiating licensing,

research collaborations, or partnership agreements.

Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the

ability to effectively convey technical concepts to industry audiences.

University of Maine System RFQ

Rev. 08/16/2023

Page 5 of 32

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

bid #	due date	due time	commodity	attachments	addenda
2026-034	21-Nov-2025	11:59 pm	RFQ 2026-034 Commercialization Consulting Services	No attachments available	No addenda file(s) available

RFQ 2026-034 Commercialization Consulting Services

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