- Please visit our Current ITNs page to view all current ITNs.
- Please visit our Past ITNs page to view ITNs which have previously been issued by FFSP.
ITN Process Outline: Click Here
What is an ITN?
FFSP, Inc. and FAES utilizing the ITN process in cultivar licensing
Newly developed cultivars, experimental lines, and plant germplasm are routinely approved for release through the University of Florida's Florida Agricultural Experiment Station (FAES). Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc.(FFSP), as a not-for-profit corporation and direct support organization of the University of Florida, is continuously seeking full-service companies to be strategic production and marketing cooperators in commercialization of a diverse portfolio of newly developed plant cultivars.
On high value crops, there are usually several companies that express interest in an opportunity for an exclusive license for improved plant cultivars. The ITN is a process which enables FFSP to fairly and objectively evaluate all commercial proposals and effectively identify superior companies to deliver new cultivars to the public. In return, the company will provide royalties back to FFSP to reinvest in the breeding and development of new improved cultivars at the FAES.
Principles
The three principles of the ITN process are as follows:
- What is good for the State of Florida and its people?
- What is good for the University of Florida and UF/IFAS?
- What is good for the breeding program and the breeder(s)?
The ITN process encourages an open engagement of all interested parties. Companies, organizations, and individuals submitting either proposals or comments to the ITN will be evaluated consistently and fairly by a review committee comprised of staff members of FFSP and expert faculty advisors from FAES. The use of the ITN is triggered when a commercial entity communicates its wishes to engage in a new business opportunity for contracting plant germplasm or a plant cultivar by a limited exclusive license arrangement.
On the other hand, standard term non-exclusive licenses for released cultivars are also commonly awarded to multiple qualified companies or individual growers over a wide region. Non-exclusive licenses (multiple award of license) generally are not required to go through the ITN process. Examples of crop cultivars receiving standard non-exclusive licenses may include coleus, caladium, blueberry, peanut, peach, and plum.
Through the ITN process, FFSP strives to secure the company that best meets the needs of the State of Florida, UF/IFAS, and the FAES breeding program. Responders to the ITN will be evaluated using a consistent methodology, allowing review team members to weigh core elements and objectively evaluate multiple proposals. The ITN specifications objectively guide critical responses in a proposal and are designed to explore the projects commercial scope for a sustainable business, consistent with the necessity to deliver FAES plant breeding products and technology to the public. The ITN questions interested parties to briefly describe their prior experience and current business model. Respondents are asked to describe a plan of action concerning the new business opportunity. The ITN also requests details of marketing and production plans which will successfully deliver a sound commercial operation and ensure that sustaining royalties are returned to support the FAES breeding program. Initiation of an ITN and the participation by a company in an ITN process does not mean a license will be eventually awarded; only that responsive companies will receive consideration and a fair evaluation of proposals submitted.
At the conclusion of the ITN process, it is everyone’s hope that most details can be mutually agreed upon, resulting in an award of a license to a qualified and successful commercial enterprise.
Note: This document is intended to provide general information only and does not obligate FFSP to use the ITN process in all cases or to award a license as a result of any ITN issued. Please refer to the terms and conditions of each ITN issued by FFSP for specific specifications and instructions.
