Patent Technical Services (PTS)

The United States Department of Commerce seeks to broaden its understanding of the commercial marketplace in order to understand vendor capabilities and experience in processing, tracking and reviewing complex federal records. The USPTO has included draft Statement of Work (SOW) that outlines the requirements.

The Government contemplates utilizing 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 Request for Information (RFI) is intended as preliminary market information gathering which the USPTO will use to determine which vendor(s) is/are the most likely to successfully meet the agency’s needs and are thereby eligible to participate in an alternative competition. As a result of this market research, the solicitation will only be issued to the limited number of qualified vendor(s). Vendors that do not respond to the RFI will not be considered for the alternative competition, and will not be eligible to compete as a prime offeror.  Submission of an RFI response does not guarantee a vendor’s eligibility to compete for PTS.  This RFI is not a request for competitive proposals.

The Government will not utilize formal evaluation criteria for market research associated with PTAG 6.1.1. The Government will review RFI responses to determine which vendor(s) are most likely to successfully meet the agency’s requirements for Patent Technical Services (PTS). 

This RFI is not a solicitation and does not constitute a request for quotation or proposal. The USPTO is not seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals. There is no USPTO commitment or implied agreement or understanding as a result of Government action or inaction taken in response to the RFI or the accompanying documents. Telephone calls requesting a solicitation will not be accepted or acknowledged. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary. No entitlement to payment will arise as a result of submission of a response to the RFI. Any cost for submission of responses or associated activities are at the interested respondent’s risk and interested respondent’s expense. The USPTO is not liable for costs (direct or indirect) associated with the preparation, submission, or responses to this RFI, including any costs associated with the meetings, follow on questions or additional requests for information, if any. USPTO will not reimburse the respondent for any costs incurred with responding to the RFI.

12/2/2025: Included RFI Questions and Answers Attachment.