KMS_Training_and_Library_RFP_10.10.pdf

SOLICITATION, OFFER, AND AWARD 1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER UNDER DPAS

(15 CFR 700)

RATING

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

1333BJ20R00151002 SEALED BID (IFB)

X NEGOTIATED (RFP)

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED

10/10/2019

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

135P2001439

CODE 1333BJ

Office of Procurement US Patent and Trademark Office PO Box 1450-Mail Stop 6 600 Dulany St.,MDE, 7th Floor

ALEXANDRIA, VA 22313-1450

7. ISSUED BY 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SOLICITATION

14:00:00 11/08/2019

(Hour) (Date) CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions

9. Sealed offers in original and ____________ copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in ______________________________________________________ until ________________ local time _________________

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

A. NAME

Mark Motta, Contract Specialist

AREA CODE

NUMBER

270-0828

EXT.

B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS) C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

mark.motta@uspto.gov

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

(X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) (X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

X A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM X I CONTRACT CLAUSES CONTRACT

X B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH

X C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT X J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

X D PACKAGING AND MARKING PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

X E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE X K REPRESENTATIONS CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORSX F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

X L INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORSX G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

X M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARDX H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within _______________________ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

12.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT (See Section 1, Clause No. 52.232-8)

10 CALENDAR DAYS(%)

0.00 %

20 CALENDAR DAYS(%)

0.00 %

30 CALENDAR DAYS(%)

0.00 %

CALENDAR DAYS

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE

0.00

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS (The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS OF

OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN

OFFER (Type or Print)

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

AREA CODE NUMBER EXT.

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS IS

DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER SUCH

ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) ( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c) ( )

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: 23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

ITEM

CODE24. ADMINISTERED BY (if other than Item 7) CODE FINANCE1

OFFICE OF FINANCE

Dir. US Patent & Trademark Ofc PO Box 1450 Mail Stop 17 Alexandria, VA 22313

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. DATE

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 9-97)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)1

United States Patent and Trademark Office

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Training Support and Library Services

10/10/2019

Table of Contents

A Solicitation/Contract Form B Pricing Schedule C Statement of Work D Packing and Marking E Inspection and Acceptance F Deliveries or Performance G Contract Administration Data

Contracting Officer's Authority H Special Contract Requirements I Contract Clauses J List of Attachments K Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements L Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors

Factor A: Technical Approach Factor B: Management Plan Factor C: Past Performance

M Evaluation

Attachments

A Solicitation/Contract Form

See cover page.

B Pricing Schedule

The Contractor shall provide all labor required to support the tasks awarded under this contract, utilizing the labor categories and rates specified in Attachment 1 (Labor Categories Description and Rates). The following tables specify the maximum obligation of the Government. The labor categories and their descriptions are provided in Attachment 1.

CLIN

Base Year

Description Estimated

Qty Unit Total Not-to-Exceed (NTE) Ceiling Amount (Onsite)

0001 Training - Headquarters 123,872 Hours 0002 Training – Regional Offices 7,584 Hours 0002AA Dallas 0002AB Denver 0002AC Detroit 0002AD San Jose 0003 Regional Offices Training Support &

Travel 0003AA Training Support 768 Hours 0003AB Travel 1 Lot 0004 Library Services (STIC) 27,176 Hours 0005 Library Services (TMLL) 23,384 Hours 0006 Transition-In 360 Hours

Total Base Year (CLINs 0001 – 0006)

CLIN

Option Year 1

Description Estimated

Qty Unit Total Not-to-Exceed (NTE)

Ceiling Amount (Onsite) 1001 Training - Headquarters 123,872 Hours 1002 Training – Regional Offices 7,584 Hours 1002AA Dallas 1002AB Denver 1002AC Detroit 1002AD San Jose

1003 Regional Offices Training Support & Travel

1003AA Training Support 768 Hours 1003AB Travel 1 Lot 1004 Library Services (STIC) 27,176 Hours 1005 Library Services (TMLL) 23,384 Hours 1006 Transition-Out 360 Hours

Total Base Year (CLINs 0001 – 0006)

CLIN

Option Year 2

Description Estimated

Qty Unit Total Not-to-Exceed (NTE)

Ceiling Amount (Onsite) 2001 Training - Headquarters 123,872 Hours 2002 Training – Regional Offices 7,584 Hours 2002AA Dallas 2002AB Denver 2002AC Detroit 2002AD San Jose

2003 Regional Offices Training Support & Travel

2003AA Training Support 768 Hours 2003AB Travel 1 Lot 2004 Library Services (STIC) 27,176 Hours 2005 Library Services (TMLL) 23,384 Hours 2006 Transition-Out 360 Hours

Total Base Year (CLINs 2001 – 2006)

CLIN

Option Year 3

Description Estimated

Qty Unit Total Not-to-Exceed (NTE)

Ceiling Amount (Onsite 3001 Training - Headquarters 123,872 Hours 3002 Training – Regional Offices 7,584 Hours 3002AA Dallas 3002AB Denver 3002AC Detroit 3102AD San Jose

3003 Regional Offices Training Support & Travel

3003AA Training Support 768 Hours 3003AB Travel 1 Lot 3004 Library Services (STIC) 27,176 Hours 3005 Library Services (TMLL) 23,384 Hours 3006 Transition-Out 360 Hours

Total Base Year (CLINs 3001 – 3006)

CLIN

Option Year 4

Description Estimated

Qty Unit Total Not-to-Exceed (NTE)

Ceiling Amount (Onsite) 4001 Training - Headquarters 123,872 Hours 4002 Training – Regional Offices 7,584 Hours 4002AA Dallas 4002AB Denver 4002AC Detroit 4002AD San Jose

4003 Regional Office Training Support & Travel

1 Lot

4003AA Training Support 768 Hours 4003AB Travel 1 Lot 4004 Library Services (STIC) 27,176 Hours 4005 Library Services (TMLL) 23,384 Hours 4006 Transition-Out 360 Hours Total Base Year (CLINs 4001 –

4006)

Note 1: CLINs 0001, 0002, 0003, 0004, 0005 and 0006 and if options are exercised, CLINs 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3006, 4001, 4002, 4003 4004, 4005 and 4006:

• One (1), Full-time Contractor Employee (FTE) equals 1,896 hours

• The total estimated hours for each CLIN represents 12 months of support.

• Labor rates must be fully burdened (i.e. overhead, G&A, profit, etc.).

• The Government reserves the right to order all or any combination of labor categories Specified in Attachment 1, during the applicable period of performance.

• Offerors are to provide a completed Attachment 1 (Labor Categories Description and

Rates) for the Base and each option year. The labor categories provided are suggested labor categories only. Alternative labor categories may be proposed as long as capabilities are equivalent to the requirement. If proposing an alternative, Offerors are to show the proposed labor category next to the Government’s suggested labor category.

• Attachment 1 (Labor Categories Description and Rates) will be used to price the following task areas, which comprise CLINs 0001 through 0006, and corresponding option CLINs: (1) Training Support, (2) Training – Regional Offices, (3) Library Services for STIC and TMLL support and (4) Transition. Total cost for each CLIN shall not exceed the Total Cost proposed by vendor.

• Program Management hours are to be distributed at the discretion of the Contractor across all CLINs for the base and all Options.

• Attachment 1 (Labor Categories Description Rates) - The Government expects that each Offeror will allocate the hours to its proposed labor category in accordance to the Offeror’s underlying approach to fulfill the requirements outlined in the SOW for the base and all object years.

Note 2: CLINs 0003 (Regional Offices Training Support and Travel, and if options are exercised, CLINs 1003, 2003, 3003 and 4003

• Training Support: Sub-CLINs 0003AA, and if options are exercised, Sub-CLINs 1003AA, 2003AA, 3003AA, and 4003AA: On occasion, ITRP support for the opening of new academies may be needed in accordance with Section 5.1.

• Travel: Sub-CLINs 0003AB, and if options are exercised, Sub-CLINs 1003AB, 2003AB, 3003AB, and 4003AB: All travel outside the local commuting area(s) will be reimbursed to the Contractor in accordance with Federal Acqusition Regulations §31.205-46. The Contractor shall provide estimated travel costs to the COR in advance of scheduling trips. See Attachment 12. The estimate for travel related expenses must include: Air travel, local ground transportation, lodging, per diem, and miscellaneous expenses and incidentals. The Contractor shall receive written approval from the COR.

The USPTO will only reimburse the Contractor for travel costs incurred during the authorized travel period.

Note 3: Transition: The Government anticipates a 45 calendar day transition-in/transition-out period.

• CLIN 0006 (Transition-In): If Offeror does not intend to charge the USPTO, enter “NSP” under the “Not-to-Exceed Ceiling Amount for the Base Year” column.

• CLIN 1006, 2006, 3006 and 4006 (Transition-Out): If Offeror does not intend to charge the USPTO, enter “NSP” under the “Not-to-Exceed Ceiling Amount for all option periods” column. .

1.1 Labor Hour Pricing Rates

(a) Labor categories and rates set forth in Attachment 1, Labor Categories Descriptions and Rates, which represents fully-loaded hourly rates for each skill classification. Fully-burdened labor rates include all direct, indirect, general and administrative costs and profit associated with providing the required skill. The fully-burdened labor rates include all labor and labor-related costs, such as, but not limited to, the following list of representative labor-related costs: salaries, wages, bonuses to include stock bonuses, incentive awards, employee stock options, stock appreciation rights, employee stock ownership plans, employee insurance, fringe benefits, contributions to pension, other post-retirement benefits, annuity, employee incentive compensation plans, incentive pay, shift differentials, overtime, vacation time, sick pay, holidays, and all other allowances based upon a comprehensive employee compensation plan.

The use of uncompensated overtime is not encouraged. All hourly rates are based on a 40-hour work-week (ex. 1896 hours per year or in accordance with the Contractor’s Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Disclosure Statement), if available. The loaded hourly rates are ceiling price rates and the Contractor may, at its discretion, elect to propose lower hourly rates during the performance of this effort.

(b) Government Site Rates. The Contractor shall furnish fully-burdened Government site labor rates. The Government site rates shall only be applied for Contractor staff provided with government site office space.

1.2 Maximum Contract Limitation

The maximum cumulative ceiling value in this procurement is established at To Be Determined (TBD) at contract award. The contractor shall not make expenditures nor incur obligations in the performance of this contract that exceed the ceiling price specified herein, except at the Contractor’s own risk.

C Statement of Work

1. Statement of Work - United States Patent and Trademark Office Training and Library Services.

2. Objective

(a) The objective of this contract is to provide the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with Training and Library Services.

(b) The USPTO has a requirement for Training Support and Library Services to advance and enhance the provision of information and automation instructional support to Patents and Trademark employees in a virtual environment and in person.

(c) The USPTO maintains Regional Offices in the following cities: Dallas, Denver, Detroit, and San Jose. Each of these Regional Offices functions as a USPTO office, essentially providing the same services as the primary facility in Alexandria, VA. Unless otherwise specified within an individual task area, the place of performance shall be the USPTO in Alexandria, VA.

(d) This contract is for highly-qualified contract staff, with applicable technical skills, to team with federal staff carrying out innovative concepts/methodologies and industry best practices in support of the USPTO’s patent and trademark examination process.

3. Background

(a) For background on the USPTO mission, vision, and goals, see the USPTO 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/performance-and-planning/strategy-and-reporting.

(b) For information on the USPTO’s programs and the results of the agency’s programmatic and financial performance for fiscal year (FY) 2018, see the USPTO FY2018 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR), https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/performance-and-planning/uspto-annual-reports. The PAR includes staff levels for USPTO federal employees including patent examiners and trademark attorneys.

(c) For information on the USPTO organization and business units, see the Organizational Offices About Us, https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/organizational-offices, on the USPTO public website. This contract provides training and library support for three organizations within USPTO, background on each of these organizations below is provided in the following attachments:

(1) The Automation Training Services (ATS) Division (Attachment 2);

(2) The Scientific and Technical Information Center (STIC) (Attachment 3); and

(3) The Trademark Law Library (TMLL) (Attachment 4).

(d) The examination of patent and trademark applications results in the need for extensive information access and retrieval along with instructional support and training on how to use automated information systems, tools, and information resources. The USPTO utilizes a Contractor to provide this instructional and training support.

https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/performance-and-planning/strategy-and-reporting https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/performance-and-planning/strategy-and-reporting https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/performance-and-planning/uspto-annual-reports.

https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/performance-and-planning/uspto-annual-reports.

https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/organizational-offices

(e) To appropriately perform the process of examination of patent applications, Patent examiners require technology specific information dated earlier than the effective filing date of the patent application. Pre-application dated information, in this context, is referred to as “prior art.” Prior art can include United States (US) patents, foreign patents, published patent applications and related materials, and non-patent literature (NPL), which can be legal materials, journal articles, standards, manuals, books, conference proceedings, films, videos, images, web pages, and the like. USPTO’s information needs differ from the information needs of many other organizations served by technologically-oriented libraries that typically identify the most recent “state of the art” technology.

(f) Trademark Examining Attorneys review trademark applications and register or refuse marks for use in commerce. The Trademark Examining Attorney corps is organized into Law Offices (LOs). There are currently 580+ Trademark Examining Attorneys grouped into twenty-seven

(27) Law Offices that process applications across the spectrum of goods and services available for purchase in the United States. The Trademark Examining Attorney corps is expected to increase proportionally to mirror the increase of trademark application filings over the next five

(5) years.

(g) To appropriately perform the process of examination of trademark applications, Trademark Examining Attorneys review applications to determine whether they comply with all applicable rules and statutes. To assist Examining Attorneys in the process of application examination, the TMLL collects and provides legal, marketplace, and authoritative published information to be used as evidence in legal office actions.

4. Scope.

(a) The Contractor shall provide the following services:

Task Area 1: Training Services Task Area 2: Training - Regional Office Support Task Area 3: Library Services for STIC Task Area 4: Library Services for TMLL

(b) The Contractor shall provide the required services during regular operating hours (Monday - Friday) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) unless otherwise specified within the individual task areas.

(c) The Contractor shall furnish all necessary personnel, materials and services, (except as otherwise provided or specified) to perform the following requirements either on-site at the USPTO’s facilities or at a USPTO approved alternative work site (telework).

5. Task

5.1 Perform Training Services (CLIN 0001, and if options are exercised, CLINs 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001)

(a) Contractor provided instructors under this contract shall participate in an established USPTO training program, called the Information Technology Resource Provider (ITRP) program. The program primarily provides instruction, training, assistance, and one-on-one consultation/support to patent employees and other USPTO personnel. For historical reference, Attachments 6 and 7 provide a high-level overview of the types of training and assistance methods offered via the ITRP program during fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018.

(b) The USPTO’s greatest need is to provide instruction, training and assistance to patent examiners on workflow and desktop software/hardware tools, but ITRPs will also provide training and assistance to other staff within the USPTO and may occasionally provide demonstrations or presentations to visiting foreign patent examiners or, other USPTO visitors and groups at conferences and other functions on internal patents software.

(c) The ITRPs will deliver training and support for commercially available desktop products (such as Microsoft Office) as well as USPTO specific software/hardware. Contractor training on commercially available products will be ready to be delivered upon completion of the transition period. The Contractor will ensure that all requirements for training of USPTO custom software/hardware are met within four (4) months of the completion of the transition period.

(d) The requirement includes the development and delivery of training, including 508 compliant materials, that supports USPTO business goals using standard industry adult learning theories and innovative approaches, such as classroom/virtual interactive learning and student engagement, and ensuring that the instructions and support provided can be used by examiners to accomplish their work.

(e) The requirement includes the provision of instructional support activities, including but not limited to professional-level, instructional development (development of training and lesson plans); instruction (classroom, virtual and computer-based); training (development of materials needed to re-enforce instructional goals as determined by the Government); maintenance and contract management support activities related to the scope of this contract (reports to track and determine the success of the training). The requirements include providing instructional support activities for programs related to: USPTO business processes, internal proprietary automated systems, and desktop software (such as MS Office products). For a complete, but not exhaustive list of products support, please see Attachment 5 “List of Automation Tools” and Attachment 8 “Reporting and Deliverable Requirements”.

(f) Instructional support activities shall include formal and informal instruction, conducted both in-person, in a classroom or lecture setting, and virtually, via collaboration tools such as WebEx and Skype.

(g) The USPTO continually deploys and enhances examination-related automation tools to increase the efficiency and efficacy of the examining process and to encourage uniform examining practices. This reliance on automated systems generates an on-going need for instruction.

(h) These automation tools include an automated system that electronically accesses patent applications, in-house tools for searching US and Foreign Patents, tools to allow examiners to generate correspondence to applicants, case management tools, a variety of reference materials and internally developed manuals and aids in electronic hyperlinked form, and a standard suite of office automation products (primarily Microsoft-based).

(i) To effectively train on USPTO automation tools and desktop software, the Contractor shall possess a working knowledge and understanding of USPTO’s business processes. There are a broad range of skills required for the successful fulfillment of this requirement. The Government recognizes that not every instructor will be able to be expert in all areas (search systems, search strategy development, business legal practices, office automation, teleworking, technology expertise etc.). However, the Contractor is expected to fully utilize capabilities and to continually increase the knowledge base of each staff member in order to provide a professional, well-rounded and flexible team. Details on how this will be evaluated by the Government are provided with Attachment 9a “Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)”.

(j) In order to gain the skills and knowledge to provide and support this extensive instructional and training program, the Contractor shall continually train Contractor staff and update existing Contractor staff on changes to products or processes under the scope of this contract. The Contractor shall develop a schedule for training that will not hinder provision of instructional or other services required under this contract.

(k) In addition to the USPTO software and processes, the ITRPs also provide training on, and are expected to deliver expertise in training on commercially available products such as the full Microsoft Office suite. ITRPs will also provide training on how to develop structured search queries using Boolean logic and proximity operators on internal patent repositories using USPTO-created search retrieval tools.

(l) The USPTO currently uses the USPTO Learning Center for scheduling classes, student registration for classes and managing training logistics. The Contractor shall provide staff to assist with scheduling, handling training logistics, entering class data, reporting and closing classes in the Learning Center.

(m) The Office of Patent Training (OPT) was created to provide new and existing patent examiner training. At its busiest, OPT provides training to approximately 1,500 new examiners per year as well as continual training for the current 7,900 patent examiners in the corps.

(n) Teams of ITRPs will be required to be assigned to provide full-time lab support in-person and virtually. Labs for the Patent Academies are staggered so that one team can support labs for several academies to support instructional needs.

(o) The USPTO’s training programs are extremely dynamic programs with high-visibility throughout all levels of the USPTO. The resources devoted to this program must be closely managed to ensure the maximum utilization of resources. Success will be measured by efficacy, pro-activity, innovation and responsiveness as described in Attachment 9a “QASP”. To effectively operate in this dynamic environment, the Contractor must be able to quickly develop training needs assessments, learning objectives, create/deliver comprehensive instructional plans, design/develop/produce training materials for adult learners, deliver training, evaluate efficacy of training deliver and attainment of goals and then support the adult learners. The Contractor shall utilize all evaluation criteria to develop a process for continuous improvement leveraging the data in the most efficient and effective manner. In addition to training reporting performed on a regular cadence, as defined in the body of this statement of work, the Contractor must, quickly investigate, report to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)/Point of Contact (POC) and respond accurately to questions, and soundly resolve problems and issues related to the scope of this contract.

5.1.1 Perform Training Needs Assessment

(a) The Contractor shall perform a training needs assessment for all training courses regardless of duration, size of audience, or learning domain.

(b) The training needs assessment shall clearly define the USPTO business goal that the training supports. The training needs assessment shall also define the training activities needed to educate students in their work to achieve or support the USPTO business goal, and determine the learning characteristics of the students, as well as the recommended learning domain to achieve the most effective training environment. The assessment should define the full scope of learning activities to be developed by the Contractor including recommended instruction time, lesson plans and all training materials needed to provide quality instruction. The assessment should also identify alternative approaches, implementation strategies, risks to successful implementation of the training, as well as risk mitigation plans and strategies.

(c) The Contractor shall work collaboratively with the USPTO to investigate, identify, assess, analyze, and evaluate new, innovative or emerging instructional methods and technologies. The assessments shall involve the examination of current and emerging technologies for their effectiveness and potential to support USPTO customer needs.

(d) The Contractor shall prepare white papers and/or reports and provide presentations or briefings with supporting documentation to convey research results and support recommendations. The Contractor shall identify and recommend requirements for Government approval. No changes shall be implemented without prior Government approval.

5.1.2 Develop Learning Objectives

(a) The Contractor shall develop SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound) learning objectives that clearly define the activities, tools, and/or processes that the students must be able to accomplish upon completion of the training. All content, knowledge checks, case studies, and/or hands-on exercises performed during training shall only evaluate the students understanding of the stated objectives.

(b) All new Contractor Instructors will teach a class selected by the Government and evaluated for readiness to conduct a class as described in Attachment 9a “QASP”.

5.1.3 Create and Deliver Comprehensive Training Plans

(a) The Contractor shall develop comprehensive training plans to guide the execution, delivery, assessment, and control of the training. The training plan shall define the training objectives and scope and expand on the information included in the Training Needs Assessment and elaborate on the training activities that are planned to address the USPTO business needs.

(b) The Training Plan shall define the activities needed to implement the training program in the form of a work breakdown structure to include granularity regarding training design, development, training delivery, training schedule, resources required to implement and duration of each activity, including all closeout evaluation, analysis, reporting, and student support.

(c) The Training Plan shall identify the key groups, including the responsibilities for each group involved in the training process, who are accountable for the training and the success of the training program.

(d) The Training Plan shall include information on the approach, the rationale for the approach to include a clearly stated benefit and how the results will be measured in including but not limited to the following areas:

(1) Training syllabus/lesson plan that clearly denotes what the training will cover;

(2) Propose a communication plan including draft training announcements that provide information on how and when to register for training;

(3) Identify and provide training location(s);

(4) Identify and provide training schedule;

(5) Identify and propose the learning domain(s) and format for the training such as Virtual, Classroom, eLearning, Computer Based Training (CBT), Video, and Chat. The final decision on the learning domain and format will be the responsibility of the COR/POC;

(6) Identify and propose the training approach such as, lecture only, interactive, etc. The final decision on the training approach will be the responsibility of the COR/POC;

(7) Provide the plan for all logistics, including but not limited to technology, materials/handouts, visual aids, and if necessary Subject Matter Expert (SME) resources to be used;

(8) Identify how the student support will be provided and what it shall include, for example, lab, job aids or phone/virtual assistance. The final decision on the provision of student support will be the responsibility of the COR/POC;

(9) Identify and explain the training program and class duration (part of the overall schedule) to include the number of students to be trained, as well as the number of sessions to be delivered, by domain and format. The final decision on the training program and class duration will be the responsibility of the

COR/POC;

(10) Identify and provide the overall Contractor training program evaluation approach.

(e) All new Contractor Instructors will teach a class selected by the Government and will be evaluated for readiness to conduct training as described in Attachment 9a

“QASP”.

5.1.4 Design, Develop, and Produce Training Materials

(a) The Contractor shall design, develop, and produce training materials that focus on the learning needs of the students, function to meet the USPTO business goals and remain in scope of the stated learning objectives.

(b) The Contractor shall design training materials appropriate and engaging to adult learners, in that they should have immediate usefulness to the learners and shall allow complex concepts to be learned in the most effective manner possible. The design of the training materials should be varied and flexible enough to stimulate discussion and meet different adult learning styles.

(c) The Contractor’s design of the training materials shall support the learning domain(s) and format(s) of the training.

(d) The Contractor shall develop the training materials as designed to support the learning domain(s) and formats of training. Training materials must be developed in formats that are compatible with USPTO electronic document standards to include Microsoft Office Products, as well as Adobe Products from the Creative Suite to include but not limited to, Presenter, Adobe Illustrator, In-Design, Photo Shop, After-Effects and Premier.

(e) All instructional materials submitted by the Contractor shall adhere to the “USPTO Style and Graphics Guide” or other formatting requirements available on the USPTO Intranet. The USPTO Style and Graphic Guide was developed with Microsoft products in mind and will be made available to the Contractor after award. The final decision on templates for approved instructional materials will be the responsibility of the COR/POC

(f) The Contractor shall submit, for computer-based training (CBT) and video training, the script or speaker’s notes either embedded within the PowerPoint or sent as a separate attachment. The script or notes will be reviewed as part of the accompanying slide or screen. The final decision on the script will be the responsibility of the COR, Subject Matter Expert (SME) other Government Designates.

(g) The Contractor shall provide instruction and support through the development of CBTs, eLearning modules and videos to support agency instructional. At a minimum this shall include providing audio/voiceover services, working with content specialists to do screen/motion captures, development of visuals to enhance instructional delivery, quality review of products before delivery to the Government and overall project management to ensure quality products are delivered timely.

(h) The Contractor must be able to develop online training using software such as Camtasia, Captivate, Adobe, etc. and be able to provide voiceovers, developing videos and CBT.

5.1.5 Deliver Training and Support Learners

(a) The Contractor shall provide professional, customized assistance and instructional support to the USPTO to deliver instruction ranging from general orientation to in-depth training, dependent on the category or experience level of customers, based on specific training objectives. Instructional delivery is provided by a variety of means including one-on-one assistance, group assistance, classroom training, briefings, demonstrations, presentations, electronic learning methods, in-person visits, telephonically, virtual instruction via collaboration tools, CBT and other eLearning methods. Instructional needs will be determined by USPTO’s management and may vary based on software deployments or USPTO business practice needs.

(b) The Contractor shall provide professional in-person training both hands-on or lecture style, to USPTO staff either in a classroom setting or virtually via collaboration tools.

(c) Before conducting their first official training class, all Contractor instructors shall conduct a full class on a mutually agreed upon topic relevant to agency training and that will be rated to determine if the instructor is ready to provide instruction. A Government POC or federal designee will observe instructors either in-person or through online attendance for classes delivered virtually, and rate instructor performance based on criteria provided in Attachment 9a QASP evaluation form.

(d) The Contractor shall provide instructional support to USPTO employees who serve as the primary instructors to enhance presentations and briefings.

(e) The Contractor shall provide instructional support services to the Office of Patent Training (OPT) to support all aspects of patent business and legal examination processes.

This includes, but is not limited to: assistance and on-the-spot consultation on examination policies, laws and regulations; evaluating and updating all aspects of OPT training; and, act as a liaison between OPT, the Technology Centers (TCs) and the Office of Patent Quality Assurance (OPQA) with respect to patent training quality matters.

(f) The Contractor shall provide specialized instruction for search strategy development on all USPTO internally developed search software used by patent examiners and staff to retrieve references/citations for processing patent applications. This includes in-depth knowledge of patent classification systems and search syntax development utilizing Boolean operators, as well as other unique features specific to the USPTO internal proprietary search system(s). The Contractor shall provide assistance to customers (examiners) on the development, refinement and execution of customers’ search strategies to maximize the quality of search output through one-on-one assistance and group or classroom training.

(g) The Contractor shall plan, coordinate, and perform tasks associated with instructional administrative support. This includes support in planning, scheduling, and conducting training: checking classroom set-up; ensuring proper facilities and equipment are available, ensuring the set-up or storage of training aids; preparation of class exercises and evaluations; creating and distributing copies of instructional materials in physical and/or electronic formats, and preparing and distributing program announcements in physical or electronic formats.

(h) The Contractor shall provide a help service Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., ET, to ensure locally and remotely located customers can gain access to instructional staff and information specialists for assistance on automation tools workstations, and virtual tools. The Contractor shall provide in-person consultation/ assistance and a virtual help desk via a collaboration tool chatroom (Ask.An.ITRP Chatroom), and operate a physical telephone hotline (ITRP Hotline). The hotline and chatroom allows any USPTO employee who utilizes “collaboration” tools to connect immediately with an ITRP via audio, video and electronic communication methods to obtain assistance.

(i) The Contractor shall provide instruction, assistance and on-the-spot consultation on:

technology-related questions concerning the customer’s workstations and resources and systems used by the customer; effectively using the functionality of proprietary USPTO automation tools; new programs and/or newly developed or implemented systems;

training assistance with using equipment and software required for virtual collaboration in the agency’s telework programs; using commercially obtained software products (Microsoft or other vendor) and other similar commercial-of-the-shelf (COTS) products;

and search strategy development for the purpose of retrieving relevant references/citations for examining patent applications. The Contractor shall support the Examining Corps staff from each Technology Center and shall have subject matter expertise in a variety of engineering areas.

5.1.6 Evaluate Training

(a) The Contractor shall implement a multi-faceted evaluation program comprised of a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) utilizing survey data and feedback to measure the value, quality, effectiveness and the efficacy of the training delivered in meeting the stated USPTO business goal identified in the QASP, Attachment 9a. The evaluation program shall provide non-biased rating results that support action plans for change and improvement when needed. The criteria shall be constructed so that the responses are actionable and shall inform future training approaches, training design and delivery improvement, as well as overall training plan implementation strategy, instructor accountability and student engagement.

(b) The Contractor shall continually evaluate its instructors, materials and instructional processes for each learning domain and each phase of the training lifecycle. Examples of measurement instruments that are supported at the USPTO are surveys, training materials reviews and observation of instructional performance.

(c) The Contractor shall ensure that the training evaluation questions defined in the measurement instruments are designed to provide valuable feedback that can be translated and incorporated into instructional improvements. The Contractor shall leverage existing USPTO’s feedback mechanisms or recommend and implement additional other feedback mechanism upon approval by the Government. The Contractor shall maintain and monitor feedback mechanisms, classroom evaluations, electronic feedback mailboxes, feedback from USPTO organizations, and respond to queries and comments within the Contractor’s area of expertise, forward other queries and comments to the appropriate USPTO staff for response, track responses that are outstanding as well as responses that have been provided for all queries. The Contractor shall assess the effectiveness of feedback mechanisms, make recommendations to improve or enhance these mechanisms, and implement approved changes or enhancements.

(d) The Contractor shall maintain database(s) related to all instructional activities including, but not limited to: numbers of classes, attendance, training schedules, (including instructors, location, date/time and other training logistics), number of support assists, type of training/assists provided, topics, and method of delivery, audience and inputting feedback data. The Contractor shall evaluate the data gathered to identify, strengths and weaknesses in the instructional program to modify continuing or changing instructional needs, and trends as needed. The Government must also have access to the raw data.

5.2 Training – Regional Offices (CLIN 0002, and if options are exercised, CLINs 1002, 2002, 3002, and 4002)

(a) The USPTO may require the Contractor to perform some or all of the requirement listed under Section 5.1 at locations other than the Carlyle Campus in Alexandria, VA. Assistance shall be available at each Regional Office site from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at that location's local time Monday through Friday

5.2.1 Regional Office Training Support

(a) The Contractor shall work with the staff in the Regional Offices to provide the same level of service as expected in the Alexandria office. The following requirements will be utilized in support of the Regional Office effort: Lab Support (§5.1(n)) and Deliver Training and Support Learners (§5.1.5(a) – (i))

(b) The Contractor shall also provide additional support as needed to classes conducted by other Government staff and vendors.

(c) The Contractor shall provide Regional Office staff that recognize when questions should be referred to other experts such as USPTO IT staff, the USPTO Service Desk, or other Government staff.

(d)The Contractor shall provide Regional Office support for other USPTO training related functions including but not limited to, assisting other USPTO organizations with developing and providing customized training, assisting the OPT on new examiner training, assisting local and remotely located customers and participating in the ITRP Hotline (phone) and Ask.An.ITRP chatroom.

(e) The Contractor shall ensure that each Regional Office instructor is fully trained on a wide array of USPTO automation, desktop, telework, and Reasonable Accommodation (RA) tools prior to allowing that instructor to act as the lead trainer in that Regional Office. Instructors should be evaluated as competent trainers on each of the major automation tools.

(b) This above list is not all inclusive. The Contractor shall be notified in advance of the need to fulfill any additional requirements within scope via formal written communication.

5.3 Perform Library Technical Services for the Scientific and Technical Information Center Library (CLIN 0004, and if options are exercised, CLINs 1004, 2004, 3004, and 4004)

5.3.1 Cataloging and Information Organization

(a) The Contractor shall create and edit records for all library materials in the USPTO Integrated Library system (ILS) in the most current record format. The Contractor shall create, edit, load, and unload Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) records into various library systems. The Contractor shall evaluate, update, and maintain these records in accordance with policies and procedures provided by the Government upon contract award. The Contractor shall provide a monthly list of completed catalog records as described in the Attachment 9c, QASP.

(b) The Contractor shall organize, maintain, assess and update information resources daily, in all formats including, but not limited to, print, electronic and other media such a microfiche. The Contractor shall utilize in-house and commercially available library systems in the organization, documentation, and tracking of information resources.

(c) The Contractor shall collect, index, scan, upload, and maintain records for special collections into databases as directed by the Government. As determined by the USPTO, the Contractor shall perform additional information support activities, such as image scanning, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) analysis, bar coding, web page link maintenance, and cataloging resources for tagging.

5.3.2 Physical Collection Inventory and Maintenance

(a) The Contractor shall maintain the USPTO’s physical collection for the STIC library. The Contract shall organize, maintain, and inventory the USPTO’s physical collections, including assessing the integrity of the collections with respect to accessibility and usability.

(b) The Contractor shall provide recommendations of collection changes to the Government. Changes may include, but are not limited to: shifting (moving from one shelf to another within a collection); discarding; reassigning (changing collection location) of the physical collection. Upon Government approval of recommended change(s), the Contractor shall affect the change(s).

(c) The Contractor shall support the identification, development, and preservation of special print collections in accordance with USPTO policies and procedures. This may include identifying rare, unique, or deteriorating materials for conservation, storage, and digitization.

(d) Binding is the process of taking a run of issues for a specific journal and pulling them together into a single hard bound copy for the ease of maintenance and preservation. Print subscription content shall be batched together and boxed for UPS pick–up for delivery to the USPTO commercial binding contractor. The Contractor shall be responsible for processing and tracking materials that have been sent to an outside vendor for commercial binding. When required, the Contractor shall bind a journal in-house. Upon completion, bound journals are processed for incorporation into the USPTO collection. The Contractor shall complete a log of periodicals retrieved for binding as described in Attachment 9c, QASP.

5.3.3 Maintain Electronic Information Resources

(a) The Contractor shall continuously, evaluate, update and maintain uniformity of access to electronic information across all library systems, including knowledge bases, web scale discovery services, link resolvers and other information portals. As determined by the Government, the Contractor shall perform activities which may include, but are not limited to, reviewing, updating, uploading Knowledge Bases and Related Tools (KBART) files, maintaining subscription information, and troubleshooting access issues and configuring services. The Contractor shall work with outside vendors to troubleshoot and configure these files as required.

(b) The Contractor shall plan and implement USPTO approved enhancements and changes of current and future information resources, information/library systems, technologies, processes and methodologies. As determined by the USPTO, the Contractor shall upgrade existing library technologies, and shall develop plans to support existing library technology migrations for submission to the Government. Upon USPTO approval, the Contractor shall work with the outside vendor to execute the upgrade.

Additionally, the Contractor shall review and report on library technology changes, identifying impacts to the USPTO collections, and implementing USPTO approved changes to address these impacts.

(c) The Contractor shall maintain inventories of titles and metadata using library and web scale information systems, excel spreadsheets, and access databases. The Contractor shall report this information on an ad-hoc basis as requested.

(d) Responses to ad hoc requests should be received within a mutually agreed upon timeframe as determined by the complexity of the request. As determined by the Government the Contractor shall identify, investigate, analyzing, evaluating, and research new or emerging information resources, such as journals, magazines, databases, documents and other publications that may be used in the patent evaluation process.

Additionally, the Contractor shall track these information resources using USPTO-provided policies, procedures, and technology.

(e) The Contractor shall deliver a quarterly usage report on assigned subscriptions/publishers, providing usage for all identified subscriptions/publishers as described in Attachment 9c, QASP, by the 15th of the following quarter. (Example: The quarterly report reflecting Q1 data will be due January 15th). The Contractor shall deliver this information to support collection development recommendations.

5.3.4 Processing Physical Mail

(a) The USPTO receives mail containing books and periodicals to be added to the physical collection daily. The Contractor shall retrieve the print content daily from internal mailboxes located at the designated mailroom at Headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The Contractor shall locate the entry in the USPTO ILS, mark the entry as received, and prepare the book(s) or periodical(s) for the shelf, including but not limited to adding a barcode, adding the label, and sending the book(s) or periodical(s) to the appropriate location, i.e., the appropriate EIC or STIC main library. The Contractor shall complete a log of mail delivery times at each location upon entry as described in Attachment 9c, QASP.

(b) The USPTO receives additional print materials via the United Parcel Service (UPS) that is retrieved from the UPS Store located at 107 S. West Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314. The Contractor shall retrieve and deliver STIC and Trademarks mail for further distribution no later than 2:00 p.m. each day to the locations designated by the

COR.

5.3.5 Sequence Listing/Computer Readable Format…