ACQ-26-1014_RFI.pdf

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

Office of the Chief Communications Officer (OCCO)

Request For Information

Communication Services Support

ACQ-26-1014

INTRODUCTION

The Government intends to utilize the Alternative Competition Method in accordance with the Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines (PTAG) 6.1.1 and the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(4)(A).

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Office of the Chief Communications Officer (OCCO) is conducting market research on securing media communication support services. The OCCO manages the USPTO's public affairs function and coordinates a wide variety of internal and external communications.

The Government will not utilize formal evaluation criteria for market research associated with PTAG 6.1.1. The Government will review responses to determine which vendors are most likely to successfully meet the agency’s requirements for Communication Services.

DISCLAIMER AND NOTICE REGARDING CONTRACT

AWARDS

This RFI is issued for market research, information and planning purposes only. This document is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quotation (RFQ), or a promise to issue a RFP or RFQ in the future. 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 or attachments. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.

Participation in this process is strictly voluntary. No entitlement to payment will arise as a result of the submission of a response to the RFI or the response to any questions that the USPTO may ask as a result of the submission. The UPSTO will not incur or reimburse any costs for the submission of responses or activities associated with the preparation or response to this RFI, including responses to any follow-up information or action requested by the Government.

Responders are advised that the USPTO is not liable for and will not pay for any information or direct, indirect, or administrative costs incurred in responding to this RFI. The USPTO has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned, but will be handled in accordance with applicable proprietary markings.

The USPTO may use the results obtained from this RFI to support one or more future procurements. Additionally, the USPTO may use the results obtained from this RFI to make a small business set-aside determination. This means that if you are a small business and you are able to provide the content described below, your response may be critical in determining whether to set aside any future requirement in part or in total for small businesses. Any small business provider of the content described in this document is strongly encouraged to respond to this RFI. A Unique Entity Identifier and an ACTIVE SAM registration is a requirement to have your response reviewed.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Response Package:

The USPTO requests capability statements submitted in one PDF file from vendors who are able to provide products which meet the objectives described below on pages 4-6 of this RFI. There is a 10-page limit but no formatting or other restrictions on your response other than the cover page, and you may include charts, diagrams, video links, and any other information that you wish in the response. Please include three (3) past performance references in your response. Please note that a generic capability statement response is not helpful and will not be reviewed.

The capability statement shall include a Cover Page: Please include the following information on your cover page:

• Business/Organization name, address, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

o See above that a UEI and active SAM registration is required in order for your response to be reviewed

• Name of vendor representative alternate, and their associated titles and contact information (inclusive of telephone numbers and email addresses);

• Vendor website address

• Indicate if your firm is a large, small and include any applicable socio-economic status such as woman-owned, veteran-owned, 8(a) * include the date of the SBA 8(a) expiration or HUBZone. If you are not a small business please include "OTSB"

• If listed on GSA, provide GSA contract number(s).

• Geographical location(s) of company and employee(s)

In addition, please provide written responses to the 12 questions provided in Attachment #1.

Responses on each tab are limited to a charter count of 1,750 per each question’s response.

Attachment #1 is separate from the 10-page limit listed above. Please submit the attached Non-Disclosure Agreement as well.

Questions related to this RFI are due to the below listed individual no later than 5/7/2026 12:00 PM EST to Contracting Officer, Joy.Pitts@uspto.gov

Submission: Please submit your responses to the following individuals by the date and time listed below: Joy Pitts, Contracting Officer, Joy.Pitts@uspto.gov

Submission Date and Time no later than 5/13/2026 12:00PM EST

Objectives:

The USPTO is performing market research for professional media communication services which may include, but are not limited:

• Drafting media strategies and communications plans for USPTO;

• Drafting press releases and media advisories;

• Supporting media relations and coordinating interviews, when applicable;

• Monitoring media coverage and providing reports;

• Producing content for social media, USPTO staff communications, and USPTO internet postings;

• Training for USPTO staff on social media, communication strategies, and other related topics; and

• Assessing USPTO’s communication skillsets and performing a gap analysis to determine needed skillsets.

The key areas of expertise are noted below:

1. Strategic Communications Advisory Support

• Provide advisory support on communications strategy related to Patents, Trademarks, and other Intellectual Property (IP) and Agency-related general and targeted topics;

• Provide advice and proposals on message framing, tone, and sequencing to ensure clarity, neutrality, and consistency with USPTO institutional voice; and

• Assist in translating USPTO objectives into communications approaches appropriate IP and public audiences.

2. Publishing, Distribution, and Calendar Guidance

• Advise on the timing and coordination of communications based on experience and research; and

• Provide guidance on sports media norms, access considerations, and communications cadence.

3. Event Coordination Support

• Support planning and execution for live and virtual USPTO Hours;

• Provide coordination support for USPTO presence at IP and other events related to

USPTO’s mission, including logistical sequencing and communications readiness; and

• Assist with run-of-show planning and message alignment for live events.

4. Community Engagement Communications Support

• Provide communications advice and proposals related to USPTO community engagement, education, and outreach activities;

• Advise on messaging that supports USPTO campaign-based engagement while maintaining appropriate posture for a federal institution; and

• Assist in aligning communications with USPTO Community Engagement Office activities.

5. Message Testing and Refinement, as requested by offices within USPTO

• Review and provide feedback on draft communications materials, including:

o Recognition letters and announcements o Event descriptions o USPTO Hours promotional language

• Stress-test materials for clarity, accuracy, and audience understanding.

6. Stakeholder and Media Coordination Support

• Assist with identification and mapping of relevant USPTO and IP stakeholders;

• Provide coordination support for media interactions and photography/videography initiatives, as requested;

• Support preparation for anticipated media or public inquiries;

• Conduct content audits using publicly accessible USPTO.gov pages and flag outdated webpages;

• Create content briefs and page-level outlines for new or revised pages; and

• Improve content for better search engine and artificial intelligence optimization.

7. General Account Support

• Establish and maintain a lightweight reporting cadence (weekly/bi-weekly) that documents progress, outputs, and forward-looking opportunities so the client has clear deliverables/metrics even as priorities evolve (e.g., optional speechwriting or sports activation); and

• Provide project management support to team where needed: meeting scheduling, ensuring information is shared and communicated to appropriate parties, ensure team is aware of deliverables each week and keeps projects within agreed upon timelines.

8. Data Analytics

• Analyze exported survey data provided by staff and produce insight reports;

• Analyze exported analytics reports and translate findings into plain language summaries and recommendations;

• Develop a recurring reporting template so feedback analysis is standardized over time;

and

• Review peer agency website structures and best practices.

9. Audiovisual

• Provide motion graphics / animation capabilities on a project-by-project basis;

• Handle video editing tasks;

• Manage content flow into the digital asset management system (DAM);

• Handle DAM content inquiries; and

• Provide overflow support for social media graphics and general design tasks, as needed.

Attachment #1 11 Questions:

No. Question

1 How big is your firm or organization?

2 Are there any functions listed in the RFI that your firm or organization would not be able to execute? If so, what are they and why?

3 Where is your firm or organization located? Where are the employee(s) located?

4 Do you contract web work to an outside web developer or do you support this function in-house?

5 Has your firm or organization worked with web developers in the past to create a microsite (or one-issue website)? If so, please explain.

6 Has your firm or organization worked on policy issue campaigns before? If so, please give 3-5 examples.

7 How many employees would you assign to this campaign if USPTO decided to hire your firm or organization?

8 How does your firm or organization measure whether or not a campaign is successful?

9 Does your firm or organization have a nation-wide presence, as opposed to a localized/regional presence?

10 Is your firm or organization currently in possession of stage-of-the-art equipment and materials to undertake all of the functions listed in the RFI?

11 Would your firm or organization be able to supply personnel resources on campus in Alexandria, Virginia?

12 Describe how your firm is organizationally structured to include key roles;

• Communications Strategist

• Social Media Support Lead

• Communications Support Lead

• Communications and Media Monitoring Lead

• Audiovisual Support Lead

Exhibits

1. Questions

2. Non-Disclosure Agreements

Exhibits