USPTO Customer Survey RFI QandA - ACQ-24-INV.pdf

Questions Answers 1 Is the project mentioned above is considered as a potential new requirement or is there an incumbent?

This is a new requirement.

2 If there are incumbent vendor(s), would you be able to provide the contract details (such as: Vendor Name, Contract Number, Award and end dates, total contract value)?

See answer to Q1.

3 Is an estimated value available for this potential requirement? Is it greater than $250K?

The anticipated value of this procurement is from $525K to $600K.

4 Could the government confirm the total population of inventors named on patent applications?

Yes, the broadest concept of a population for this effort could be all inventors named on patent applications. However, due to data and budgetary limitations, the population for the survey will be narrower. It will only include inventors with a valid U.S. mailing address as provided on the Application Data Sheet. Furthermore, the population will likely be narrowed to a small number of filing years. So, for instance, one population definition that would fit these criteria is: all US‐based inventors with valid addresses who were named on patent applications filed in fiscal years 2022‐2023. Note, that the precise definition of the population is not settled and is subject to approval and clearance processes such as those required by the Paperwork Reduction Act.

5 In section 4 (Information Request) on page 2 of the RFI, the instructions mention a template titled Attachment 1 for feedback on the SOW. Can the government please provide the aforementioned Attachment 1?

Please see the updated RFI document in SAM which deletes references to Attachments.

6 Can the government provide more specifics on the data analysis and visualizations needed?

The analysis of the survey response data should include consistency and error checks both as part of the online survey instrument and as part of the data “cleaning” and validation steps after the survey is closed. Visualizations such as tables or bar charts could be used to present statistics on records affected by consistency and error checks. Further, data analysis on the cleaned and validated survey database will include, but is not limited to, calculations of alternative metrics of response rates, levels and percentages for responses to specific questions. Illustrations could be standard pie, bar, line graphs, and other more modern variants of data illustration (e.g.,. Sandkey diagram) that shed light on aspects of the survey responses, including the participation incentive and analyses of non‐response bias.

USPTO Customer Survey RFI Questions & Answers ‐ ACQ‐24‐INV

7 The RFI mentions “population and characteristics identified by USPTO.”, Can the government clarify what characteristics are needed or currently in use today?

As this is a new program, no characteristics are currently in use to stratify the population of US‐based inventors named on patent applications. The most obvious characteristics would be geography and technology strata; however, as we suspect certain demographic groups are underrepresented in the inventor population, additional strata may be defined using whatever information is available on demographics (see Appendix II in OCE’s 2019 Progress and Potential [https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Progress‐and‐Potential‐ 2019.pdf] report for an example of gender information). The precise stratification variables and sampling design for the survey will be determined as part of the work with the potential contractor as well as with the Federal oversight experts such as those in the Office of Management and Budget.

8 Would the government consider online or emailed invitations instead of physical mail?

The contact information we have is solely mailing addresses.

9 Does the government have a list of inventor mailing addresses to share for the mailed invitations?

Yes

10 Would the government be open to using a technology platform already in use by USPTO as the software?

Yes

11 Section 6.1.1/Page 4 ‐ Although the RFI indicates the USPTO will provide characteristics for stratifying the population, are there any specific inventor subpopulations of particular interest or priority that the survey should definitely be able to report on (e.g., women, minorities, veterans, small entities)?

Good question; however, it cannot be answered without incorporating other factors such as the viewpoint of the Office of Management and Budget, the final budget available for the survey, and the feasibility of identifying subpopulations as part of the survey design. These aspects cannot be fully described as this time.

12 Section 6.1.1/Page 4 ‐The RFI mentions that the sampling methodology should have "sufficient power to identify the characteristics of important sub‐populations, including under‐represented groups." Can the USPTO clarify if they have any specific expectations or requirements around sample size, margin of error, or statistical power for the overall survey and key subgroups?

Sample size will be a function of the budget and other considerations related to statistical power such as the “effect size” that one can detect at a given significant level. We expect to use conventional values for statistical significance levels for Type I and Type II errors. Having said this, there are no predetermined requirements or restrictions on sample size, margin of error, or statistical power.

These aspects cannot be fully described as this time and will be determined in collaboration with the potential vendor, the Office of Management Budget, and others.

13 Section 6.2.1/Page 5 ‐ Can the USTPO clarify if the anticipated survey mode is web‐only?

Yes, the data collection will be accomplished through a web‐based interface. Other communications will be through physical mail.

14 The RFI references a formatting template included in Attachment 1 on page 2, first paragraph of section 4. With no attachments seemingly posted on SAM, can you please share Attachment 1?

Please see the answer to Q5.

15 Under section 4.2, the RFI references Attachment 2 (another template).

With no attachments seemingly posted on SAM, can you please share Attachment 2?

Please see the answer to Q5.

16 Given that referenced attachments were not released with the RFI, would it be possible to extend the deadline to Wednesday 6/5/24 at 11:00 a.m.?

Yes

17 What is the anticipated budget for this work? See answer to Q4.

18 The RFI states in multiple places that the response should be limited to 6 pages (1 page devoted to corporate background information such as size, address, DUNS, etc.) and 5 to relevant Technical Experience. There is an additional section for “Statement of Work Feedback,” but can you please clarify whether this falls within the 6 page limit or is this a separate section?

Statement of work feedback is not part of the six page limit. Additionally, see the answer to Q5.

19 Does a cover page (if included) count towards the page limit? No