ACQ-26-9999_Question-Answer Attach._1.pdf

Number Paragraph / Page / attachment reference

Potential Offeror Comments/ Questions USPTO Response

1 N/A

The RFI states that USPTO intends to make a single firm-fixed-price award covering all three elements (Training Consultation for Program Revision, Development of eLearning Content, and Training Delivery Support Services). Would USPTO consider separating the requirement into multiple awards, for example awarding the Development of eLearning Content element separately from Training Delivery Support Services? This would allow firms with deep eLearning and Section 508 expertise to compete for that portion directly.

OPT- Yes, but it's envisioned that the consultation and eLearning elements would need close collaboration in order to effect the changes timely and effectively.

2 N/A For the eLearning conversion of 25 courses, will USPTO provide existing source materials (slide decks, facilitator guides, recordings) and dedicated subject-matter expert availability during the three-month development window?

OPT- Yes

Scope and award structure

1. The background section states that revised training program initiatives begin implementation in January 2027. Question 6 describes the scope as revising approximately 125 courses for implementation by that date. Does USPTO expect the contractor to perform the revision of all 125 courses, or to advise on a revision that USPTO staff and subject matter experts perform?

OPT - The contractor should both advise on revisions, as well as implement revisions as agreed upon with the USPTO. The USPTO will provide SMEs to guide the revision of any coursework.

Scope and award structure

2. Does USPTO intend to award the three elements separately? May a firm respond to one or two elements without prejudice to consideration for the others?

OPT- USPTO may consider awarding the three elements separately, but it's envisioned that the consultation and eLearning elements would need close collaboration in order to effect the changes timely and effectively. A firm may respond to elements without prejudice.

Scope and award structure

3. Are the 25 courses identified for eLearning conversion a subset of the 125-course curriculum, or additional to it?

OPT - A subset of the courses.

Scope and award structure

4. If the full curriculum cannot be revised by January 2027, does USPTO have a preferred sequence or priority order among the 125 courses?

OPT - The USPTO is seeking to have the full curriculum revised by January 2027, therefore, a preferred sequence has not been identified. Should phasing of the changes be necessary, prioritization will be provided by the USPTO.

Schedule and Government resources

1. What level of subject matter expert participation does USPTO plan to commit to content review, stated in hours per week? On engagements of comparable structure, three instructional designers draw ten to fifteen hours per week of client subject matter expert validation. At the volume described in this RFI, the corresponding commitment approaches fifty to seventy-five hours per week from October through January.

OPT - USPTO will provide SME expertise participation. Proposals should include estimated SME resource needs expressed in hours per week.

Schedule and Government resources

2. Will the subject matter experts assigned to content review be patent examiners or supervisory patent examiners carrying concurrent docket responsibilities?

OPT - SMEs will be a combination of experts with patent examination backgrounds and education experts.

Existing content and technical environment

1. Will USPTO furnish existing source files for the current courses, and in what authoring tools and formats? Is a course inventory available to responders?

OPT - Existing source files will be provided. Current authoring tools include PowerPoint, Word, Articulate, Adobe PDF, and recorded videos. A course inventory will be provided upon award.

Existing content and technical environment

2. Into what learning management system will eLearning content be deployed, and what SCORM or xAPI version is required?

OCAO - Cornerstone on Demand; SCORM 2004 4th edition

Existing content and technical environment

3. Does USPTO require a per-course accessibility conformance report or VPAT in addition to Section 508 and WCAG conformance in the content itself?

OCAO - yes, this is a Department of Commerce requirement

Existing content and technical environment

4. Are AI-assisted authoring tools permitted in development? Course content references patent applications and internal search tools, so please state what restrictions apply to entering Government content into AI services.

OCAO - Use of AI is reviewed and approved on a case by case basis. USPTO is the "innovation agency" and is evolving in its use of AI rapidly. It is suggested respondents not build their responses around possible restrictions but include whatever cutting edge AI tools they believe will best serve to fulfill this requirement.

Training delivery support

1. How many instructors does USPTO anticipate at each of the four training locations, and across what portion of the ten-week schedule?

OPT - The USPTO will look to the contractor's recommendations per part 1 of the contract - Training Consultation for Program Revision - to determine the number of instructors required and their schedule for support of training.

Training delivery support

2. Will contractor personnel require a security clearance, public trust determination, or background investigation? Please address personnel with access to case management tools and patent search tools specifically.

OAS-Public Trust determination and background investigation; not a security clearance

15 Acquisition Will prior intellectual property, patent examination, or patent prosecution experience be a mandatory qualification in a follow-on solicitation, or an evaluation factor? OPT - This may be part of an evaluation factor; however, not a mandatory qualification.

Requested

Information, Question 6

In the 'Requested Information' section, Question 6 mentions revising approximately 125 courses for implementation by January 2027. Given the anticipated October 2026 start date, can the Government clarify if all 125 courses must be fully revised and ready for delivery by January 2027, or if January 2027 marks the beginning of a phased rollout for the revised curriculum?

OPT - The USPTO is seeking to have the full curriculum revised by January 2027, therefore, a preferred sequence has not been identified. Should phasing of the changes be necessary, prioritization will be provided by the USPTO.

Development of eLearning Content / Program Timeline

Given the aggressive timeline of converting 25 courses into eLearning modules and revising 125 courses within approximately 3 months, what level of availability will USPTO Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) have for content extraction and review cycles? Additionally, is there an anticipated Service Level Agreement (SLA) for Government review turnaround times (e.g., 3 or 5 business days)?

OPT - USPTO will provide SME expertise participation. Proposals should include estimated SME resource needs expressed in hours per week. Formal SLA's are not anticipated at this time.

The contract itself will include measureable deliverableas and required quality assurances.

18 Program Timeline

With an expected start date in October 2026 and an implementation target of January 2027, what is the anticipated timeline for contractor personnel to receive necessary security clearances, PIV cards, and IT system access? Will any delays in Government onboarding processes be accommodated in the January 2027 implementation deadline?

OAS- the typical process will be 2-4 weeks depending on the responsiveness of the personell.

125-Course Revision

Scope

For the approximately 125 courses identified for revision, should contractors anticipate substantive instructional redesign across the entire curriculum, or does USPTO envision an initial assessment and prioritization process in which some courses may require more limited revisions?

OPT - It is possible that some courses require more revision than others. USPTO will provide prioritization based on contractor recommendation.

Relationship of eLearning Courses to the 125-Course Curriculum

Are the minimum 25 courses identified for conversion to eLearning expected to be selected from the approximately 125 courses undergoing curriculum revision, or should contractors treat the eLearning development effort as a separate body of work? OPT - The 25 eLearning courses are a subset of the 125 courses underoing curriculum revision.

Existing Training

Materials and Source Files

What formats are currently used for the existing curriculum, such as PowerPoint, Word, PDF, video, instructor guides, student guides, or existing eLearning files? Will editable source files be provided to the selected contractor or contractors?

OPT - Existing source files will be provided. Current authoring tools include PowerPoint, Word, Articulate, Adobe PDF, and recorded videos.

USPTO Subject Matter Expert

Availability

What level of access should contractors anticipate to USPTO patent examiners, attorneys, instructors, and other subject matter experts during curriculum review and eLearning development? Does USPTO anticipate scheduled SME review and approval cycles with defined turnaround times?

OPT - USPTO will provide SME expertise participation. SMEs will be a combination of experts with patent examination backgrounds and education experts. Proposals should include estimated SME resource needs expressed in hours per week. USPTO also anticipates scheduled SME review and approval cycles. Turnaround times are unknown at this time. However, the contract itself will include measureable deliverables and required quality assurances.

Legal and

Procedural Content Approval

Will USPTO Government SMEs retain final approval authority for the legal, patent examination, procedural, and policy accuracy of revised instructional materials and eLearning content?

OPT - Yes

IP and Patent

Experience Through Team Members

For the intellectual property, patent examination, patent prosecution, and legal training experience identified in the RFI, may respondents demonstrate relevant capability through proposed key personnel, subcontractors, or teaming partners, or is USPTO seeking this experience specifically at the prime contractor corporate level? OPT - USPTO is open to demonstrating relevant capability through various means.

LMS and eLearning Technical Standards

What Learning Management System or learning platform will host the resulting eLearning content? Are there required publishing or interoperability standards, such as SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, xAPI, or other USPTO-specific technical requirements?

OCAO - Cornerstone on Demand LMS; SCORM 2004 (preferred), AICC and xAPI (Tincan) courses up to 2 GB per file

Section 508 Testing and Acceptance

Does USPTO have an established Section 508 testing, documentation, validation, and acceptance process that contractors will be expected to follow for eLearning modules and supporting instructional materials?

OPT - Yes

January 2027

Implementation Milestone

Does the January 2027 milestone require final Government acceptance of all approximately 125 revised courses and the minimum 25 eLearning modules, or may development, review, and acceptance continue in phases while implementation of completed training products begins in January 2027?

OPT - The USPTO is seeking to have the full curriculum revised by January 2027, therefore, a preferred sequence has not been identified. Should phasing of the changes be necessary, prioritization will be provided by the USPTO.

Training Delivery

Staffing Model

For Training Delivery Support Services, does USPTO anticipate that contractor instructors will supplement existing USPTO instructors, provide primary delivery responsibility for designated courses, or provide end-to-end instructional coverage for the redesigned training program?

OPT - USPTO is considering proposals that provide the full range of training delivery services, from supplemental to end-to-end coverage.

Projected Training

Volume

For staffing and capacity planning purposes, can USPTO provide the anticipated number of Patent Training Academy cohorts, approximate number of students per cohort, and expected number of concurrent training sessions during the anticipated period of performance?

OPT - Currently USPTO is planning for 8 cohorts, with no more than 150 students per cohort, with 2 training sessions running concurrently.

Award and

Workstream Structure

The RFI states that USPTO anticipates making a firm-fixed-price award to one or more firms.

Does USPTO anticipate that individual awards may address separate elements of the requirement, such as Training Consultation, eLearning Development, or Training Delivery Support Services, or should each respondent demonstrate the capability to perform all three elements?

OPT - USPTO has not made any determination on a procurement strategy at this time or on any preferences, but it's envisioned that the consultation and eLearning elements would need close collaboration in order to effect the changes timely and effectively.

Existing Training

Materials and Source Files

For the approximately 25 courses anticipated for conversion to eLearning, what source materials and supporting assets are expected to be provided by USPTO (e.g., instructor guides, student materials, presentation decks, recordings, exercises, assessments, job aids, reference materials, or existing CBT/eLearning assets), and will all materials be available at contract award?

OPT - All courses will provide presentation decks in PowerPoint, and where applicable, instructor guides, student materials, exercises, assessments, and any other reference materials associated with the existing course.

General Course

Content

Will learner performance data, course evaluation results, completion metrics, or other training effectiveness measures be available for analysis as part of curriculum review and modernization activities?

OPT - USPTO will share data gathered on the program to use for analysis as part of curriculum review and modernization activities.

33 Program Timeline Does USPTO anticipate that revisions to all approximately 125 courses will be completed before implementation begins in January 2027, or may revisions continue in prioritized phases after January 2027?

OPT - The USPTO is seeking to have the full curriculum revised by January 2027, therefore, a preferred sequence has not been identified. Should phasing of the changes be necessary, prioritization will be provided by the USPTO.

General Course

Content Are the minimum 25 courses to be converted into eLearning included within the approximately 125 courses to be reviewed and revised?

OPT - Yes

General Course

Content Will USPTO identify and prioritize the courses for revision and eLearning conversion, or should the contractor recommend the priorities?

OCAO - USPTO will lead the effort, but work with the contractor

Existing Training

Materials and Source Files

What existing course materials and editable source files are available, including lesson plans, slides, assessments, exercises, facilitator guides, recordings, and accessibility documentation?

OPT - All courses will provide presentation decks in PowerPoint, and where applicable, instructor guides, student materials, exercises, assessments, and any other reference materials associated with the existing course.

USPTO Subject Matter Expert

Availability What level of USPTO patent, legal, technical, and accessibility SME availability and review turnaround should respondents assume during the three-month period?

OPT - USPTO will provide SME expertise participation, including SMEs with patent examination backgrounds and education experts. Proposals should include estimated SME resource needs expressed in hours per week. Turnaround times are unknown at this time. However, the contract itself will include measureable deliverables and required quality assurances.

General Course

Content How many Government review and revision cycles should respondents assume for each course and eLearning module?

OPT - Review and revision cycles will continue until content meets legal and educational requirements provided by the USPTO.

Projected Training

Volume How many new-hire cohorts, simultaneous classes, course sessions, and instructional hours should respondents anticipate supporting?

OPT - Currently USPTO is planning for 8 cohorts, with no more than 150 students per cohort, with 2 training sessions running concurrently.

General Course

Content What minimum primary and backup instructor coverage does USPTO expect to prevent canceled or rescheduled classes?

OPT - The expectation is that classes will not be cancelled, and will only be rescheduled if government requirements change.

USPTO Subject Matter Expert

Availability

Must contractor instructors already possess patent-examination, patent-prosecution, MPEP, or USPTO experience, or may qualified instructors deliver the material after USPTO-provided train-the-trainer preparation?

OPT - The USPTO expectation is that the trainers are proficient in the materials that they are training on.

General Course

Content

Should respondents demonstrate capability across all three elements, or may a respondent address only one or two elements and still be considered for the future alternative competition?

OPT- USPTO may consider awarding the three elements separately, but it's envisioned that the consultation and eLearning elements would need close collaboration in order to effect the changes timely and effectively.

LMS and eLearning Technical Standards

Does the USPTO have or prefer a specific learning management system (LMS)? Yes - we use Cornerestone on Demand

LMS and eLearning Technical Standards

Does the USPTO have requirements for the technical compatibility of e-learning files (e.g., SCORM-compliant, built natively in Canvas, etc.)?

SCORM (preferred), AICC and xAPI (Tincan) courses up to 2 GB per file

Scope and award structure

The RFI identifies an immediate need to convert 25 courses into e-Learning modules in three months. The RFI also identifies that the current curriculum consists of 125 courses.

Is the USPTO’s intention to only convert/update/innovate those 25 courses, or to update all 125 courses, or some range in between depending on the results of the initial consultation phase?

OPT - The USPTO is seeking to have the full curriculum revised by January 2027, which consists of 125 courses of which approximately 25 will be converted to eLearning.

Existing Training

Materials and Source Files

The RFI says there are currently 125 courses, each ranging from 1 to 2.5h. Is the USPTO able to provide a total number of instructional hours for all 125 courses, or a more detailed breakdown of what percentage of courses fall into different durations?

OPT - The current curriculum for new examiner training consists of approximately 200 hours of training, including a combination of lecture and hands on practice. Length of courses vary.

Scope and award structure

In one section of the RFI (page 3), it states that the vendor must have the “ability to convert 25 courses into eLearning modules in 3 months.” In a different section of the RFI (page 4), it describes “the anticipated scope of this project, revising approximately 125 courses for implementation by January 2027 (approximately 3 months).” Please clarify whether the 3-month period is for 25 or 125 courses.

OPT - The USPTO is seeking to have the full curriculum revised by January 2027, which consists of 125 courses of which approximately 25 will be converted to eLearning.

48 Program Timeline Please share the key drivers of the proposed timeline. Is there flexibility to adjust or extend the scheduled delivery dates? Please explain.

OPT - USPTO's expectation is to implement the revised program before the onboarding of the January 2027 cohort. At this time, the expectation is to have the full curriculum revised by January 2027, which consists of 125 courses of which approximately 25 will be converted to eLearning.

Scope and award structure

Please clarify the anticipated scope for this initiative based on p. 3 stating - "Ability to convert 25 courses into eLearning modules in 3 months. Courses range from 1 hour to 2.5 hours’ worth of content" and p. 6 stating - "Given the anticipated scope of this project, revising approximately 125 courses for implementation by January 2027 (approximately 3 months)…"

OPT - The USPTO is seeking to have the full curriculum revised by January 2027, which consists of 125 courses of which approximately 25 will be converted to eLearning. All courses will be reviewed and revised as part of this project.

Existing Training

Materials and Source Files

On average, how many content slides would a 1 hour course contain? How many for a 2.5 hour course?

OPT - The amount of content slides in any course is highly variable. Additionally, the contract requirements are looking to modernize USPTO training such that we do not rely on lengthy slide decks for training.

Existing Training

Materials and Source Files

Please estimate how many of the 25 courses needing conversion into an e-Learning module are 1 hour courses vs. 2.5 hour courses.

OPT - The length of the eLearning courses will be determined based on learning outcomes and goals of the course itself, which will be identified before course development. This information will come from the training consultation portion of the requirement.

Section 508 Testing and Acceptance Will you require audio voice-over for the courses? If so, will you require closed captioning for the course? OPT - Yes, audio voice-over, and yes to closed captioning. 508 compliance is a requirement.

USPTO Subject Matter Expert

Availability

In what formats will your SMEs provide course material and supporting information for this content development initiative? Will your SMEs also provide storyboards and content for the courses?

OPT - The USPTO will provide course material and supporting information. The USPTO will collaborate with the contractor on the development of storyboards and refinement of content.

USPTO Subject Matter Expert

Availability Will your make SMEs available to our course developers to support the ISD process? OPT - The USPTO will provide course material and supporting information. The USPTO will collaborate with the contractor on the development of storyboards and refinement of content.

LMS and eLearning Technical Standards

What is your preferred final delivery format for the modules? SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, or another format?

SCORM 2004

LMS and eLearning Technical Standards

Do you require the vendor load this content into your learning management system (LMS)? No - our LMS administrators will upload the courses.

LMS and eLearning Technical Standards

Will you consider course development that contains elements developed outside of Articulate 360, such as Vyond animated videos? While Vyond animated videos will be imported to Articulate 360, the purchase of an additional Vyond license is required for your staff to perform any future editing.

Any tools used for the purpose of course development must be FedRAMP authorized.

Training Delivery

Staffing Model

Please explain the Training Delivery Support Services. Are you looking for a trainer to present the content to learners in a virtual session? Are you looking for production assistance (a webinar host) for any virtual sessions?

OPT - USPTO is looking for Training Delivery Support Services through a variety of modes, to include in person at all potential locations, and via virtual sessions. This requirement is for the delivery of training, not production assistance.

Training Delivery

Staffing Model

Please clarify the expectations for this Training Delivery Support Services requirement:

"Ability to provide training at all USPTO designated training locations, such as the Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and regional offices in San Jose, California, Dallas, Texas, and Detroit, Michigan." Is the Vendor expected to provide training resources using both a virtual delivery and onsite delivery approach across these USPTO-designated locations?, or whether the Vendor is expected to develop training Learning courses that are formatted for delivery by USPTO personnel at these locations?

OPT - For the Training Delivery Support Services aspect of the contract, the vendor is expected to provide training resources using a variety of modalities, to include in person at all potential locations, and via virtual sessions. The consultation and eLearning portions of the contract are seeking training recommendations via consultation and development of gamified eLearning content.

Scope and award structure

The RFI appears to reference both 25 and 125 courses in relation to the eLearning conversion effort (page 2 of 6 cites 25 courses to be converted; page 4 of 6/bullet #6 cites 125 courses;

page 4 of 5/bullet #12 cites 25 courses). Can USPTO clarify the total number of courses expected to be converted by January 2027?

OPT - The USPTO is seeking to have the full curriculum revised by January 2027, which consists of 125 courses of which approximately 25 will be converted to eLearning. All courses will be reviewed and revised as part of this project.

61 Timeline

USPTO expresses interest in a training partner that can bring innovative approaches, fresh ideas, and creative solutions to modernize and strengthen the Patent Training Academy, including instructional design, interactive learning strategies, artificial intelligence-enabled solutions, gamification, and other approaches to improve learner engagement and knowledge retention. To help industry provide realistic, high-value recommendations, can USPTO clarify whether the January 2027 target date for converting instructor-led courses to eLearning is a firm requirement or would the agency consider a phased approach to allow more innovation and creative design? For example, would USPTO consider prioritizing the highest-impact or highest-readiness courses for initial conversion by January 2027, followed by a structured schedule for remaining courses that allows for analysis, innovative design, SME review, accessibility compliance, testing, and quality assurance?

OPT - The USPTO is seeking to have the full curriculum revised by January 2027, therefore, a preferred sequence has not been identified. Should phasing of the changes be necessary, prioritization will be provided by the USPTO.

62 N/A What is the total anticipated number of students per year? OPT - Approximately 900.

63 N/A Is the contractor expected to furnish the cited subject matter experts or will the government provide them? OPT - The government will provide subject matter experts.

64 N/A Is the 10-week example course schedule to be conducted at all the locations cited (Alexandria VA, San Jose CA, Dallas TX, Detroit MI)?

OPT - The USPTO is looking for recommendations on the feasbility of implementing the training at all locations.

65 N/A If the 10-week course schedule is to be conducted at all the cited locations, is it anticipated 1 time per year at each or a different cadence?

OPT - The USPTO is looking for recommendations on the feasbility of implementing the training at all locations.

66 N/A For the Training Consultation work, will USPTO provide patent examination subject-matter experts to support curriculum review and validation, or should vendors assume that the contractor must provide all required SMEs?

OPT - USPTO will provide SME expertise participation, including SMEs with patent examination backgrounds and education experts. Proposals should include estimated SME resource needs expressed in hours per week.

67 N/A Will USPTO provide the existing 125-course curriculum source files, learning objectives, instructor guides, assessments, evaluation data, and related training materials at award, or should vendors assume that discovery and reconstruction of some materials will be required?

OPT - All courses will provide presentation decks in PowerPoint, and where applicable, instructor guides, student materials, exercises, assessments, and any other reference materials associated with the existing course.

68 N/A For Training Delivery Support Services, can USPTO provide estimated cohort sizes, number of instructors required, anticipated delivery schedule, expected number of simultaneous classes, and projected distribution across Alexandria, San Jose, Dallas, and Detroit?

OPT - The estimated cohort size ranges from approximately 100-125 learners. Number of instructors required, anticipated delivery schedule, and other training details will be identified as a result of the consultation and eLearning portions of the contract.

69 N/A Should vendors assume that travel and in person delivery at Alexandria, San Jose, Dallas, and Detroit may be required during the base period, or will the final solicitation identify the expected mix of in person and virtual delivery by location?

OPT - USPTO will use recommendations provided in the consultation piece of the contract to make determinations on the expected mix and location of training delivery.

70 N/A Please advise whether responses may include a small-business instructional-design and eLearning development team supported by subject-matter and delivery partners as needed.

Yes, teaming, partnerships,mentor-protégés, subcontractors or any other legitimate supporting affiliations can be included as part of your development team.

71 N/A

The PDF attachment specifies that the USPTO will use this preliminary market research to identify small business contractor(s) most likely to meet the agency’s needs. To ensure we fully understand the intent of the requirement, could you please confirm whether this Sources Sought is limited to small businesses, or if it is open to all businesses?

This RFI for Market Research is currently open to all respondents. Depending on the results of the responses, it may become a SB set-aside.

72 N/A Will you be providing respondents to make in-person or virtual presentations?

Not at this time. This is for market research. We suggest you provide us with the information requested as fully as possible.

73 N/A May a firm submit an RFI response addressing only the element or elements that match its core capabilities, and will such a response be considered in USPTO's market research?

USPTO will consider all responses to this RFI.

74 N/A Is USPTO considering a small business set-aside, or small business subcontracting goals, for any portion of this requirement?

This RFI for Market Research is currently open to all respondents. Depending on the results of the responses, it may become a SB set-aside.

75 Acquisition Does USPTO anticipate award under the GSA Multiple Award Schedule? Catalogs under SIN 611430 do not uniformly carry instructor or facilitator labor categories. Please state how the Government intends training delivery labor to be priced.

The USPTO has not decided on a procurement strategy at this time. Determining that strategy is one of the primary reasons for posting this RFI to both sam.gov and eBUY.

76 Acquisition The posting indicates that offerings from complementary SINs are permitted, but the SIN field is blank. Which complementary SINs apply?

The eBUY posting indicated "OLM" and "Ancillary" which could provide more flexibility for schedule contractors in 611430. However, if you know of another SIN that includes contractors that can meet this requirement, please advise and the eBUY RFI can be amended to include that SIN.

How to Respond to this Sources Sought Notice / Responses should include

The RFI outlines specific information to be included in the capability statement, including detailed responses to 17 questions, but does not specify a page limit or other formatting guidelines. Can the Government confirm if there is a maximum page limit for the RFI response or any other response-specific requirements that should be followed?

Since this RFI is for market research purposes it is not as formal as an RFQ or RFP. So there are no page limits or a set format for how you provide the information we are requesting. But please use common-sense. It is suggested you only be as specific in your response as is necessary to put your company in the best possible light. if using any diagrams, tables, charts etc. they should be well labeled and easy to follow.

Past Performance of Teaming Partners or

Subcontractors

May respondents include relevant past performance and project examples from proposed subcontractors or teaming partners when addressing the Requested Information, provided the organization responsible for that experience and its proposed role are clearly identified?

Yes

79 Budget Is there any planned budget, budget range, or do-not-exceed threshold that the USPTO has identified for this engagement?

Not at this time - contractors may provide estimates as part of their submissions.

Award and

Workstream Structure

The RFI states that the USPTO intends to award to one or more firms. If the engagement is awarded to more than one vendor, is it expected that the split would occur along the three major elements (for example, one vendor performing tasks 1 & 2, and another performing task 3)?

Unknown at this time. Contractors may provide recommended solutions as part of their submissions.

Award and

Workstream Structure

Since the USPTO may award this work to "one or more firms", do you foresee collaboration between the awarded vendors to ensure a unified and successful project delivery? Please describe best practices and methods for maintain consistency in branding and training delivery.

Unknown at this time. Contractors may provide recommended solutions as part of their submissions.

82 Timeline When will answers to vendor submitted questions be published? We published the answers here to all questions received by the deadline.

83 Timeline Given the reference to the project beginning in October, what is your anticipated timeline for releasing the RFP for this initiative?

The USPTO has not decided on a procurement strategy at this time. Determining that strategy is one of the primary reasons for posting this RFI to both sam.gov and eBUY.

Scope and award structure Is there an incumbent for this work? No. This is a new requirement.

85 N/A

May a responding firm propose a teaming arrangement (prime plus one or more subcontractors) to jointly satisfy the three requirement areas — Training Consultation for Program Revision, Development of eLearning Content, and Training Delivery Support Services

— or must a single responding firm independently demonstrate past performance across all three areas to be considered "most likely to succeed" for the eventual Alternative Competition solicitation?

Yes, contractors can propose teaming arrangements, partnerships,mentor-protégés, subcontractors or any other legitimate supporting affiliations in their response.

86 N/A

The notice states that USPTO may award to “one or more firms.” Does USPTO anticipate making separate awards by functional area, such as Training Consultation, eLearning Content Development, and Training Delivery Support, or does USPTO prefer responses from firms capable of supporting the full requirement?

USPTO has not made any determination on a procurement strategy at this time or on any preferences. Determining that strategy is one of the primary reasons for posting this RFI to both sam.gov and eBUY.

87 N/A May vendors demonstrate capability through teaming arrangements and/or subcontractors for specialized areas such as patent subject-matter expertise, gamified eLearning development, Section 508 compliance, or nationwide training delivery support?

Yes

88 N/A The notice indicates that USPTO is interested in small-business capability, while SAM.gov currently reflects no set-aside. Is USPTO considering a small-business set-aside or partial set-aside for any portion of this requirement?

This RFI for Market Research is currently open to all respondents. Depending on the results of the responses, it may become a SB set-aside.

89 N/A Does USPTO have a preferred page limit, file format, or response structure for the September 28, 2026 RFI response beyond the requested information listed in the notice?

Since this RFI is for market research purposes it is not as formal as an RFQ or RFP. So there are no page limits or a set format for how you provide the information we are requesting. But please use common-sense. It is suggested you only be as specific in your response as is necessary to put your company in the best possible light. if using any diagrams, tables, charts etc. they should be well labeled and easy to follow.

90 N/A For relevant experience, will USPTO accept comparable commercial, nonprofit, state/local government, or higher education training modernization experience in addition to federal contract experience?

Yes