Patent Printing Contract Questions Answers.docx

Questions and Answers, Solicitation No. DOC52PAPT1100031

1. Would the USPTO consider modifying the past performance relevancy requirement? Currently the solicitation requires that the offer provide 2 past performance references where the primary function was printing, binding and imaging. There is also a requirement that at least two of the references be on contracts where the offeror was prime. This results in excluding potential offerors who may have relevant past performance on just one contract. We believe that it would be in the government's interest to at least receive and evaluate offers where the offeror has at least one relevant contract.

As stated in §L.4.1.B of the RFP, the USPTO requires 3 current and relevant past performance contract references where at least 2 of the 3 references must be references where the offeror performed as a prime contractor. Due to the significance of this contract which is tied directly to the mission of the agency, this proposal submission requirement will not be changed. As a reminder, if an offeror is not able to submit the requisite number of references, a statement or certification so stating is required.

2. Under B.2, there is a CLIN for reorders of Photoprints, but there is not a CLIN for reorders of Patents. Aren’t there requests for reorders or reprints of Patents? A reprint is a term defined in the Glossary of Terms, under Attachment A. Shouldn’t there be a CLIN for reorders or reprints of Patents?

No. The reprints of patents are more simplified and consequently are billed under the appropriate CLINs (e.g., 0001 – 0009). The reorders of plant patent photoprints require more specialized processing as noted in Section C.3.2 and therefore billed separately under CLIN 010a.

3. Under B.2, the Unit is described as per “Patent Set” vs. the previous solicitation; the Unit was per “Patent”. So is the Unit Price going to be based on the “Patent Set” or the “Patent”?

A Patent Set is the collection of all patents printed for one year’s time. The contractor will print the estimated amount as noted in the Estimated Annual Quantity (Per Set), except for the CLINs where more than one set is indicated (e.g., CLIN 0002 will consist of two sets with 780 plant patents in each set for a total of 1,560 plant patents).

4. Under C.4, the RFP describes that the contractor will be required to print and deliver a color cover page for each patent at some point during the life of the contract. Can the potential bidders request a printed sample of a cover page and a sample print file (Postscript) of a patent with the cover page as part of the patent document to evaluate prior to the proposal due date?

Yes, we will provide a sample as soon as it is available. Contact Erin Fox-Ramirez at 571-272-6587 or email: Erin.Fox-Ramirez@uspto.gov to schedule a pick-up time.

5. Under C.4, the RFP describes that the contractor will be required to print and deliver color drawings for patent Grants requesting color drawings. Can the potential bidders request a printed sample of color drawings and a sample print file (Postscript) of a patent with color drawings as part of the patent document to evaluate prior to the proposal due date?

Yes, we will provide a sample as soon as it is available. Contact Erin Fox-Ramirez at 571-272-6587 or email: Erin.Fox-Ramirez@uspto.gov to schedule a pick-up time.

6. Under C.3.3, the Deliverable Table, CLIN 005 for One Offset set of Reexaminations, the RFP states this set is to be delivered on PWD4 (Thursday). But under C.8, Government Furnished Material, the RFP states that the Weekly Patent Print File (Reexaminations) shall be provided on PWD 3 (Friday). How can the set be delivered before the print file is received to print?

We will update the delivery schedule for CLIN 0005 to reflect the delivery day “By Noon, PWD 2, Monday”, to match the delivery due date of CLIN 0001 (e – h). We will update the solicitation accordingly.

7. Is there going to be an amendment to consider Paper Price Adjustments over the life of the contract?

No.

8. Under Section K.1, the solicitation states the NAICS code is 323117. This is also stated on the USPTO website. Under Section L.14 the NAICS code is stated as 323119. Which NAICS code is being used for this acquisition?

The correct NAICS code is 323117. We will update the Solicitation accordingly.