DOC52PAPT1600017_Statement_of_Work.pdf

PRINTING OF PATENTS AND COLOR PLANT PRINTS

Request for Proposal

Solicitation Number: DOC52PAPT1600017

Page ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 2 - SUPPLIES

SECTION 3 - STATEMENT OF WORK

3.1 OBJECTIVE

3.2 BACKGROUND

3.3 SCOPE OF WORK

3.3.1 PRINTING SERVICES

3.3.2 PLANT PATENTS PHOTO REPRODUCTION

3.3.3 PLANT PATENT QUANTITY

3.3.4 DELIVERABLE TABLE

3.4 PRINTING OPERATIONS

3.4.1 WEEKLY ISSUE PRINT FILE

3.4.2 MISCELANEOUS CERTIFICATES PRINT FILE

3.4.3 CLASSIFICATION DATA FOR LEDGER PLANT PATENTS

3.4.4 GATHERING OF PHOTOPRINTS

3.4.5 CREATION OF MAIL LABELS

3.4.6 SOFT COPY LISTS

3.4.7 PATENT STORAGE

3.5 REPLACEMENT OF MISSING, DEFECTIVE, OR POOR QUALITY PATENTS

3.5.1 CLAIM LETTERS

3.5.2 DUPLICATE GRANTS

3.5.3 DOCUMENTATION CLAIMS AND DUPLICATE GRANTS

3.6 FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

3.6.1 TRIM SIZES

3.6.2 MARGINS

3.6.3 BINDING OF OVERSIZED PATENTS

3.6.4 COLLATING OF PATENT DELIVERABLES

3.7 PAPER REQUIREMENTS

3.8 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED DATA AND PROPERTY

3.9 QUANTITY: COPIES/PAGES

3.10 PLANT CAPACITY

3.11 TRANISTION PLAN

Page iii

SECTION 4 – PACKAGING AND MARKING

4.1 BANDING

4.2 WRAPPING

4.3 PACKING

4.4 LABELING AND MARKING

4.5 PACKING FOR DELIVERY BY COURIER

SECTION 5 - QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVAIL ANCE PLAN

5.1 QASP ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1.1 USPTO PERSONNEL

5.1.2 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

5.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

5.2.1 INSPECTION OF DELIVERABLES

5.2.2 INSPECTION OF CONTRACTOR FACILITIES

5.3 APPLICABLE PRINTING SERVICES SURVEILLANCE

5.3.1 PRODUCT QUALITY LEVELS:

5.3.2 INSPECTION LEVELS: (from ANSI/ASQC Z1.4):

5.3.3 SPECIFIED STANDARDS:

5.4 APPLICABLE PLANT PATENT PHOTO REPRODUCTION DIRECTIVES

5.5 ON-SITE REPRESENTATIVE

5.6 QUALITY REPORTING REQUIREMENT

5.6.1 WEEKLY REPORT

5.6.2 MONTHLY REPORT

5.7 CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL PLAN

SECTION 6 – DELIVERY AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

6.1 PICK UP AND DELIVERY METHODS

6.2 PICK UP AND DELIVERY AT USPTO LOCATIONS

6.3 DELIVERY VIA USPS

6.4 F.O.B. POINT, DESTINATION, AND DELIVERY

6.5 ADVANCE NOTICE OF CHANGE IN PLACE(S) OF PERFORMANCE

Page iv

SECTION 7 - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

7.1 CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO)

7.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

7.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) RESPONSIBILITIES

7.5 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

7.6 AUTHORITY TO OBLIGATE THE GOVERNMENT

7.7 CONTRACTOR POINT OF CONTACT FOR CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

7.8 ON-SITE REPRESENTATIVE

7.9 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

7.10 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

7.11 NONDISCLOSURE OF PATENT INFORMATION

7.12 SECRECY AND USAGE OF PATENT INFORMATION

7.13 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING

7.14 GOVERNMENT’S RIGHT TO THE CONTRACTOR’S TECHNICAL FILE

7.1 NOTICE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF DELAYS

7.16 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

7.17 CONTRACTOR FOIA REQUIREMENT

SECTION 8 – PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

SECTION 9 – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

SECTION 10 – INSTRUCTIONS

10.1 CONTRACT TYPE

10.2 TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE

10.3 NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS)

10.4 AMENDMENTS

10.5 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

10.6 QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

10.7 INCURRING COSTS

10.8 INCOMPLETE OR NON-COMPLIANT SUBMISSIONS

10.9 ALTERNATE PROPOSALS

10.10 PERIOD OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFERS

10.11 AMENDMENTS TO PROPOSALS

Page v

SECTION 11 – EVALUATION

11.1 “BEST VALUE” DETERMINATION AND CONTRACT AWARD

11.2 AWARD WITHOUT DISCUSSIONS

11.3 BASIS OF CONTRACT AWARD

11.4 EVALUATION PROCEDURES

11.4.1 PLANT PATENT ACCEPTABILITY

11.4.2 MANAGEMENT/TECHNICAL PLAN

11.4.2 PAST PERFORMANCE

11.4.3 PRICE PROPOSAL

11.5 SINGLE AWARD

DOC52PAPT1600017

SECTION 2 - SUPPLIES

2.1 CLIN LIST AND PRICING TERMS

The following items are required to support the Government operations of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The quantities shown under the column entitled “Estimated Quantity” on the schedule below are estimates of the quantities, which may be ordered by the Government, however, the Government reserves the right to redistribute quantities within the prescribed Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs). No guarantee is made that any of the quantities will be ordered as a result of this contract.

The estimated quantities stated in Section 2 of this Request for Proposal (RFP) are based on current historical data, projections, and trends, and are not to be construed as a guarantee of the volume of work, which may be ordered during the term of this contract. Contract requirements have been known to fluctuate greatly over short periods of time. No guarantee is made that any of the quantities will be ordered as a result of this contract.

Due to rapidly changing technology, it is probable that quantities will be reduced or may be completely eliminated during the period of performance of this contract.

Patents are issued each week for which multiple sets are requested as outlined in Section 3. An issue is the official date (month, day and year) a Patent is granted, i.e. each Tuesday, every week of the year. Typically, there are 52 issues per year. There will be approximately 6,200 patents per issue. Each patent contains an average of 19 pages. USPTO estimates there will be approximately a total of 322,400 patents annually.

There are approximately 15 plant patents per weekly issue.

There are approximately 1,000 Advance Orders each week. An advance order is a request for a patent which has been received prior to the issue date, i.e. (design patent, utility patents etc.)

Advanced Orders average approximately 1.6 copies per patent. Advanced Orders usually require approximately 1 – 6 copies per order. However, it is possible that some may require as many as 30 copies.

The Contractor may at times be required to work on multiple issues during the same week.

2.2 BASE PERIOD (January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017)

CLIN DESCRIPTION NUMBER

OF SETS

ESTIMATED

ANNUAL

QUANTITY

(Per Set)

UNIT UNIT

PRICE

ESTIMATED

TOTAL AMT.

0001 One Ledger Sets

0001a

One Ledger Set Utility, Plant, Reissue, Design (UPRDS), and Statutory Invention Registrations (SIRs)

- Grant Inventor Copy

1 354,000 Patent Set

0001b

One Ledger Set

(UPRDS)

(with Color Cover Page)

- Grant Inventor Copy

1 354,000 Patent Set

0001c

One Ledger Set

(UPRDS)

(with Patent Color Drawings) - Grant Inventor Copy

1 1,400 Patent Set

0001d

One Ledger Set

(UPRDS)

(with Color Cover Page and Patent Color Drawings) - Grant Inventor Copy

1 354,000 Patent Set

Two Ledger Sets

- Plant Patents Only, With Classification Labels

2 3,000 Plant Patent Set

0003 White Offset Set - Patents

0003a One White Offset Set 1 349,550 Patent Set

0003b One White Offset Set (with Color Cover Page) 1 349,550 Patent Set

One White Offset Set of Miscellaneous Certificates

1 200 Certificate Set

0005 Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets*

0005a Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets* 100 97,000 Plant

Patent Set

0005b Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets* (with Color Cover Page)

100 97,000 Plant Patent Set

0006 Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets

0006a Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets 20 12,000 Plant

Patent Set

0006b Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets (with Color Cover Page)

20 12,000 Plant Patent Set

0007 Advance Orders and Grants

0007a One White Offset Set of Advance Orders* 1,000 26,000 Copy

0007b Reprint Grant Request 1 350 Copy

0008 Photoprints

0008a Photoprints of Original Plant Patent Color Drawings

1 282,00 Sheets

0008b Reorders of photoprints from CLIN 0008a 1 1,000 Sheets

Digital Images (provided on DVD) of all photoprints of original plant patent color drawings contained in the weekly issue

1 52 Order

2.2.1 OPTION PERIOD 1 (January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018)

CLIN DESCRIPTION NUMBER

OF SETS

ESTIMATED

ANNUAL

QUANTITY

(Per Set)

UNIT UNIT

PRICE

ESTIMATED

TOTAL AMT.

1001 One Ledger Sets

1001a One Ledger Set (UPRDS)

- Grant Inventor Copy 1 360,000 Patent Set

1001b One Ledger Set (UPRDS) (with Color Cover Page)

- Grant Inventor Copy

1 360,000 Patent Set

1001c

One Ledger Set (UPRDS) (with Patent Color Drawings) - Grant Inventor Copy

1 1400 Patent Set

1001d

One Ledger Set (UPRDS) (with Color Cover Page and Patent Color Drawings) - Grant Inventor Copy

1 360,000 Patent Set

Two Ledger Sets

- Plant Patents Only, With Classification Labels

2 3000 Plant Patent Set

1003 One White Offset Patent Sets

1003a One White Offset Set 1 360,000 Patent Set

1003b One White Offset Set (with Color Cover Page) 1 360,000 Patent Set

One White Offset Set of Miscellaneous Certificates

1 200 Certificate Set

1005 Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets*

1005a Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets* 100 100,000 Plant

Patent Set

1005b Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets* (with Color Cover Page)

100 100,000 Plant Patent Set

1006 Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets

1006a Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets 20 12,000 Plant

Patent Set

1006b Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets (with Color Cover Page)

20 12,000 Plant Patent Set

1007 Advance Orders and Grants

1007a One White Offset Set of Advance Orders* 1,000 26,000 Copy

1007b Reprint Grant Request 1 350 Copy

1008 Photoprints

1008a Photoprints of Original Plant Patent Color Drawings

1 359,990 Sheets

1008b Reorders of photoprints from CLIN 0008 1 1,000 Sheets

Digital Images (provided on DVD) of all photoprints of original plant patent color drawings contained in the weekly issue

2.2.2 OPTION PERIOD 2 (January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019)

CLIN DESCRIPTION NUMBER OF

SETS

ESTIMATED

ANNUAL

QUANTITY

(Per Set)

UNIT UNIT

PRICE

ESTIMATED

TOTAL AMT.

2001 One Ledger Sets

2001a One Ledger Set (UPRDS)

- Grant Inventor Copy 1 360,000 Patent Set

2001b One Ledger Set (UPRDS) (with Color Cover Page)

- Grant Inventor Copy

1 360,000 Patent Set

2001c

One Ledger Set (UPRDS) (with Patent Color Drawings) - Grant Inventor Copy

1 1400 Patent Set

2001d

One Ledger Set (UPRDS) (with Color Cover Page and Patent Color Drawings) - Grant Inventor Copy

1 360,000 Patent Set

Two Ledger Sets

- Plant Patents Only, With Classification Labels

2 3000 Plant Patent Set

2003 One White Offset Patent Sets

2003a One White Offset Set 1 360,000 Patent Set

2003b One White Offset Set (with Color Cover Page) 1 360,000 Patent Set

One White Offset Set of Miscellaneous Certificates

2005 Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets*

2005a Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets* 100 100,000 Plant Patent

Set

2005b Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets* (with Color Cover Page)

100 100,000 Plant Patent Set

2006 Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets

2006a Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets 20 12,000 Plant Patent

Set

2006b Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets 20 12,000 Plant Patent

Set

(with Color Cover Page)

2007 Advance Orders and Grants

2007a One White Offset Set of Advance Orders* 1,000 26,000 Copy

2007b Reprint Grant Request 1 350 Copy

2008 Photoprints

2008a Photoprints of Original Plant Patent Color Drawings

1 360,000 Sheets

2008b Reorders of photoprints from CLIN 0008 1 1,000 Sheets

Digital Images (provided on DVD) of all photoprints of original plant patent color drawings contained in the

2.2.3 OPTION PERIOD 3 (January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020)

CLIN DESCRIPTION NUMBER OF

SETS

ESTIMATED

ANNUAL

QUANTITY

(Per Set)

UNIT UNIT

PRICE

ESTIMATED

TOTAL AMT.

3001 One Ledger Sets

3001a One Ledger Set

(UPRDS)

- Grant Inventor Copy

1 360,000 Patent Set

3001b

One Ledger Set

(UPRDS)

(with Color Cover Page)

- Grant Inventor Copy

1 360,000 Patent Set

3001c

One Ledger Set

(UPRDS)

(with Patent Color Drawings) - Grant Inventor Copy

1 1400 Patent Set

3001d

One Ledger Set

(UPRDS)

(with Color Cover Page and Patent Color Drawings) - Grant Inventor Copy

1 360,000 Patent Set

Two Ledger Sets

- Plant Patents Only, With Classification Labels

2 3000 Plant Patent Set

3003 One White Offset Patent Sets

3003a One White Offset Set 1 360,000 Patent Set

3003b One White Offset Set (with Color Cover Page) 1 360,000 Patent Set

One White Offset Set of Miscellaneous Certificates

1 200 Certificate Set

3005 Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets*

3005a Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets* 100 100,000 Plant

Patent Set

3005b Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets* (with Color Cover Page)

100 100,000 Plant Patent Set

3006 Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets

3006a Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets 20 12,000 Plant

Patent Set

3006b Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets (with Color Cover Page)

20 12,000 Plant Patent Set

3007 Advance Orders and Grants

3007a One White Offset Set of Advance Orders* 1,000 26,000 Copy

3007b Reprint Grant Request 1 350 Copy

3008 Photoprints

3008a Photoprints of Original Plant Patent Color Drawings

1 360,000 Sheets

3008b Reorders of photoprints from CLIN 0008 1 1,000 Sheets

Digital Images (provided on DVD) of all photoprints of original plant patent color drawings contained in the

2.2.4 OPTION PERIOD 4 (January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021)

CLIN DESCRIPTION NUMBER OF

SETS

ESTIMATED

ANNUAL

QUANTITY

(Per Set)

UNIT UNIT

PRICE

ESTIMATED

TOTAL AMT.

4001 One Ledger Sets

4001a One Ledger Set (UPRDS)

- Grant Inventor Copy 1 360,000 Patent Set

4001b One Ledger Set (UPRDS) (with Color Cover Page)

- Grant Inventor Copy

1 360,000 Patent Set

4001c

One Ledger Set (UPRDS) (with Patent Color Drawings) - Grant Inventor Copy

1 1400 Patent Set

4001d

One Ledger Set (UPRDS) (with Color Cover Page and Patent Color Drawings) - Grant Inventor Copy

1 360,000 Patent Set

Two Ledger Sets

- Plant Patents Only, With Classification Labels

2 3000 Plant Patent Set

4003 One White Offset Patent Sets

4003 One White Offset Set 1 360,000 Patent Set

4003a One White Offset Set (with Color Cover Page) 1 360,000 Patent Set

One White Offset Set of Miscellaneous Certificates

1 200 Certificate Set

4005 Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets*

4005 Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets* 100 100,000 Plant Patent

Set

4005a Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets* (with Color Cover Page)

100 100,000 Plant Patent Set

4006 Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets

4006a Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets 20 12,000 Plant Patent

Set

4006b Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets (with Color Cover Page)

20 12,000 Plant Patent Set

4007 Advance Orders and Grants

4007a One White Offset Set of Advance Orders* 1,000 26,000 Copy

4007b Reprint Grant Request 1 350 Copy

4008 Photoprints

4008a Photoprints of Original Plant Patent Color Drawings

1 360,000 Sheets

4008b Reorders of photoprints from CLIN 0008 1 1,000 Sheets

Digital Images (provided on DVD) of all photoprints of original plant patent color drawings contained in the

SECTION 3 - STATEMENT OF WORK

3.1 OBJECTIVE

The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified), to perform the following Statement of Work for the printing, imaging, binding, color reproduction, and distribution of United States Patents.

3.2 BACKGROUND

(a) The USPTO is one of 14 bureaus in the Department of Commerce (DOC). For over 200 years, the USPTO’s mission has been: to promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive right to their respective discoveries (Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution). Under this system of protection, American industry has flourished. New products have been invented, new uses for old ones discovered, and employment opportunities created for millions of Americans.

(b) Under the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act of 1999, the USPTO is authorized to exercise independent control of its administrative and procurement functions. This includes the authority to directly procure printing services.

(c) The Program Office is located in Arlington, VA. The Code of Federal Regulations, 37 CFR

1.314 authorizes this Office to produce and disseminate patents worldwide. Currently, the Program Office publishes approximately 6,807 patents per week or a total of 354,000 patents annually. The Program Office is responsible for the management and processing of allowed patent applications for the creation of a full text patent database and the composition, printing and distribution of weekly patent issues.

3.3 SCOPE OF WORK

(a) The purpose of this contract is to fulfill the USPTO's requirements for printing, binding, color reproductions, and distribution of United States Patents as described in this scope of work. This contract requires such operations as printing/imaging, gathering, binding, packaging, mailing, and distribution. This contract also fulfills all USPTO requirements for digital images, photoprints, and additional photoprints of plant patent drawings issuing each week. Photoprints comprise color/part-color, black, and white halftones, and hand-colored drawing sheets. A hand colored drawing sheet means a plant patent drawing that has been artistically and competently hand colored (i.e. with colored pencils or the like).

(b) The production of high quality, accurate sets of each issue of patents, and the proper mailing and timely distribution thereof, must be clearly recognized as a vital and necessary requirement for the USPTO. Faithful reproductions of the patents are critical to this contract; therefore, strict adherence to the standards specified in Section 3 and Section 5.2 titled Inspection and Acceptance is required.

(c) Contract type is a Requirements contract.

(d) It is anticipated that specific requirements will change over the life of this contract. This will result in the USPTO modifying this contract to incorporate in-scope changes. Further, given the pace of change in information technology, it is impossible to anticipate how individual USPTO requirements will evolve over the life of the contract. Throughout the life of this agreement, the Contractor is encouraged to continuously seek ways to incorporate innovative and emerging technologies, that in the most economic and efficient manner, improves mission performance.

3.3.1 PRINTING SERVICES

(a) The entire patent weekly issue shall be printed in the following manner and in the quantities as indicated below:

(1) Ledger Set is defined as 44 lbs. and formatted as such:

(i) Patent Front Page -print face only in black or color ink*

(ii) Patent Drawing Page -print face only in black or color ink*

(iii)Patent Text Page -print front and back in black ink

*See 3.4.1 Miscellaneous Certificates Print File

(2) White Offset Set is defined as 20 lbs. White Offset or Xerographic paper and formatted as such:

(i) Patent Front Page, Drawing Page, and Text Page - print front and back in black ink

(ii) Advance Orders, Plants -print front and back in black ink

(3) White Offset Set is defined as 20 lbs. White Offset or Xerographic paper and formatted as such:

(i) Miscellaneous Certificates Page -print face only in black ink

3.3.2 PLANT PATENTS PHOTO REPRODUCTION

(a) This contract fulfills all USPTO requirements for digital images, photoprints, and additional photoprints of plant patent drawings issuing each week. Photoprints comprise color/part-color, black, and white halftones, and hand-colored drawing sheets.

(b) Pantone Color Standard: Faithful reproduction of the plant color is critical to this contract.

Accordingly, the Contractor shall provide all deliverables in accordance with the Pantone Color Standards. For each weekly issue of the Plant Patent photoprints, the Contractor shall provide two "to be approved" photo prints (CLINS x008) for inspection and acceptance by the USPTO prior to completion of the entire weekly issue as stated in Section 5.4(b).

(c) Photoprints: The Contractor shall provide and use "double weight" color photoprint paper, semi-matte finish. Dimensions shall be 8 1/2" by 11" +/- 1/16 and a margin minimum top of 1" above typeset heading. The center image shall be side to side with ¾ minimum margin on each side. The bottom margin shall be ¾ minimum. The reproduction shall be at 79% plus or minus 5% smaller than the examiner approved color drawing.

(d) Digital images on media: The Contractor shall provide digital images in the specified TIFF format using the specified file naming conventions as illustrated in the technical references. This shall be provided on one DVD per weekly issue to the designated COR. The Contractor shall also retain digital images of the photoprints in order to fulfill future requests of reprints during the life of this contract.

(e) Examiner approved plant drawings are the source documents for digital images on media, photoprints, and additional photoprints of plant patent drawings issuing each week. Photoprints comprise color/part-color, black, and white halftones, and hand-colored drawing sheets.

(f) The examiner approved plant drawings and original photoprints shall have a header containing the issue date, plant patent number and the drawing sheet number as illustrated in the Technical References.

(g) The Contractor shall inspect the examiner approved plant drawings and original photoprints, upon receipt, and immediately notify the Government of any deficiencies such as torn or missing sheets or any other obvious errors.

3.3.3 PLANT PATENT QUANTITY

(a) There are approximately 21 plant patents per weekly issue. It is estimated that a plant patent may contain an average of 3 original examiner approved plant drawings and a weekly issue may contain a total average of 63 original examiner approved plant drawings. The Contractor is required to produce two photoprints of each original examiner approved plant drawing for approval by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Once approved, the Contractor shall produce 120 copies of each original examiner approved plant drawings per weekly issue as noted in Section 2.

(b) Reorders shall be made from the examiner approved plant drawing sheets of previously issued plant patents or new examiner approved plant drawings created under CLINS x008.

(c) Based on historical data, there are approximately two (2) examiner approved plant drawings per year that may be hand colored in form, meaning a plant patent drawing that has been artistically and competently hand colored (i.e. with colored pencils or the like).

3.3.4 DELIVERABLE TABLE

Each patent issue is currently built three weeks in advance of the issue date (Tuesday). A production schedule is based on Prior Work Days (PWD). The issue date Tuesday is considered

PWD 1. See Section 6 for the physical delivery addresses of the indicated receivers in the "Delivery Location" column.

The Contractor must deliver patents on the days listed in this Deliverable Table:

CLIN Deliverable Binding Delivery Day

Delivery Location

Packaging x1001 (a-b)

One Ledger Set

(UPRDS*)

- Grant Inventor Copy

No By Noon

PWD 7,

Monday

PTO Patent Data Capture Contractor

Kraft wrap in approximate 4” packages.

- Cartons x001c One Ledger Set (UPRDS) (Patent Color Drawings)

- Grant Inventor Copy

No By Noon

PWD 7,

Monday

PTO Patent Data Capture Contractor

Kraft wrap in approximate 4” packages.

- Cartons x002 Two Ledger Set

- Plant Patents Only, With Classification Labels

Yes

- Stapled on bottom

- Assembled with the drawing sheet(s) facing out following the last page of text

By 12 Noon Issue Day, Tuesday

Data Control Division

Cartons x003 One White Offset Set No By 12 Noon Issue Day, Tuesday

PTO Public Search Facility

Cartons x003a One White Offset Set (with Color Cover Page)

No By 12 Noon Issue Day, Tuesday

PTO Public Search Facility

Cartons x004 One White Offset Set of Miscellaneous Certificates

No By 12 Noon Issue Day, Tuesday

PTO

Certificates of Correction Branch

Cartons x005 Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patents Sets*

Yes

- Foreign Addresses are Stapled on Side and Assembled with the drawing sheet(s) placed before the text pages facing the first page of text

- Domestic Addresses are Unstapled and Assembled with the drawing sheet(s) placed before the text

By 12 Noon Issue Day, Tuesday

To Be Delivered to the USPTO Mail Center

As Specified x005a Multiple White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets*

Yes

- Foreign Addresses are Stapled on Side and Assembled with the drawing sheet(s) placed before the text pages facing the first page of text

- Domestic Addresses are Unstapled and Assembled

By 12 Noon Issue Day, Tuesday

To Be Delivered to the USPTO Mail Center

1 “x” may be any number. For example, CLIN x001 includes CLIN 0001, 1001, 2001… with the drawing sheet(s) placed before the text pages facing the first page of text x006a Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets

Yes

- Stapled on Side

- Assembled with the drawing sheet(s) placed before the text pages facing the first page of text

By 12 Noon Issue Day, Tuesday

PTO Office of Public Records

As Specified

0006b Remaining White Offset Plant Patent Sets (with Color Cover Page)

Yes

- Stapled on Side

- Assembled with the drawing sheet(s) placed before the text pages facing the first page of text

By 12 Noon Issue Day, Tuesday

PTO Office of Public Records

As Specified x007a One White Offset Set of Advance Orders*

Yes -Stapled on Side

By 12 Noon Issue Day, Tuesday

To Be Delivered to the USPTO Mail Center x007b

Reorders of the photoprints from CLIN x007

Per the noted sets above Within 48 hours of reorder request

To Be Delivered to the customer(s) noted above

As Specified x008a Photoprints of original plant patent color drawings

Per the noted sets above Prior Workday 9, Thursday

To Be Completed for assembly in noted sets above x008b

Reorders of the photoprints from CLIN x008

Per the noted sets above Within 48 hours of reorder request

To Be Delivered to the customer(s) noted above

As Specified x009 Digital Images (provided on DVD) of all photoprints of original plant patent color drawings contained in the weekly issue

DVD Prior Workday 9, Thursday

To Be Delivered to the USPTO COR(s)

(a) By PWD 16, Tuesday, for each weekly issue of the Plant Patent photoprints, the Contractor shall provide two "to be approved" photoprints for inspection and acceptance by the USPTO prior to completion of the entire weekly issue.

(b) All Plant Patent original examiner drawings shall be returned to the USPTO after each weekly issue is accepted and successfully distributed as per the Deliverable Table .

(c) If the scheduled delivery falls on a Government holiday, then the delivery for the products denoted by asterisks (*) shall be delivered the next business day. The remaining deliverables shall be made one business day before that holiday. If the USPTO is closed for any other reason on a scheduled delivery day, the Contractor shall make alternate delivery arrangements with the

USPTO.

3.4 PRINTING OPERATIONS

3.4.1 WEEKLY ISSUE PRINT FILE

(a) The Weekly Issue Print File in Postscript® format will contain an entire patent weekly issue of Utility, Plant, Reissue, Design, and SIRs (UPRDS) patents (CLINS 0001a - c) and will be furnished on Prior Workday 13 via electronic data transfer by the Patent Data Capture (PaDaCap) Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for the Government Furnished Data (GFD) received.

The Contractor shall maintain a complete electronic file of all Weekly Issues for future reorders and reprints. Loss and Damage of GFD will be subject to the application of Liquidated Damages.

All methods of transmission will be under the control of the Contractor.

(b) The PaDaCap Contractor will provide two (2) or more batches of encrypted, zipped files containing the Weekly Issue Print File via a Secure File Transfer Protocol (SSH/SFTP) server to the Patent Printing/Plant Patent Contractor.

(c) The PaDaCap Contractor will supply the following:

(1) password protected specific user accounts;

(2) WinSCP software; and

(3) encryption software with a pair of encryption keys to the Patent Printing/Plant Patent Contractor.

The PaDaCap Contractor will transfer files to the Patent Printing/Plant Patent Contractor at a predetermined timeframe.

(d) The Patent Printing/Plant Patent Contractor must have a WindowsXP or higher PC that has a line to an internet connection to retrieve GFD. The Patent Printing/Plant Patent Contractor will retrieve the files from the SSH/SFTP server using the password protected account and key. The files will then need to be decrypted and unzipped for processing. The contents list will be included in the electronic delivery.

(e) The Weekly Issue Print File in PostScript® format will contain an entire patent weekly issue and will be furnished by the Patent Data Capture (PaDaCap) Contractor. The Weekly Issue Print File is a Postscript® Level 2 compression. Each patent document will appear as a single file.

These files will range in size from 1 - 2,000 megabytes. The PaDaCap Contractor assumes a maximum of 2 MB per patent for the patents in any given issue. The actual current average size of a patent is 1.5 MB.

(f) The PaDaCap Contractor will provide a media contents list with every Weekly Issue Print File delivery (See Attachment F). This list identifies issue date and the date on which the file was run, and lists every patent file that is included.

(g) When DVD(s) are used as backup, a material receipt slip is provided with the DVD, which the PaDaCap Contractor will require acknowledgement of receipt by a representative of the Patent Printing Contractor. (A minimum of 5,000 patents is estimated to fit on two DVD(s).

Approximately 7,000 patents should fit on three DVD(s)).

(h) During the life of the contract, the USPTO anticipates that the Patent Printing Contractor will be required to print and deliver a cover page in color for each patent Grant (see references in Deliverable table above "...with Color Cover Page"). This Color Cover Page will be included in the Weekly Issue Print File as part of each patent document. Until such time when the USPTO notifies the Patent Printing Contractor of the necessity of the Color Cover Page, the Patent Printing Contractor will not produce and deliver CLIN 0001b. Additionally, at the time the USPTO requests the Color Cover Page, the Patent Printing Contractor will be instructed to stop production and delivery of CLIN 000l a.

(i) During the life of the contract, the USPTO anticipates the Patent Printing Contractor will print and deliver patent color drawings for patent Grants requesting color drawings. These Patent Color Drawings will be included in the Weekly Issue Print File as part of each patent document.

Additionally, at the time the USPTO requests both the Patent Color Drawings and the Patent Color Cover Page, the Patent Printing Contractor will be instructed to stop production of previous CLIN 0001c and begin delivery of CLIN 0001d. If the Contractor is asked to produce color drawings, there will be approximately 10 to 15 patents with color drawings per issue.

3.4.2 MISCELANEOUS CERTIFICATES PRINT FILE

The Miscellaneous Certificates Print File in PostScript® format will contain Certificates, Dedications, Disclaimers, and Adverse Actions for each weekly issue and will be delivered to the Patent Printing Contractor via the PaDaCap Contractor. The Miscellaneous Certificates Print File will be furnished on DVD along with a media contents list by the PaDaCap Contractor. The PaDaCap Contractor will require acknowledgement of receipt by a representative of the Patent Printing Contractor.

3.4.3 CLASSIFICATION DATA FOR LEDGER PLANT PATENTS

(a) The Government requires printing of classification data in the upper left corner of each plant patent provided by the Patent Printing Contractor. The Contractor shall print, in the header of each copy of the ledger plant patent (One Ledger Set Plant Patents Only, With Classification Labels), the Classification Data. Plant patents for each weekly issue shall be sorted and boxed in accordance with Government instructions and the boxes delivered to Government-designated location by noon on issue day.

(b) The USPTO will provide one Classification Data File that is transmitted electronically to the Patent Printing Contractor. The file is a Microsoft Word® document, with each record in the file detailing the Classification Data for each ledger plant patent.

(c) The Contractor shall use the Classification Data File to determine the required number of patents to be printed for each unique plant patent number (see Attachment F for examples of the proper format). The file will contain the following data fields: Patent Class, Patent Sub-class, Modifier (if present), Art Unit, EX (examiner search room), Issue date, OR (original classification) or XR (cross reference), Patent Number, Patent Class, Sub-class, SR (public search room), Issue Date, Patent Number, OR (original classification) or XR (cross reference). Some fields may be empty or contain the two to five character alphanumeric project codes.

(d) The Contractor shall institute a quality control program to ensure the correct number of documents is printed and that each document contains the correct label information.

(e) Printed patents for each issue shall be sorted, boxed, and delivered in accordance with the following:

(1) Search room copies are the bulk of any issue and are those new issues whose labels indicate they belong in either the Public Search File (PSR) or the Examiner Search File (ESR--Art Unit xxxx).

(2) The PSR copies must be sorted by patent number within classification, boxed in classification sequence, and each box clearly marked to identify its contents and issue date (e.g., PSR NEW ISSUES for 01-21-03, classes 1-29).

(3) The ESR copies are sorted by classification delivery location and patent number within each classification.

(4) Patents shall be sorted for each delivery location in classification sequence and each box clearly marked to identify its contents and issue date (e.g., ESR NEW ISSUES for 01-21-03, Tech Center 1, Room xxxx, classes 3, 54, 101, 129).

(f) All PSR patents shall be delivered directly to the Public Search Facility.

(g) Prior to full and final implementation of the label printing process, the Contractor shall at a minimum perform the following testing in conjunction with USPTO personnel. For no less than three issues, the Contractor shall provide lists of printed label facsimiles for patents in selected Tech Centers to be determined by the Government. In addition, the Government may also request that actual patent copies containing the printed filing label be provided for approximately one to three Art Units as determined by the Government. For a minimum of two issues, the Contractor shall provide lists of printed label facsimiles for all patents in those issues. The Contractor may also be asked to provide a sample of their ability to correctly fulfill the Government's sorting and boxing requirement. Final implementation of the new process will not occur until the Government determines that all label printing is correct and accurate and that sorting and boxing will occur as required.

3.4.4 GATHERING OF PHOTOPRINTS

After production of the photoprints, the Contractor shall gather together the photoprints and the text pages in order to make a complete Plant Patents Set, according to the quantity shown in Section 2.

3.4.5 CREATION OF MAIL LABELS

The Contractor shall create mailing address labels for the One White Offset Set of Plant Patent Sets as outlined in the Deliverable Table in Section 3.4 Printing Operations.

Mailing Labels shall be affixed to each unit of mail as described in Section 4.4 Labeling and Marking. The addresses for these labels will be provided to the Contractor upon award of contract.

The USPTO will provide the Contractor with changes and updates as necessary.

3.4.6 SOFT COPY LISTS

The soft copy list contains the following fields: patent number in ascending order, number of soft copies to be printed, and number of advanced orders to be mailed. This list is transmitted electronically from the USPTO to the Contractor.

3.4.7 PATENT STORAGE

All GFD must be stored by issue date for the life of this contract so that they may be accessed for reprints. The Contractor shall also retain digital images of the plant patent color drawings in order to fulfill future requests of reprints during the life of this contract. If DVD(s) are used, then they must be stored by issue in a normal filing position (DVD that is stored in chronological order by patent issue date) for the life of the contract so that they may be accessed for reprints. The Government reserves the right to charge the Contractor a flat rate of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per item that must be regenerated due to loss or misplacement by the Contractor. At the completion of the contract, all Government furnished DVDs being stored by the Contractor must be returned to the USPTO and all stored data must be deleted per the instructions of the USPTO. All costs incurred in returning Government furnished DVDs to the USPTO shall be borne by the Contractor.

3.5 REPLACEMENT OF MISSING, DEFECTIVE, OR POOR QUALITY PATENTS

3.5.1 CLAIM LETTERS

(a) Should a patent copy(s) be defective or missing from a delivery, the Government will issue a "Claim Letter" electronically for the correction or replacement of the defective or missing patent(s).

(b) Claim letter schedule:

(1) Claim letter requests shall be fulfilled and redelivered or placed in the mail as directed within 48 hours of notification by Government of missing, defective, or poor quality patents.

(2) Advance Orders shall be mailed first class, or as directed, with the next issue following notification by Government of missing, defective, or poor quality patents.

(3) Contractor is responsible for all costs incurred with the re-mailing or redelivery of the patents listed on the claim letter.

3.5.2 DUPLICATE GRANTS

The Contractor shall reprint patent grants at the request of the USPTO. The Contractor shall reprint the requested patent grants from the PostScript file used for the original patent grant. The Contractor will, on occasion, receive a request to reprint patent grants for which there is no PostScript file available. The Contractor shall use the patent image available at www.uspto.gov to reprint any patent grants not available in a PostScript file. All reprinted patent grants shall be printed on ledger paper and be delivered to the data capture Contractor within 4 workdays from the date of request.

(a) Should a patent ledger copy(s) be defective or missing from a delivery, the Government will notify the Contractor of the defect and order replacement copies.

(b) Replacements necessitated due to Contractor error must be made at no cost to the Government. The Contractor will reprint/correct and redeliver/re-mail the defective or missing copy(s) in accordance with the following schedule: within one workday of notification of defective or missing copy.

(c) Grant ledger defect schedule:

(1) Replacement Grant ledger copies shall be delivered to the Government designated address within one workday of notification of defective or missing copy.

3.5.3 DOCUMENTATION CLAIMS AND DUPLICATE GRANTS

Contractor must develop a system (to be approved by the COR) for documenting "Claim Letter" and "Grant ledger" compliance.

3.6 FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide all necessary copies, reprints, and bindings in the binding style ordered from the following binding styles:

http://www.uspto.gov/

3.6.1 TRIM SIZES

(a) The entire patent weekly issue printed on 20 lbs. White Offset or Xerographic paper, shall be trimmed to: 216mm x 279 mm (8-1/2" x 11").

The entire patent weekly issue printed on 44 lbs. (Ledger Set) White 25% Rag Ledger, shall be trimmed to: 197mm x 287mrn (7-3/4" x 11-5/16").

(b) For Photoprints, use "double weight" color photoprint paper, semi-matte finish. Dimensions shall be 8-1/2" by 11" +/- 1/16 and a margin minimum top of l" above typeset heading. The center image shall be side to side with 3/4 minimum margin on each side. The bottom margin shall be 3/4 minimum. The reproduction shall be at 79% plus or minus 5% smaller than the examiner approved plant drawing.

3.6.2 MARGINS

Head margin of all pages is to be 19 mm (3/4") to first line of patent information. Bar code is not to be considered patent information and therefore may appear in the head margin. Side margins of all pages shall be exactly equal. See Attachment J for image and stitch positioning.

3.6.3 BINDING OF OVERSIZED PATENTS

(a) Approximately 40 to 150 distinct patents per issue will be oversized and the Contractor shall be required to provide special binding for each copy. An oversized patent is defined as 59 or more leaves of White Offset Paper or White Xerographic Paper.

(b) For each oversized patent the Contractor shall:

(1) Drill two 6mm (1/4") round holes, 216mm x 279mrn (8-1/2") center to center, on the left binding edge, 10mm (3/8") from left edge of sheet to center of holes.

(2) Furnish, insert, and fasten an Acco® or similar type fastener.

(3) Oversize patents shall be broken into multiple volumes with no more than 650 per volume.

(i) Patents that range between 650 leaves to 1,300 leaves shall be bound in two volumes of equal size.

(ii) Patents that exceed 1,300 leaves shall be bound in multiple volumes of equal size.

3.6.4 COLLATING OF PATENT DELIVERABLES

(a) The Contractor shall place one copy of each patent for a weekly issue into sets by patent number sequence (see Deliverable Table for number of sets).

(b) The Contractor shall place into sets the Miscellaneous Certificates: (i.e., Certificates, Dedications, Disclaimers, and Adverse Actions) one of each of the four different items collated together (see Deliverable Table for number of sets).

3.6.4.1 WITHDRAWN PATENTS

(a) It is sometimes necessary for the Government to withdraw patents from an issue. Therefore, upon receipt of the Weekly Patent Print File and in preparation for printing of the weekly issue, the Contractor shall exclude from printing, any patent appearing on the DVD for which they have received a withdrawal notice.

(b) In addition, the Contractor shall remove withdrawn patents from each and all deliverables, as late as noon Prior Work Day (PWD) 2 upon notification of withdrawal. Therefore, it will be necessary for the Contractor to remove these patent(s) from the patent sets already assembled for distribution or mailing. Copies of printed withdrawn patent(s) shall be shredded. The Contents Lists (See Attachment F), packed in with the each of the deliverables, must be adjusted to list the patent(s) as a withdrawn patent.

3.7 PAPER REQUIREMENTS

(a) Payment for all paper supplied by the Contractor under the terms of these specifications, as ordered on the individual print orders, will be based on the net number of leaves furnished for the product( s) ordered. The cost of any paper required for make ready or running spoilage must be included in the prices offered.

(b) The specifications of all paper furnished must be in accordance with those listed herein or listed for the corresponding JCP Code numbers in the "Government Paper Specification Standards No. 11" dated February 1999.

(c) Notice: Copies of the "Government Paper Specifications Standards, No. 10" dated July 1999, are for sale, on a subscription basis, by the Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

(d) Stock to be furnished must be consistent through the term of the contract. Under no condition will the mixing or substitution of papers be allowed.

(e) White Offset Book, grammage 75 g/m2 (basis weight: 50 lbs. per 500 sheets, 25 x 38"), equal to JCP Code A60 or, at Contractor 's option, White, Plain Copier, Xerographic Paper (Qualified Product), grammage 75 g/m (basis weight: 20 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22"), equal to JCP Code 0- 60.

(f) White 25% Ledger, grammage 165 g/m. 2 (basis weight: 44 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22"), equal to JCP Code 120.

(g) Photoprints: The Contractor shall provide and use "double weight" color photoprint paper, semi-matte finish. Dimensions shall be 8 1/z" by 11" +/- 1/16 and a margin minimum top of 1" above typeset heading. The center image shall be side to side with 3/4 minimum margin on each side. The bottom margin shall be 3/4 minimum. The reproduction shall be at 79% plus or minus 5% smaller than the examiner approved color drawing.

3.8 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED DATA AND PROPERTY

(a) Government Furnished Data and Property shall be provided in accordance with the following schedule. (See Attachment A and Section 6 for an explanation of Prior Workday)

(1) Prior Workday 20:

(i) Original Plant Patent Examiner Drawings.

(2) Prior Workday 13:

(i) Weekly Patent Print File (Utility, Plant, Reissue, Design, and SIRs (UPRDS)) and the Miscellaneous Certificates Print File will be furnished (See Section 3.4 Printing Operations).

(3) Prior Workday 12:

(i) Classification Data File will be furnished by electronic mail (See Section 3.4 Printing Operations).

(4) Prior Workday 11:

(i) Advance Order data will be furnished by electronic mail.

(ii) For Advance Orders, pre-addressed, pressure sensitive, postage, and fee paid labels will be furnished per issue.

(5) Prior Workday 3:

(6) As needed, and at the discretion of the Government:

(i) On occasion, a paper copy may be furnished for producing reprints of Patents.

(ii) Notice (s) of withdrawn patent(s) will be furnished by electronic mail as they become available.

(iii) All plant patent original examiner drawings shall be returned to the USPTO after each weekly issue is accepted and successfully distributed following that specific patent issue date.

(iv) Delayed availability of any Government Furnished Materials shall be reported immediately to the Contract Officer's Technical Representative.

(v) Disposition Instructions for return of all Government Furnished Material are as per Section 7.5 and FAR clause 52.245-1 of this contract.

3.9 QUANTITY: COPIES/PAGES

(a) Weekly orders for Patents will consist of one full Ledger set (CLIN la - without a Color Cover Page, until otherwise notified to start production of CLIN 0002b -with a Color Cover Page). One full Soft copy set, and multiple partial Soft copy sets. Generally, each patent will average 19 printed pages. However, on rare occasions a patent can be in excess of 1,500 pages.

(b) Weekly orders of Miscellaneous Certificates such as Dedications, Disclaimers, Adverse Decisions and Special Certificates, will be approximately 5 to 15 copies of each and will comprise a single page.

(c) The Contractor shall produce 120 copies of each original examiner approved plant drawings per weekly issue as noted in Section 2.

(d) It is the intention of the USPTO to have an annual task order in place that can meet the estimated weekly production requirements stated herein, yet at the same time, inform the Contractor that due to the nature of the product being procured, technological changes and customer requirements, it is impossible for the USPTO to state with accuracy the number of patents that will be required each year.

3.10 PLANT CAPACITY

Production and distribution of all products covered under these specifications must be accomplished at the same facility.

3.11 TRANISTION PLAN

The Contractor shall provide a Transition Plan. The Transition Plan should briefly describe at a minimum the process, details, and schedule for providing an orderly transition during the Contract’s Transition Ability to begin performance. USPTO anticipates contract award 30 days prior to the contract period of performance.

The objectives of the Transition Plan are to:

(a) Minimize the impacts on continuity of operations;

(b) Maintain communication with USPTO;

(c) Identify key issues and milestone; and;

(d) Overcome barriers to transition.

SECTION 4 – PACKAGING AND MARKING

4.1 PACKAGING AND MARKING

This Section describes packaging and marking requirements applicable to all orders. In addition, the Contract is advised to review order type specific packaging and marking requirements described in Section 3.

4.1 BANDING

Rubber bands shall be of sufficient strength to hold patents in groups without causing damage to the patent pages. Bands will be placed around the width (short dimension) of the patents, as ordered.

4.2 WRAPPING

As specified in the Deliverables Table in Section 3.3.4, wrap sets with kraft paper or similar type paper in units of 50 or 100 patents and packed in cartons or envelopes.

4.3 PACKING

(a) When packing in shipping containers:

(1) Pack in accordance with the Packing Order of Patent Issue Sets as specified in Attachment C.

(2) Shipping containers must be packed solidly with the material laid flat on the bottom of the container and in solid contact with the top to prevent shifting and crushing in shipping and storage operations.

(3) Strapping shipping containers (other than envelopes): All containers shall after sealing, be strapped in a minimum of two separate places with a Signode® or similar type polypropylene strapping material. Strapping requirement applies to ALL deliveries and shipments.

(b) If advance orders and partial sets will not fit into envelopes, the Contractor will pack as follows:

(1) Pack quantities up to 5 kg (12 lbs.) into cushioned shipping bags or wrap in shipping bundles (maximum gross weight 6 kg (14 lbs).

(2) Wrap quantities over 5 kg (12 lbs.) into shipping bundles or pack in shipping containers (maximum gross weight 10 kg (22 lbs).

4.4 LABELING AND MARKING

(a) Affix labels to each unit of mail packaged in envelopes, cushioned shipping bags, shipping bundles, and containers.

(b) When delivering via USPS, if quantities ordered exceed first class limitations for international mail, the Contractor must delete first class information from label, stamp "PRINTED MATTER" on package, and ship/mail air parcel post. The Government will provide a "Postage and Fees Paid" permit for the purpose of mailing material produced under this contract via USPS. See Section

6.3 Delivery via USPS.

(b) Each shipping container must be marked on one side with the issue date, the range (first and last numbers) of patents contained therein, and the number of shipping containers required for that set or order (1 of 5, 2 of 5, etc.). NOTE: The shipping containers delivered to the USPTO Mail Center do NOT require the special labeling and marking described in this paragraph. See Deliverables Table 3.3.4.

4.5 PACKING FOR DELIVERY BY COURIER

When delivering via Courier, material shall be packed for shipment in such a manner that will ensure acceptance by courier and safe delivery at destination. Containers and closures shall comply with the Interstate Commerce Commission regulations, Uniform Freight Classification Rules, or regulations of other carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation.

SECTION 5 - QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVAIL ANCE PLAN

5.1 QASP ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following section details the Roles and Responsibilities for successful execution of the QASP. This includes both USPTO’s and the Contractor’s personnel.

5.1.1 USPTO…