RFI_BEP-26-AP-0388_SourcesSought.pdf

RFI # BEP-26-AP-0388

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

ONLINE GLOBAL PATENT DATABASE SUBSCRIPTION

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION.

1. Purpose The Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO), is conducting market research to identify existing commercially available online patent database subscription services capable of supporting the research requirements of BEP's Security Features Division (SFD).

The Government is seeking information regarding available commercial solutions, industry capabilities and practices, potential sources, licensing structures, and estimated pricing.

Information obtained through this RFI may be used to refine the Government's requirements, develop an Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), and determine an appropriate acquisition strategy.

BEP is seeking an existing commercial subscription solution. The Government is not seeking development of a new software application, custom-built database, or other developmental solution.

This notice does not constitute a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract.

2. Background A key part of BEP's mission is to design and manufacture new generations of U.S. currency incorporating security feature technologies that preserve and enhance public confidence in U.S.

currency.

BEP's Security Features Division requires an efficient means to search, organize, analyze, and visualize U.S. and international patent literature. Patent research supports SFD's efforts to understand emerging technologies and materials, monitor technology trends, obtain historical research information, evaluate areas of development by current and prospective industrial partners, and identify potentially disruptive technologies.

BEP anticipates a recurring requirement for a commercially available online patent database subscription. The Government is considering a one-year base period with up to four one-year option periods.

3. Anticipated Capability Areas The Government is interested in understanding the capabilities of commercially available patent research platforms in the following areas. The Government's intent is to acquire an existing commercial solution using the provider's standard commercial platform and functionality. Respondents should describe capabilities that are currently available to commercial customers.

The Government is not seeking proposed future capabilities, developmental functionality, or capabilities that would need to be developed specifically for BEP.

A. Patent Coverage Describe the patent information available through your platform, including:

U.S. patent coverage;

international patent coverage and jurisdictions;

historical depth of coverage;

availability of full-text patent records;

availability of original patent documents/images; and foreign-language patent information and translation capabilities.

Identify any material limitations on patent coverage.

B. Search Capabilities Describe available patent search functionality, including:

keyword and full-text searching;

Boolean and advanced query capabilities;

patent classification searching;

assignee and inventor searching;

citation searching;

similar or related patent searching;

search filtering and refinement; and other advanced or AI-assisted search capabilities.

C. Saved Searches and Monitoring Describe the platform's capabilities for:

creating, saving, editing, and rerunning searches;

automated alerts;

monitoring technologies or patent activity; and notification of newly available patent information.

Identify any limits on the number of saved searches, alerts, or monitoring activities.

D. Research Organization and Workflow Describe how users can organize and retain patent research.

This may include:

folders;

projects;

workspaces;

collections;

saved patent lists;

annotations;

tags;

custom data fields; or equivalent functionality.

Identify any limits on the number or size of folders, projects, workspaces, collections, annotations, or equivalent research-management functionality.

E. Patent Analytics and Visualization Describe the patent analytics, reporting, and visualization capabilities available through the platform.

The Government is particularly interested in capabilities involving:

patent classifications;

filing/publication trends;

assignee analysis;

inventor analysis;

citation analysis and mapping;

technology trends;

patent families;

relationship/network mapping;

charts, graphs, maps, or dashboards; and customizable reports.

Identify which capabilities are:

1. included with the standard subscription;

2. available only through additional modules or licenses; or

3. subject to additional fees or usage limitations.

F. Data Quality and Translation Describe capabilities related to:

patent data normalization;

standardization of assignee or inventor information;

patent-family consolidation;

foreign-language translation; and searching translated patent information.

G. Import, Export, and Data Portability Describe capabilities for importing and exporting research information, including:

search results;

patent lists;

reports;

annotations or user-created information;

research folders/projects; and saved searches.

Identify supported export formats and any associated limitations or additional fees.

Also describe the platform's ability to import or migrate research information from another commercially available patent database platform.

H. Access and Licensing Describe your standard commercial subscription/licensing structure, including:

number of authorized users;

concurrent-user options;

named-user versus concurrent-user licensing;

search limitations;

download limitations;

export limitations;

storage limitations; and other material usage restrictions.

BEP is particularly interested in commercially available subscription options appropriate for a relatively small group of researchers requiring at least one concurrent user session.

I. Security and Privacy Describe:

method of web-based access;

encryption used for browser sessions;

retention of user search history;

retention of user-identifying information;

sharing of user information with third parties; and other security or privacy considerations associated with Government use of the platform.

J. Training and Technical Support Describe available:

user onboarding;

training;

online manuals or instructional resources;

webinars or instructor-led training;

technical support; and help desk services.

Identify whether these services are included in the standard subscription price.

4. Commercial Pricing Information For market research purposes, respondents are requested to provide budgetary or Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing for their commercially available solution.

To the extent practicable, provide estimated pricing for:

one 12-month subscription period;

a subscription supporting at least one concurrent user;

a one-year base period plus four one-year option periods; and any separately priced implementation, onboarding, training, migration, analytical modules, or other required services.

Please identify assumptions used in developing the pricing information and describe standard commercial pricing and escalation practices.

Pricing submitted in response to this RFI is for market research purposes only and does not constitute an offer.

5. Company Information Please provide:

1. Company name and address.

2. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

3. Point of contact, telephone number, and email address.

4. Business size under NAICS 519290 – Web Search Portals and All Other Information

Services.

5. Applicable socioeconomic business category or categories.

6. Name of the commercial patent database/product offered.

7. Identification of any existing Government contract vehicle through which the subscription is available, if applicable.

6. Capability Assessment Please address the following:

1. Can your existing commercially available solution provide the capabilities described in this RFI without custom development or material modification?

2. If not, identify the capability areas your existing commercial solution does not provide.

3. Are any of the capabilities described in this RFI inconsistent with customary commercial practices for patent database subscription services?

4. Are there alternative approaches, terminology, or commercial capabilities the Government should consider when developing its final requirements?

5. Are there capabilities commonly available in current commercial patent research platforms that are not addressed in this RFI but could provide meaningful value to BEP's patent research activities?

7. Capability Matrix Respondents are encouraged to include the following matrix or a substantially similar format with their response.

Capability Available Included in Standard Subscription

Limitation/Additional Cost

U.S. patent searching International patent searching Foreign-language translation Classification searching Advanced search/query tools Saved searches Automated alerts/monitoring Research folders/projects Annotations/custom fields Citation analysis/mapping Patent analytics Charts/visualizations Custom reports Import/export Training/support

Respondents may supplement the matrix as necessary to accurately describe their commercial product.

8. Response Instructions

a. Responses should be concise and provide sufficient information for the Government to understand the respondent's commercially available product, capabilities, limitations, commercial practices, and approximate pricing.

b. Respondents may provide existing commercial product literature, brochures, capability statements, screenshots, links to publicly available product information, commercial price lists, or other supporting information in lieu of developing new material where appropriate.

c. Responses should be submitted electronically to:

Contracting Officer: Lasonia Brown Email: Lasonia.Brown@bep.gov with CC to: Lasonia.Brown@treasury.gov Response Due Date: Submit Responses NO LATER THAN August 24, 2026 at 12:00 Noon, EDT Email Subject Line: RFI # BEP-26-AP-0388 Online Global Patent Database Subscription

*Respondents should clearly mark any information considered proprietary or confidential.

9. Disclaimer

This RFI is issued solely for market research and acquisition planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation, and the Government is not requesting quotations, proposals, or offers at this time.

Responses to this RFI cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

Participation is voluntary. The Government will not reimburse respondents for costs incurred in preparing or submitting information in response to this RFI.

Responding or failing to respond to this RFI will not preclude a firm from participating in any future solicitation, if one is issued.

The Government may use information obtained through this RFI to refine its requirements, market research, acquisition strategy, evaluation approach, and Independent Government Cost Estimate.

The Government may contact respondents for clarification or additional information regarding their responses.

The Government will protect properly identified proprietary information from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable law and regulation.