Executive Recruitment: Deputy GC for Intellectual Property Law & Solicitor for USPTO)

Executive Recruitment:  Deputy General Counsel for Intellectual Property Law and Solicitor for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

This PTAG 6.1.1 Sources Sought Notice (RFI) is strictly for market research ONLY.  It is for informational and planning purposes and shall NOT be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation or commitment by the Government at this time.

PTAG:

The Government intends utilizing the Alternative Competition Method in accordance with the Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines (PTAG) and the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(4)(A). This Sources Sought notice is intended as preliminary market information gathering which the USPTO will use to determine which executive search firms are/is the most likely to successfully meet the agency’s needs and are thereby eligible to participate in an alternative competition.

As a result of this market research, the solicitation will only be issued to those qualified executive search firms (s) that are/is deemed most likely to successfully meet the agency’s requirement as stated below.

REQUIREMENT:

DRAFT: STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES  (SOO)

1. Purpose

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is in need of executive search services from a firm with extensive private and public sector reach to identify and deliver top quality candidates for the SES position of Deputy General Counsel for Intellectual Property Law and Solicitor within USPTO’s Office of the Solicitor.

For this position, USPTO requires an experienced technical executive with substantial experience in intellectual property matters. We are seeking a results- driven, service-centered, and people-oriented individual to lead the USPTO Office of Solicitor.

The USPTO Office of Solicitor is a large, professionally-skilled organization providing advice and guidance on complex legal and technological issues. In addition, the Solicitor serves as a recognized expert on patent policy and litigation issues for the Solicitor's Office and is responsible for defending decisions made by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the federal district courts represents the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO (Director) in district court actions that are filed against the USPTO pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Prosecutes attorneys and agents who practice before the agency for alleged ethical violation and defends USPTO employees at deposition.

2. Background

The USPTO is a federal agency in the Department of Commerce (DOC), which is headquartered in Alexandria, VA. The mission of the USPTO is to foster innovation and competitiveness by providing high quality and timely examination and issuance of patent and trademark applications, guiding domestic and international intellectual property policy, and delivering intellectual property information and education worldwide. Through the issuance of patents, the USPTO encourages technological advancement by providing incentives to invent, invest in, and disclose new technology worldwide. Through the registration of trademarks, the agency assists businesses in protecting their investments, promoting goods and services, and safeguarding consumers against confusion and deception in the marketplace. The office employs over 13,000 full time staff to support its work.

Due to the impact, complexity and scope of the Solicitor, it is important that the USPTO ensures that we have exhausted all potential recruitment opportunities to identify the very best available candidates. The USPTO’s operations are managed similarly to a private sector organization and we believe that we must search for candidates from both the private and public sectors.

3. Scope

This effort is for executive search services to identify, deliver and assist in the recruitment of highly-qualified candidates for the Solicitor position. The contractor shall identify candidates who possesses the required professional, technical and executive core qualifications as outlined in the position description.

4. Objectives

In order for the candidates to be considered for the position, they will need to apply to the vacancy announcement that will be posted on USAJobs.gov. The contractor should assist the applicants to ensure they successfully submit all the requirements described in the vacancy announcement to ensure consideration. The contractor is expected to help the applicants understand what is required when submitting their application. The contractor shall provide a detailed recruitment plan that details their methodology and approach on marketing, searching, recruiting and delivering candidates for this effort. The contractor is expected to notify the USPTO of each candidate who applies to the vacancy under their purview. The contractor shall attend a kick-off meeting, to be scheduled by the Government, within five (5) days from award.

5. Period and Place of Performance

The period of performance is 9 months from date of award. However, the final schedule will be agreed upon after the kick-off meeting.

6. Constraints

In order for the applicants to be considered for the position, their application package must be successfully uploaded to the USAJobs.gov website or submitted to the Executive Resources Team. Applications must meet the requirements that will be stated in the vacancy announcement by the closing date of the posting.

7. Deliverables

TBD

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE:

• Note:  The Government will not utilize formal evaluation criteria for market research associated with PTAG 6.1.1. The Government will review these sources sought responses to help determine which firms are most likely to successfully meet the agency’s requirements.

DEADLINE:

Responses are due no later than November 14, 2023 at 1:00 PM EST and are to be submitted via email to:

• Dennis Jolliffe, Contract Specialist, dennis.jolliffe@uspto.gov  
• Christopher Ward, Contracting Officer, Christopher.ward@uspto.gov

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

QUESTIONS:

Questions regarding this sources sought notice are due no later than November 8, 2023 at 1:00 PM EST and are to be submitted via email to:

• Dennis Jolliffe, Contract Specialist, dennis.jolliffe@uspto.gov 
• Christopher Ward, Contracting Officer, Christopher.ward@uspto.gov

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

Responses should include:

• the name of your firm,
• Email and phone of the primary contact.
• Main Address of your firm
• A capability statement including any relevant past performance information that would show your firm’s ability to fulfill this requirement.
• The Small Business Socio-Economic sub-category of your firm (if applicable)
• GSA contract number (if applicable) and relevant GSA contract information
• Your SAM.gov UEI number (if registered)
  • Note: your firm must be registered in the SAM.gov database prior to any award of a contract or agreement.

All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

This PTAG 6.1.1 Sources Sought Notice (RFI)  is strictly for market research ONLY. 

It is for informational and planning purposes and shall NOT be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation or commitment by the Government at this time.

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