Foreign patent services

This is a combined synopsis / solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The solicitation number is 1232SA21R0002 and is issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP).

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-09 August 27, 2020.

This procurement is a 100% Small Business (SB) set-aside.

NAICS Code: 541110

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is seeking a contractor to provide Foreign Patent and Filing Prosecution services for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Forest Service (FS), and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

FAR Clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (JUNE 2020)

Basis for Award: This will be a best value procurement.  Technical merit plays a significant role in determining award. All evaluation factors other than price, when combined, are more important than price. The Contracting Officer shall determine what trade-off between technical merit and price promises to be the best value to the Government with price and other factors to be considered. As non-price factors become more equal, price may become the determining factor. The award will be made to the offeror that offers the greatest value and is most advantageous to the Government.

Please include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items (NOV 2020)

FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items (OCT 2018)

FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders – Commercial Items (NOV 2020)

Offerors shall submit all written questions concerning the solicitation via email to Christina Royle at Christina.Royle@usda.gov.  The questions and responses will be provided to all offerors in an amendment to the solicitation where a response is deemed appropriate by the Contracting Officer. All questions are due NLT 5:00PM EST on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. All proposals are due NLT 12:00PM EST on Monday, December 28, 2020.

The Government may elect to conduct discussions with offerors whose proposals are technically acceptable (or which may be expected to be made acceptable by moderate modification) and fall within the competitive price range. The Government reserves the right, however, to award a contract based on initial offers without conducting discussions. Therefore, each proposal should be submitted from the offeror's most favorable technical and price standpoints.