Patent Printing, Assembly, and Mailing (PPAM)

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is conducting market research for Patent Printing, Assembly, and Mailing (PPAM) services under NAICS code 323111, utilizing an Alternative Competition Method to identify qualified vendors. The procurement requires contractors to print patent covers in various spine sizes, download weekly patent issue files via secure transfer protocols, and assemble and mail ceremonial patent copies to applicants within 8 business days of receiving files. Interested vendors must demonstrate capabilities for comprehensive patent document processing, including printing on specific paper types (100lb Neenah Classic Crest cover stock), quality control planning, and secure data handling with non-disclosure agreements. Responses to the Sources Sought Notice are due October 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time and must include company details, CAGE code, SAM UEI number, small business status, capabilities documentation, and up to four past performance examples from the last five years. Questions about the opportunity were due September 18, 2025, with answers provided in an amendment that also extended the original submission deadline.

This opportunity carries no set-aside designation and does not identify any incumbent contractors or specific budget ranges. The contract structure includes a base period from January 21, 2026 to January 20, 2027, with three optional one-year extensions through January 20, 2030, representing a potential four-year total performance period. Current volume projections indicate approximately 1,750 patents per week for processing, with historical data showing an average of 362,455 assembled patent grants annually and 630,544 printed pages per year. The USPTO anticipates that approximately 25% of patent grants will require ceremonial copies, with specific quantities including 324,112 utility patent covers, 46,952 design patent covers, 484 re-issue patent covers, and 803 plant patent covers. The contractor will be responsible for all shipping costs using USPS First-Class Flat Mail and must provide weekly delivery reports to the USPTO. Patents exceeding 600 pages will be provided on CD rather than printed format.