Patent Technical Services (PTS)
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- ACQ-26-0457
- Agency
-
US Patent and Trademark Office
Department of Commerce
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- Total Small Business
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- PSC
- R702 Support- Management: Data Collection
- Place of performance
- Alexandria, Virginia 22313, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), under the Department of Commerce, is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to identify qualified vendors for Patent Technical Services (PTS), which encompasses processing, tracking, and reviewing complex federal records related to patent application administration. The services include receiving and processing U.S. and international applications, collecting fees, managing electronic mailboxes, reviewing application documents for compliance, recording bibliographic data, and preparing notices to applicants across 11 specific task areas. The procurement will utilize the Alternative Competition Method under the Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines (PTAG), with the government conducting preliminary market research through an RFI to determine which vendors are most likely to successfully meet agency requirements. The government will not apply formal evaluation criteria during this market research phase; instead, responses will be reviewed to assess vendor capabilities and suitability for subsequent alternative competition. Critical dates include a deadline of 10:00 a.m. ET on November 25, 2025, for questions, with final RFI responses due by 10:00 a.m. ET on December 10, 2025, and anticipated interactive virtual dialogues scheduled for January 5-9, 2026.
This is a Total Small Business set-aside opportunity, meaning only small businesses are eligible to participate. No current incumbent contractor or estimated award value is disclosed in the pre-solicitation notice. Vendors must submit comprehensive responses including a corporate profile, federal and state past experience references, Phase 1 questionnaire responses, and answers to RFI-specific questions to be considered for the alternative competition; notably, non-respondents will be ineligible to compete as prime offerors. The interactive dialogue phase will consist of one-on-one virtual sessions lasting approximately 90 minutes per vendor, with participation limited to five representatives per dialogue (three of whom must be current employees of the prime contractor), during which technical capabilities will be assessed without discussion of pricing. The transition-in and transition-out periods for contract performance are each anticipated to require 90 calendar days, with on-site operations to be staffed at the USPTO location in Alexandria, Virginia.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The United States Department of Commerce seeks to broaden its understanding of the commercial marketplace in order to understand vendor capabilities and experience in processing, tracking and reviewing complex federal records. The USPTO has included draft Statement of Work (SOW) that outlines the requirements.
The Government contemplates 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 Request for Information (RFI) is intended as preliminary market information gathering which the USPTO will use to determine which vendor(s) is/are 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 the limited number of qualified vendor(s). Vendors that do not respond to the RFI will not be considered for the alternative competition, and will not be eligible to compete as a prime offeror. Submission of an RFI response does not guarantee a vendor’s eligibility to compete for PTS. This RFI is not a request for competitive proposals.
The Government will not utilize formal evaluation criteria for market research associated with PTAG 6.1.1. The Government will review RFI responses to determine which vendor(s) are most likely to successfully meet the agency’s requirements for Patent Technical Services (PTS).
This RFI is not a solicitation and does not constitute a request for quotation or proposal. The USPTO is not seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals. There is no USPTO commitment or implied agreement or understanding as a result of Government action or inaction taken in response to the RFI or the accompanying documents. Telephone calls requesting a solicitation will not be accepted or acknowledged. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary. No entitlement to payment will arise as a result of submission of a response to the RFI. Any cost for submission of responses or associated activities are at the interested respondent’s risk and interested respondent’s expense. The USPTO is not liable for costs (direct or indirect) associated with the preparation, submission, or responses to this RFI, including any costs associated with the meetings, follow on questions or additional requests for information, if any. USPTO will not reimburse the respondent for any costs incurred with responding to the RFI.
12/2/2025: Included RFI Questions and Answers Attachment.
Update #1 ·
The United States Department of Commerce seeks to broaden its understanding of the commercial marketplace in order to understand vendor capabilities and experience in processing, tracking and reviewing complex federal records. The USPTO has included draft Statement of Work (SOW) that outlines the requirements.
The Government contemplates 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 Request for Information (RFI) is intended as preliminary market information gathering which the USPTO will use to determine which vendor(s) is/are 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 the limited number of qualified vendor(s). Vendors that do not respond to the RFI will not be considered for the alternative competition, and will not be eligible to compete as a prime offeror. Submission of an RFI response does not guarantee a vendor’s eligibility to compete for PTS. This RFI is not a request for competitive proposals.
The Government will not utilize formal evaluation criteria for market research associated with PTAG 6.1.1. The Government will review RFI responses to determine which vendor(s) are most likely to successfully meet the agency’s requirements for Patent Technical Services (PTS).
This RFI is not a solicitation and does not constitute a request for quotation or proposal. The USPTO is not seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals. There is no USPTO commitment or implied agreement or understanding as a result of Government action or inaction taken in response to the RFI or the accompanying documents. Telephone calls requesting a solicitation will not be accepted or acknowledged. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary. No entitlement to payment will arise as a result of submission of a response to the RFI. Any cost for submission of responses or associated activities are at the interested respondent’s risk and interested respondent’s expense. The USPTO is not liable for costs (direct or indirect) associated with the preparation, submission, or responses to this RFI, including any costs associated with the meetings, follow on questions or additional requests for information, if any. USPTO will not reimburse the respondent for any costs incurred with responding to the RFI.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PTS RFI Questions.pdf | ||
| Federal State Prime Past Experience References - Attachment 2 V2.docx | DOCX document | |
| Corporate Profile - Attachment 1.docx | DOCX document | |
| Phase 1 Questions - Attachment 3.docx | DOCX document | |
| PTS Draft Statement of Work - Attachment 4.pdf | ||
| PTS Volume Schedule - Attachment 5.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| SOW Attachments.zip | ZIP file | |
| PTAG RFI PTSR.pdf |
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