provide docketing, tracking, payment and reporting services for foreign applications/patents.

A market survey is being conducted to determine if there are adequate Small Business, SBA certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), Women-Owned, or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contractors available for a proposed project who meet the specific criteria outlined below. This is not a solicitation Announcement or Request for Proposal. It does not constitute any commitment by the Government. No award will result from this notice. The purpose is to conduct market research to gain knowledge of potentially qualified sources. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will not award a contract based on responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. After completing an analysis of the responses, the Government will determine whether to limit competition to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, Women-Owned, or other small business firms, or to proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation, inviting full and open competition.

Description of Services: The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT), USDA, ARS requires services to docket, track, and report quarterly on the status of foreign patents including the payment of annuities, taxes and maintenance fees to maintain existing patents in force.  Currently, there are approximately 800 Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications/International Patents for which annuities, taxes, and maintenance fees may become due and payable.

The Contractor shall docket, track, and report on the status of foreign patents including the payment of requisition annuities, maintenance fees and taxes.  The contractor shall utilize country data to verify accuracy.   The services to docket/track, and report annuities are services that will support the payment of annuities, maintenance fees and taxes under any resulting Purchase Order or Contract.

The Contractor shall provide docketing, tracking, payment and reporting services for non-domestic (foreign) applications/patents.  The Contractor shall perform the following patent-related services and purchases as may be required to maintain patents in effect:

The Contractor shall maintain a current case docket to ensure that fees for annuities and taxes are paid on a timely basis.  The Contractor shall enter information in its docketing system from Government-furnished and publicly available records to affect the payment of annuities, taxes, and maintenance fees.  The Contractor shall have a required already established computerized docketing, tracking, and payment database system with the capabilities to calculate and administer different country by country patent regulations regarding payment of annuities, taxes, and maintenance fees.  Safeguards in place to reduce or eliminate errors are a requirement, without the need of restorations.  The Contractor shall provide the use of patent office electronic data to verify data.  The Contractor shall provide a real time paperless (online) annuity management, including the capability to instruct the contractor online, via fax/phone and by email.  Patent annuity services shall include electronic due diligence audit of patents and due diligence audits.  Contractor shall provide online electronic management which allows the Government to monitor costs, and Contractor shall guarantee the exchange rate.   Contractor shall have the capability to pay accumulated annuities upon grant.

NAICS Code: 541990 – All other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Companies who have the experience, as well as an interest in doing business with ARS, should submit a Capabilities Statement which, for this notice, is not expected to be a proposal, but rather short statements regarding the company’s ability to demonstrate their expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified in this notice. Companies shall have a required already established computerized docketing, tracking, and payment database system with the capabilities to calculate and administer different country by country patent regulations regarding payment of annuities, taxes, and maintenance fees. Companies should also indicate whether they are a Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), SDVOSB, or Women-Owned Small Business. Responses should be submitted via email to scott.ballweg@usda.gov by 04 November 2024 at 1:00pm ET. Questions should be directed to primary POC of this notice.