PTAG 6. 1. 1. Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Arbitration Services
Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- ACQ-26-1947
- Agency
-
US Patent and Trademark Office
Department of Commerce
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541199 All Other Legal Services
- PSC
- R418 Support- Professional: Legal
- Place of performance
- Virginia 22314, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for arbitration services under NAICS Code 541199 - All Other Legal Services. The USPTO's Office of General Law intends to negotiate and award a purchase order to Torres Blanca, located in Alexandria, Virginia, for a twelve-month period beginning October 1, 2025. This procurement is exempt from the Competition in Contracting Act under the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act and will utilize the Alternative Competition Method as outlined in the Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines. The notice specifically states that this is not a request for competitive proposals and no public solicitation will be issued. The procurement is authorized under FAR 6.302-3(b)(3)(ii), which permits sole source contracting for neutral persons facilitating alternative dispute resolution processes.
The purpose of this sole source procurement is to retain Ms. Torres Blanca as an arbitrator who has already been jointly selected by parties to serve on a standing panel for hearing grievances related to USPTO administration and management matters. The USPTO justifies the sole source approach by emphasizing that Torres Blanca is the only known qualified source since she has been pre-agreed upon by both parties, and substituting another arbitrator at this stage would risk inconsistency, duplication of effort, and undermine the integrity of the dispute resolution process. Contractors interested in submitting questions about this notice must do so in writing via email to the designated Contracting Officers, Yen Nguyen and Emalee Gawrelski, no later than 5:00 PM EDT on September 11, 2025. Since this is a sole source procurement, there are no competitive eligibility criteria for other contractors to participate, as the contract will be awarded directly to Torres Blanca based on her unique qualification as the pre-selected arbitrator.
Notice text
The Office of General Law (OGL) provides general litigation and advisory services on matters concerning the administration and management of the USPTO. The parties have jointly selected arbitrators, including Ms. Torres Blanca, to serve on a standing panel to hear grievances brought by the parties.
For this procurement, the USPTO is exempt from the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) as the subject requirement is being procured using 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). The full text is located here: https://federal register.gov/a/2013-24316.
The USPTO intends to negotiate and award a Purchase Order for Arbitration Services under NAICS Code 541199 – All Other Legal Services to Torres Blanca, 5250 Valley Forge Drive, APT 411, Alexandria, VA 22304-5610 for an estimated period of performance comprised of twelve (12) months. The anticipated award date is October 1, 2025.
For this instance, Ms. Torres Blanca is the only known qualified source since she has already been agreed to both parties. Accordingly, for reasons of continuity, efficiency, and fairness to the parties, it is essential that this arbitrator be retained to complete the matter. Substitution at this stage would not only risk inconsistency and duplication of effort, but would also undermine the integrity of the process. It is the best interest of the Government and consistent with USPTO’s statutory authority to proceed with this arbitrator through the conclusion of this case. Moreover, FAR 6.302-3(b)(3)(ii) specifically allows for the use of other than full and open competition to procure, “A neutral person, e.g., mediators or arbitrators, to facilitate the resolution of issues in an alternative dispute resolution process.”
This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals nor will a solicitation be issued to the public. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to the following point of contact or alternate point of contact no later than 5:00pm EDT on September 11, 2025. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
Points of Contact: Yen Nguyen, Contracting Officer, yen.nguyen1@uspto.gov
Alternate Point of Contact: Emalee Gawrelski, Contracting Officer, emalee.gawrelski@uspto.gov
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PTAG 6 1 1 NOI to Sole Source_Torres Blanca.pdf |
Similar open opportunities
| Opportunity | Agency | Set-aside | Responses due |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTOEA Intent to Sole Source (Patent Examination Review Assistant) | US Patent and Trademark Office | No set-aside | |
| PTOEA Intent to Sole Source - Real Estate Planning & Management Support Services | US Patent and Trademark Office | No set-aside |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity