PTAG INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: August 2026 USPTO Leadership Forum in Philadelphia, PA

PTAG INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE:  August 2026 USPTO Leadership Forum in Philadelphia, PA

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://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-35-patents/35-usc-sect-2/

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Office of Human Resources (OHR), has  a requirement for secure, safe and accessible convention and hotel services  for a three-day period, August 5-7, 2026. 

The approximately 1500 participants attending this mandatory Leadership Forum are the agency’s supervisors, managers, and executives in support of USPTO’s workforce’s professional development by providing employees with best-in-class training and opportunities to grow as leaders as part of a workforce that values health, wellness, community connections, and innovation. 

To make this sole source determination,  in accordance with PTAG 6.1.1 (b), the USPTO conducted market research which included an extensive review of conference and hotel services available  in multiple cities,  as well reaching out and/or researching municipal and  private conference. lodging and convention services  in those cities.

This resulted in identifying the Pennsylvania Convention Center and its attached Marriot property  as the only city meeting the specific convention, conference and lodging criteria  required by the USPTO:

• The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown property is connected via skywalk to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
• The Convention Center easily supports the 1500 attendees and allows for both large sessions and smaller breakout sessions.
• The connected Marriott hotel,  other Marriot, as well as other hotel properties concentrated in the immediate vicinity of the convention center  dramatically reduces the risk in  providing for the safety, security and accessibility of the attendees,
• The geographic proximity of Philadelphia to the USPTO's main campus in Alexandria, VA where most of the attendees will be traveling from, provides a  best value location choice by
  • reducing travel costs
  • minimizing the risk of  travel delays that would be presented if the event were to be held at a location further away.
• The depth of the of the convention and conference services available within the city of Philadelphia, provides great confidence that any necessary ancillary services such as catering, audio-visual, transportation or administrative support are readily available at all times.

As a result, per PTAG 6.1.1 (d) the USPTO will reserve the necessary August 2026 dates with the Marriott International Inc.  and the Philadelphia Convention Center at this time with the intent of holding the USPTO Leadership Forum at the convention center and utilizing the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown connected to the convention center.

This requirement utilizes PSC code X1AB “Lease/Rental of Conference Space and Facilities” and NAICS code 721110 – “Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels”

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 9:00 AM EST on January 27th, 2025.

CO: Chris Ward at Christopher.Ward@uspto.gov; CS: Kendall Jones at Kendall.Jones1@uspto.gov

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

PTAG SYNOPSIS STATEMENT

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 subsequent solicitation will not be posted on SAM.gov and instead sent directly to the vendor(s) listed above

DISCLAIMER

All information received in response to this Special Notice that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this special notice.