USPTO Chemistry Data Portfolio - RFI

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a component of the Department of Commerce, has issued a Special Notice in the form of a Request for Information (RFI) concerning its Chemistry Data Portfolio. This RFI represents a market research initiative designed to evaluate available chemistry content and search platform solutions in the commercial marketplace. The USPTO seeks to expand its current chemistry data resources beyond its existing dozen large contracts by identifying new vendors and products. Responses to this RFI are due by 10:00 a.m. on January 15, 2026, via email to designated USPTO officials. The submission deadline was extended from the original January 9, 2026 date to accommodate additional vendor participation. This Special Notice does not utilize a small business set-aside, meaning all eligible firms may respond regardless of size status. An amendment issued on December 11, 2025, provided answers to vendor questions to clarify RFI requirements.

The primary objective of this RFI is to conduct market research across three evaluation phases: Product Capabilities assessment, Product Demonstration, and 30-Day Trial License Testing. Potential vendors must submit comprehensive responses detailing their chemistry databases and search platforms, including information on chemical abstracts, reactions, Markush structures, and support for organic and inorganic substances sourced from patents and non-patent literature. Respondents are required to provide documentation on licensing models, pricing structures, usage terms, support scope, and technical specifications such as FedRAMP authorization status and artificial intelligence capabilities. Selected vendors will participate in virtual product demonstrations scheduled between January 26 and February 6, 2026, with each demonstration allocated 60 minutes. Following successful demonstration, vendors must provide 10 complimentary 30-day trial licenses to enable USPTO testing of product usability and integration feasibility. There are no stated eligibility restrictions; however, vendors must document small business status and provide complete company information as part of their submission package.