Fraud Identification, Unsupervised AI, and Preventing Impersonations

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the USPTO's RFI for Fraud Identification, Unsupervised AI, and Preventing Impersonations. It clarifies requirements, technical considerations, and operational aspects of the potential effort.

• New Requirement: The effort is a new requirement with no incumbent vendor.

• FedRAMP Requirement: FedRAMP authorization is required, even if the information is publicly accessible, as it is incorporated into a federal system. FedRAMP SaaS is preferred over a USPTO-managed data center.

• Alignment: The effort should align with broader Zero Trust and federal security rules.

• Solution Approach: USPTO prefers a "buy-vs.-build" acquisition strategy but is open to bespoke or platform-based solutions if no suitable COTS/SaaS/PaaS/IaaS/CaaS option exists.

• Data & Integration: USPTO will provide sample data for training and demonstration. Integration with existing USPTO systems is desirable, but vendors may need to propose their own solutions for certain data access.

• AI Governance: A comprehensive AI governance framework is not required, but solutions must be legally sustainable. Explainability is important, with various acceptable formats.

• FedRAMP Status: "FedRAMP-ready" status will be considered, but full FedRAMP authorization is preferred.

• Project Structure: Vendors can propose separate solutions for each of the three project areas (Fraud Detection, Unsupervised AI, Discovering Impersonations) or a single integrated solution.

• Data Volumes: Significant volumes of applications are processed, with specific numbers provided for new applications and post-registrations annually.

• Clarifies the mandatory FedRAMP requirement and preferred deployment model.

• Provides specific data volumes and operational details to inform vendor proposals.

• Outlines USPTO's preference for a "buy-vs.-build" approach and the need for legally sustainable AI solutions.

• Indicates that vendors can propose individual or integrated solutions.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for market research purposes to identify vendors capable of providing solutions for fraud identification, suppression, and defeat, specifically focusing on unsupervised AI for uncovering "bad law" and preventing impersonations. The USPTO is exploring the use of advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and natural language processing to augment current trademark examination capabilities.

The RFI outlines three primary areas of interest:

• Fraud Identification, Suppression and Defeat: Automating the monitoring of USPTO.gov accounts for anomalous filing behavior, identifying high-risk applications, validating attorney credentials, and detecting fraudulent credit card transactions.
• Unsupervised AI: Uncovering "Bad Law": Verifying the accuracy of case law citations and facts in trademark submissions, and detecting AI-generated specimens of use that do not reflect actual use in commerce.
• Discovering Impersonations: Allowing customers to auto-validate communications purportedly from the USPTO to combat scams and impersonations.

This RFI is not a solicitation for a contract. It is a market research effort to inform potential future solicitations. The USPTO may utilize an Alternative Competition Method. Vendors must be FedRAMP certified or in the process of obtaining certification to be eligible.

This RFI is a multi-staged market research approach. Stage One requires vendors to submit a questionnaire response. Based on Stage One responses, selected vendors may be invited to subsequent stages, including submitting concept papers and prototype demonstrations. The USPTO will use this research to determine which vendors are most likely to meet agency needs for a potential future solicitation.

Vendors must be FedRAMP certified or in work towards FedRAMP certification. No specific set-aside is mentioned.

• Questions regarding the RFI are due by April 20, 2026.
• Vendor responses and RFI submissions are due by May 6, 2026.
• The RFI is for informational, market research, and planning purposes only and does not commit the government to a contract.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for market research purposes to gather information on vendor capabilities related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) solutions. The goal is to identify potential vendors for "Fraud Identification, Suppression and Defeat," "Unsupervised AI: Uncovering Bad Law," and "Discovering Impersonations AI." This RFI is not a solicitation and does not commit the government to a contract.

• Fraud Identification, Suppression and Defeat: Automating the monitoring of USPTO.gov accounts for anomalous filing behavior, identifying high-risk applications, validating attorney credentials, and detecting fraudulent credit card transactions.
• Unsupervised AI: Uncovering "Bad Law": Verifying the accuracy of AI-generated trademark submissions, including case law citations, summaries, and publicly available facts. Detecting AI-generated specimens of use.
• Discovering Impersonations: Developing a tool to allow customers to auto-validate communications purportedly from the USPTO to combat impersonation scams.

The USPTO is employing a rapid, multi-staged market research approach. This RFI represents Stage One, focusing on an industry survey. Vendors are encouraged to submit capability statements for one, two, or all three project areas. Failure to respond to Stage One eliminates vendors from future stages and potential alternative competition.

• FedRAMP Certification: Vendors must be currently FedRAMP certified or in the process of obtaining certification. Proof of certification must be submitted with the response.
• Response Due Date: All vendor responses and RFI submissions are due by 12 Noon EST on Monday, May 4, 2026.
• Questions Due Date: Any questions regarding the RFI are due by 12 Noon EST on Monday, April 20, 2026.
• Submission Method: Responses and questions must be submitted electronically via email to Alan Elder and Bradley Beers at the provided email addresses.

Responses should include a Corporate Overview, Prior and Current Corporate Experience, Corporate Capabilities and Approaches, and Cost information as detailed in the RFI's questionnaires (Sections VI and VIII).