PTAG RFI: USPTO Seeking Emergency Management Specialists/Continuity of Operations (COOP) Support Services

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions submitted by potential offerors regarding the Continuity of Operations (COOP) RFI for the USPTO. It clarifies requirements, scope, and expectations for the upcoming solicitation.

• Personnel Allocation: The five personnel mentioned in the PWS are expected to have their hours appropriately allocated to complete the project within the first year, not necessarily full-time equivalents.
• Government-Provided Information: The government will provide a draft Quality Assurance Review Report (QARR) upon release of the solicitation. They will also provide the current COOP plan, annexes, MEF lists, BIAS/BPAs, and recent audit findings.
• Business Units: The Emergency Management Branch has 10 distinct areas, with an anticipated 3 directly related to this requirement.
• Exercises: Approximately 4-6 tabletop exercises are planned annually, with one functional or full-scale exercise every other year. The contractor will design the TT&E program but will not facilitate exercises.
• Federal Continuity Directives: The primary focus will be on the recently updated Federal Continuity Directives (2024), superseding FCD 1 and FCD 2 (2017).
• Labor Categories: The "Project Manager" and "Supervisor" roles are the same.
• Regional Travel: Travel to regional offices is not anticipated; the primary place of performance is Alexandria, VA.
• Remote Work: The majority of work can be completed remotely, with occasional onsite meetings (anticipated once every 2-3 months).
• Systems: Work will be performed on USPTO's intranet, COOP files, SharePoint sites, and Everbridge.
• Contract Type: The contract is anticipated to be a labor-hour contract with pre-negotiated, firm-fixed hourly rates, not a Time and Materials contract.
• Incumbent: There is no incumbent performing this work; references to engaging incumbent service employees will be removed.

These clarifications will help offerors refine their understanding of the scope, deliverables, and contract expectations, enabling more accurate technical and pricing proposals. The government is using this RFI for market research to inform the final solicitation.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is for market research purposes only, not a solicitation. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking information on capabilities to provide Emergency Management Specialists and Continuity of Operations (COOP) Subject Matter Experts, along with a Project Manager. The goal is to update the USPTO's COOP Plan and Program to comply with recently updated Federal Continuity Directives from 2024.

• A team of Emergency Management Specialists/COOP Subject Matter Experts.

• One Project Manager.

• Update USPTO's COOP Plan and Program to align with 2024 Federal Continuity Directives.

• The government contemplates using the Alternative Competition Method in accordance with the Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines (PTAG).

• This RFI is being made available under NAICS 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services) and PSC R499 (Support—Professional: Other).

• Responses are due no later than Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET.

• Responses must be submitted via eBUY and/or email to Kendall.jones1@uspto.gov and Roy.pitman@uspto.gov.

• Questions regarding the RFI are due no later than Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET.

• No phone calls are accepted for questions.

• Contractor name, address, SAM UEI, point of contact information (email, phone, website).

• FSS Schedule contract number (if applicable).

• Relevant certifications or other authorizations.

• A tailored capability statement addressing the effort, with supporting documentation.

• Information on subcontracting or teaming arrangements, including administrative and management structure.

• Past Performance information, including a short description of similar services provided and civilian customer/Government Agency contact information (name, organization, phone, email).

• The solicitation, if issued, will be under Alternative Competition Method.

• The USPTO will issue the solicitation only to those qualified contractors deemed most likely to successfully meet the agency's requirements.

• This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment.

• Responses are not offers and cannot be accepted to form a binding contract.

• Responders are responsible for all expenses associated with responding.

• Please review the attached Abridged Performance Work Statement (PWS) for more detailed information.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To acquire support services to assist the Security and Emergency Management Division in assessing and revising the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) Continuity of Operations (COOP) program to align with updated Federal Continuity Directives (FCD).

• Conduct a gap analysis of the current COOP program.

• Validate or identify and prioritize Mission Essential Functions (MEFs).

• Perform Business Process Analysis (BPA) and Business Impact Analysis (BIA).

• Update and document the COOP plan, including Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency (PACE) communications strategies.

• Develop a Training, Testing, and Exercise (TT&E) program.

• Assist Business Units in developing and maintaining their COOP plans and procedures.

• Support agency continuity assets (e.g., devolution, alternate operating facilities, essential records).

• Ensure all COOP elements align with the latest Federal Continuity Directives.

• Provide status briefings to senior leadership.

• Manage workload effectively and coordinate information with USPTO staff and stakeholders.

• Represent USPTO in outreach efforts and respond to requests for assistance.

• Maintain COOP information on USPTO websites and platforms.

• Work must conform with applicable federal government regulations and policies.

• Deliverables must be provided promptly and correctly.

• Quality Control Plan (QCP) required with proposal.

• Recruitment and retention plan required.

• Estimated Base Period: July 1, 2026 - July 31, 2027 (subject to change).

• Place of Performance: Primarily on-site at USPTO Headquarters, 500 Dulany Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. Remote work may be authorized on a case-by-case basis.

• Contractor personnel must be capable of reading, writing, understanding, and speaking common English and be computer literate.

• Public Trust Positions; security clearance not required, but Call Orders will specify security requirements.

• Contractor shall appoint a Contract Manager (not a billable position) as the single point of contact.

• Transition plan with phase-in/phase-out procedures required.

• Travel costs are generally not reimbursed, except under extenuating circumstances with written approval.

• Overtime requires specific authorization.

• Federal Holidays are non-productive and not billable.