Opportunity
SAM #USPTO-26-RFI001
USPTO Special Notice: Market Research for AI Solutions in Patent Application/Examination
Buyer
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Posted
September 23, 2026
Respond By
October 08, 2026
Identifier
USPTO-26-RFI001
NAICS
541715, 541990
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking information from vendors regarding AI solutions for patent application and examination processes. - USPTO is hosting a roundtable event with the Acting Commissioner for Patents and the Chief AI Officer to discuss AI-related requirements. - The agency is conducting market research to identify vendors capable of providing AI solutions for patent processing. - Information from the roundtable and product demonstrations may inform a future limited competition solicitation. - USPTO may use the Alternative Competition Method as outlined in the Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines (PTAG) and the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act. - No specific products, services, or vendors are named in the notice. - This is not a formal solicitation; it is a preliminary step to gather information for potential procurement.
Description
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will be hosting a roundtable with Acting Commissioner for Patents Barry Schindler and Chief AI Officer Jonathan Spencer on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. CDT at the USPTO Southwest Regional Outreach Office, located at 207 South Houston Street, Suite 159, Dallas, Texas 75202. All details, including RSVP criteria, are included in the attached special announcement. RSVP via email to AIroundtable@uspto.gov by Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Note: The Government contemplates utilizing 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). This Special Notice and any information resulting from the roundtable and/or product demonstrations is intended as preliminary market information gathering which the USPTO may use to determine which vendor(s) is/are the most likely to successfully meet the agency’s needs and are thereby eligible to participate in an alternative competition. As a result of this market research, any resulting solicitation may be issued to the limited number of qualified vendor(s). This Special Notice is not a request for competitive proposals. The Government will not utilize formal evaluation criteria for market research associated with PTAG 6.1.1. The Government may review resulting market research results to determine which vendors are most likely to successfully meet the agency’s requirements for subsequent AI-related Patent Application/Examination, and related requirements.