Small business vendors information

Are you a small business owner interested in working with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)? We depend on contractors and vendors to carry out our mission at the highest level. We are committed to integrating small businesses into our operations and providing them with opportunities to contribute to the future of domestic and global intellectual property protection.

At the USPTO, we want to ensure maximum practicable small business opportunities for both prime contractors and subcontractors. This page is intended to provide small businesses with helpful resources and insights into the USPTO's acquisition process by advocating strategies in requirements, highlighting important policies, and with direct industry outreach.

FY25 USPTO Small Business Prime Goals
Small Business	37.8%
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)	5%
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)	5%
Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)	3%
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)	5%

FY25 USPTO Small Business Subcontract Goals
Small Business	57.76%
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)	5%
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)	5%
Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)	3%
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)	5%

10 Steps for doing business with the USPTO

What you should know to make doing business with the USPTO easier

Our agency mission—knowing the key functions and driving principles of the USPTO will help you determine whether or not we can utilize your products or services.
Understand what we procure. Prior to marketing your products or services, research historical procurement data. You can search this publicly available information on websites such as USA Spending and the Federal Procurement Data System - Next Generation.
Do not market to us if we cannot utilize your products or services. For example, a company that manufactures uniforms, medicines, shoes, or missiles should not waste resources marketing to the USPTO, as we do not purchase these items.

Identify your product or service

Know the Federal Supply Codes and Product Service Codes for your products or services
Know the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes for your products or services
Utilize the Small Business Administration (SBA) Table of Small Business Size Standards to determine your business size for that particular NAICS Code.

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM) - SAM.gov
Obtain a Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (ID) from SAM.gov
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online – TAX ID

Identify our target market within USPTO

Review the Contract Opportunities on the SAM.gov website
Review the USPTO Procurement Forecast FY24-FY26
Contact the Small Business Specialist and Industry Liaison for inquiries on a particular requirement

Write a good capability statement

You can have your company added to the USPTO's small business core capabilities list by emailing an attached copy of the Small Business Core Capabilities Input Form to the USPTO’s Small Business Specialist and Industry Liaison. The following information is important to include in your company’s capability statement:

Name and company branding and slogan (if any)
Contact information
Summary description of the company
Core capabilities
Description of major services offered
Federal small business certifications
Contract vehicles in which you participate (federal and state)
State certifications
Local, quasi, and non-government agencies you have served (If you do not have any federal contracts)
Major clients (list the most important), commercial and government
NAICS codes, CAGE codes, and Unique Entity Identifier (ID)
Partners and authorized resellers.

Additional guidance for capabilities statements:

Make the capability statement visually appealing
1 page (front and back)
Present information concisely
Use bullets, simple tables, and highlighted sections for readability
Have someone from outside your company read your statement and provide feedback before sharing with customers or potential customers
Be sure to check spelling and grammar.

Become familiar with contracting regulations and procedures

Federal Acquisitions Regulations

Investigate Federal Supply Schedule contracts

Receive information on how to obtain a Federal Supply Schedule contract

Seek additional assistance as needed

Request training and counseling on marketing, financial, and contracting issues at minimal or no cost from Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
Consult with the SBA’s Procurement Center Representatives
Consult with the SBA’s Business Development Centers
Get free and confidential mentoring by former CEOs through Service Corps of Retired Executives, (SCORE)

Pursue subcontracting opportunities

Search the SBA’s Subcontracting Network (SUB-Net), a database where prime contractors post “solicitations” or “notice of sources sought” for small businesses.

Have a general working knowledge of USPTO’s requirements
Register for a one-on-one counseling session with the USPTO's Small Business Specialist and Industry Liaison
Be ready to tell us about your company
Be able to provide examples of relevant past performance and capabilities at the prime and subcontract level
Identify your company’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes
Provide business cards
Provide a one-page capability statement (print and electronic copies).

Market your firm well

After you have identified your customers, researched their requirements and familiarized yourself with USPTO’s procurement regulations and strategies. It is time to market your product or service. If the match is a good one, you can provide them with a cost-effective, quality solution to their requirements.

Statistics and forecasts

USPTO Procurement Forecast FY25-FY26

*As a result of Executive Order 14222 Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Cost Efficiency Initiative, the requirements on this forecast may change.

FY24: Top 10 NAICS by Total Obligations
NAICS Code	NAICS Description	Sum of Dollars Obligated
541512	COMPUTER SYSTEMS DESIGN SERVICES	$296,847,709.19
511199	ALL OTHER PUBLISHERS	$192,909,896.86
541519	OTHER COMPUTER RELATED SERVICES	$103,231,046.73
541990	ALL OTHER PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES	$48,992,406.61
541511	CUSTOM COMPUTER PROGRAMMING SERVICES	$43,860,897.10
519190	ALL OTHER INFORMATION SERVICES	$39,405,528.96
541513	COMPUTER FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES	$32,556,166.87
541611	ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES)	$31,253,832.31
518210	COMPUTING INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDERS, DATA PROCESSING, WEB HOSTING, AND RELATED SERVICES	$22,971,140.28
443120	COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE STORES	$22,673,553.59
Total:		$834,702,178.50

FY 24: Top 10 Products Service Codes (PSC) by Total Obligations
Product Service Code Description	Product or Service Code	Sum of Dollars Obligated
PHOTO/MAP/PRINT/PUBLICATION- OTHER	T099	$191,556,276.69
SUPPORT- PROFESSIONAL: OTHER	R499	$184,510,439.37
IT AND TELECOM - BUSINESS APPLICATION/APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES	DA01	$101,241,880.58
IT AND TELECOM - APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE (PERPETUAL LICENSE SOFTWARE)	7A20	$49,802,458.95
IT AND TELECOM - BUSINESS APPLICATION SOFTWARE (PERPETUAL LICENSE SOFTWARE)	7A21	$43,103,385.29
IT AND TELECOM - BUSINESS APPLICATION/APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE	DA10	$33,756,414.14
IT AND TELECOM - STORAGE AS A SERVICE	DK10	$32,859,730.81
IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM SUPPORT SERVICES: DATABASE, MAINFRAME, MIDDLEWARE	DH01	$28,988,740.56
SUPPORT- ADMINISTRATIVE: LIBRARY	R605	$22,640,596.74
IT AND TELECOM - SERVICE DELIVERY SUPPORT SERVICES	DD01	$22,084,120.34
Total:		$710,544,043.47

Resources for small businesses

Professional consultation services for small businesses

SBA SubNet - A database where prime contractors post “solicitations” or “notice of sources sought” for small businesses.
GSA Schedules - This website offers contractors, including small businesses, information on how to obtain Federal Supply Schedule contracts, including GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts.
Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) - Small businesses can request training and counseling on marketing, financial, and contracting issues at minimal or no cost from Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs).
SBA’s Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) - Small businesses can consult with the SBA’s Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs).
SBA's Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) - Small businesses can consult with the SBA’s Business Development Centers.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) - Small businesses can receive free and confidential mentoring by former CEOs through Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE).

Small business capabilities form

Small Business Capabilities Input Form - Please email and attach your completed Small Business Capabilities Input Form to the Small Business Specialist and Industry Liaison.

To request an onsite visit or for questions on business opportunities or to learn about upcoming outreach events, please email our Small Business Specialist and Industry Liaison.

Upcoming small business outreach

Small business vendors information

What you should know to make doing business with the USPTO easier

Identify your product or service

Register your business

Identify our target market within USPTO

Write a good capability statement

Additional guidance for capabilities statements:

Become familiar with contracting regulations and procedures

Investigate Federal Supply Schedule contracts

Seek additional assistance as needed

Pursue subcontracting opportunities

Register for one-on-one counseling sessions

Market your firm well