Small business vendors information

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Register your business

• 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

4. Identify our target market within USPTO

• Review the Contract Opportunities on the SAM.gov website
• Review the USPTO's FY21-23 Acquisition Forecast
• Contact the Small Business Specialist and Industry Liaison for inquiries on a particular requirement

5. 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.

6. Become familiar with contracting regulations and procedures

• Federal Acquisitions Regulations

7. Investigate Federal Supply Schedule  contracts

• Receive information on how to obtain a Federal Supply Schedule contract

8. 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)

9. 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.

10. Register for one-on-one counseling sessions

• 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.

• USPTO FY21-FY23 Acquisition Forecast

• SAM.gov Contract Opportunities
• Using FPDS.gov to research business opportunities with USPTO
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Program (VA PTAP)
• Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
• System for Award Management (SAM)
• General Services Administration
• Women’s Business Centers
• Small Business Development Centers
• National Women’s Business Council (NWBC)
• Small Business & Entrepreneur Council
• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
• Veterans Affairs Webpage for VOSBs and SDVOSBs

• 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).

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 15.604 Unsolicited Proposal Submissions Preliminary Information 

“Pursuant to “FAR 15.6 Unsolicited Proposals”, these proposals allow new and specifically, unique, innovative ideas and approaches that have been developed outside the Government to be offered to Government agencies for use in the accomplishment of an agency mission. Specifically, unsolicited proposals “must relate to the agency’s mission”.

Offerors of unsolicited proposals are encouraged to read the “FAR 15.604 Unsolicited Proposal Preliminary Information”. This information is designed to communicate USPTO precursory considerations to interested parties prior to the submission of detailed unsolicited proposals.”

• 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.