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.Save the date:Small business virtual event: New ways of working at the USPTO - July 21, 2021Invention-Con 2021 - August 18-20, 2021FY21 USPTO Small Business Prime GoalsSmall Business45%Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)16%8(a)8%Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)13%Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)3.05%Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)5%Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)4%FY21 USPTO Small Business Subcontract GoalsSmall Business36%Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)12%8(a)N/AWomen-Owned Small Business (WOSB)12%Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)3%Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)4%Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)3%10 Steps for doing business with the USPTOWhat you should know to make doing business with the USPTO easierOur 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 serviceKnow the Federal Supply Codes and Product Service Codes for your products or servicesKnow the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes for your products or servicesUtilize the Small Business Administration (SBA) Table of Small Business Size Standards to determine your business size for that particular NAICS Code.Register your businessObtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) numberRegister with the System for Award Management (SAM)Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online – TAX IDRegister with beta.SAM.govIdentify our target market within USPTOReview the Federal Business Opportunities websiteReview the USPTO's FY21-23 Acquisition Forecast Contact the Small Business Specialist and Industry Liaison for inquiries on a particular requirementWrite a good capability statementYou 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 informationSummary description of the companyCore capabilitiesDescription of major services offeredFederal small business certificationsContract vehicles in which you participate (federal and state)State certificationsLocal, quasi, and non-government agencies you have served (If you do not have any federal contracts)Major clients (list the most important), commercial and governmentNAICS codes, CAGE codes, and DUNS numberPartners and authorized resellers.Additional guidance for capabilities statements:Make the capability statement visually appealing1 page (front and back)Present information conciselyUse 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 customersBe sure to check spelling and grammar.Become familiar with contracting regulations and proceduresFederal Acquisitions RegulationsInvestigate Federal Supply Schedule contractsReceive information on how to obtain a Federal Supply Schedule contractSeek additional assistance as neededRequest 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 RepresentativesConsult with the SBA’s Business Development CentersGet free and confidential mentoring by former CEOs through Service Corps of Retired Executives, (SCORE)Pursue subcontracting opportunitiesSearch the SBA’s Subcontracting Network (SUB-Net), a database where prime contractors post “solicitations” or “notice of sources sought” for small businesses.Register for one-on-one counseling sessionsHave a general working knowledge of USPTO’s requirementsRegister for a one-on-one counseling session with the USPTO’s Small Business Specialist and Industry LiaisonBe ready to tell us about your companyBe able to provide examples of relevant past performance and capabilities at the prime and subcontract levelIdentify your company’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codesProvide business cardsProvide a one-page capability statement (print and electronic copies).Market your firm wellAfter 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 forecastsUSPTO FY21-FY23 Acquisition ForecastFY20: Top 10 NAICS by Total ObligationsNAICS CodeNAICS DescriptionSum of Action Obligation443120COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE STORES$41,977,367.60511199ALL OTHER PUBLISHERS$208,045,125.05519190ALL OTHER INFORMATION SERVICES$45,042,551.49541511CUSTOM COMPUTER PROGRAMMING SERVICES$16,433,661.04541512COMPUTER SYSTEMS DESIGN SERVICES$253,130,499.93 541513COMPUTER FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES$37,094,928.26 541519OTHER COMPUTER RELATED SERVICES$67,201,010.74541611ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES$18,644,184.71541990ALL OTHER PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES$55,368,279.41561210FACILITIES SUPPORT SERVICES$34,563,221.90Grand Total $777,500,830.13 FY 20: Top 10 Products Service Codes (PSC) by ObligationsProduct Service Code DescriptionProduct or Service CodeSum of Dollars ObligatedADP Software7030$41,224,737.79Miscellaneous Printed Matter7690$208,045,125.05Automatic Data Processing Facility ManagementD301$53,314,891.19Automatic Data Processing Systems DevelopmentD302$103,746,310.44Automated News Services/Data ServicesD317$18,218,462.49Other Computer ServicesD399$28,599,624.27Program Management/Support ServicesR408$22,664,042.10Other Professional ServicesR499$236,689,853.58Library ServicesR605$20,625,618.96Other Administrative Support ServicesR699$39,849,440.00Resources for small businessesFBO.gov Search GuideUsing FPDS.gov to research business opportunities with USPTOU.S. Small Business AdministrationVirginia Procurement Technical Assistance Program (VA PTAP)Procurement Technical Assistance CentersSystem for Award Management (SAM)General Services AdministrationWomen’s Business CentersSmall Business Development CentersNational Women’s Business Council (NWBC)Small Business & Entrepreneur CouncilMinority Business Development Agency (MBDA)Veterans Affairs Webpage for VOSBs and SDVOSBsProfessional consultation services for small businessesSBA 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 formSmall Business Capabilities Input Form - Please email and attach your completed Small Business Capabilities Input Form to the Small Business Specialist and Industry Liaison.Contact usTo 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.
