Examination and Attorney Assistant Examination Quality Review

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to conduct market research for "Examination and Attorney Assistant Examination Quality Review." The goal is to identify vendors with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities that can assist and enhance the work of trademark examining attorneys and support staff, specifically focusing on improving the quality review process and increasing efficiency. This RFI is for market research purposes only and is not a solicitation for a contract. The USPTO is exploring a rapid, multi-staged market research approach.

The USPTO is seeking solutions that can:

• Automate the review of examining attorney search strategies for consistency and flagging deficiencies.
• Issue spot applications and other filings for formalities and statutory compliance issues.
• Identify potential statutory compliance issues, including using web searching for evidence and providing URLs.
• Check identifications and classifications for consistency with USPTO policy.
• Draft Office actions using form paragraphs and provide AI model reasoning.
• Review Office actions for completeness, accuracy, and appropriate finality.
• Automate and standardize quality reporting practices.
• Provide AI/ML driven solutions that are scalable and FedRAMP certified (or in work).

This RFI is not a solicitation. The USPTO may use an Alternative Competition Method (PTAG 6.1.1) to progress to a potential solicitation based on market research outcomes. The government is not obligated to release a future solicitation.

• The RFI process involves multiple stages, starting with Stage One: Industry Survey RFI. Vendors must submit responses to Stage One to be considered for future stages.

• Questions regarding the RFI are due by 12 Noon EST on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and must be submitted via email.

• Stage One responses are due by 12 Noon EST on Friday, May 8, 2026, and must be submitted via email.

• Vendors must be FedRAMP certified or have certification in progress to be eligible.

• Vendors must be FedRAMP certified or in work.

• The USPTO is exploring an Alternative Competition Method, which may limit future solicitations to a select number of qualified vendors.

• "Black box" solutions will likely not be accepted; transparency is required.

• The USPTO will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI.

• All submissions become government property and will not be returned.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains responses from the USPTO to vendor questions regarding the Examination and Attorney Assistant Examination Quality Review RFI.

• New Requirement: The project is considered a new requirement, not an incumbent contract.
• Ceiling/Estimate: No ceiling or estimate is currently available.
• Response Format: Responses can include both tables and narratives.
• SLAs: Target SLAs for processing or response times are not available at this time.
• Solution Scope: Solutions should be expansive and complete, going beyond basic initial matches. Metrics for completeness are not established, but close to 100% is desirable.
• Data Sources: Solutions should consider the Madrid Treaty and international databases.
• Domain Expertise: No specific requirement for cross-Intellectual Property (IP) capabilities; domain-specific trademark expertise is required.
• FedRAMP: FedRAMP ready designation is acceptable, but full FedRAMP authorization is preferred for future enhancements. No exceptions will be made for FedRAMP certification requirements.
• Cloud-Based Solutions: The USPTO is interested in cloud-based solutions only.
• Award Structure: The USPTO may award to a single vendor or separate vendors for individual components.
• Due Date: The Stage One due date will be extended for a few days; refer to the updated RFI for the revised date.

This Q&A document clarifies several aspects of the RFI, including the nature of the requirement, data handling, vendor qualifications (FedRAMP), and solution scope. It also indicates a slight extension to the Stage One due date.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for market research purposes to identify potential vendors capable of providing solutions for the Examination and Attorney Assistant Examination Quality Review. The USPTO is seeking information on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities that can assist in enhancing trademark examination quality and efficiency. This RFI is not a solicitation for a contract, and the government is not obligated to release a future solicitation.

The USPTO is interested in AI/ML capabilities that can:

• Assist and enhance the work of examining attorneys and production staff during trademark examination.

• Support examination quality review and improve efficiency and effectiveness.

• Supplement existing USPTO capabilities with differentiating solutions.

• Narrow broad information bases for more careful individual review.

• Provide transparent solutions, as "black box" solutions are unlikely to be accepted.

• Search Strategy: Suggesting search strategies for examining attorneys.

• Issue Spotter: Identifying and tracking formalities and statutory compliance issues in applications and filings.

• ID Checker/Validator: Reviewing and validating identifications and classifications for consistency.

• Office Action Drafter/Reviewer: Assisting in drafting and reviewing office actions, including AI model reasoning.

• Examination Quality Review: Assessing the quality of trademark examination, identifying compliance issues, and providing feedback.

The USPTO plans a multi-staged market research approach:

• Stage One: Industry Survey RFI (this document).

• Stage Two: Invitation to submit Concept Papers and demonstrate prototype solutions (e.g., bake-off).

• Stage Three: Identification of final vendors for an Alternative Competition.

• Stage Four: Potential issuance of solicitation(s), evaluation, and contract award.

• Questions Due: April 22, 2026.

• Stage One Responses Due: May 6, 2026.

• Responses must be submitted electronically to Alan Elder and James Wuest.

• Vendors must be FedRAMP certified or in the process of obtaining certification.

• Vendors must be currently FedRAMP certified or in work.

• Participation in the Alternative Competition is contingent on the USPTO's decision to utilize the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act.

• The USPTO reserves the right to issue multiple solicitations.

• This RFI is not a request for competitive proposals.