Patent Support Services BPA

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding a solicitation, clarifying various aspects of the proposed contract.

• Incumbent Contractor: The agency does not have an incumbent contractor.
• Backlog: The BPA is intended to address new invention disclosures, not mitigate existing backlogs, though it could be used for that purpose in the future.
• Pricing for Applications: Quotes should include drawings as specified in the SOW, but should NOT include USPTO filing fees, as the Warfare Centers will handle filing and payment.
• Related Art Search Reports (Section 2.1): There is no forecast for the volume of these reports; they will be provided as needed. Patent Counsel will be available to answer questions regarding prior art searches. Searches of publicly accessible databases are acceptable, and foreign prior art should be searched to the extent practicable, with machine translation being sufficient.
• Patent Application Drafting (Section 2.2): The invention disclosure will serve as the basis for both the Related Art Search Report and the Patent Application. There is no annual forecast for drafting requests. Communications will be via encrypted email. The expected completion time for a first draft is three weeks, and for a revised draft is two weeks, though these can be extended based on complexity.
• Subcontracting for Searches (Question 9): Subcontractors performing search functions must meet the same security requirements as the prime contractor and must be a U.S. entity. Their identity must be communicated to Patent Counsel.
• AI Models (Question 10): The use of AI models for preparing patent applications is not permitted under this BPA due to IT requirements and safeguards. This may be revisited in the future.
• Pricing Structure (Question 11): CLIN 0001 is for Related Art Search Reports, and CLIN 0002 is for standard patent services. Quotes should be for the entire cost of service, not hourly. Awarded BPAs will be unpriced; individual orders will be priced via quotes.

These clarifications refine requirements related to pricing, deliverables, subcontractor qualifications, and the use of technology, which may impact how bidders prepare their proposals and quotes.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, specifically seeking quotes for Patent Support Services. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) intends to establish a multi-award five (5) year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for these services. The procurement is set-aside for small businesses.

The services required include:

• Performing "Related Art Search Reports" which involve searching and analyzing patents, patent application publications, and non-patent information relevant to an invention disclosure.

• Drafting patent applications, including drawings, based on designated Patent Counsel's decision.

• A multi-award five (5) year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is anticipated.

• The total value of all BPA calls may not exceed $9,000,000.00.

• Each individual BPA call will have a limit of $350,000.00.

• The anticipated contract type is firm-fixed-price.

• Period of Performance: April 30, 2026 to April 29, 2031.

• Quotes are due by 12:00 PM EST on February 16, 2026.

• Responses must include: Company Letterhead, Pricing, Cage Code, FOB Destination, Point of Contact, GSA contract number (if applicable), Business Size, and a maximum of three (3) pages detailing Technical Capabilities.

• Quotes will be evaluated on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) basis.

• Technical Capability will be rated as Acceptable or Unacceptable, with "Acceptable" being required for award.

• This procurement is set-aside for small businesses.

• NAICS Code: 541199

• Small Business Standard: $20.5M

• PSC Code: R498

• Primary POC: Arnel Ngo, (757) 478-2013, arnel.a.ngo.civ@us.navy.mil

• Alternate POC: Tracy McDonough, (757) 288-6854, tracy.l.mcdonough2.civ@us.navy.mil