PTOEA RFI: USPTO seeks Contractor for PTA transformation.

Updated Nov 11, 2026

Sources Sought from the US Patent and Trademark Office, for work in Alexandria, Virginia. Due Dec 4, 2026, 1:00 PM (UTC-5), 23 days left.

Bid documents (1)

• PTAG Request for Information PTA training 370 KB

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Federal prevailing wage rates for this place: Virginia Davis-Bacon and SCA wage determinations.

Description

PTOEA RFI: USPTO seeks Contractor for PTA transformation. This is a PTOEA sources sought request for information (RFI) only. In accordance with the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act (PTOEA), 35 U.S.C. § 2(b)(4)(A), this Sources Sought Notice Request For Information) (RFI) is strictly for market research ONLY.

It is for informational and planning purposes and shall NOT be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation or commitment by the Government at this time. NOTE: If you already responded to RFI ACQ-26-9999 – please respond again to this one if you believe you can fulfill one or both of the requirements. PTOEA The Government contemplates utilizing the Alternative Competition Method in accordance with the Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines (PTAG) and the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act 35 U.S.C. § 2(b)(4)(A).

This Sources sought notice is intended as preliminary market information gathering by which the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will determine which contractor(s) is/are the most likely to successfully meet the agency’s needs and are thereby eligible to participate in an alternative competition. As a result of this market research, if a solicitation is issued, it will only be issued to the/ those qualified contractor(s) that is/are deemed most likely to successfully meet the agency’s requirements as stated below. .This RFI is being made available under PSC U008 - EDUCATION/TRAINING-TRAINING/CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT and NAICS: 611430 - Professional and Management Development Training Request for Information – PTA Training Consultation & Interactive eLearning The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) intends to make a firm-fixed price award to fulfill the following requirements for transforming the Patent Training Academy (PTA) focused on innovation and the development of new instructional ideas that support a reimagined training model.

Interested parties may respond to one or both elements identified in this RFI. Any resulting award may be made for one or both of the elements and may result in a single or multiple award to one or more vendors. Training Consultation for Program Revision; Development of Interactive eLearning Content.

USPTO’s Patent Training Academy is the training program responsible for preparing new hires to be patent examiners. It is designed to give new examiners the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to begin their careers. In FY 2026, the USPTO hired 963 new examiners.

Currently, the training program is delivered over 10-weeks and is comprised of a 125-course curriculum. The program follows a university-style model that uses a mix of large-lectures and small group lab sessions to give examiners opportunity to apply what they have learned. Through a combination of the use of a practice training application, active learning exercises, lecture and dedicated examination time, the goal of the program is to provide patent examiner new-hires the needed competencies to successfully examine in a Technology Center (TC) with guidance from experienced examiners.

OBJECTIVE The USPTO seeks a training partner/partners, that can bring innovative approaches, fresh ideas, and creative solutions to help modernize and strengthen the Patent Training Academy’s content and training delivery. The objective of this RFI is to seek capable contractors who could provide the USPTO with Training Consultation for Program Revision, and Development of Interactive eLearning Content.

REQUIREMENTS Training Consultation for Program Revision: The USPTO seeks firms with experience in instructional design consultation services to provide innovative, modern, and forward-looking solutions that introduce new ideas, enhance learner engagement, and create a more effective, scalable, and future-ready training experience for patent examiners, to include: Expertise in instructional design and adult learning theories and principles.

Experience providing innovative solutions to enhance engagement and learning in large training programs with extensive curriculums, specifically more than 40 courses in a single curriculum. Experience with providing reimagined experiential learning solutions including Super Intelligence (SI) to enhance learning and taking complex, detailed curriculum and transforming the curriculum to provide faster acquisition of job skills and application of content.

Experience in incorporating SI solutions into training delivery models. All SI solutions must be approved by USPTO. Ability to work with subject matter experts to elevate learning objectives and ensure content alignment with learning objectives for highly complex legal and examination procedure topics.

Ability to work with subject matter experts to review and upgrade course activities for highly complex legal and examination procedure topics. Ability to work with subject matter experts to review and modernize course teaching methodology for highly complex legal and examination procedure topics. Ability to work with subject matter experts to recommend updated assessments of learning objectives and outcomes.

Experience in providing consultation services for legal content. Ability to develop training content and related deliverables in fresh, exciting, and engaging ways with a strong emphasis on immersive and technology-enabled experiential learning solutions with a focus on gamification and simulation-based learning . Experience in recommending appropriate scheduling for redesigned training programs.

Ability to recommend ideal learning environment and delivery method, to include in-person learning classroom set-up, classroom technology requirements, hybrid learning delivery, and eLearning content at both headquarters and alternate locations. Ability to recommend fresh and innovative experiential learning solutions, and to provide a range of options in response to unique learning concerns.

Development of Interactive eLearning Content: The USPTO seeks firms with

The description continues in the official notice.

Contracting contact

• Roy Pitman · [email protected]
• Christopher Ward · [email protected]

As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.

Is your business small enough?

For NAICS 611430, a business counts as small if it has no more than $15.0 million in average annual receipts (SBA size standard). This notice is set aside, so only businesses under that size, or in the named program, can bid. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.

Notice history

• Nov 10, 2026: Sources Sought Due Dec 4, 2026, 1:00 PM (UTC-5)

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