Biosequence Search

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is conducting market research through this Request for Information (RFI) to gather input from industry on commercially available solutions to search biological sequences, such as DNA, RNA, proteins, peptides, antibodies, probes, primers, fragments, variants, and fusion constructs, as well as prior art searches, claimed in patent applications.

The USPTO seeks innovative solutions to implement the next-generation biological sequence search system utilizing Super Intelligence (SI)-assisted capabilities to increase the efficiency and quality of biological searches during patent examinations. The USPTO is interested in solutions that meet the objectives outlined in the attached draft Statement of Objectives (SOO). The Government preference is to obtain a turnkey commercial solution with minor tailoring, if applicable.

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 PTAG Request for Information (RFI) is intended as preliminary market information gathering which the USPTO will use to determine which vendor(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, the solicitation will only be issued to the limited number of qualified vendor(s). Vendors that do not respond to the RFI will not be considered for the alternative competition and will not be eligible to compete as a prime offeror. Submission of an RFI response does not guarantee a vendor’s eligibility to compete for the biosequence search requirement. This PTAG RFI is not a request for competitive proposals.

This RFI is not a solicitation and does not constitute a request for quotations or proposals. The USPTO is not seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals. There is no USPTO commitment or implied agreement or understanding as a result of Government action or inaction taken in response to the RFI or the accompanying documents. Telephone calls requesting a solicitation will not be accepted or acknowledged. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary.

No entitlement to payment will arise as a result of submission of a response to the RFI. Any cost for submission of responses or associated activities is at the interested respondent’s risk and interested respondent’s expense. The USPTO is not liable for costs (direct or indirect) associated with the preparation, submission, or responses to this RFI, including any costs associated with any meetings, follow on questions or additional requests for information, if any. USPTO will not reimburse the respondent for any costs incurred in responding to the RFI. See the attached "ACQ-27-0065 - RFI Biosequence Tool" for submission instructions.