Christopher E Harris

Christopher E. Harris serves as a Contract Specialist at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office within the Department of Commerce, where he plays a pivotal role in executing acquisitions that support the agency’s mission to modernize intellectual property systems and enhance digital infrastructure. He manages a diverse portfolio of contracts spanning information technology, data services, and administrative support, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations and alignment with USPTO’s strategic goals of innovation, cybersecurity, and public accessibility. His work directly enables the deployment of secure, scalable platforms for patent and trademark examination, data management, and digital public services. Harris maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including IP.COM I, LLC and Innovative Transducer Implementation, LLC, primarily engaging firms that deliver specialized software solutions, data processing services, and technical support for intellectual property systems. His procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and outcome-driven deliverables, fostering long-term vendor partnerships that align with the agency’s technical requirements and operational continuity needs. His contracting patterns reflect a strong emphasis on open competition, with 69.2% of awards issued without set-asides. However, he actively promotes small business participation, regularly awarding contracts under Total Small Business Set-Asides (17.9%), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Asides (7.7%), and 8(a) competed awards (5.1%), demonstrating a balanced commitment to both efficiency and socioeconomic objectives. Harris’s procurement focus centers on NAICS codes 518210 (computing infrastructure and data hosting), 561110 (office administrative services), and 511130 (publishing of software), reflecting his specialization in digital services, cloud-enabled platforms, and operational support for mission-critical IP systems. His expertise lies in acquiring secure, scalable IT solutions that underpin the modernization of the nation’s intellectual property ecosystem.