Heather M. Bakos

Heather M. Bakos serves as a Contract Specialist within the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), part of the Department of Commerce, where she plays a pivotal role in executing acquisitions that support the agency’s mission to modernize intellectual property systems and enhance digital examination capabilities. She manages a diverse portfolio of procurement actions, primarily focused on professional services, IT modernization, and technical support contracts. Her work ensures the timely and compliant acquisition of mission-critical solutions that sustain the integrity of the nation’s patent and trademark infrastructure, aligning procurement activities with strategic goals in cybersecurity, data management, and public-facing digital services. Bakos maintains consistent contracting relationships with key vendors including IP.COM I, LLC and Innovative Transducer Implementation, LLC, both of which provide specialized technical and consulting services. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established contractors with proven expertise in intellectual property systems and digital infrastructure, while also fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in performance reliability and regulatory compliance. She engages with vendors across a spectrum of capabilities, ensuring alignment with USPTO’s evolving technological needs. Her contracting approach demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with over one-third of her awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, and a notable emphasis on 8(a) competed contracts. While the majority of her acquisitions are unrestricted, she actively leverages socioeconomic programs to expand opportunities for disadvantaged and small businesses, reflecting a balanced strategy between mission efficiency and equitable contracting. Bakos’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541611 (administrative management consulting), 541519 (other computer-related services), and related categories supporting IT modernization, data analytics, and systems integration. She routinely acquires services in digital transformation, software development, and technical consulting to advance USPTO’s mission of secure, scalable, and accessible intellectual property systems. Her expertise centers on procuring complex, mission-critical professional services that underpin the agency’s technological evolution.