Tomei Funderburk

Tomei B. Funderburk serves as a Contract Specialist at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where she manages the acquisition of mission-critical technology and professional services to support the modernization of the nation’s intellectual property infrastructure. Her role encompasses the full lifecycle of contracting activities—from market research and solicitation development to award and contract administration—ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while advancing USPTO’s strategic goals in digital examination systems and public-facing IP platforms. She primarily handles service-based acquisitions, including software development, IT modernization, and technical consulting, aligned with the agency’s mission to enhance efficiency, security, and accessibility of patent and trademark services. Funderburk maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including IP.COM I, LLC and Innovative Transducer Implementation, LLC, both of which provide specialized intellectual property analytics and technical implementation services. Her procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships grounded in performance-based outcomes, with a preference for contractors demonstrating deep domain expertise in patent data systems and digital transformation solutions. She fosters collaborative engagements that prioritize innovation, scalability, and interoperability with existing USPTO architectures. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong commitment to small business participation, with over 40% of awards directed toward small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, including a notable focus on HUBZone and Women-Owned Small Business concerns. While the majority of acquisitions remain open to full and open competition, her strategic use of socioeconomic programs supports equitable access and diversifies the vendor base serving federal IP infrastructure needs. Funderburk’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 511210 (Software Publishers) and 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), reflecting her specialization in custom software development, data management systems, and digital service platforms. She also regularly procures computer equipment and software wholesale services (423430) and administrative consulting (541611), underscoring her technical expertise in end-to-end IT modernization and operational support for a high-volume, technology-driven federal agency.