USPTO Performance and Accountability Report - U.S. Patent and ...

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Accompanying Information
Performance Goals and Results
on USPTO Performance
Performance Audits and Evaluations
The OIG issued two new audit final reports during
FY 2012. The first report, The Patent Hoteling
Program Is Succeeding as a Business Strategy
(February 2012), focused on effectiveness of the Patent
Hoteling Program (PHP) in relation to productivity, as
well as the ability to leverage the PHP for further reductions
of the patent application backlog in a cost-efficient
manner. The OIG made three recommendations
for stronger management controls surrounding the
program, as well sharing the best practices that
could aid telework programs within the rest of the
Department of Commerce. The USPTO concurred
with the OIG’s final report findings and began to
implement all recommendations. For example, the
USPTO has begun working regularly with the Department
of Commerce to address Departmental and
bureau-specific telework concerns. In addition, the
USPTO will conduct a comprehensive assessment of
the costs and cost avoidances for the PHP, and will
review the PHP eligibility process, procedures, and
documentation requirements. This evaluation was
performed in support of the Strategic Goal I: Improve
Patent Quality and Timeliness.
The second final report, USPTO’s Other Backlog: Past
Problems and Risks Ahead for the Board of Patent
Appeals and Interferences (August 2012), evaluated
the BPAI (PTAB as of September 16, 2012) staffing and
resources in relation to their caseload, and to what
PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT: FISCAL YEAR 2012
extent BPAI operations and resources will be affected
by the implementation of the AIA. The OIG made
six recommendations for stronger management
controls within BPAI. The USPTO generally concurred
with the OIG’s final report findings and began to
implement the recommendations. The USPTO will
develop BPAI performance measures, comprehensive
management plans to address the AIA implementation
specific to BPAI, ensure that the IT systems are
adequate for BPAI’s needs, and assess BPAI’s staffing
and resources for improvements. This evaluation was
performed in support of the Strategic Goal I: Improve
Patent Quality and Timeliness.
Performance Data Verification and Validation
In accordance with the Government Performance
and Results Act requirements, the USPTO is committed
to making certain the performance information
it reports is complete, accurate, and consistent.
The USPTO developed a strategy to validate and verify
the quality, reliability, and credibility of USPTO performance
results and has taken the following actions:
ACCOUNTABILITY — Responsibility for providing performance
data lies with managers of USPTO programs
who are held accountable for making certain that
procedures are in place to ensure the accuracy of
data and the performance measurement sources
are complete and reliable.