The Library of Congress (Library) requires a contractor to produce Braille Book Review, a bimonthly publication that lists books newly added to the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled collection (NLS), in braille. The text content must be transcribed to braille from Word files, proofed for accuracy, duplicated using a press or embosser, bound, boxed, and shipped to thousands of individuals under the U.S. Postal Service Free Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped regulation. Contractor will also be required to upload digital braille in BRF format to NLS download platform. 

The contractor will convert print publications to braille from Word files and distribute them directly to patrons. It is anticipated that the contractor shall produce six issues of Braille Book Review per year, and that these issues will be an average of 200 braille pages in length, though individual issue length may vary. Most issues will be bound in four volumes (two main volumes and two smaller “order form” volumes). There are approximately 4,500 patrons currently subscribed to Braille Book Review. Task orders will be placed against the contract indicating how many copies of Braille Book Review NLS needs for each issue.

The Library of Congress is soliciting a contractor to perform these services. See SF-1449 solicitation form attached to this notice for more information regarding the work to be performed, proposal submission instructions, and Library evaluation criteria. This notice serves as the combined solicitation / synopsis for this requirement. The deadline to submit a proposal in response to this solicitation is 7/15/2020 at 5 PM EST. 

This is a competative solicitation to award one IDIQ for these services with a 5-year ordering period. This competition is being issued under the procedures of FAR 13.5.

This notice serves at the Library's synopsis and solicitation.