This is considered to be a Simplified Acquisition in accordance with the procedures of FAR Parts 12 and 13.

The Library of Congress (LOC) is the world’s largest library collection with more than 170 million items, including books, maps, photographs, audio-visual material, manuscripts and newspapers. LOC’s Serial and Government Publications Division (SER) is responsible for more than 49,000 current unbound periodical titles, 9000 US newspaper titles and 25,000 non-US titles, primarily in Roman and Greek alphabets. In addition, its custodial collections include more than 7,000 comic book titles, as well as over 1 million government documents in print.

The services required under this contract pertain to serial items (loose, bundled, boxed, and/or binned) that have been delivered to the Division through mail services and internal processing divisions. Services to be performed involve moving interim transport equipment (e.g., tubs, cages) to sorting/staging area; unpacking, alphabetically and chronologically sorting and shelving of loose periodicals into pre-determined locations (approx. 82,000 items); unpacking and unbundling of loose newspaper issues, sorting and shelving them alphabetically and chronologically into pre-determined locations (approx. 800,000 items); unpacking, geographically and alphabetically sorting and shelving individually-boxed microfilm reels (approx. 3700 items); and removing plastic transport enclosures, sorting, alphabetizing and shelving loose comic book issues (approx. 26,000 items).

Some materials are currently stored on upright shelving located throughout the Division’s collection storage areas. Some materials are currently stored in large wheeled tubs and/or mail carrier cages and in boxes on the floor in collection areas. Given recent events – including COVID-19–related hiatus of on-site processing, staff shortages and collection shifts - the Division requires contract services to support the sorting and shelving of loose periodicals; unpacking, unbundling, sorting and shelving of loose newspaper issues; and unpacking, sorting and shelving individually-boxed microfilm reels. These materials are considered National Heritage Collections and should be considered valuable, in many cases somewhat fragile, and irreplaceable.