Questions and Answers (030ADV20R0071).pdf

Questions & Answers to Solicitation 030ADV20R0071

Audio Book Narration and Mastering Services

Q1 Can NLS provide guidance of the maximum acceptable narration cost? It would be helpful to know before submitting a bid if using SAG-AFTRA narrators, with required fees, will be cost-prohibitive.

A1 No.

Q2 Will the NLS consider splitting the Mastering component and the Narration component into separate bids if a vendor cannot be found?

A2 No.

Q3 Can NLS clarify if the required Recording Technician must be onsite with the Narrator or if this process may be handled remotely?

A3 Specification 1201 states that “the narrator shall be continuously monitored by a second person using another copy of the source material to detect errors and control the recording process.” This shall happen in real time with the recording process.

Q4 Can professional narrator in-home studios be used for recording if the finished product meets or exceeds the required quality standards?

A4 Please see section F.2 Place of Performance that should read “an NLS approved facility shall be capable *of* producing recordings that meet NLS technical specifications.”

Q5 Section C - C.2.2 Performance Area 2 - Complex

1. Given that “complex books” may include projects with “obscure or multiple languages requiring extensive research prior to narration,” how and by whom is this determination made?

2. What would differentiate a “Very Difficult” book from a “Complex” one?

3. Would these books be designated as such in pre-selection? Some books in pre-selection may have notations indicating that they contain a certain language, but many do not. It is not always easy to tell online how much research might be needed, or how many notes may be required.

4. If a non-fiction book generated a 2,000-word pronunciation guide with scientific terms in English and names of American scientists who are not well-known, plus extensive notes, would that qualify for one category or another? A “substantial” amount of research would likely be required.

5. Would “Complex” titles be allotted more production time than “Very Difficult?”

6. Would extensive notes or titles such as cookbooks be considered “nonlinear text?”

7. Can books from one category be reconsidered by PCS and reassigned to another?

A5

1. NLS intends to make this determination prior to book assignment. However, a contractor may make a request to have a title re-evaluated for complexity.

2. The primary difference between a very difficult title and a complex title is the amount of research required prior to narration. Very difficult titles might require more research than a normal title, and/or might contain non-linear text. Complex titles might require extensive research and or/might contain non-linear text. An example of a very difficult title might be a cookbook or a health book with a significant amount of non-linear text such as charts or graphs. An example of a previously assigned complex title is a Dungeons and Dragons guidebook with non-linear text and extensive research required.

3. NLS intends to identify difficult and complex titles prior to assignment. NLS is amenable to a re-evaluation of a title’s difficulty or complexity after assignment and willing to make adjustments if deemed necessary.

4. NLS will evaluate each title on a case-by-case basis, but this type of title would likely be considered complex, based on the description provided.

5. Please reference the ESTPT table for timing guidelines. A complex book would most likely receive the Very Difficult rating automatically.

6. Cookbooks might contain nonlinear text. Extensive notes might be considered nonlinear.

7. Yes.

Q6 Section C - C.7.2 Production Authorization Record (PAR)

Are errors on a PAR generated by NLS and not caught by the producer grounds for rejection?

A6 Yes, this could result in a rejection.

Q7 In section H - LC52.216-2 Fair Opportunity

“The Library is considering issuing additional logical follow-on task order……” Does this indicate that additional work may be awarded at the discretion of NLS based on performance?

A7 NLS will meet the minimum on the contract and will award additional delivery orders based on the fair opportunity guidelines set forth in the contract. Price and Performance will be used to evaluate the amount of minutes awarded on subsequent delivery orders.