08 - 030ADV24R0020 - BAA - Questions and Answers.pdf

030DV24R0020 – BAA INNOVATOR IN RESIDENCE

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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Can we propose a residency for 12 months but then extend if needed?

No. Applicants must include both years in the scope of the concept paper and full proposal to be eligible for a second residency year. (BAA, pg. 2)

So, I currently work for the Center for Digital An�quity at Arizona State University. My posi�on is funded by a grant from the U.S. Forest Service. Would I be ineligible for funding through this program due to this?

If you are not a federal government employee, then you are eligible.

I am wan�ng to site key materials at the American Folklife Center at the Library. What are the parameters for ci�ng research materials in our applica�ons?

There are no cita�on parameters. Quality concept papers will cite specific Library items or collec�ons to be used in a proposed work. (BAA, pg. 4)

Can you talk more about your content related to the Black or African American experience?

Please see the “06 - 030ADV24R0020 - Finding-LC-Digital-Collec�ons.pdf” document on sam.gov for informa�on about how to find collec�ons at the Library. You can also use our Ask a Librarian Service, described and linked in that document.

What is the feedback loop like during the residency? How engaged is LoC staff during the development of the project, beyond admin and research support?

The LC staff, and especially the LC labs team, do engage regularly with the resident during the development of the project to support the resident as they navigate the ins�tu�on and its processes, but also to ensure that digital work delivered can be hosted by the Library.

Will we need SAM accounts?

Yes, if you are invited to submit a full proposal. The successful applicant must be registered in SAM.gov and listed as having no exclusions in order to receive a federal government contract and must provide the Unique En�ty Iden�fier or TIN number as applicable to the Library a�er registra�on on SAM.gov.

(BAA, pg. 12)

How do I know whether or not the thing(s) I create can actually be hosted on the library's website?

Maybe what I create is big and needs more than a small Web server.

First, the Library does not guarantee that any work delivered will be hosted on the labs.loc.gov website, but of course that’s what we’d prefer! If size of the work delivered is a risk for hos�ng and/or maintainability, the applicant should address this risk and how it might be mi�gated in the concept paper (BAA, pg. 13). The LC Labs team uses cloud services to host most online products with scalable storage.

How would licensing work if a project involves crowdsourcing user engagement to transform library materials? Must the crowdsourced content created by those contributors (not created by the innovator in residence) be licensed CC 0, or could other CC varia�ons be used?

030ADV24R0020

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The purpose of this Residency program is to obtain a license for the Library to freely use and ul�mately to facilitate public use of your delivered work. A CC-BY license in a crowd sourcing project will likely create significant burdens on the Library, the Innovator, or other users.

The delivered work must meet copyright requirements for a CC0 1.0 universal license, including crowdsourced content if it is part of the final work (BAA, pg.8-9). Please note that you can s�ll encourage atribu�on for crowd contribu�ons under a CC0 license.

Can I contract scholars or scien�sts in the field that I am researching as an ar�st?

Yes. A resident is allowed to sub-contract for supplemental labor and exper�se (BAA, pg. 3).

Are there any restric�ons on residents’ employment status outside of the residency? Can they have jobs elsewhere too?

The Innovator in Residence (IRR) will be issued a contract and is not an employee of the Library and is an Independent Contractor. The IRR can have other forms of non-Federal Government employment.

However, the IRR must meet all requirements of the contract, including the residency requirements.

Can the contract be run through my small business / consultancy rather than directly to me as a contractor?

Yes, you can. However, you will be listed as the Key Personnel on the contract.

How do you measure audience interac�on and diverse distribu�on on the projects?

The Library uses web analy�cs, survey results, social media metrics, program atendance and interac�ons, and other types of qualita�ve and quan�ta�ve strategies to measure audience interac�on and distribu�on. It varies based on the goals of the Innovator project.

How do I know where to find my resources in the library collec�ons? Or any advice on finding my resources at the digital resources at the library?

Please see the “06 - 030ADV24R0020 - Finding-LC-Digital-Collec�ons.pdf” document on sam.gov for informa�on about how to find collec�ons at the Library. You can also use our Ask a Librarian Service, linked in that document.

When the BAA describes non-tradi�onal Library of Congress user groups as “those less likely to encounter LOC collec�on holdings, resources and services, either online or in person”, what specific kinds of services (as opposed to holdings) does the reviewing commitee mean?

A list of Library of Congress services is available at htps://loc.gov/services-and-programs/.

What are the quali�es that make the innovator in residence a good candidate as a coworker and ambassador for the Library? What should prospec�ve candidates know about working with Library staff?

Applicants are not evaluated on their ability to perform as a coworker. They are evaluated on their ability to represent the Library as an ambassador for the organiza�on, answering press requests and sharing their experience through social media and blog posts. In both the concept paper and full proposal, applicant will be evaluated the degree to which they demonstrate a high degree of judgement in public

2/16/2024 3 communica�ons (BAA, pg. 11,15). The Library may contact any references listed in their full proposal to help with this evalua�on (BAA, pg. 17).

Can you elaborate on the BAA’s reference about how Items used should be both legally and ethically appropriate for the proposed work. Specifically, would applicants have an opportunity to revise/reframe the items proposed with feedback on the ethical and/or legal concerns raised by the commitee?

Yes, if they are invited to submit a full proposal, they will receive feedback from the peer review board.

Just to clarify, would I need to register in the SAM system prior to submi�ng my concept paper or would this occur a�er the selec�on?

No, you do not need to register for the SAM system prior to submi�ng the concept paper. If you are invited to submit a full proposal, you must include the Unique En�ty Iden�fier or TIN number as applicable a�er registra�on on SAM.gov. (BAA, pg. 12)

In its sec�on of capabili�es, experience, and past performance, the BAA talks about “references”, does the commitee obtain actual leters of reference from past collaborators or organiza�ons?

No. Prior to making an award, the Library reserves the right to perform a review of past performance.

Sources of past performance may include the sources provided in the proposal, Contract Performance Assessment Repor�ng System (CPARS), the Federal Award Performance Integrity System (FAPIIS:SAM.gov) on SAM.gov, and any other sources the Contrac�ng Officer deems relevant. (BAA, pg.

12)

In the BAA sec�on on price, how does the commitee determine “reasonableness of the proposed labor rates and other costs”, even if not especially if the labor is for work not within domains of exper�se of the commitee?

The Library will conduct a peer review of each concept paper consis�ng of either solely internal par�es (Library Experts) or a combina�on of internal and external experts (BAA, pg. 16). The peer review board enlists both internal and external subject mater experts to advise on features of concept papers and proposals, such as proposed labor rates and cost, if there is not sufficient domain exper�se on the board.

The General Services Administra�on also provides labor categories and es�mates for services and exper�se government agencies might procure.

In the “Interpreta�on” interest area, there’s men�on that “it is expected concepts will represent the personal perspec�ves of the resident and will present an editorialized lens to raise awareness of relevant stories, insights, and provoca�ons” — to what extent is this expecta�on part of the risk-assessment por�on of review? For instance, an editorialized lens might mean proposed works on controversial subject maters, even if produced with an ethical and legal use of items as is required, might not reflect wider beliefs of the staff at Library of Congress. In that case, should we expect there to be a caveat alongside our proposed work or would such a proposed work not make it far in the process?

We expect that works proposed under the Interpreta�on program area would reflect the personal beliefs of the resident. It should be clear in the concept paper how the interpre�ve work would benefit a par�cular audience and/or community and connect them with Library of Congress collec�ons and

2/16/2024 4 services. (BAA, pg. 4-5). Yes, a controversial subject mater could pose a risk, and that risk should be described in the approach and feasibility sec�on of the concept paper (BAA, pg. 11). The peer review board will consider that risk against the other evalua�on factors listed in sec�on 5.1 of the Broad Agency Announcement, and the degree to which the proposed project presents a convincing, transforma�ve, and though�ul approach to connec�ng Library of Congress item(s) and/or collec�ons to a specified user group, community, or audience through innova�ve digital methods (BAA pg. 16-17).

I was wondering if the resident has to reside in Washington DC?

No. However, you must meet all residency requirements in the BAA.

Can you confirm that permanent residents are also eligible?

Yes.

Can transporta�on be budgeted into the proposal if the resident does not live in the area?

Yes.

Could I subcontract developers that live outside of the US?

Yes.

Can I propose a case study with global traveling in the second year or can my proposal employ interna�onal traveling?

Yes. Keep in mind that concept papers should present projects that enable transforma�onal experiences that connect the Library’s digital collec�ons with the American people (BAA, pg. 2).

So does a specific person have to be named for subcontracted work, or does the proposal just have to men�on that subcontrac�ng might be required for a certain type of service (such as development).

Applicant shall briefly describe any sub-contracted labor required for this work (BAA pg. 11) in the concept paper. Individual names of poten�al sub-contractors are not required, but iden�fying poten�al sub-contracted individuals or teams will make for a stronger applica�on if subcontrac�ng will be necessary (BAA, pg. 4).

How does the hos�ng/coding work on the digital delivery of a project? Should we plan on hiring a website coder for our project?

The resident will deliver the digital work and any underlying code to the Library, to be considered for hos�ng on labs.loc.gov. Applicants are asked to address how they will design for feasibility, accessibility, and sustainability (ease of hos�ng, maintainability, portability) of the digital work in their concept paper (BAA, pg. 11). If code is required for a concept and the applicant cannot code, they will need to sub-contract for that labor.

If invited to give a full proposal, how long will we have before it is due?

We es�mate full proposals will be due in April 2024 (BAA, pg. 7).

Is this an interna�onal call, so non-US ci�zens/residents are also eligible to submit concept papers?

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No. This BAA is limited to individuals who are ci�zens or permanent residents of the United States.

Government employees are not eligible for this program (BAA, pg. 3).

Do you accept applica�ons from a partnership or a crea�ve collec�ve? I saw that we can list collaborators in the proposal budget and concept paper - which means there is a designated lead person, but some collabora�ve ar�sts work as a team.

The Library will only contract with individuals, not with organiza�ons or teams (BAA, pg.2). The resident can sub-contract and/or collaborate with others.

Would concept papers proposing to work with collec�ons stored in their en�rety at the Library of Congress, but which are also par�ally stored in different forms across other sites (i.e. SCOTUS decisions), would they be at a disadvantage?

Quality concept papers will cite specific Library items or collec�ons to be used in a proposed work (BAA,

pg. 4), but are not required to work only with Library of Congress materials. Most research must be done with Library of Congress collec�ons and staff (BAA, pg.11). If there is a perceived risk in working with collec�ons that are par�ally held by other ins�tu�ons, that risk should be addressed in the concept paper (BAA, pg. 11).

Would applicants proposing a work that generates a new collec�on of materials to be cataloged by the Library of Congress be beyond the scope of this specific program?

The Library will also evaluate the extent to which the proposal will require Library staff �me to accomplish and the availability of those resources as part of the applicant’s technical approach, especially as it relates to feasibility (BAA, pg.17).

Can applicants propose fic�onal departments within the Library of Congress, as framing for the digital work?

Yes.

Does Brian Foo’s “beatbox” project count as part of library’s work or his own?

If you are referring to the Citizen DJ project, that was delivered as part of his work with the Library of Congress as Innovator in Residence.

Are you able to do phone calls to walk through the BAA?

We can’t call individuals. Webinars were held to discuss the BAA and answer ques�ons. The transcripts are available on the Innovator in Residence program page.

Can you explain what the budget looks like?

An example of the budget and a budget template was provided with the BAA.

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CCO for so�ware. Crea�ve Commons doesn't recommend their licenses be used for code bases, instead sugges�ng others that are specifically writen for so�ware (for example, GNU GPL, MIT, etc.).

For the Innovator in Residence program, when the deliverable involves a code base, have you considered allowing other open source licenses instead of CC0? (I do see that Concordia uses CC0, however).

If selected, the Innovator commits to their work being published under a CC0 1.0 universal license, but we would be open to discussing other, so�ware-specific open-source license op�ons with the selected Innovator and the Library’s General Counsel if it did not limit use and reuse permissions.

Is it possible to review/listen to the two mee�ngs. I was in the last one, and believe it was being recorded.

We are not pos�ng the video recordings, but we have made the full transcripts available on the Innovator in Residence program page.

A�er reviewing the FAQ and transcripts from the webinars, I was s�ll a bit unclear where exactly to submit the ini�al 3-page concept paper. I understand at this stage we don’t have to submit within SAM.gov. To which email/en�ty should we submit the concept paper to?

Informa�on on how to submit the concept paper is on page 9, Sec�on 3.3 of the Broad Agency Announcement.

I'm thinking about a project around hip-hop journalism. I see that many of the magazines (The Source, VIBE, XXL etc.) aren't in the LOC. Could part of my project be to support the LOC in acquiring such works?

In the approach and feasibility sec�on of your concept paper, you should describe this as a resource need, and address the poten�al risk(s) to the project if the Library could not acquire these �tles. Please keep in mind that most research must be done with Library of Congress collec�ons, but applicants can include other sources in their research and work as long as they meet the requirements of the BAA.

I have a ques�on on the form the digital delivery should take. My project deliverable will be a digital collec�on of images that I have curated through the Innovator in Residence program, along with various altered cap�ons. I am imagining something with a similar framework to the public domain visualiza�on at the New York Public Library created in part by Brian Foo:

htp://publicdomain.nypl.org/pd-visualiza�on/. I am guessing that when we deliver the final digital product as part of the residency it should simply be able to be linked to via the Library of Congress Labs website. And that we as the resident are solely responsible for building (or having built) that digital collec�on/visualiza�on website. Is this accurate? Or would we be able to deliver images and text and the Library of Congress Labs could build a separate page to house the items? Those ques�ons being asked ... if it is the case that we are responsible for building the digital collec�on/visualiza�on website, would it be appropriate for me to directly contact Brian Foo for a recommenda�on on a possible person to hire for this purpose. I imagine it would be a conflict of interest for him to be able to work on this himself since he now works for the Library of Congress.

Yes, it is your responsibility to build the digital presenta�on of the collec�on as you describe it. LC Labs staff advise on work, and assist with administra�ve, program and outreach support, but do not create or http://publicdomain.nypl.org/pd-visualization/

2/16/2024 7 co-create the works delivered during the residency. It is the applicant’s responsibility to iden�fy individuals for sub-contract labor or describe their strategy for iden�fying individuals for sub-contract labor for the project to be completed successfully as proposed.

No, it is not appropriate for you to contact Brian Foo or any LC Labs staff with ques�ons during the applica�on process, because they may serve on the peer review board.