030ADV26R0004.pdf

PAGE 1 OF1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NO. 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls) 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: % FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR CODE FACILITY CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE NO. UEI: EFT:

PHONE: FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM NO. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________ 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION (REV. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

See SCHEDULE

030ADV26R0004 08-26-2025

Zwahlen, Jennifer (202) 707-0925 09-29-2025

12:00 EDT

Contracts and Grants Directorate Library of Congress

101 Independence Ave. SE LA 325 Washington DC 20540-9411

X

N/A

X

DELIVERY

See Sections D&F for delivery instructions.

Contracts & Grants Directorate Library of Congress

LA 325

101 Independence Av SE Washington DC 20540-9411

Submit Invoices through nlsadmin@loc.gov Washington DC 20540

See CONTINUATION Page

See CONTINUATION Page

X X

Zwahlen, Jennifer

030ADV26R0004

Table of Contents

SECTION A

A.1 SF 1449 SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

B.2 LC52.216-3 CONTRACT TYPE (JUN 2016)

B.3 LC52.212-2 SUPPLEMENTAL LICENSE AGREEMENTS (JUL 2017)

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C. STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 LC52.211-1 DELIVERIES (APR 2015)

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 LC52.201-3 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION (AUG 2015)

G.2 LC52.232-1A LIBRARY OF CONGRESS INVOICE INSTRUCTIONS (OCT 2016)

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 LC52.201-1 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORITY (JAN 2016)

H.2 LC52.203-1 CONTRACTOR PUBLICITY (OCT 2013)

H.3 LC52.204-3 INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY (JUL 2024)

H.4 LC52.209-1 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (OCT 2013)

H.5 LC52.227-1 ASSIGNMENT OF COPYRIGHT TO THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (DEC 2001)

H.6 LC52.237-1 KEY PERSONNEL (AUG 2014)

H.7 LC52.239-1 INFORMATION SECURITY (JUL 2025)

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

I.2 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (JAN 2025)

I.3 LC52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (DEV) (FEB 2016)

030ADV26R0004

I.4 LC52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE

ORDERS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (DEV) (MAY 2015)

I.5 52.227-17 RIGHTS IN DATA—SPECIAL WORKS (DEC 2007)

I.6 LC52.232-25 PROMPT PAYMENT (DEV) (JUL 2013)

I.7 LC52.233-1 52.233-1 (DEV) DISPUTES (MAY 2014)

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAY 2024)

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L.1 LC52.233-2 PROTESTS TO THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (DEC 2013)

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

030ADV26R0004 Section B

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

ITEM

NUMBER

DESCRIPTION OF

SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

0001 1.00 LOT _______________

NLS Business Study (sections C.3.1 - C.3.8) Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 12-01-2025 POP End: 06-30-2026

GRAND TOTAL _______________

B.2 LC52.216-3 CONTRACT TYPE (JUN 2016)

This is a Firm-Fixed-Price contract.

(End of Clause)

B.3 LC52.212-2 SUPPLEMENTAL LICENSE AGREEMENTS (JUL 2017)

The Library does not agree to licensing agreements or any other provisions that attempt to: (1) replace an order as the governing contract; (2) establish new or supplemental payment terms; or, (3) affect the legal relationships of the parties.

Notwithstanding any clauses in this contract or order, or the contractual vehicles against which the order is placed, that establish order of precedence, the rights and obligations provided by this contract or order take precedence over the rights and obligations set forth in any licensing agreements provided to the Library.

The Library’s incorporation of a licensing agreement into this contract or order excludes all terms of the licensing agreement that contravene, modify or conflict with the terms of 36 C.F.R. 701.7 available at: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=87a865ce2bd109313a951a3d477895d8&mc=true&node=se36.3.701_17&rgn=div8.

(End of Clause)

030ADV26R0004 Section C

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C. STATEMENT OF WORK

NLS Business Model Study

C.1 OVERVIEW / BACKGROUND

The Library of Congress (LOC or the Library), National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) requires a contractor to assist in researching a significant business model transformation.

The NLS administers a free national library program that provides braille and recorded materials to people who cannot see regular print or handle print materials. Established by an Act of Congress in 1931 to serve blind adults, NLS’s program was expanded numerous times: in 1952 to include children; in 1962 to provide music materials; in 1966 to include individuals with other physical disabilities that prevent reading regular print; and in 2016 to permit NLS to provide refreshable braille displays. The NLS program is funded annually by Congress, and books and materials are mailed as “Free Matter for the Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons” through a separate appropriation to the United States Postal Service.

Free Matter for the Blind (FMFB) is a service provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS) funded through an annual Congressional budget appropriation. FMFB provides a form of free shipping for eligible individuals and it is a special mailing service created by an act of Congress. Matter may be sent free of charge if mailed by or for the use of blind or other persons who cannot read or use conventionally printed materials due to another qualifying condition.

Reading materials produced by NLS are sent to and returned by eligible readers using FMFB mailing. Other organizations serving blind and physically handicapped clients also use FMFB. For more information, see the following link:

https://www.loc.gov/nls/who-we-are/laws-regulations/free-matter-blind-physically-handicapped-persons-mailing/

Under a special provision of the United States Copyright Law, and with the permission of authors and publishers of works not covered by that provision, NLS selects books and magazines for full-length publication in braille, digital braille (eBraille), and digital audio formats. In early 2019, the United States joined the Marrakesh Treaty as its 50th member, allowing NLS to assist patrons in requesting accessible materials in a wide range of languages from the other libraries around the world that are also Marrakesh Treaty members. The NLS works with a network of cooperating libraries and agencies nationwide (referred to as Network Libraries) to provide direct service to eligible individuals and institutions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all US Territories. The program also extends to qualified American citizens that reside abroad. Currently there are 55 regional libraries, 26 subregional libraries, and 13 advisory and outreach centers that participate in the NLS program: approximately 90+ Network Libraries.

After 94 years, and three generations of technology and service to blind and print disabled Americans, NLS again finds itself at the precipice of a potential business model transformation. NLS has gone through a modernization initiative since 2020 with significant results. However, with the ever-changing landscape of technology, (including the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies), and the ever-changing financial challenges experienced by the cooperative network of state libraries, NLS must revisit its business model. Opportunities remain for NLS to better engage with segments of the population who NLS could serve, such as students, veterans, and people with dyslexia and similar reading disabilities. Opportunities for new strategic partnerships are emerging, while current partnerships must be retained. Organizational structures and processes may require significant adjustments to take advantage of new possibilities. At the same time, NLS must continue to provide the highest possible levels of service to its most vulnerable populations, including individuals who are aging with late-onset conditions that make them eligible for NLS services. (See Attachment J1 for additional background information about NLS’s products and services.)

To effect this potential transformation strategically and efficiently, NLS needs to gather input from industry, current and potential partners, network libraries and NLS users to plan and recommend a transformational business model. The effort will be comprehensive, from visioning and process road-mapping to multi-year phased implementation and integration, and it will incorporate people, process, information technology (IT) and physical infrastructure.

C.2 SCOPE

The contractor shall evaluate current organizational and structural elements of the NLS program, including the cooperating Network Libraries. The contractor shall study and assess multiple areas of change. The contractor shall study and report on industry trends and new technology, which shall culminate in an Executive-Level Summary Plan.

The Executive-Level Summary shall provide five-year projections regarding what will be commercially available to the blind and print disabled community, and what imminent technologies may enhance NLS’s ability to serve the blind and print disabled community.

C.3 REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Project Work Plan

The contractor will provide a final detailed, comprehensive project plan. The contractor shall:

a. Create a planning framework, anticipated organization, structure, and timeline of the project from the start date to the completion date of the contract (see Section B); phase, performance, and milestones; a governance and communications plan; the resource requirements and dependencies; and general assumptions and expectations.

b. The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will review the final plan, along with NLS subject matter expert(s) (SME). The COR will provide questions, comments, or requests for revision within five (5) business days of receipt of the plan. The contractor shall incorporate the changes and submit the revised framework to the COR within five

(5) business days of receipt of the COR’s feedback. The COR will provide written acceptance of the final project plan.

3.2. Meetings

The contractor shall participate in regular bimonthly progress meetings with the COR and other NLS staff. These meetings shall continue throughout the period of performance.

In addition to regular meetings, the contractor shall coordinate with the COR to schedule a virtual contract kick-off meeting within five (5) days of the period of performance start date at a mutually agreeable time. (See Section B for the period of performance start date.)

3.3. Management Review Plan

The contractor shall produce a Management Review Plan that shall provide NLS with a baseline report on the gap between the current business environment and what actions NLS must take to transform the business model to better respond to opportunities. The plan shall also inform Congress about the resources necessary to effectively meet these needs.

The contractor shall study NLS’s mission, vision, strategy, and work done to date by the Library project team. NLS is interested in knowing what strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) exist in the current business environment in order to position itself to be nimble and in a position to pursue opportunities. The Management Plan must include a SWOT analysis. In order to expand and better serve the national blind and print disabled community, the contractor shall provide an assessment of the present market and the projected market five years from now. NLS seeks to better understand its current customers’ needs, and the products and services that it does not currently offer, but it should offer in the future. The contractor shall provide a detailed assessment of the opportunities and challenges associated with providing such services and the performance goals that shall best serve NLS’s goals as an organization.

Lastly, the contractor’s evaluation shall identify and describe critical success factors, goals to pursue, and recommendations to move into design planning.

The contractor shall produce a final report, which shall include an executive summary, that shall synthesize this information to identify and describe the complexity of opportunities wherein NLS is most likely to succeed, identify new and necessary technologies that NLS should pursue and acquire, and the human and financial resources required to accomplish its’ goals. The report shall include the contractor’s recommendations and requirements for NLS to respond to short, intermediate and long-term opportunities for improvement. The report shall also address potential scenarios to outsource work that could be performed more efficiently through other sources, and their impact on subsequent planning phases. The contractor shall report on potential efficiencies to be gained by outsourcing aspects of NLS’s products and services that are not required to be provided or performed by the Library.

3.4 Business Model Analysis Studies

The network of 90 + cooperating libraries has relied on individual state funding for their operations. With potential funding reductions on the horizon, some network libraries may not be able to maintain the same level of service to NLS patrons in their respective state. At the same time, the NLS business model is not currently structured to absorb the capacity of any network library that must reduce service.

The contractor shall evaluate the budget and capacity statuses of each network library. The contractor shall evaluate the NLS business model, including budget and capacity, and recommend the best options to modify the business model to accommodate, support, and sustain increased capacity requirements resulting from reduced capacity from the network of state libraries, while providing the highest possible levels of service to vulnerable, aging populations who are eligible for NLS services.

The contractor shall produce an analysis composed of the following three (3) sections:

A. Comprehensive analysis of the NLS’s historical budgets, current budget, and future business model of the network of cooperating libraries. The contractor shall research and analyze the budget and capacity status of each of the 90+ Network Libraries. This analysis shall include the various funding streams aligned to each Network Library and trends going forward. The analysis shall then show the impact of the changing environment.

B. Comprehensive analysis of the historical, current, and future business model of NLS by researching and analyzing the budget and capacity status of the NLS business model. The contractor’s report shall recommend the best options to modify the business model to accommodate, support, and sustain increased capacity requirements resulting from reduced capacity of Network Libraries.

C. Report on the contractor’s recommendations to help NLS best support the network libraries if potential budget and capacity challenges arise. This report shall include related insights, recommendations and justifications to forge a path forward, to provide optimum patron service with the greatest efficiency to the federal government and network libraries. The report shall also include the cost justification, risk analysis, dependencies, and critical steps for a recommended path forward.

D. Financial impact assessment on the NLS product and service delivery model if the FMFB appropriation were to be reduced or eliminated. Contractor’s report shall include an estimate of the additional personnel resources required to support mailing operations and the cost of postage.

3.5. Product/Service Analysis Study

The contractor shall produce a study of the current and future states of talking book and braille delivery technology, including opportunities to leverage AI tools, deep-learning speech synthesis enabled text-to-speech (hereafter, TTS) functionality, and patron acceptance. The contractor’s analysis shall include the prospect of integrating new technology with NLS’s existing products and services, including the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) applications, the next generation Digital Talking Book Machine (DA2), the Braille eReaders, and the My Talking Book Alexa Skill for smart speakers. The contractor’s study shall provide a cost comparison of commercially available products and potential “competitors” in the market. The contractor’s study shall document the range of software that is commercially available and in use within the network libraries and within NLS, such as AI, TTS, and potentially commercially available services such as Audible, Bookshare, and Libby. The Contractor’s analysis shall report on life cycle costs, and implementation models for content delivery via wireless channels. The resulting data will guide NLS in its decisions regarding investments made in the improvement of its products and services.

The contractor’s report shall mention the statutory requirement at 17 U.S.C. 121 that copyrighted works reproduced for the blind or individuals with disabilities must be reproduced and distributed in specialized formats exclusively for their use, and shall incorporate any interpretations of this statutory requirement supplied by the Library.

After award, NLS will provide a copy of a high-level analysis of current AI tools that may augment and improve the NLS program. This report shall serve as a primer. The contractor and its staff, who shall be assigned to the contract, shall sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to receiving access to the report.

The contractor shall also provide a comprehensive analysis of the current and future states of talking book and braille delivery technology, which shall include AI tools, deep-learning speech synthesis enabled TTS functionality, and patron acceptance. The contractor shall analyze the current NLS program to understand patron needs and goals for digital delivery of NLS content. This analysis must also evaluate NLS’s progress, improvements and growth capacity based on the 2016 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that states NLS should thoroughly assess TTS options versus only human-narrated materials.

The contractor’s report shall include research and analysis into the future market for AI tools and TTS technology, and the potential impact of changes to the current NLS program on the services NLS provides to patrons. The analysis shall provide a comparative analysis of the benefits and liabilities of potential AI tools and TTS technology. The contractor shall provide recommendations on how best to integrate TTS technology into NLS-provided materials, including both the benefits and drawbacks of doing so, and recommendations to rapidly incorporate improved TTS performance as it is developed. Additionally, the contractor shall research and analyze the potential cost savings of implementing such technologies.

The contractor shall provide related insights, recommendations, and justifications regarding NLS’s path forward to provide optimum patron service with greatest efficiency to the federal government and network libraries. For each subject area above, the contractor’s report shall provide a cost justification, risk analysis, dependencies, and critical steps for a recommended path forward.

Finally, the contractor shall compile requirements to include a TTS engine in the next generation digital talking-book machine so that patrons may choose to listen to TTS renderings of text-based files on the new machines.

3.6 Design Plan

The contractor shall produce a Design Plan that shall provide NLS with the blueprints for redesigning its business model, processes, supporting systems, and resources. The Design Plan documentation must incorporate critical findings and recommendations from Section C.3.4 Business Model Analysis, and from C.3.5 Product/Service analysis for the adoption and integration of AI and TTS solutions.

At a minimum, this plan shall discuss the ideal organizational structure and operating model redesign that will align different NLS functions and activities with common mission and strategic objectives based on future-state portfolio analysis capabilities and processes that will be required for NLS’s success; outsourcing scenarios; technology;

organization and people; and required infrastructure. Contractor’s analysis shall provide market and cost analysis and benchmarking, as well as codification of NLS activities requiring defined policies and governance processes, and detailed outlines of new policy and governance standards. The contractor shall provide the business case methodology for informing, prioritizing, and justifying management decisions, and critical success factors, goals, and recommendations for moving into the Implementation Plan.

The contractor’s report shall include an executive summary of findings and key actions that shall be required for NLS’s success.

3.7 Implementation Plan

The contractor shall produce an Implementation Plan to identify resource and allocation needs in all relevant areas, including process, human capital, IT and support services, finance, operations, and facilities. In developing the plan for NLS, the contractor shall investigate other Library activities, as NLS relies on other offices within the Library for some of the services it requires. The contractor shall account for the relevant areas of process and operations that are outside of NLS control as part of the Implementation Plan and discuss these aspects with the COR during biweekly meetings and at interim times, indicated by the Work Plan or other communications.

The Implementation Plan shall include a preliminary operating budget and outsourcing plan, if applicable. The Plan shall provide detailed action plans, resource allocation, and timeframes for implementing change in all major component areas, including process, people, systems, support services, finance, and facilities. The Implementation Plan shall discuss risk assessment and mitigation planning based on complexity and the level of change involved, and the resources NLS will require. The plan shall address human capital requirements, migration, training, plans, and workforce transition (retirement) planning. The contractor’s plan shall discuss service-level agreement(s) requirements, legislative and regulatory requirements, and detailed funding strategies and three-year program budget projections.

The Plan shall also include a performance plan and process; a detailed implementation planning template for use by network partners; a communications strategy; detailed pilot project plans; and detailed assessments of areas that require additional contractor support for effective multi-year implementation.

3.8 Summary Presentation

The contractor shall produce an executive level oral presentation of the contractor’s findings and written recommendations for implementing the NLS business model transformation. The executive level summary shall include a summary of objectives, actions, outcomes, and next steps. The oral presentation shall not to exceed one hour.

The contractor shall provide a draft slide deck to the COR two weeks prior to the summary presentation. If needed, the COR will provide feedback on the draft slide deck. The COR will approve the slide deck, in writing, prior to the contractor’s summary presentation.

3.9 Data Rights and Assignment of Copyright to the Library of Congress

The information the Library will provide to the contractor may include confidential budgets, business planning information, financial information and other sensitive, confidential, and proprietary information. The contractor’s proposal indicates that it agrees to maintain the security and confidentiality of any information the Library provides to the contractor. The contractor agrees not to share any of this information with any party outside of its organization, neither publicly nor privately.

The Library will retain all data rights associated with any deliverables produced by the contractor. The contractor’s proposal serves as the contractor’s acknowledgement that it shall assign the Copyright to all data and deliverables produced under this contract to the Library. The contractor may not distribute or use the products of this contract for any purpose other than to complete work under this contract. (See LC52.227-1 Assignment of Copyright to the Library of Congress)

C.4 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS/DELIVERABLES

Requirements Paragraph reference

Description of Deliverable Completion date / Payment schedule

3.2 Kick-off Meeting Within five (5) days of the period of

performance start date. / Not separately priced (NSP).

3.1 Final Project Work Plan Within two (2) weeks after kick-off meeting / 5% of firm fixed price (FFP).

3.2 Biweekly meetings Ongoing throughout the period of

performance / NSP.

3.5 Review sessions Ongoing throughout the period of

performance / NSP

3.3 Management Review Plan Within two (2) months after project plan completion / 5% of FFP after COR approval of invoice.

3.4 Business Model Analysis Studies Within three (3) months after project plan completion / 20% of FFP after COR approval of invoice.

3.5 Product/Service Analysis Study Within five (5) months after project plan completion / 25% of FFP after COR approval of invoice.

3.6 Design Plan Within 45 days after completion of 3.5 / 15%

of FFP after COR approval of invoice

3.7 Implementation Plan Within 45 days after completion of 3.5 / 20% of FFP after COR approval of invoice.

3.8 Draft Executive-level summary slide

deck for COR approval

Two weeks prior to the Executive-level summary presentation / NSP

3.8 Executive-level summary

presentation

No later than June 30, 2026W/ 10% of FFP after COR approval of invoice.

C.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE

The COR will initiate a review session near the end of revisions for each deliverable. The Library’s NLS project team and the contractor’s project team will attend review sessions. The sessions are intended to provide the attendees the opportunity to determine if the project has met stated requirements in order to proceed into the next deliverable.

During these sessions, attendees will review the deliverables and recommend to the COR to within ten (10) business days whether to accept or decline them. Unless deliverables are approved and accepted by the COR, the project will not move forward.

C.6 KEY PERSONNEL

The following positions are considered key personnel per LC52.237-1.

Senior Financial Analyst - Possess a thorough knowledge of Federal financial budgeting, reporting, and accounting policies including federal financial systems. Must demonstrate experience in working with multi-year/no-year appropriations and differing appropriations. Must be able to formulate Federal strategic financial plans, prepare cost estimates and correlate financing requirements into executable budgets.

Digital Accessibility Specialist - Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of accessibility technology and is an expert in the Americans with Disabilities Act/Section 508a of the Rehabilitation Act (ADA/508), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and current, related accessibility technologies. The Digital Accessibility Specialist has at least three (3) years of applied experience with collaborative/co-design approaches that prioritize the preferences, aspirations, and lived experiences of people with disabilities.

7.0 Travel. The Library will not reimburse the contractor for travel.

(End of Statement of Work)

030ADV26R0004 Section D

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 LC52.211-1 DELIVERIES (APR 2015)

All deliveries submitted to the CO or the COR or other Library personnel designated to receive deliverables shall clearly indicate the following information:

a. Agency/Requiring Library Service Unit and MAIL STOP/Room Number

b. Description of information/data being submitted

c. Contract Number

d. Contractor Name and Address

030ADV26R0004 Section E

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Inspection and Acceptance under this contract shall be in accordance with paragraph (a) Inspection and Acceptance of 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (NOV 2023).

030ADV26R0004 Section F

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

ITEM

NUMBER SHIPPING INFORMATION QUANTITY DELIVERY DATE

0001 1.00

030ADV26R0004 Section G

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 LC52.201-3 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION (AUG 2015)

This contract will be administered by:

Library Contracting Officer: Jennifer Zwahlen

Phone: 202-707-0925

Email: jzwa@loc.gov

Library Contract Specialist: Colleen Daly

Phone: 202-707-0386

Email: cdaly@loc.gov

Library Contracting Officer’s Representative: TBD on Award

Phone: TBD on Award

Email: TBD on Award

Contractor’s Contract Administrator: TBD on Award

Phone: TBD on Award

Email: TBD on Award

G.2 LC52.232-1A LIBRARY OF CONGRESS INVOICE INSTRUCTIONS (OCT 2016)

The Contractor must prepare and submit invoices electronically to: nlsadmin@loc.gov with a copy to the COR at (TBD).

The Contractor may submit payment requests using other than electronic means only when alternate procedures are authorized by the contracting officer in writing.

030ADV26R0004 Section H

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 LC52.201-1 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) APPOINTMENT AND

AUTHORITY (JAN 2016)

(a) Performance of work under this contract is subject to the technical direction of the COR. The term “technical direction” includes, without limitation, direction to the contractor that directs or redirects the labor effort, shifts the work between work areas or locations, and/or fills in details and otherwise serves to ensure that tasks outlined in the contract are accomplished satisfactorily.

(b) Technical direction must be within the scope of the contract specification(s)/work statement. The COR does not have authority to issue technical direction that:

(1) Constitutes additional work outside the contract specification(s)/work statement;

(2) Constitutes a change as defined in the “Changes” clause of this contract;

(3) Causes an increase or decrease in the contract price, or the time required for contract performance;

(4) Changes any of the terms, conditions, or specification(s)/work statement of the contract;

(5) Interferes with the contractor's right to perform under the terms and conditions of the contract; or

(6) Directs, supervises or otherwise controls the actions of the contractor's employees.

(c) Technical direction may be oral or in writing. The COR must confirm oral direction in writing within five workdays, with a copy to the Contracting Officer.

(d) The Contractor shall proceed promptly with performance resulting from the technical direction issued by the COR.

If, in the opinion of the contractor, any direction of the COR or the designated representative falls within the limitations of (b) above, the contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer no later than the beginning of the next Government work day.

(e) Failure of the Contractor and the Contracting Officer to agree that technical direction is within the scope of the contract shall be subject to the terms of the “Disputes” clause of this contract.

(End of Clause)

H.2 LC52.203-1 CONTRACTOR PUBLICITY (OCT 2013)

The Contractor, or any entity or representative acting on behalf of the Contractor, may not refer to the equipment or services furnished pursuant to the provisions of this contract in any news release or commercial advertising, or in connection with any news release or commercial advertising, without first obtaining explicit written consent to do so from the Contracting Officer. Should any reference to such equipment or services appear in any news release or commercial advertising issued by or on behalf of the Contractor without the required consent, the Government will consider institution of all remedies available under applicable law.

H.3 LC52.204-3 INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY (JUL 2024)

(1) Computer Security Policy. The Library requires anyone using or accessing its digital assets (including networks, servers, workstations, systems, data, web pages, and email) to protect them and use them only for official business, and only in accordance with Library regulations and applicable Library bargaining agreements. Unauthorized or inappropriate use may be grounds for termination or other contractual remedy.

(2) Privacy Policy. No one has the right to privacy while using any Library computer system, including internet or email services. Usage may be monitored.

(3) Level of Access. The Library’s Host Office will determine the level of access to the Library’s IT equipment, staff and software needed to successfully perform under this contract. Access may include, for example, email, word processing, internet, and intranet.

(4) Mandatory IT Security Training. Contractor staff must successfully complete mandatory information systems security training and access forms prior to use of or access to any of the Library’s digital assets.

(a) The required training is available on the Library’s learning management system, LOC Learn, at https://www.loc.gov/extranet/cld/. Library staff will provide further instructions upon onboarding.

(b) Contractor staff with access to Library digital assets shall complete the information systems security training annually. The training is available on the Library intranet at https://www.loc.gov/staff/cld/.

(End of Clause)

H.4 LC52.209-1 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (OCT 2013)

The services required in performance of this contract involve access to non-public information and/or services that are closely associated with the performance of inherently governmental functions that may result in conflicts of interest related to this contract, other contracts, or future contracts for which the contractor may intend to compete. Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 9.5 describes circumstances and provides illustrative examples of circumstances that may give rise to conflicts of interest.

The Contractor must identify to the contracting officer any conflicts of interest, actual or potential, that may reasonably be expected to arise in performance of this contract. The contractor must provide a detailed written description of the conflict of interest and a plan explaining any and all steps the Contractor will undertake to avoid or mitigate the conflict.

Failure to disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest may subject the Contractor to corrective action including but not limited to termination of this contract, debarment of the contractor, and/or other appropriate civil or criminal actions.

It is solely within the discretion of the Library to determine whether or not a conflict of interest exists and whether any mitigation plan submitted by the Contractor mitigates a conflict.

The Contractor shall include this clause in all subcontracts, consultant agreements, and lower tier subcontracts unless a waiver is granted by the Contracting Officer.

(End of Clause)

H.5 LC52.227-1 ASSIGNMENT OF COPYRIGHT TO THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (DEC 2001)

The Contractor hereby transfers and assigns to the Library any and all rights in the works produced under the contract including but not limited to copyrights. As the sole owner of the works produced under the contract, the Library will exercise all exclusive rights in the works, including but not limited to the right to distribute the Work, consistent with the Library’s ownership rights, including copyrights.

The contractor must include a similar clause into any subcontract under this contract.

(End of Clause)

H.6 LC52.237-1 KEY PERSONNEL (AUG 2014)

The personnel designated as key personnel in this contract are considered to be essential to the work being performed hereunder. At least 30 days prior to diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts or as soon as possible if an individual must be replaced, for example, as a result of leaving the employ of the contractor, the contractor shall notify the contracting officer and identify proposed substitutions. No diversion or substitution shall be made by the contractor without written consent of the contracting officer.

The following personnel have been identified as Key Personnel in the performance of this contract:

Position/Labor Category Name

Senior Financial Analyst TBD on Award

Digital Accessibility Specialist TBD on Award

(End of Clause)

H.7 LC52.239-1 INFORMATION SECURITY (JUL 2025)

The work to be conducted is considered Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) pursuant to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-53 (rev 4) or current version. The Contractor shall ensure that all non-public Library information processed under this contract shall be protected from unauthorized use and mishandling by the Contractor. Information includes both hard copy (paper) formats and soft copy (stored in electronic form, e.g., hard disks, tapes, flash drives, CD-ROM/CD-R, etc.).

(a) The Contractor shall store hard copies and soft copies contained on removable media (e.g., tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, CD-ROM/CD-R, etc.) in a government-approved storage container per the direction of the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or the Library of Congress Project Manager when not under the direct control of Contractor Key Personnel.

(b) The Contractor shall treat any information developed on security vulnerabilities and any Government provided non-public information as “CUI.”

(c) The Contractor personnel shall label and protect this information as “Security Category: Moderate,” placing this designation in the footer.

(d) The Contractor shall ensure that all documents designated “Security Category: Moderate,” “Security Category:

High” and “Limited Official Use Only” are not emailed to or from an external email system. These documents may only be emailed between Library of Congress email accounts, or within a secured corporate email network.

(e) The Contractor shall ensure that all documents designated “Security Category: Moderate,” “Security Category:

High” and “Limited Official Use Only” are shredded, burned, or otherwise destroyed before being disposed of in accordance with applicable corporate and federal records management policies.

(f) The Contractor shall dispose of all documents designated “Security Category: Moderate,” “Security Category: High” and “Limited Official Use Only” remaining in the Contractor’s possession at the end of the contract term.

(g) The Contractor shall ensure that all Contractor workstations used to process Library information utilizes anti-virus and anti-spyware utilities that are configured to continuously monitor and to automatically update as well as having automatic operating system patching in place.

(h) The Contractor shall ensure that all Contractor workstations used to process Library information employ a firewall that can either be software running on the workstation or a stand-alone firewall that protects the workstation from unauthorized access from any other devices, including devices on the Contractor’s corporate network.

(i) The Contractor shall ensure that all Library information that is labeled “Security Category: Moderate,” “Security Category: High” and “Limited Official Use Only” is encrypted using a Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS) 140-3 validated application configured in FIPS mode. This includes information stored on internal hard drives and removable devices (e.g., CD-Rs, flash drives, etc.).

(j) The Contractor must provide a written list of anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, encryption products, versions and proof of licenses, along with the automatic operating system patching status, MAC address (if applicable) and user name for each system being used to process Library information. Patching shall include Operating System packages and third party software installed on any systems accessing the Library Networks.

(k) In accordance with NIST SP 800-61 (rev 3) or current version, the Contractor shall report to infosec@loc.gov, the Contracting Officer, and the COR any adverse events that are computer security related or computer security incidents (adverse events and computer security incidents as defined in NIST SP 800-61 (rev 3) or current version) concerning Library CUI within 24-hours of its discovery. The contractor shall coordinate its response to such an event or incident with the Library.

(l) The Contractor shall not provide any government-furnished non-public documents, information, or licensed material in any form to anyone other than the Contracting Officer, the COR, or the Library of Congress Project Manager without the written approval of the Contracting Officer, the COR, or the Library of Congress Project Manager during the period of this contract or at any time afterwards.

(m) The Contractor shall not release any government documents or information related to IT Security in any form without the written approval of the Library’s IT Security Group.

(n) The Contractor shall ensure that all Contractor personnel sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs).

(o) The Contractor shall ensure that all Contractor personnel complete the Library of Congress IT Security Awareness Training on an annual basis.

030ADV26R0004 Section I

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

FAR Number Title Date

52.203-3 GRATUITIES APR 1984

52.204-13 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE OCT 2018

52.204-18 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE MAINTENANCE AUG 2020

52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

NOV 2023

52.233-1 DISPUTES MAY 2014

52.242-13 BANKRUPTCY JUL 1995

52.243-1 CHANGES—FIXED PRICE ALTERNATE I (APR 1984) AUG 2018

52.253-1 COMPUTER GENERATED FORMS JAN 1991

I.2 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES

OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (JAN

2025)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (JAN 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204–23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab Covered Entities (DEC 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115–91).

(3) 52.204–25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115–232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (NOV 2015).

(5) 52.232–40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (MAR 2023) (31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

(6) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(7) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

[X] (1) 52.203–6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN 2020), with Alternate I (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

[] (2) 52.203–13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

[] (3) 52.203–15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (JUN 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

[] (4) 52.203–17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (NOV 2023) (41 U.S.C. 4712); this clause does not apply to contracts of DoD, NASA, the Coast Guard, or applicable elements of the intelligence community—see FAR 3.900(a).

[] (5) 52.204–10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub. L. 109–282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[] (6) [Reserved]

[ ] (7) 52.204–14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111–117, section 743 of Div. C).

[] (8) 52.204–15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111– 117, section 743 of Div. C).

[X] (9) 52.204–27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L.

117–328).

[] (10) 52.204–28, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts, and Multi-Agency Contracts. (DEC 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

[] (11)(i) 52.204–30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders— Prohibition. (DEC 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

[] (ii) Alternate I (DEC 2023) of 52.204–30.

[X] (12) 52.209–6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, Proposed for Debarment, or Voluntarily Excluded. (JAN 2025) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[X] (13) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT 2018) (41 U.S.C.

2313).

[] (14) [Reserved]

[] (15) 52.219–3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (16) 52.219–4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (17) [Reserved]

[] (18)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-6.

[] (19)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-7.

[] (20) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (JAN 2025) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

[] (21)(i) 52.219–9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (JAN 2025) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

[] (ii) Alternate I (NOV 2016) of 52.219-9.

[] (iii) Alternate II (NOV 2016) of 52.219-9.

[] (iv) Alternate III (JAN 2025) of 52.219–9.

[] (v) Alternate IV (JAN 2025) of 52.219–9.

[] (22)(i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-13.

[] (23) 52.219–14, Limitations on Subcontracting (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657s).

[] (24) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

[] (25) 52.219–27, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the SDVOSB Program (FEB 2024) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

[] (26) (i) 52.219-28, Postaward Small Business Program Rerepresentation (JAN 2025) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219–28.

[] (27) 52.219–29, Notice of Set-Aside…