A3.3 RNIB 2026 Justification-and-Approval-3.16.26_Redacted.pdf

Justification and Approval For Other than Full and Open Competition

Plan ID Number: 2026-NLS-0045

Form Updated 4/14/2023

Justification & Approval

As a legislative branch agency, the Library is subject to the competition and advertising requirements of 41 U.S.C. § 6101. Like the Competition in Contracting Act and the FAR, 41 U.S.C. § 6101 does not require competition when a contracting officer certifies that only one source or brand-name item is available, when dictated by public exigency, or when otherwise authorized by law.

This document sets forth the justification and approval for award of a contract or order by means providing for other than full and open competition per 41 U.S.C. § 6101, LCR 7-210, and, as applicable, FAR 6.302, FAR 13.106-1, FAR 8.405, and FAR 16.505. Contracting without competition shall not be justified on the basis of a lack of advance planning or concerns related to availability of funds.

This form shall be used to support instances where competition will be limited to a single source, a limited number of sources, including where a brand name product is required.

1. Contracting Agency and Activity: Library of Congress, LCSG/NLS/CD/ABP

2. Nature of Action Being Approved

3. Description of Supplies or Services Required to Meet Library Needs

The Library requires the following supplies or services:

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) maintains a collection of braille and audio books and magazines that are distributed to over 500,000 blind and print disabled patrons. This requirement is for the purchase of twelve (12) braille magazines produced by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB):

1. Braille Chess Magazine

2. Short Stories

3. Braille Music Magazine

4. Braille Conundrum

5. Good Vibrations

6. Piano Tuners Quarterly

7. Shaping Up

8. Aphra

9. Missy

10. Pure

11. Progress (Braille Grade 1 Uncontracted )

12. Progress (Braille Grade 2 Contracted)

Part 1 – Identification

Contract (or modification) LoC or Leg Branch Order (or modification) GSA Schedule or GWAC: Identify Schedule/Contract Other: Identify

Plan ID Number: 2026-NLS-0045 Contractor (or Brand Name): Royal National Institute for the Blind Estimated Value (Base and all options):

Period of Performance: 07/15/2026-07/14/2027

4. Authority for Contracting Without Competition Over $250,000 For this requirement over $250,000, under FAR part 6, the basis for contracting without providing for full and open competition is:

There is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Library requirements.

41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(C); FAR 6.302-1.

Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by contractor’s unique capabilities or products. FAR 6.302-1(b)(1).

Source controls copyrights, patents, raw materials, or secret processes cannot be acquired otherwise, or similar circumstances. FAR 6.302- 1(b)(2).

Other exception identified in FAR 6.302-1: Identify the exception

There is such unusual & compelling urgency that the Government would be seriously injured if competition is not limited.

41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(B); FAR 6.302-2. Option years are not permitted.

Source is expressly authorized or required by statute (e.g., AbilityOne, UNICOR, GPO, GSA Public Buildings Service, Appropriations Act, etc.) per 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 6.302-5: Identify the authority Other basis authorized in 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b) or FAR part 6.302: Identify the exception

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product or item which is essential to the Government’s requirement. FAR 6.302-1(c).

The Product is listed on the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable

IT Standard Data Sheet)

Up to and including $250,000 For this requirement up to $250,000, using simplified acquisition procedures under FAR part 13, the basis for contracting without providing for full and open competition is:

Only one responsible source is reasonably available to meet Library requirements. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b); FAR 13.106-1.

Product or service is reasonably available from only one source.

Source controls copyrights, patents or other exclusive licensing arrangements.

Urgent circumstances; only one source can reasonably deliver by required date. Option years are not permitted.

Source is expressly authorized or required by statute: Identify the authority

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product The Product is listed the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable IT Standard Data Sheet)

GSA Schedule Order For this GSA schedule order under FAR part 8, the basis for not competing among GSA schedule-holders and/or specifying a brand name product or item is:

An urgent and compelling need exists, and following GSA procedures would result in unacceptable delays.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A).

Only one GSA source is capable of fulfilling the requirement at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized. FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B).

In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original order that was placed competitively among GSA schedule-holders (i.e., the original order was not sole-source or limited-source.) FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C).

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product

The Product is listed on the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable

Order Under Multiple Award Indefinite-Delivery Contract or GWAC For this order under FAR subpart 16.5, the basis for contracting without providing for full and open competition is:

The need is so urgent fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(C) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A).

The Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by contractor’s unique capabilities or products. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR

16.505(b)(2)(i)(B).

A logical follow-on order in the interest of economy and efficiency. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(i)(2)(C).

To satisfy a minimum guarantee. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(D).

Authorized or required by statute. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(E).

The Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product or item which is essential to the Government’s requirement. 41

U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(B) and FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i).

The Product is listed on the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable

Part 2 – Program Office Justification & Approval

5. Rationale for Contracting Without Competition

We are authorized to limit competition on the basis of the citation in section 4 because: at this time, only the Royal National Institute for the Blind can produce Short Stories ,Braille Music Magazine , Braille Conundrum , Good Vibrations, Piano Tuners Quarterly, Shaping Up, Aphra , Missy ,Pure and Progress (Braille Grade 1-Uncontractred) and Progress(Grade 2 - Contracted) magazine consistent with NLS specifications. In addition, there are no American vendors that produce these braille magazines, anywhere in the world. These periodicals are only offered through RNIB.

6. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition Before Subsequent Contract Is Required

To increase competition, we will: continue to survey the commercial braille market to see if a braille magazine of a similar nature is deemed appropriate for NLS braille-reading patrons. Due to the unique nature of these particular Braille magazines, only the Royal National Institute for the Blind can publish them.

7. Program Office Certification

I certify that the description of the Government’s minimum needs, schedule requirements, and technical information that provide the basis for this justification are accurate and complete.

8. Efforts to Solicit from As Many Potential Sources As Practicable Unless a justification is based on FAR 6.302-2, Unusual and compelling urgency, contracting officers shall post justifications for other than full and open competition, including brand name justifications, to the Contract Opportunities website on sam.gov (or eBuy for Brand Name Justifications under FAR Part 8) prior to requesting a proposal or otherwise entering into negotiations.

Advance notice will be published in sam.gov for 15 days before a contract is awarded. FAR 5.203(a).

Advance or concurrent notice will be published in sam.gov for a reasonable time for commercial items FAR 5.203(a) and 12.204(b).

Advance notice will not be published because the action meets the following FAR exception:

Notice would compromise national security. FAR 5.202(a)(1).

Unusual and compelling urgency; notice period would seriously injure Government. FAR 5.202(a)(2).

Expressly authorized or required to be made through another Government agency. FAR 5.202(a)(4).

Order will be placed against an IDIQ contract awarded under FAR 16.5. FAR 5.202(a)(6).

Order will be placed against GSA schedule or other competitively-awarded contract. FAR 5.202(a)(11).

Other:

Advance notice will not be published per 41 U.S.C. § 6101; see attached deviation from the FAR per LCR 7-210 § 3.A.

We made the following efforts to interest potential sources in this award: Notice of Intent to Sole-Source on SAM.gov for 15 days for public view prior to issuance of award.

9. Listing of Sources That Expressed Interest in Writing The following sources expressed interest in this award: None

10. Additional Information The following additional information is relevant to this justification and approval: None

11. Contracting Officer Determination that Price Is Fair and Reasonable As explained in detail below, I have determined that the prices for this contracting action are fair and reasonable based on comparison of the prices to the following (see FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)):

Historical prices paid by the Government Library’s Independent Government Estimate Other:

Published competitive price lists Prices obtained through market research Prices obtained through competitive proposals

The following analysis supports my determination: An evaluation of the offerors prices compared to historical prices paid by the Library demonstrates that the offerors prices are fair and reasonable.

12. Contracting Officer Determination of Responsibility

Checked System for Award Management (or will check in the case of competitive proposals for a brand name product)

13. Contracting Officer Determination of Best Value I have determined that this action represents the best value to the Government because: the Royal National Institute for the Blind is the only vendor that offers the magazines that the Library needs that meet the requirements of the NLS, and their prices are determined to be fair and reasonable.

14. Contracting Officer Certification I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, this justification is accurate and complete. For those actions up to $750,000, I approve contracting without competition for this requirement.

Name

Signature

Date

0BPART 3 – CONTRACTING OFFICER DETERMINATIONS & CERTIFICATION

James R. Robinson 04/07/2026