030ADV22Q0077 - Amendment 0001.pdf

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODECODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

0001 RQNLS20220042

Contracts and Grants Directorate Library of Congress

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

Contracts & Grants Directorate Library of Congress

LA 325

101 Independence Av SE Washington DC 20540-9411

To all Offerors/Bidders

030ADV22Q0077

X

See CONTINUATION Page

X 1

The purpose of this amendment is to modify Section C.

Specifically, Section C.3 is amended to read "11 x 11.5" inch braille paper rather than "11.5 x 11.5" inch braille paper.

There are no other changes to this solicitation.

Robinson, James

CONTINUATION PAGE

C.1. Organization Background

The Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled requires contractor support to provide, as mandated by 2 U.S.C. 135a, reading materials in braille formats to U.S. residents who are unable to use conventional print materials because of visual and physical limitations. Reading materials are reproduced and distributed through a network of regional and sub-regional libraries operated by states, municipalities, and other agencies. All services and products are funded by the U.S. Congress through NLS. NLSBPD is in the process of studying braille on demand services, as dictated by NLS patron request, to increase and expand access to hardcopy braille products.

NLS intends for this contracting effort to be a pilot program for a new method of providing braille to its patrons whereby patron input will dictate which books are printed in braille and distributed. The Contractor is not expected to have any engagement with NLS patrons. All communication between the patrons and which books they order shall be coordinated through NLS and sent to the Contractor.

C.2. Scope

The Library of Congress, National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled requires contract support for the following services: embossing, binding and distribution of braille material from master braille (.BRF) files supplied by NLSBPD. This is a pilot program where patrons will select which (.BRF) files will be printed.

However, the Contractor shall not interact with the patrons and the program shall be run and managed by NLS personnel.

C.2.1. Objective

The contractor will emboss and bind literary braille from a digital braille file (.BRF) and distribute to patrons in accordance with the requirements of this document.

C.2.2. Performance Areas

Services Include:

• Braille embossing of copies

• Binding of single or multiple volumes

• Addressing of created copies

• Packaging of copies

• Mailing of copies

• Record keeping and reporting to NLS

C.3. Requirements

The contractor shall:

● Emboss electronic braille documents (.BRF) on 11 x 11½ inch braille paper using interpoint, which are burst, collated and bound.

● Binding can be achieved by staple, comb, spiral, or any other method proposed by the producer and approved by NLS.

● Emboss volumes between 100-200 pages using an electronic file provided by (.BRF) file, as is, interpoint downloaded from NLS BARD (the digital system NLS uses). The contractor shall provide multiple volumes of equal size for larger braille documents.

● Books shall have paper, cardboard, plastic or cloth cover or any other method proposed by the producer and approved by NLS. NLS is not requiring any special type of, or unique branded, containers, boxes, or envelopes.

● Perform quality control that ensures output matches the provided BRF file.

● Mail completed embossed/bound documents via a commercial carrier in accordance with the deliverable schedule in Section C.4.1 below. The contractor shall mail the completed materials to the location designated by the Government. Free Matter for the Blind may be used for shipping on this contract.

● Provide a minimum of one embossed copy of a requested title. Additional copies may be requested throughout the period of performance.

● Producer shall notify NLS of shipment via email to include shipment date, number of pages shipped, and patron ID.

C.3.1. Mailing Envelopes and Labels

Mailing cartons or envelops shall be of a quality to protect braille materials being sent through the mail without damage. The braille producer is responsible for the shipment of books from the production point to the patron in such fashion that books arrive in good condition. The producer must conform to the requirements and restrictions of the U.S. Postal Service with respect to shipments and Free Matter for the Blind, but can be achieved by any shipping method proposed by the producer. NLS does not have any special envelope, container, or branding requirements at this time for this pilot program.

Mailing labels shall contain the following information:

a. Return address of the producer

b. Address of the patron

c. Book number of the book being mailed

C.3.2 Contractor Addressing

NLS will supply address information by electronic files, for use in preparing addresses for printing.

• Addresses must contain all fields and codes in the proper position as specified, with no extraneous information.

• Addresses must be located on finished products according to the U.S. Postal Service regulations.

• Mailing containers using automated printing shall not be used for any mailing prior to Library approval.

All questions relative to format of content of address information produced shall be resolved prior to shipment under this contract.

C.3.3. Operational Requirements

C.3.3.1. Timeliness

The contractor shall download (.BRF) from NLS’ Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) application within two days after a production request from NLS. The braille file for the volume shall be downloaded from the NLS web-braille site. The Contractor shall emboss, bind, and ship copy of (.BRF) within 5-7 business days after initial request (for a total of 9 days after production request: 2 day to download the (.BRF) file and another 5-7 to produce and ship the volume). Free Matter for the Blind may be used for shipping. The Contractor shall retain and produce proof that the materials were delivered to the USPS using the Free Matter for the Blind program.

C.3.3.2. Government provided material

NLS will provide:

• Computer files containing patron data for each request.

• Camera-ready NLS logotype and Library of Congress seal for use.

• Credentials enabling access to NLS computer systems required to exchange information with NLS in performing this contract.

The Library will provide assignments in electronic format, via email or other means of computer transfer. The Library will provide (.BRF) files to the contractor for use in this pilot. However, the (.BRF) files will remain the legal property of the Library.

The Library may provide documents in the following formats:

• Formatted braille (.BRF) for embossing of copies

• Excel doc (.XLSX) with address information

C3.3.3. Equipment

• Contractor must have one primary embosser and at least one backup embosser.

C.3.3.4. Tactile Graphics

• No titles sent on this contract will require production of tactile graphics.

C.4. Notification to NLS of Production Process and Delivery

C.4.1 Reporting Delays

Delays in production of 3 days or more shall be reported to the COR or designated NLS personnel via telephone as soon as the delay is validated but not later than 3 business days prior to the due date. NLS may also designate email as an acceptable means of notification. The notice shall contain the following information:

• Name of the book / order information

• Stated reason for being late shipping out the materials

• Projected ship date and the path forward to solve the issue

C.4.2 Allowable Production Delays (Calendar)

Allowable Production Days (Calendar) includes weekends, holidays, and as outlined in FAR clause 52.212-4(f).

C.4.3 Method of Shipment

Free Matter for the Blind shall be used for both domestic and international shipping.

C.4.4 Patron Claims

If a patron reports failure to receive an issue of a book, NLS shall confirm the patron’s request and the correctness of the address information provided to the contractor. If the claim is validated, NLS will forward the claim to the contractor. The contractor shall fill the claim by mailing a copy of the missing volume(s).

Replacement will be require proof of shipment which contractor shall retain in case of request. In such cases where it is not the fault of the Contractor (such as lost mail, damage to book not due to faulty or poor packaging done by the Contractor, or other such cases, etc) the Contractor may be compensated for the replacement book.

In the event a book becomes lost or damaged during shipment, NLS may request replacement copies on behalf of the reporting patron. The Contractor will not be compensated for replacement that is necessitated due to the Contractor's fault. The COR will then notify the producer responsible for producing and shipping the lost volume(s). Producer must duplicate and ship a replacement to the patron within seven (7) calendar days of notification. Because Free Matter for the Blind cannot be tracked, NLS shall consider an item lost if the patron does not receive their demanded item within 30 days. Contractors are not responsible for extended deliveries as long as the Contractor can produce proof the shipment was sent timely.

C.5. Monthly Reporting

Each month, in order to facilitate invoicing properly, the Contractor shall submit a report of all the books sent, including such information as the Patron ID number, the address of where the book was sent, the number of pages/volumes of each book shipped, proof of shipment using Free Matter for the Blind, and any other information determined by the COR that may be needed to confirm the invoice.

C.6. Kick-Off Meeting Within 7 days after the award of this contract. At this meeting, a discussion of the expectations, deliverables, procedures, and any and all other aspects related to this contract shall be discussed.

C.7. Pilot Status Meetings The Contractor shall make itself available for any meeting asked for by NLS within 2 business days to discuss any aspect of this pilot program.

C.8. Schedule of Events / Delivery

Paragraph Reference Description of Event/Deliverable Due Date

Section C.3.3.1. Timeliness - Acquiring the Source Material

Download (.BRF) file within 2 days of production request from

NLS.

Section C.3.3.1. Production and Shipping Produce and ship materials 5-7 business days after (.BRF) file is downloaded.

Section C.5. Monthly Reporting Upon the first business day of each new month, the monthly report covering the previous month shall be submitted. For example, the monthly report for July would be submitted upon the first business day in August.

Section C.4.1. Reporting Delays Delays in production of 3 days or more shall be reported.

Section C.6. Kick-Off Meeting Within 7 days after award Section C.7. Pilot Status Meeting Within 2 business days upon request of the Library

End of Document