Braille Mailing Containers
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 2026-NLS-0043
- Agency
-
Library of Congress
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 31499 All Other Textile Product Mills
- PSC
- 8105 Bags And Sacks
- Place of performance
- Washington, District of Columbia 20540, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Library of Congress seeks two types of braille mailing containers (standard-size and large-size) under an unrestricted IDIQ Firm-Fixed-Price contract, with proposals due June 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. A Questions and Answers document was added to the solicitation on June 16, 2026, clarifying that no domestic manufacturing requirement applies.
Place of performance includes three National Library Service locations: headquarters in Washington, DC; Multi-State Center East in Ohio; and Multi-State Center West in Utah, with all shipments FOB destination. Containers must be constructed from non-toxic, dark-colored materials resistant to scuffing and fading, with external dimensions not exceeding 12 inches wide by 14 inches long by 4 inches high. They must achieve IP51 ingress protection per IEC 60529, withstand a three-drop test from 36 inches without material separation, and provide water protection to 1 mm rainfall per minute for 10 minutes. Closures require 9–12 lbs of force to open. Each container must include a handle, address card holder for 3-by-5-inch cards, and preprinted markings identifying the mail as "Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped" and US Government property; markings must remain visible after scratching and rubbing tests. Contractors must maintain ISO 9001 certification and provide a 12-month warranty.
The base period runs July 21, 2026 through July 20, 2027, with one option year (July 21, 2027 through July 20, 2028). Base-year quantities are approximately 2,000 standard-size and 360 large-size containers; option-year quantities mirror the base. Minimum contract value is $25,000; maximum is $600,000. All pricing must be fully burdened and include shipping and warranty costs. Contractors must submit preproduction control samples (five standard and five large) within 45 days for approval and perform all inspections and testing before full production. Evaluation uses best-value trade-off analysis, weighting sample conformity, technical approach feasibility, past performance (up to three references), and price. The NAICS code is 31499, All Other Textile Product Mills; PSC is 8105, Bags and Sacks.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
This SAM listing was edited on 06/16/2026 to add a Questions and Answers document.
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Notice: This is a competitive solicitation for commercial products and commercial services adhering to the requirements of FAR subpart 13.5, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This is for the procurement of Braille Mailing Containers to two (2) types of braille mailing containers, standard sizes and large sizes.
The National Library Service (NLS) produces books and magazines in braille and audio formats for individuals who are unable to read standard print due to visual or other physical disabilities. Most of these books and magazines are circulated to patrons through the mail. Braille books are primarily distributed in multi-volume format to libraries and utilize braille mailing containers for shipment to individual patrons.
The contractor shall furnish two (2) types of braille mail containers in accordance with the requirements set forth in this contract. The total quantity shall consist of approximately eighty percent (80%) standard-size mail containers and twenty percent (20%) large-size mail containers. The contractor shall apply all required preprinted text and/or imaging to each braille mail container as specified. Prior to full production, the contractor shall produce and submit preproduction control samples in both standard and large sizes for inspection and approval by the Library. The contractor shall perform all necessary inspection and testing of preproduction samples to ensure compliance with contract requirements before proceeding to full production. Upon receipt of written approval from the Library, the contractor shall proceed with the full production of braille mail containers. All production units shall confirm the approved samples and contract specifications.
The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror that provides the best value to the government. For this competition, the following evaluation factors will be used to determine the “Best Value Tradeoff” for the government:
- Volume I – Product Samples
- Volume II - Technical Volume
- Technical Approach
- Quality Assurance Plan (QAP)
- Volume III - Past Performance
- Volume IIII - Price
In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(a)(2)(iii), the Library is not required to state the relative importance assigned to each evaluation factor and subfactor.
The following attachments are included in this notice:
- J1 - Braille Volume Mailing Container Requirements Version 0.1.2 (2 Pages)
- J2 - Past Performance Questionnaire (3 Pages)
- J3 - Ordering Year Pricing Schedule (1 Tab)
- Question & Answer Document (1 Page)
All proposals shall be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer, James Robinson, at Jarobinson@loc.gov, and the Contracting Specialist, Brenda Kinlay, at bkinlay@loc.gov, no later than the response date specified in this solicitation.
Update #1 ·
Notice: This is a competitive solicitation for commercial products and commercial services adhering to the requirements of FAR subpart 13.5, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This is for the procurement of Braille Mailing Containers to two (2) types of braille mailing containers, standard sizes and large sizes.
The National Library Service (NLS) produces books and magazines in braille and audio formats for individuals who are unable to read standard print due to visual or other physical disabilities. Most of these books and magazines are circulated to patrons through the mail. Braille books are primarily distributed in multi-volume format to libraries and utilize braille mailing containers for shipment to individual patrons.
The contractor shall furnish two (2) types of braille mail containers in accordance with the requirements set forth in this contract. The total quantity shall consist of approximately eighty percent (80%) standard-size mail containers and twenty percent (20%) large-size mail containers. The contractor shall apply all required preprinted text and/or imaging to each braille mail container as specified. Prior to full production, the contractor shall produce and submit preproduction control samples in both standard and large sizes for inspection and approval by the Library. The contractor shall perform all necessary inspection and testing of preproduction samples to ensure compliance with contract requirements before proceeding to full production. Upon receipt of written approval from the Library, the contractor shall proceed with the full production of braille mail containers. All production units shall confirm the approved samples and contract specifications.
The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror that provides the best value to the government. For this competition, the following evaluation factors will be used to determine the “Best Value Tradeoff” for the government:
- Volume I – Product Samples
- Volume II - Technical Volume
- Technical Approach
- Quality Assurance Plan (QAP)
- Volume III - Past Performance
- Volume IIII - Price
In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(a)(2)(iii), the Library is not required to state the relative importance assigned to each evaluation factor and subfactor.
The following attachments are included in this notice:
- J1 - Braille Volume Mailing Container Requirements Version 0.1.2 (2 Pages)
- J2 - Past Performance Questionnaire (3 Pages)
- J3 - Ordering Year Pricing Schedule (1 Tab)
All proposals shall be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer, James Robinson, at Jarobinson@loc.gov, and the Contracting Specialist, Brenda Kinlay, at bkinlay@loc.gov, no later than the response date specified in this solicitation.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Questions-and-Answers-030ADV26R0018.docx | DOCX document | |
| J2 Past Performance Questionnaire (3 Pages).pdf | ||
| J1 Braille Volume Mailing Container Requirements Version 0.1.2 (2 Pages).xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| 030ADV26R0018.pdf | ||
| J3 Ordering Year Pricing Schedule (1 Tab).xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet |
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