Stereo Headphones for DTB Machines
Closed Solicitation Posted
This opportunity was awarded. See the award notice from .
- Solicitation number
- 2026-NLS-0048
- Agency
-
Library of Congress
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 334310 Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
- 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 to procure stereo headphones for its National Library Service audio playback machines serving patrons with low vision, blindness, or reading disabilities, with proposals due July 31, 2026. This is an unrestricted, full and open competition under FAR Parts 13.5 and 6.1, conducted as a best value trade-off using a Request for Proposals.
The procurement is a five-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity single-award contract with a minimum of $100,000 and maximum of $2,000,000, with a base period from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2031. Place of performance is Washington, DC, with production quantities distributed equally to two multistate distribution centers in Ohio and Utah.
Headphones must meet detailed mechanical and electrical specifications: maximum weight 300 grams, adjustable headband with minimum 1.5-inch adjustment per side, supra-aural ear cushions, single-sided insulated 5- to 8-foot cord with standard 3.5-millimeter right-angle stereo plug, 100 dB sound pressure level output at 500 millivolts rms maximum input at 1.0 kHz, 32-ohm impedance, frequency response 20–20,000 Hz with variation not exceeding 10 dB from 100 Hz to 8 kHz, and total harmonic distortion plus noise not exceeding 3 percent. Headphones must survive a random drop test from 3 feet onto concrete with no frequency response variation exceeding 3 dB. One ear cup must be permanently marked "PROPERTY OF U.S. GOVERNMENT / LIBRARY OF CONGRESS."
Offerors must submit two pre-award proposal samples, a technical approach limited to ten pages, three to five past performance references, and pricing using a tiered schedule (1–15,000 units, 15,001–30,000 units, 30,001+ units) across five ordering years. Contractors must provide twenty production control samples within 90 days of award and a Quality Control Plan. A one-year warranty covering all units is required. Amendment 0001, issued July 20, addresses pre-proposal questions; offerors must acknowledge receipt of the amendment. The NAICS code is 334310, Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing; PSC is 5965.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
Amendment -0001: The purpose of this amendment is to answer questions submitted by potential offerors. See the pre-proposal question and answer (Q&A) J4-Attachment.
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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, and FAR Subpart 6.1, Full and Open Competition with additional information included in this synopsis. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Proposals (RFP). This is for the procurement of stereo headphones for the Library’s audio playback machines.
The Library of Congress, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) provide a free audiobook and braille library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual or reading disability that makes it difficult to read print. The NLS provides audio playback machines and accessories to Library patrons who are unable to read standard printed material due to physical visual limitations. Stereo headphones are an essential accessory for Library patrons who wish to listen to audiobooks privately or without disturbing others in their immediate surroundings, reduced background noise and distractions and enhanced listening comfort in multiple environments.
The contractor shall develop and produce stereo headphones in accordance with the specification requirements contained in Section C and J1-Attachment -Stereo Headphones Specifications. The contractor shall provide two (2) proposal samples of the proposed stereo headphones for evaluation with its proposal submission. The contractor shall provide twenty (20) production control samples for evaluation and approval. Full production units shall not be manufactured or delivered until written approval of the production control samples has been received from the Library. The contractor shall also provide Quality Control Plan (QCP) and inspection procedures in accordance with the specification requirements. In addition, the contractor shall furnish individual cartons and overpack cartons for the packaging and shipment of the stereo headphones. A one-year warranty covering all stereo headphones furnished under the contract shall also be provided.
This solicitation is being conducted as a full and open competition utilizing a Best Value Trade off source selection process in accordance with FAR 13.5, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The Library intends to award a single Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for the development and production of stereo headphones to support the Library’s audiobook program by providing patrons with the essential accessories needed to access and enjoy audiobook materials. Under the tradeoff process, the Library will evaluate both price and non-price factors that affect contract award. This process permits tradeoffs amongst price and non-price factors in determining the proposal that represents the best overall value to the Library.
Evaluation Factors For this competition the following evaluation factors will be used to determine the Best Value Tradeoff (BVTO) for the government:
- Volume I – Samples for Pre-Award Testing
- Volume II - Technical Approach
- 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.
Important:
- Offerors shall submit two (2) proposal samples of each proposed stereo headphone model with their proposal. Pre-award testing samples shall comply with all electrical and technical requirements specified in Section C. However, pre-award testing samples are not required to comply with all physical, mechanical, marking, labeling, or packaging requirements applicable to the production control samples or the final production quantities delivered under the contract. See Section L & M for further details.
- The offeror shall include a complete Compliance and Conformance Table with its proposal package. See Section L & M for further details.
The following attachments are included in this notice:
- J1 - Attachment - Stereo Headphones Specifications (11 Pages)
- J2 - Attachment - Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (3 Pages)
- J3 - Attachment - Pricing Schedule (1 Tab)
- J4 - Attachment - Solicitation Question & Answer (Q&A) (1 Page)
All proposals shall be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer, Brian Curl, at BCurl@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, and FAR Subpart 6.1, Full and Open Competition with additional information included in this synopsis. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Proposals (RFP). This is for the procurement of stereo headphones for the Library’s audio playback machines.
The Library of Congress, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) provide a free audiobook and braille library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual or reading disability that makes it difficult to read print. The NLS provides audio playback machines and accessories to Library patrons who are unable to read standard printed material due to physical visual limitations. Stereo headphones are an essential accessory for Library patrons who wish to listen to audiobooks privately or without disturbing others in their immediate surroundings, reduced background noise and distractions and enhanced listening comfort in multiple environments.
The contractor shall develop and produce stereo headphones in accordance with the specification requirements contained in Section C and J1-Attachment -Stereo Headphones Specifications. The contractor shall provide two (2) proposal samples of the proposed stereo headphones for evaluation with its proposal submission. The contractor shall provide twenty (20) production control samples for evaluation and approval. Full production units shall not be manufactured or delivered until written approval of the production control samples has been received from the Library. The contractor shall also provide Quality Control Plan (QCP) and inspection procedures in accordance with the specification requirements. In addition, the contractor shall furnish individual cartons and overpack cartons for the packaging and shipment of the stereo headphones. A one-year warranty covering all stereo headphones furnished under the contract shall also be provided.
This solicitation is being conducted as a full and open competition utilizing a Best Value Trade off source selection process in accordance with FAR 13.5, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The Library intends to award a single Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for the development and production of stereo headphones to support the Library’s audiobook program by providing patrons with the essential accessories needed to access and enjoy audiobook materials. Under the tradeoff process, the Library will evaluate both price and non-price factors that affect contract award. This process permits tradeoffs amongst price and non-price factors in determining the proposal that represents the best overall value to the Library.
Evaluation Factors For this competition the following evaluation factors will be used to determine the Best Value Tradeoff (BVTO) for the government:
- Volume I – Samples for Pre-Award Testing
- Volume II - Technical Approach
- 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.
Important:
- Offerors shall submit two (2) proposal samples of each proposed stereo headphone model with their proposal. Pre-award testing samples shall comply with all electrical and technical requirements specified in Section C. However, pre-award testing samples are not required to comply with all physical, mechanical, marking, labeling, or packaging requirements applicable to the production control samples or the final production quantities delivered under the contract. See Section L & M for further details.
- The offeror shall include a complete Compliance and Conformance Table with its proposal package. See Section L & M for further details.
The following attachments are included in this notice:
- J1 - Attachment - Stereo Headphones Specifications (11 Pages)
- J2 - Attachment - Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (3 Pages)
- J3 - Attachment - Pricing Schedule (1 Tab)
All proposals shall be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer, Brian Curl, at BCurl@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 |
|---|---|---|
| J4-Attachment-Questions and Answers.pdf | ||
| 030ADV26R0042 0001.pdf | ||
| 030ADV26R0042_final.pdf | ||
| J1-Attachment-Stereo-Headphones_final.pdf | ||
| J3-Attachment-Pricing-Schedule (1 Page).xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| J2 Past Performance Questionnaire (3 Pages).pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo Headphones for DTB Machines | Award Notice | |
| This notice | Solicitation |
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