Braille Music Transcription and Proofreading
ID: 2026-NLS-0038Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

LIBRARY OF CONGRESSLIBRARY OF CONGRESSCONTRACTS SERVICESWashington, DC, 20540, USA

NAICS

Document Preparation Services (561410)

PSC

SUPPORT- ADMINISTRATIVE: TRANSCRIPTION (R603)
Timeline
    Description

    The Library of Congress is seeking proposals for a Multiple-Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Braille Music Transcription and Proofreading services. The contract aims to procure services for transcribing printed and electronic sheet music into braille and proofreading existing digital braille music files against hardcopy originals, ensuring compliance with established braille standards. This initiative is crucial for providing accessible music materials to individuals who are blind or visually impaired, thereby enhancing their access to educational and cultural resources. Proposals are due by January 7, 2026, with a maximum contract value of $250,000 and a minimum guarantee of $1,000 for each awardee. Interested vendors can contact James Robinson at jarobinson@loc.gov or Brenda Kinlay at bkinlay@loc.gov for further information.

    Point(s) of Contact
    James Robinson
    jarobinson@loc.gov
    Brenda Kinlay
    bkinlay@loc.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The document, "SONGS FOR SIGHT-SINGING VOLUME 2," is an anthology for junior high school SATB choirs compiled by Mary Henry and Marilyn Jones, with Dr. Ruth Whitlock as consulting editor. Published by Southern Music Company, this collection provides graded literature specifically composed for young musicians. These selections were commissioned by the University of Texas Interscholastic League for its annual sight-singing contest and meet criteria designed by Texas secondary choral directors. The anthology serves as a valuable resource to supplement daily sight-singing programs, assuming a foundational understanding of pitch reference (movable do/numbers) and a rhythm system. The table of contents lists various songs, including "THE WIND" by Lou Williams-Wimberly, which is provided with musical notation as an example.
    The “Piano Adventures Technique & Artistry” book, designed for older beginners, integrates technical skill and artistic performance in piano playing. Organized into units correlating with a Lesson book, it features preparatory “technique secrets” as daily warm-ups. Part 1 (pp. 4-5) focuses on firm fingertips, light thumb, wrist float-off, and fast fingers, while Part 2 (pp. 36-37) introduces arm weight, slur gesture, light thumb, and connected pedaling. Each unit concludes with an “Artistry Magic” piece for expressive playing. The book also includes reference sections for major and minor 5-finger scales and chords. This approach aims to equip students with tools for expressive performance by building a strong technical foundation.
    This government file, titled "HAL LEONARD," appears to be a table of contents or instructional guide for learning to play the guitar, focusing on various chords, techniques, and songs. The document covers fundamental guitar concepts such as chord changes (Am, G, Em, C, D, A, E, F, B7), dotted quarter notes, syncopation, different keys (D, A, Am, E), power chords, tablature, and rhythms (steady groove, shuffle). It also delves into more advanced techniques like second position playing, fingerstyle guitar (fingerpicking with detailed right-hand instruction), Carter style solos, bass runs, triplets, and the pentatonic scale for lead guitar and improvisation. The file includes numerous song examples to practice these concepts, such as "Sinner Man," "Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho," "Rock-a-My-Soul," "Jamaica Farewell," "Oh, Mary Don't You Weep," "De Colores," "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Marianne," "The Wabash Cannonball," "La Bamba," "Joy to the World," "Midnight Special," "C.C. Rider," "Wayfaring Stranger," "Hava Nagila," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Scarborough Fair," "The Water Is Wide," "House of the Rising Sun," "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," "Man of Constant Sorrow," "Wildwood Flower," "Goin' Down the Road," "We Three Kings," "By the Waters of Babylon," and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." The document also features various
    The provided document, likely a table of contents or instructional guide from HAL LEONARD, outlines a comprehensive curriculum for guitar education. It covers fundamental music theory concepts such as major and chromatic scales, various note types (e.g., sixteenth, dotted eighth), and different chord formations (e.g., barre chords, three-note chord forms). The curriculum also delves into diverse musical genres, including rock (classic, alternative, hard, slow, pop/rock, grunge, folk/rock, heavy, acoustic), jazz (jazzy, smooth, jazzin' the blues, jazz rock), blues (St. Louis Blues, slow, bouncy, swampy, boogie), country, Latin rock, and reggae. Additionally, it introduces guitar techniques like Travis picking, drop D tuning, movable scales, articulation, slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and string bends. The guide concludes with a reference section covering the circle of fifths, chord construction, gear, and special guitar notation definitions. This document serves as a structured educational resource for guitarists, progressing from basic theory to advanced techniques and genre-specific playing.
    The document "First Order Projects – 030ADV25R0053" outlines specific requirements for transcription and proofreading services, likely for educational or cultural content. The transcription section details the need for "Tonal Harmony, 9th Edition" by Kostka and Almén, including its ISBNs and page count. The proofreading section lists several musical and literary works, providing book numbers, titles, authors, number of volumes, and page counts for each, with a total of 394 pages for proofreading. This file serves as a detailed scope of work for vendors bidding on this government project, specifying the exact materials and quantities for both transcription and proofreading tasks.
    The Library of Congress (LOC) has issued a Multiple-Award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Braille Music Transcription and Proofreading services. The contract, with a period of performance from September 1, 2023, through March 1, 2029, has a maximum ceiling of $250,000.00 and a minimum of $1,000.00 for each awardee. Services include transcribing printed and electronic sheet music into braille, adhering to NLS 800 Specifications and BANA Music Braille Code, and proofreading existing digital braille music files against hard copies. Contractors must provide files in .brf format with specific page and line formatting. Key personnel, including transcribers and proofreaders, must be Library of Congress certified, hold braille music certification, and possess knowledge of various braille standards and languages. The contract also outlines administrative details, invoicing procedures, and special requirements regarding intellectual property, organizational conflict of interest, and contractor conduct.
    This government solicitation (030ADV25R0053) from the Library of Congress seeks proposals for a Multiple-Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Braille music transcription and proofreading services. The contract has a maximum value of $250,000.00 and a minimum guarantee of $1,000.00, with a performance period from January 19, 2026, to August 31, 2028. The scope includes transcribing sheet music and texts into braille (hardcopy and electronic), adhering to U.S. Library of Congress Braille Music Specifications and BANA standards, and proofreading existing digital braille music files against hardcopy originals, correcting discrepancies and ensuring proper formatting. Proposals are due by January 7, 2026, and will be evaluated based on technical approach, key personnel resumes, past performance, and price, with non-price factors being significantly more important than price. Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).
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