Braille Magazines - Royal National Institute for the Blind - 2025
ID: 2025-NLS-0020Type: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

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

PSC

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS (9999)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/5e75362048f34b9ea7e27797daac2d05/view
Timeline
    Description

    The Library of Congress is seeking to procure twelve specific braille magazines from the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) for distribution to over 500,000 visually impaired patrons through the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). This contract aims to ensure the availability of essential publications, including titles such as Braille Chess Magazine and Short Stories, with a total distribution of over 17,000 copies annually, delivered to a designated location in Scottsdale, AZ. The procurement underscores the government's commitment to accessibility and support for disabled communities, as RNIB is the sole source for these unique publications, with no alternative American vendors available. Interested parties can reach out to James Robinson at jarobinson@loc.gov for further information regarding this opportunity.

    Point(s) of Contact
    James Robinson
    jarobinson@loc.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    RNIB 2025-SOW.docx
    The Library of Congress requires contract support to procure twelve braille magazines from the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) to distribute to over 500,000 blind and physically handicapped patrons through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). The magazines include titles such as Braille Chess Magazine, Short Stories, and Progress, with specific distribution quantities outlined—ranging from 40 to 465 copies monthly or quarterly, cumulatively amounting to over 17,000 publications annually. Deliveries are scheduled per publication frequency, with set deadlines for each title, ensuring timely distribution to a designated location in Scottsdale, AZ. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to accessibility and information dissemination for visually impaired individuals, aligning with broader objectives of inclusion and support for disabled communities.
    Sole Source Justification - Braille RNIB - Redacted.pdf
    The document outlines a Justification and Approval (J&A) for a contract issued by the Library of Congress, specifically for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). The contract is for the procurement of 12 specific braille magazines produced exclusively by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) from the UK, which are vital for over 500,000 visually impaired patrons. The justification details the reasons for limiting competition, stating that RNIB is the sole source for these publications and no alternative American vendors exist. It cites various legal authorities permitting non-competitive contracting, including public exigency and brand-name requirements. The document emphasizes that efforts will be made to increase competition in the future and states that the pricing has been determined to be fair and reasonable based on historical costs. Ultimately, it certifies that this non-competitive action serves the Library's best interests due to the unique nature of the products needed. The contracting officer concludes by affirming the need and essential nature of the procurement while ensuring compliance with relevant statutes and regulations.
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    Braille Magazines - Royal National Institute for the Blind - 2025
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