99 -- Voice Response Service

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) of the Library of Congress administers a free library service to eligible residents of the United States and citizens living abroad who cannot hold, handle, or read traditional print media because of visual or physical handicaps. Under a special exemption of the U.S. copyright law and with the cooperation of authors and publishers who grant permission to use noncovered copyrighted works NLS annually selects, purchases, and produces (using federal funds) about 2,500 full-length books and 77 magazines on recorded audiocassette and in braille. The NLS International Union Catalog provides access to approximately 450,000 titles in alternate formats. Anticipated reader demand determines the number of copies produced for any title. Once a title has been created, cassettes are mass produced under contract and distributed to 138 regional and subregional libraries across the United States. NLS also makes its braille publications available on the web and is about to launch an online digital talking book download service. For a summary description of NLS, see www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/annual.html and for more details, including future planning, see the NLS web site www.loc.gov/nls. The Library of Congress intends to negotiate non-competitively with Academic Network of 120 NW 9th Ave., Suite 216 Portland, OR 97209 for voice response service and fulfillment services for the NLS Talking Books automated line. The Contractor will provide interactive response, audiotext, transcription and operator services to the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped under a purchase order (PO). Historically, the vendor has performed at an extremely high level of reliability. Any other company that is capable of demonstrating the capacity to provide voice response service and fulfillment services can apply or contact the Library for consideration. Interested firms or persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. The Government must receive all such statements of interest by 12PM EST, Thursday, January 3, 2008 to be considered. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed Contract based upon responses to this Notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any information received from interested firms/persons responding to this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any questions regarding this Notice shall be in writing and submitted to the Contracting Officer, LaToya Snead via E-mail at [email protected].