CUBE-TEC CD INSPECTOR DDP UPGRADE (INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE)

Notice: This is a sole source for commercial products and/or commercial services in accordance with FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures and FAR subpart 6.3, Other than Full and Open Competition. This Special Notice is issued as a sole source Justification & Approval (J&A) to CUBE-TEC NORTH AMERICA LLC for the development, testing, installation and configuration of required software components on the Cube-Tec CD Inspector systems for the NAVCC Audio Lab at the Library of Congress (Library).

The Library of Congress (Library) NAVCC Audio Lab requires contract support to implement mission-critical functionality for the Cube Tec CD Inspector and Dobbin media archiving systems used for CD ripping. The CD Inspector system purchased by the NAVCC in 2023 currently allows audio extraction only in WAV format, which omits essential metadata describing the disc. The Disc Description Protocol (DDP) is the industry-standard digital audio disc format used for CD mastering and replication. DDP preserves both the audio data and critical disc and track metadata-including UPC/ISRC codes and checksums-within a single master file, ensuring long-term integrity and accurate replication. 

The contractor shall develop, test, install and configure the required software components on the Cube-Tec CD Inspector system and Cube-Tec Dobbin systems. The contractor shall also provide CD drives and software support, as specified in the Statement of Work below.  The contractor shall provide annual software support, work with the Library’s designated representative to ensure proper operations, and provide a one-year (1) warranty covering parts, labor, software support, and repair or replacement of faulty hardware.

Only one responsible source, Cube-Tec North America, LLC., and no other sources will satisfy the Library’s requirements because Cube-Tec is the only responsible source that can satisfy the agency’s requirements. No other vendor is capable of supply, supporting, or enhancing the Cube-Tec CD Inspector system. The CD Inspector is a highly specialized system consisting of proprietary hardware and software components designed specifically for professional audio inspection and archival workflows. No other company has authorized access to the proprietary source code or the technical expertise required to perform system enhancements or updates.

The Library intends to fulfill this requirement by issuing a sole source contract to Cube-Tec North America LLC. However, any firm that wishes to be considered for this requirement and believes it can meet all the criteria outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) shall submit a capability statement demonstrating its ability to satisfy all requirements. Such statements shall be received no later than 5:00PM Eastern Time on 03/04/2026 and shall be submitted electronically via email to both the Contracting Officer and Contracting Specialist.

This public notice accomplishes the following:

1. Notice of the Library’s intent to sole source this requirement to the business listed herein;
2. Synopsizing the requirements in accordance with the FAR; and
3. Publicly posting the approved Justification and Approval (J&A) to the public in advance of the contract award rather than after the award. As a result of this, a second posting of the J&A is not required after the award is made. This shall be the only notice issued. All public information is being accomplished via this public notice.

The following attachments are included in this notice:

• J1 - Attachment - Justification & Approval Document_Redacted (J&A) (4 Pages)
• J2 - Attachment – Statement of Work (SOW) (3 Pages)

No further notices shall be pursued at this time in regard to this contracting action.