DIGITAL TALKING BOOK (DTB) PRODUCTION FOR THE NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE FOR THE BLIND AND PRINT DISABLED

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. 030ADV25R0019 is issued as a Request For Proposal (RFP).

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-03. Refer to the attached solicitation documents for a full description of required items.

National Library Service (NLS) provides reading materials in audio and braille formats to U.S. residents and U.S. citizens living abroad who are unable to use conventional print materials because of visual and physical limitations. NLS anticipates growing its English and  foreign language collections. The contractor shall provide narration, mastering, and constructing of Digital Talking Books in English, Spanish, French and other foreign languages as assigned, from standard or complex source material.

The contractor shall provide a DTB consisting of a set of audio and metadata files in compliance with ANSI/NISO Standard Z39.86 – 2002 and NLS Specifications #1201, #1202, #1203, #1205, and #1206. Additionally, the contractor shall follow QA201801- Instructions for Applying Navigation Markers, and QA202501- Guidelines for Image Descriptions where applicable. A list of specifications and supplemental guidelines are provided in Section J. All NLS Specifications and guideline documents can also be found at ht- tps://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/standards-guidelines/contract-specifications/. (See Attachment J-7 for a list of DTB Definitions).