RS Audio Digitization of Obsolete Formats (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 Endpoint Audio Labs, Inc. for the RS Audio Digitization supplies & services required by the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) at the Library of Congress.

The Library of Congress (LOC) National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) requires contract support for the preservation of historic World War II sound recordings stored on large-spool magnetic wire and obsolete audio formats. The objective of this contract is to secure high-quality digital transfers of these analog sound recordings. Specifically, the recordings are housed on magnetic steel wires measuring 0.004 mm diameter, wound on spools approximately 3.75 inches in diameter and 1.25 inches thick. NAVCC’s Audio Preservation Lab does not currently possess the specialized equipment necessary to preserve this endangered format.

This contract will support the completion of a project to digitize all large-spool magnetic wires held at NAVCC.  Between 2023 and 2025, a previous contract successfully digitized the majority of NAVCC’s large-spool magnetic wires; however, 149 large-spool magnetic wires remain not yet digitized. The contractor shall digitize all identified large-spool magnetic wires to produce audio files for the NAVACC digital archive.

Only one responsible source, Endpoint Audio, and no other supplies or services will satisfy the Library’s requirement because the supplies and services are considered to be available from only one source, that demonstrate a unique capability to provide the proposed supplies and service. And supplies and services are available only from the original source in the case of continued development of highly specialized equipment including major components. Endpoint Audio has developed a proprietary, modern playback system specifically for the digitization of magnetic audio wires.  This system is more precise than any vintage equipment and significantly reduces the risk of damage to fragile media.  No comparable system is known to exist elsewhere. It is likely that award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of costs to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. Therefore, full and open competition need not be provided for.

The Library intends to fulfill this requirement by issuing a sole source contract to Endpoint Audio Labs, Inc. 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 12/02/2026 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 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:

• J-1 Attachment - Vendor Specs for Files and Transfers Versions 1 (17 Pages)
• J-2 Attachment - Digitization Wire Inventory (1 Tab)
• J-3 Attachment - Statemen of Work (SOW) (6 Pages)
• J-4 Attachment - Justification & Approval Document (J&A) (5 Pages)

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