Braille RNIB Magazines - 2026

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The Library of Congress (Library) requires contract support to deliver braille magazines from the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) in London, England, to its patrons in the United States. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) distributes these materials to over 500,000 patrons.

This contract is for the provision of twelve (12) specific braille magazines produced by RNIB. These magazines are unique and not available from other vendors globally. The magazines and their required quantities are:

• Braille Chess Magazine: 125 copies per quarter (500 annually)
• Short Stories: 465 copies per month (5580 annually)
• Braille Music Magazine: 220 copies per month (2640 annually)
• Braille Conundrum: 475 copies per month (5700 annually)
• Good Vibrations: 50 copies per month (600 annually)
• Piano Tuners Quarterly: 40 copies quarterly (160 annually)
• Shaping Up: 100 copies per month (1200 annually)
• Aphra: 80 copies monthly (960 annually)
• Missy: 50 copies monthly (600 annually)
• Pure: 50 copies monthly (600 annually)
• Progress (Braille Grade 1 – Uncontracted Braille): 70 monthly (840 annually)
• Progress (Braille Grade 2 – Contracted Braille): 70 monthly (840 annually)

Magazines are to be delivered at their periodic interval (monthly or quarterly) to a designated NLS distributor location.

Delivery Location: SeeWriteHear 7303 E Earll Drive Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Deliveries are scheduled as follows:

• Braille Chess Magazine: Last day of quarter
• Short Stories: Last day of month
• Braille Music Magazine: Last day of month
• Braille Conundrum: Last day of month
• Good Vibrations: Last day of month
• Piano Tuners Quarterly: Last day of quarter
• Shaping Up: Last day of month
• Aphra: Last day of month
• Missy: Last day of month
• Pure: Last day of month
• Progress (Braille Grade 1-Uncontracted Braille): Last day of month
• Progress (Braille Grade 2 – Contracted Braille): Last day of month

Justification and Approval (Other than Full and Open Competition)

This document justifies and approves contracting without full and open competition for the Library of Congress's requirement for braille magazines. The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) requires the purchase of twelve specific braille magazines to serve over 500,000 patrons.

• Purchase of twelve (12) specific braille magazines:

  • Braille Chess Magazine
  • Short Stories
  • Braille Music Magazine
  • Braille Conundrum
  • Good Vibrations
  • Piano Tuners Quarterly
  • Shaping Up
  • Aphra
  • Missy
  • Pure
  • Progress (Braille Grade 1 Uncontracted)
  • Progress (Braille Grade 2 Contracted)

• Contracting Agency: Library of Congress, LCSG/NLS/CD/ABP

• Contractor (or Brand Name): Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)

• Plan ID Number: 2026-NLS-0045

• Period of Performance: 07/15/2026 - 07/14/2027

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the justification covers actions over and under $250,000.

This document is a justification for sole-source procurement, not a solicitation. Therefore, there are no proposal submission or evaluation criteria detailed here.

This procurement is being conducted without full and open competition due to the unique nature of the required braille magazines and the lack of American vendors producing them. The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) is identified as the sole source.

• The justification cites FAR 6.302-1 and 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(C) as the authority for limiting competition.
• The Library will continue to survey the commercial braille market for potential future competition.
• A Notice of Intent to Sole-Source was posted on SAM.gov for 15 days prior to award.