Classification Web Plus “Minaret” Subscription, Hosting, and Support

Quick Summary

The Library of Congress is conducting a Sources Sought for Classification Web Plus “Minaret” Subscription, Hosting, and Support. This market research aims to identify potential vendors capable of providing ongoing support, modernization, and potentially replacing the existing Minaret-based system for Class Web, which provides online access to Library of Congress Classification (LCC) schedules and Subject Headings (LCSH). Responses are due February 27, 2026.

Opportunity Details

• Type: Sources Sought (SS) for market research purposes only. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) and does not commit the U.S. Government to a contract.
• Contract Type (Anticipated): Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract, though the Library reserves the right to solicit a different type.
• Purpose: To determine if another system can replace the current Minaret-based Classification Web Plus (Class Web) and its support services. The Library owns the source code of Class Web, but other contractors would need to license Minaret's proprietary database or build a new system from scratch.

Scope of Work

The contractor will provide hosting, operation, and maintenance for the existing Class Web system, including the LCC Online (Minaret) proposal system, and recommend/implement enhancements. Key areas include:

• Operation & Maintenance: Routine maintenance, licensing, troubleshooting, repair, replacement, patching, updating, daily backups, performance monitoring, and disaster recovery.
• Hosting: Cloud hosting services (currently Linode) with system and application monitoring, backups, redundancy, and failover. The hosting provider must be SOC1 or SOC2 certified annually.
• Enhancements: Recommending and implementing system enhancements to improve performance and features in consultation with LC staff.
• Key Components: Support for Class Web Operation and Maintenance on Minaret’s proprietary database, Class Web Components, the Proposal system, and adherence to Service Levels/Specifications (Availability, Bug fixing, Customer support, System Maintenance, System Monitoring, Enhancements).

Performance Standards

• Availability: All Class Web system components must be available 99.95% of the time, 365 days a year.
• Bug Fixing: Bugs reported by customers or LC staff must be addressed with estimated resource needs provided, with response and resolution times varying by priority.
• Customer Support: Initial response to customer support questions within 24 hours, with specific resolution times based on priority.

Information Requested

Respondents should provide:

1. Business Information: Name and address of organization, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number, and Organization Point of Contact with phone number and email address.
2. Product Information: Product Name and a brief description of computer software capabilities demonstrating the ability to meet the requirements outlined in the draft SOW.

Contract & Timeline

• Set-Aside: None specified.
• Response Due: February 27, 2026, by 4:00 PM EST.
• Published: February 13, 2026.
• Page Limit: Responses should not exceed 15 pages.

Special Requirements

• Security: Contractor must implement Library of Congress computer security procedures and standards.
• Transition Plan: A transition plan is required for system production, development, and hosting at both contract start and end.
• Key Personnel: A designated Program Manager with at least three years of experience managing Minaret software and an alternate are required.
• Intellectual Property: All system programming created for Class Web is the sole property of LC, except for modifications to Minaret software itself.