Library of Congress - Bifurcated Styli
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Library of Congress, Contracts and Grants Directorate, intends to award a sole-source firm fixed-price contract to Symcon, Inc. for bifurcated styli. This procurement is essential for playing back metal master father discs in the Library's Recorded Sound collection at the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) in Culpeper, VA, supporting critical audio preservation efforts. Proposals are not being requested from other parties.
Purpose & Scope
The requirement is for specialized bifurcated styli to enable playback of unique metal master father discs. The Library of Congress NAVCC Audio Preservation Laboratory requires:
- 4x LP/micro groove width bifurcated styli (model BPS33)
- 14x Wide Groove bifurcated styli (model BPS78) These styli are crucial for preserving and increasing accessibility to the Library's significant collection of approximately 200,000 metal master discs. All delivered styli will be tested for defects within two weeks of receipt by the COR/Audio Lab Engineers.
Contract Details
- Type: Sole-Source Firm Fixed-Price Contract
- Awardee: Symcon, Inc. (9724 INDUSTRIAL DR, PINEVILLE, NC, 28134, USA)
- Value: Between $25,000 and $350,000
- Period of Performance: June 30, 2026 – June 29, 2027
- Place of Performance: Library of Congress NAVCC, Packard Campus, Culpeper, VA
- Set-Aside: Not applicable (sole-source)
Justification & Response
This notice serves as the public announcement of the Library's intent to award on a sole-source basis, as detailed in the attached Justification and Approval (J&A). Research indicated Symcon, Inc. is the only company capable of producing these specific styli. The Library plans to continuously monitor the industry for new sources to foster future competition. Proposals are not being solicited. This notice fulfills FAR 5.2 requirements, and no further notices or separate award postings will be made. Interested parties who believe they can meet this requirement may contact the contracting office by May 6, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET.
Contacts
- Primary: James Robinson (jarobinson@loc.gov)
- Secondary: Lianne Carroll (lcarroll@loc.gov)