Newspaper Digitization
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 Department of the Air Force is soliciting proposals for Newspaper Digitization Services at Eielson Air Force Base, AK. This Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity seeks a contractor to digitize approximately 9,640 surfaces of historical newspapers to preserve them and enhance accessibility. Award will be a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) method. Quotes are due May 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM AKDT.
Opportunity Overview
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a one-time service to professionally digitize a vulnerable collection of Eielson Air Force Base newspapers, primarily from 1952-1979. The objective is to convert physical volumes into high-quality, searchable digital formats for preservation and access by base personnel.
Scope of Work
The selected vendor will provide a complete, turn-key digitization service. This includes scanning all newspaper surfaces at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi in full color. For each scanned page, three distinct digital file formats must be created: an Archival Master File (uncompressed TIFF), an Access File (high-quality JPEG), and a Searchable Document File (multi-page, searchable PDF/A with OCR). The contractor must provide a single point of contact, deliver monthly status reports, and supply the complete digital collection on five separate external hard drives. All original newspaper volumes must be securely returned in their original archival boxes using trackable shipping. The collection consists of roughly 9,640 surfaces.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Purchase Order.
- Period of Performance: 120 calendar days, commencing the first business day after the contractor confirms receipt of the newspaper collection.
- Set-Aside: 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5).
- NAICS Code: 518210 (Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services), with a $40.0M size standard.
- Place of Performance: Digitization work is expected at the contractor's facility, with physical materials received from and returned to Eielson AFB, AK.
Submission & Evaluation
- Response Deadline: May 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM AKDT.
- Submission Method: Quotes must be submitted via email to the listed Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer.
- Quote Package Requirements: Submissions must include a completed Price Schedule (Section 6), technical product specifications/spec sheets verifying compliance with PWS salient characteristics, and a signed statement acknowledging agreement to the PWS terms.
- Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) basis. Technical proposals will be evaluated as Acceptable/Unacceptable based on the ability to meet PWS salient characteristics, while price will be assessed for fairness and reasonableness.
Wage Determination
This opportunity is subject to the Service Contract Act Wage Determination WD # 2015-5683, Revision 26, effective May 13, 2026, for Alaska (Fairbanks North counties). Bidders must adhere to the specified minimum wage rates and fringe benefits, including health & welfare ($5.55/hour), vacation (2-4 weeks based on service), and twelve paid holidays. Contractors are responsible for classifying employees and seeking conformance for unlisted occupations.
Contact Information
Primary Contact: John Fertulus (john.fertulus@us.af.mil, 317-377-3506). Secondary Contact: Morgan D Hockaday (morgan.hockaday@us.af.mil, 907-377-3518).