Notice of Sole Source - 2026 ALA Annual Conference Space Rental
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 has awarded a sole-source, firm fixed-price contract to the American Library Association (ALA) Show Management for 1,200 square feet of exhibit booth rental space at the 2026 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, IL. This notice serves as a public announcement of the award and its justification, not a request for proposals.
Scope of Work
The contract secures 1,200 square feet of exhibit booth rental space and 4 corners at the annual conference of the American Library Association, to be held at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, IL. The primary objective is to advance intellectual discovery, research, education, and partnerships by sharing information about the Library's collections, programs, and services.
- Exhibit Dates: Friday evening, June 26, 2026, through Monday afternoon, June 29, 2026.
- Booth Set-up: Available from Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
- Exhibit Removal: Monday afternoon, June 29, 2026, through Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price, Sole Source
- Contractor: American Library Association (ALA) Show Management (225 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601)
- Estimated Value: $38,800
- Period of Performance: May 1, 2026 – July 1, 2026
- Place of Performance: 2301 S Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Chicago, IL 60616
- Set-Aside: Not Applicable (Sole Source)
- Published Date: February 18, 2026
Justification for Sole Source
This contract was awarded without full and open competition based on 41 U.S.C. § 6101 and FAR 13.106-1. The justification states that ALA Show Management is the sole source for exhibit space at their annual conferences. The Library of Congress has a history of exhibiting at the ALA annual conference for over 20 years, making this a recurring and necessary engagement for their outreach efforts.
Additional Notes
This announcement constitutes the only public notice regarding this action. The Library of Congress is not currently accepting quotes from third parties, and no further notices or solicitations will be pursued at this time.