Library of Congress - Spare Parts Manufacturing for Digital Talking Book Machines

This is a request for information only. It is considered to be market research. No award shall be issued under this RFI. No expenses for responding to this RFI shall be reimbursed. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFQ in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Government is not at this time seeking quotes and will not accept unsolicited quotes. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, if any is issued.- - -The Government in support of the National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) is seeking

information on contractors interested in and capable of supporting its requirements for production of molded plastic repair parts as duplicates of the original parts and/or the creation of molds for these products to be manufactured.- - -NLS at the Library of Congress administers a free public library service to eligible residents of the United States and U.S. citizens living abroad who cannot hold, handle, or read standard print media because of visual or physical disability. Digital Talking Book Machines (also known as playback machines) designed and provided to patrons to facilitate convenient use by disabled people and to provide maximum reliability under environmental conditions that are sometimes harsh and with handling that may be technically unsophisticated or inadvertently abusive.To meet the goal of protecting federal property and assuring long-term sustainability of its service to the public, NLS repairs Digital Talking Book Machines (DTBMs) to prevent a possible machine shortage.  The parts are necessary for NLS to maintain sufficient stock of supplies for network and partner libraries across the United States in order to service patron requests without interruption of service.There are two models of the digital-talking book player, the Standard Model (DS1) and the Advanced Model (DA1). The player is able to play digital-talking books (DTBs) structured in ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2002, DAISY 2.02, or CEA-2003 formats. The digital-talking book player plays audiobooks stored on proprietary USB flash-drive cartridges. The player can play audio files stored as AMR-WB+, MPEG I/Layer 3 (MP3) and RIFF WAV format, either as part of a talking book or as stand-alone audio files.  The DTBM is a 6.2 x 8.8 x 1.7 inch consumer electronic device weighing 2.52 pounds and is typically stored in a 12 x 9.1 x 3.8 inch box. Up to eight boxes may be stored in over packs measuring 19 x 16 x 12.5 inches.- - -The Library is currently seeking capabilities statements and rough orders of magnitude pricing information on how the Library can obtain replacement plastic parts for its repair program of the DTBMs. Specifically, the Library is looking to produce effective copies of existing replacement parts as follows. Parts needed – this is for both Standard and Advanced models:Case Seal (dock) – material - dynaflex g7650-01, shore 50a, or approved equivalent  Case Body - material: bayer bayblend fr3010 and brass for threaded insertsGrill Cloth - material - black, non-woven polyester/rayon hydrophobic speaker grill cloth, ambic co,.ltd. hn603b 0.15t, or approved equivalentKey pad - material: shinetsu ke-951u & ke-971tu, or approved equivalent - Hardness: 65 5 shore a (subject to change to meet Performance specifications)Quantities currently needed (subject to change):Upper Housing Sub-assembly (Standard DTBM) (with Speaker, Cable and Dock Seal Installed): 12,911Keypad, Standard DTBM: 12,882Grill Cloth: 11,905Adhesive Shim - Speaker: 9,245Keypad, Advanced DTBM: 7,809Upper Housing Sub-assembly (Advanced DTBM) (with Speaker, Cable and Dock Seal Installed): 6,088Panel, Battery Access: 5,335Lower Housing Sub-assembly (with Labels, Cable Tie Mount & Battery Foam): 784The Library is seeking general information on how these items can be met. As part of its market research efforts, the Library shall entertain multiple ways of fulfilling the solution (such as the creation of molds to manufacture the parts, 3D printing of the parts, other methods, etc).- - -Responding:When responding to the RFI market research request, the Library is interested in the following:1. The capability statement of your business that can meet the Library's needs.2. A description of how your business can fulfill te requirement and which methodology your business might use (mold creation, 3D printing, other, etc), as well as the experience your business has in providing manufactured products like the ones being sought.3. Any input or questions your business may have on the requirements, or information your business would need to be able to understand and fulfill the Library's needs.4. A rough order of magnitude pricing document on the fulfillment options (should an official competition be launched after the market research effort closes, your business would not be held to these figures).5.  Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in finalizing its market research and acquisition strategy.- - -Please respond to the Contracting Officer listed in this notice via email with your responses.- - -RFI Attachments:- Draft Bill of Materials- Two part guides with part drawings and specifications