Inactive

This is a Request for Information (RFI) in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(c)(7) for the purpose of developing an acquisition strategy and obtaining industry input rele... This is a Request for Information (RFI) in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(c)(7) for the purpose of developing an acquisition strategy and obtaining industry input relevant to a possible future solicitation and does not constitute a commitment by the Library of Congress (“Library”). This request is being issued for the purpose of exchanging information to improve the understanding of the Library’s requirements and industry capabilities. The Library of Congress National Book Festival (“Festival”) celebrated two decades of words and wonder in 2020. The Festival is the Library’s most significant public outreach initiative, largest event, and is considered the premier book festival in the country. It embodies the life-changing contribution of books to the lives of people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. Even though the major attendee attractions are author presentations, the Festival’s primary goal is to connect visitors to unique collections and services available to them at the nation’s library. All aspects of the Festival planning and execution shall focus attention on a dynamic and engaging user experience. The Library will utilize a creative approach to integrally create a relationship between the authors and the Library’s collections, experts, expertise and services. Between 2014 – 2019, the Festival was held as an on-site, daylong event at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Each year, this annual event attracted over 200,000 attendees, 120 authors, 70 exhibit booths and 25 Library of Congress division booths. Due to COVID-19, the Library pivoted to a 100% virtual model in 2020. The Library hosted an event microsite to showcase over 90 pre-recorded author presentations, 70 live author Q&A sessions, over 50 virtual exhibitor booths, and over 20 virtual Library division booths. The microsite supported content launches and attendee interactions for three days, and remained publicly available for another sixty days after festival closure. More information about past Festivals can be found at loc.gov/bookfest. The Library is conducting market research to identify potentially capable event management firms and to gather comments/suggestions regarding the development of a contract with a base period and multiple option periods to provide virtual, physical and hybrid event management services for the Festival. The Library is contemplating multiple types of Festival event execution, including: 1) a weekend model where all events would occur over one weekend, 2) a thematic model where events would be grouped by theme and occur over a period of a few weeks, and 3) a long-term open-ended model where events would occur over a period of months. The Festival’s vision encompasses an intentional focus on audience engagement, as well as a close connection with the Library’s collections, experts, expertise and services, which shall be woven throughout all aspects of the Festival. Attachment 2 provides responses to questions.