The Library of Congress Joint Issue Group on Labeling (JIG-L) established standards and practices for all forms of labeling across Service Units, documented in the JIG-L Marking, Stamping, and Labeling Manual.

The Manual cites the exact content, size, production method, and preservation specification for each blank label used by units throughout the Library, as well as specifications for ink used to print on these labels. It is important to adhere to these standards because the labeling of collection material is frequently the only intellectual control access point for a collection item. The adhesive capabilities of a label are paramount to the long-term access of collection materials, and suitability of the material to retain a good quality printed image is crucial for long term retrievability through automated scanning and manual retrieval systems.

Label stock meeting these preservation specifications for adhesive capabilities, size and suitability for printed barcode, call numbers or other identifying information are purchased for many units of the Library of Congress, including the Copyright Office. This statement of work outlines the requirements for blank labels, pre-printed labels, and printer ribbons that are suitable for use directly adhered to general collections, or applied to the enclosures that protect special collections.

Labels and ribbon stock are intended for use on the covers of non-rare materials including books, on non-rare papers used for printed or written documents or the text pages of non-rare bound books, plastic and metal materials used in storage containers for collection materials and are intended for use on types of paperboard used in preservation housing supplies such as folders and boxes.

In 2005, the work of JIG-L, a new type of label called the Item Barcode Accession Label (IBAL) was adopted. IBAL labels are purchased for all units of the Library of Congress, including the Copyright Office. These pre-printed labels with unique numbers are required every year to inventory the Library’s collections. Pre-printed LCCN labels have a unique number and year.

Offeror questions are due no later than 03/08/2024 at 5:00 PM EST. Responses to questions will be posted as an amendment to the solicitation.

Proposals are due no later than 03/18/2024 at 10:00 AM EST.

Amendment 0001 provides the Question and Answer document, Attachment J.5