SAM #2026-LGO-0004

Library of Congress Springshare Licenses Sole Source Pre-Solicitation

The Library of Congress is preparing to award a non-competitive contract for Springshare licenses to support its integrated public service platform for library reference operations. - Contract is for Springshare applications (LibApps), including: - Live chat platform (Ask-a-Librarian) - Knowledge base and unlimited FAQ groups - Social media management tools - Research guides and bibliographies (LibGuides) - Scheduling tools for staff and library spaces (LibStaffer, LibCal) - Reference analytics and survey creation (LibInsight) - Platform must support unique, not-for-profit library public services - Includes technical support, maintenance, and cloud hosting - Contract period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2031 (5 years) - Estimated contract value: up to $350,000 - Springshare is cited as the sole source OEM/vendor - Place of performance: Library of Congress, Washington, DC - No competing OEMs or products identified; justification is sole source - Services include continuity of technical support and maintenance for all Springshare tools used by the Library

Description

The Library of Congress (Library) is posting the attached  Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (J&A) as a pre-solicitation notice prior to requesting a quote or otherwise entering into negotiations, in accordance with LC06.305 Availability of the Justification. 

Action requirements are summarized below:

The Library of Congress (Library) requires an integrated public service platform that provides tools designed for the unique, not-for-profit public services of libraries. These services are distinct from for-profit operations and, consequently, do not align to generic commercial software designed for maximizing customer sales. The integrated tools must support and integrate the core public services work of the Library’s reference services. The services that need to be integrated include:

receiving and responding to library reference requests;

providing library chat services;

creating, editing, and serving online library guides and bibliographies;

managing and recording library reference transactional data;

scheduling library service point staffing; and

scheduling library reference appointments and space.

Springshare subscriptions support this unique library need. The Library currently uses the Springshare applications (LibApps) to support the Library’s “Ask a Librarian” service, to publish library bibliographies and guides; recording library reference transactional data; and to schedule service points and reference appointments. and reference and staff with the creation, conversion and maintenance of research guides and bibliographies that will be available to researchers both on and off site.

Please see the attached redacted J&A for additional information.

View original listing