SAM #030ADV26Q0172

Library of Congress Seeks Novel High-Density Optical Data Storage Pilot Solutions

The Library of Congress (LOC), through its Office of the Chief Information Officer, is seeking industry input on innovative, ultra-high density optical data storage solutions for long-term digital preservation. - Government Buyer: - Library of Congress, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) - Project Scope: - Pilot project to encode, validate, store, and retrieve 1TB of diverse digital data formats (video, audio, text, images) on novel high-density optical media - Emphasis on 100% data recovery, error detection, and high-fidelity recall/read capabilities - Includes project management deliverables, formal reporting, and a final data delivery - Requires an educational/artistic display for Library visitors, using a subset of the stored data - Key Requirements: - Solutions must offer high areal density, long lifespan, reduced maintenance and migration cycles, immutability, and durability - Must support encoding and validation of multiple data formats - Deliverables include comprehensive process reporting and integration feasibility analysis - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in the solicitation - The contract is firm-fixed-price with a one-year period of performance

Description

This is a Request for Information (RFI). The Library of Congress (LOC) reserves the right to cancel this RFI and any corresponding solicitation issued in the future. This RFI shall not be construed in any way to be a solicitation and is for informational purposes only.

The following is a general description of the requirements the LOC is seeking responses from the industry on:

The Library of Congress, hereinafter referred to as the “Library” or “LOC”,” is exploring innovative preservation methods for its digital collections. The LOC is seeking to determine the feasibility of utilizing ultra-high density optical data storage designed for the long-term preservation of a subset of the Library’s digital collections. Currently, the Library manages over 1 billion unique objects of digital preservation data (~33 petabytes) via traditional storage methods. For longevity and reduced migration intervals, it may be reasonable for this portion of data to be permanently stored on a novel medium. The focus would be on a solution that exhibits high areal density, a long lifespan, reduced maintenance/migration cycles, is immutable, and displays a high level of durability. The Library aims to demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative optical data storage solution as a high-density, scalable, and durable medium for storing its preservation collection.

The Library wishes to examine the feasibility of this method on a small subset of its digital collections. To be successful, a variety of data formats—including video, audio, text, and images— must be encoded onto the media, errors must be detected/recorded, preservation techniques must be validated and select data must be recalled/read with high fidelity. This work will contribute to the boundary pushing field of high-density optical data storage while pushing the boundaries of access and preservation.

Please see the full document 'LOC Novel High Density Optical Data Storage RFI 030ADV26Q0172' for details on the requirements and questions to be answered by RFI respondents along with response submission instructions. 

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