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The Library of Congress is committed to attracting suppliers of quality goods and services. Our aim in Contracts & Logistics Services is to provide high quality, on time service, in an efficient manner and at the best price for our Library customers. We are also committed to seeking out and providing opportunities for small, minority, and woman-owned businesses. In concert with our purchasing organization, diversity development ensures the existence of internal and external programs designed to provide diverse suppliers with open access to our contract opportunities.

Library Purchasing Philosophy

The Library of Congress' purchasing philosophy is built on four guiding principles:

  • We make our requirements known and will not restrict the ability of responsible and qualified suppliers to compete for our contracts.
  • We have no hidden factors in evaluating proposals.
  • We award contracts to individuals or companies that offer us the best value for our purchasing dollars.
  • We promote economic development in the community we serve by seeking out and providing access to small, minority, and woman-owned businesses to compete for our contracts.

Library Requirements

Vendors and potential vendors can access requests for quotes, request for bids, solicitations, downloadable forms, and other information.

Effective January 1, 2002, all new Library requirements will be posted on the FEDBIZ site.

Notice to Customers and Donors Making Payment by Check

As of March 1, 2005 all personal checks received by the Library of Congress Disbursing Office, will be converted into an electronic funds transfer (EFT). This means the Disbursing Office will electronically scan your check, which will make both a front and back copy of your check and use the account information on it to electronically debit your account for the amount of the check. The debit from your account will usually occur within 24 hours, and will be shown on your regular bank account statement.

You will not receive your original check back. We will destroy your original check, but we will retain the copy of it. If the EFT cannot be processed for technical reasons, you authorize us to process the copy in place of your original check. If the EFT cannot be completed because of insufficient funds, we may try to make the transfer up to two times.

Privacy Act – A Privacy Act Statement required by 5 U.S.C. § 552a(e)(3) stating our authority for soliciting and collecting the information from your check, and explaining the purposes and routine uses which will be made of your check information, is available from our internet site at www.pcc.gov, or call at 202-707-5202 to obtain a copy by mail. Furnishing the check information is voluntary, but a decision not to do so may require you to make payment by some other method.

Guidance for Library of Congress Contractors in the Event of a Government Shutdown

  1. Which Library of Congress contractors are required to continue work during a shutdown?
    Contractors are required to continue to perform under their contracts if:
    • The contract is funded past April 8, 2011 and the contractor does not need to access Library of Congress facilities to perform.
    • The contract is funded past April 8, 2011, the contractor needs access to Library facilities to perform, AND the contractor has been notified that services under the contract will be required during a shutdown. The COTR will contact the contractor to identify which contractor employees will be allowed access to Library facilities during a shutdown.
  2. Which Library of Congress contractors are required to stop work during a shutdown?
    Contractors are required to stop work if:
    • The contract is not funded past April 8, 2011.
    • The contract is funded past April 8, 2011 and the contractor requires access to Library of Congress facilities in order to perform, BUT the contractor has not been notified that services under the contract are required during a shutdown. In this case, the contractor shall stop work pursuant to FAR 52.242-15.
  3. Will contractor employees be allowed into Library of Congress facilities during a shutdown?
    The Library will provide the U.S. Capitol Police with a list of the names of contractor employees who may access Library facilities during a shutdown. Only the individuals on that list will be allowed entry.
  4. When will Library contractors be paid for work performed during a shutdown?
    Payments will be processed after the shutdown ends.
  5. Where can contractors get additional information?
    Contractors may send questions to the Library of Congress Contracts Office at locacquisitions@loc.gov.

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