REQUEST FOR INFORMATION -LOC Novel High-Density Optical Data Storage

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.