TTS for DTB Pilot - Request for Information

This is a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain capability statements and potential feedback for an upcoming Library of Congress (LOC) requirement. Specifically, the Library of Congress (Library) requires the contractor to design software to automate the construction of digital talking books compliant with DAISY ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2002 and NLS specifications 1202, 1203, 1205, 1206 as applicable and Proper XML structure and validation for digital talking books.

The software shall be capable of generating digital talking books from commercial audiobooks with pre-existing audio files, as well as from electronic text source materials that do not include pre-existing audio. The software shall automate the synthesis of speech from provided announcement scripts and/or the electronic text source materials. Automatically generate and manage XML control/navigation files and Metadata and structural elements.

Support synthetic speech generation for announcements and full-length digital talking books. Handle large-scale batch processing. Shall require demonstrations or samples. The contractor shall demonstrate that the software integrates with NLS AWS systems. Supports standard file formats (audio, XML, text, metadata). Allows export/import without proprietary lock-in. Requires interface controls.

The contractor shall demonstrate knowledge and experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS) sufficient to support the requirements of this contract. The Library’s existing Digital Talking Book (DTB) production environment is a high-volume, semi-automated pipeline designed to transform source text into accessible, navigation-rich audio assets.

The current DTB architecture utilizes a standardized ingestion-to-distribution framework that relies on adherence to established specifications, metadata schemas, and structural navigation hierarchies. In order to obtain this information, the Library is seeking capabilities statements, rough orders of magnitude estimates, input on the Statement of Work, or any other information your business would care to provide in order to help the Library understand the possible solutions available on the commercial marketplace.

All information received shall be reviewed to help the Library inform its possible future acquisition decisions relating to this requirement. Participation in this RFI is voluntary only and is no guarantee of future business. The Library is not seeking to obtain official proposals at this time as a result of this notice. The Library is seeking outside information from potential offerors as a way to perform supplemental market research. No contract shall be awarded as a result of this RFI.

This notice solely constitutes market research. Under NO circumstances shall any expenses be repaid as a result of contractor engagement with RFI this notice. Offerors are encouraged to ask questions or provide feedback so that the LOC may enhance its understanding to reflect a more accurate business environment. Attached is a draft Statement of Work.

Offerors are encouraged to provide feedback on this document as well, and all comments/questions/suggestions shall be considered (this is not a guarantee that they will be answered to reflected in the final solicitation). Finally, rough orders of magnitude in terms of pricing is also being asked for. Please note, these would be estimates only and serve only the purposes of market research. These are NOT official quotes, but are considered to be high level rough ballpark estimates of other marketplace solutions. Please send any questions/feedback and/or capability statements to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist listed on this notice.