Added: February 11, 2008
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Office of Research Services (ORS), Division of Library Services (DLS) intends to procure a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) System.
The contractor shall provide a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system that will make it possible to identify and track the Library?s collection of more than 185,000 books, journals and audiovisual materials; ensure security of library materials; efficiently inventory the collection; allow Library users to self-check out books automatically; provide ADA compliant sensor security gates: one double aisle and one single aisle; and provide excellent control of non-returns and misfiling of the books on the shelves.
The RFID system shall include the following features to meet the NIH Library?s needs: (1) read-write, ISO standard compliant tag with memory chip that identifies and tracks books; (2) security chip added to the tag to protect the books from theft; (3) conversion station, that converts IDs from bar code labels to item identifiers on RFID tags, automatically dispenses tags, allows programming and reprogramming tag information; (4) staff pad workstation that allows staff to check-out/check-in books for library users and functions as conversion station; (5) ADA compliant RFID sensor security gates: one dual aisle and one single aisle, including software to identify unauthorized items leaving the library; (6) hand held reader for inventory control that can be moved rapidly across a shelf of books and journals to shelf read all the unique identification information, sort data, locate misplaced books and journals, and download data into the Millennium integrated library system; (7) SIP2 compatible patron self-check kiosks with touch screen computer, built-in RFID tag reader, and built-in receipt printer; (8) book drop that turns on security bit, removes the item from patron?s account, and returns item to circulation.
In order for the Millennium integrated library system to read item identifiers from RFID tags to access the associated record in Millennium (for example, by a staff member using Millennium Circulation at the information service desk, or by a patron using Millennium?s Graphical Patron Self Check-Out software), and to maintain the ?security bit?, the RFID system shall provide the following functionality:
-Presents individual access to each workstation?s RFID read or write hardware as a TCP/IP accessible Web Service
-Presents such individualized access either by offering a unique IP address for each workstation?s RFID read or write hardware, or by hosting the software implementing the Web Service for a particular workstation?s RFID read or write hardware on the same workstation as the Millennium client application so that the TCP/IP loopback facility may be used for communication
-Support in the above described Web Service to deliver, in response to a request from Millennium, a list of individual item identifiers from RFID tags which are considered at the time of the request to be ?in range? of the RFID hardware, for example, in the case of a typical RFID ?pad? enclosure, the items which are currently atop the pad. Additionally:
-Repeated requests to the Web Service should deliver the same data on subsequent requests if the same items remain in range
-Web Service should support (at a minimum) one request per second
-Web Service should be non blocking, providing an error response if it is unable to respond immediately to a request
-Support in the above described Web Service to accept ?circulation status change? events from Millennium which provide the item identifier and the then current circulation status, and take the following actions:
-Upon receipt of status change to ?checked out? for an item currently in range of the RFID hardware, clear the security bit
-Upon receipt of status change to ?checked in? for an item currently in range of the RFID hardware, set the security bit
-Upon receipt of status change for an item no longer in range of the RFID hardware, return an error indication
Sources demonstrating the capability to accomplish the above shall provide pertinent information that is in sufficient detail to demonstrate their ability to perform. Information furnished should include enough material to conduct a proper evaluation. Respondents will not be notified of the evaluation results. Quotations will be due fifteen (15) calendar days from the publication date of this synopsis.
