National Library of Israel (NLI) Periodicals Tender 2013

National Library of Israel (NLI)

Request for Proposal for Comprehensive Serials Subscription Services 2013

Questions and Answers

1.Does the Request for Proposal (RFP) affect current subscriptions?

Please note that the RFPdeals with the subscription year 2015 and does not affect any current contracts.

2.In case you need the prices we would have to ask you for your FTE counts so that we are in a position to evaluate the correct prices.

The National Library of Israel is a special library and as such does not have and does not use FTE as a classification, nor is FTE part of our current database agreements. NLI does not offer remote access. Access to subscription resources (databases, electronic serials) is limitedto the building only.

Generally we can say that the usage of electronic information at the National Library is very low. NLI collected data via our SFX (link resolver used at the National Library to connect the users to the different DB) in order to give you, the bidders on this RFP, some indication of the usage.

The findings are that in 2013 (until the end of October) 687 searches were executed and 489 items were accessed (this does not include serials in Hebrew that are not part of the tender and are received at the library through legal deposit). In these 10 months, the most popular international, non-Hebrew title had15 searches and 12 downloads, i.e. 1.5 searches per month/1.2 downloads per month. The average access is less than 2 searches/2 downloads per month.

3.Transliteration for non-Latin titles

This information was provided on the NLI website (2.10.2013).

4.For which version shall we indicate the prices: online or the version you indicated in the column "Format".

Please note that the Excel Format provided now on the updated NLI website replaces the PDF Format – Appendix B- List of current subscriptions. Therefore, please refer to column E ("Currently ordered") of the updated Excel Format"NNL Updated subs list."

In addition and in order to be clear, please note that we are not asking for prices per title mentioned in the list. As specified in p.4.3 of the EFP, The Vendor shall offer his financial proposal only on the form attached as Appendix B to the RFP.

Please note that apart from shipping charges, we are asking only for the percentage of the discount from the list price.

5.The format listed in your title list mostly reads ^[journal]. Does this stand for the Print version

6.May I ask you what kind of certification from our insurance company do you exactly need so that we can clarify with our insurance if it exists in the required version. Furthermore I'd need to know if you need this certification already submitted with the tender or just when getting chosen by you as a supplier?

Relating to Clause 10 of the Contract attached to the RFP, the NLI does not require the bidders to provide proof of insurance at the time of the offers submittal (November 28, 2013). Only the winning bidder will need to provide proof of insurance.

7.The last column of the title list reads "Vendor is able to supply Yes/No". Could you please send us the title list in Excel format

Please refer to column "L" of the updated Excel Format "NNL Updated subs list."

8.Do you have any special DDP (deep discount or special discounted) prices for SPRINGER, OXFORD TAYLOR & FRANCIS, WILEY or CAMBRIDGE print titles?
We are generally aware of the publisher terms for DDP or special prices; or, for the best discount rate, we can ask the publishers directly.
I am more interested in receiving a list of publishers for which you receive these discounts.

Please note that the NLI Tender is for serials only.

As specified in the RFP, this RFP does not include packages of electronic periodicals the Library purchases through consortial agreements as described in Appendix D of the RFP.

The preferred provider will be selected based on Section III.4.1 in the RFP which includes the discount from the list price offered by the bidder. As stated in the RFP in I.4. Scope, the Library understands that the Successful Vendor will not be able to supply the entire scope of requested publications. Therefore the Library reserves the right to turn to other vendors at the Library’s sole discretion.

9.Can you provide URLS/ISSNs/publisher information for non-Roman alphabet titles?

We will provide as much information as we can about individuals titles and have uploaded a separate Excel file with this information to the NLI website.