CMS System Support Services

SUBJECT: Sole Source Justification - CMS System Support Services
Through a request for proposals issued in 2013, Smithsonian Enterprises ("SE") contracted with Lincoln Loop, LLC to develop and implement a multi-site content management system ("CMS"). The CMS system includes complex advance custom-developed code including a photo contest that supports a complex user generated content engine, a travel business that allows customers to build travel itineraries which can be complex in nature, live event function supporting over 1500 museums around the United States, and a complex publishing platform used to power two magazines and their websites, as well as generating significant revenue for SE.

The platform that the CMS was built upon has software packages that have expired and require immediate attention and upgrade. Additionally, the CMS itself runs off of a version of Python that is nearing end of life as of 1/1/20. The Smithsonian Institution hereby provides notice of its intention to issue a sole source stand-alone contract to Lincoln Loop, LLC to upgrade the CMS software and migrate the codebase by 1/1/20. The price of the contract will be $700,000 for the upgrade plus maintenance and support at approximately $50,000 per year.

Due to the completely customized platform developed by Lincoln Loop, contracting with another provider to upgrade the software and migrate the codebase would require a provider to reverse engineer the existing code, which is difficult and time consuming. There would be significant financial impact on the business if the upgrade were not completed in time or was incorrectly implemented.
Lincoln Loop has the means, technical skill and requisite knowledge for upgrading the CMS on the compressed schedule required to meet SE's 1/1/20 deadline. It is the Smithsonian's position that awarding this contract to any contractor other than Lincoln Loop would likely result in the project not being completed prior to the deadline causing serious impact to SE's revenue source and that the duplication of costs would exceed what would be gained through competition.

For subcontracting opportunities
Contact Lincoln Loop
Attn: Peter Baumgartner
Email: info@lincolnloop.com
Phone: 970-879-8810
Address: 4845 Pearl East Cir Ste 118 #96971, Boulder, CO 80301-6112

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