The Library of Congress (LOC), through its National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), is seeking contract support for the Currency Reader Information Management System (CRIMS) to enhance patron services for those needing currency reader devices. This acquisition aims to transition from paper-based workflows to a secure, fully web-based electronic system utilizing Microsoft Azure, thereby improving efficiency and customer experience. Key objectives include modernizing the user interface, implementing digital signature capabilities, and enhancing order processing operations.
The contractor's responsibilities encompass developing a new user interface for CRIMS, maintaining web forms accessible in English and Spanish, ensuring robust data validation and analytics features, and integrating with existing CRIMS functionalities. Moreover, the contractor will provide cloud hosting services, system security, and compliance with Library of Congress IT directives, ensuring all operations align with service level agreements. The outlined enhancements reflect a broader initiative to minimize paper usage and enhance information security, promoting a more agile and user-friendly system for patrons requesting currency readers.
The document outlines the justification and approval for the Library of Congress to award a contract without competition for software maintenance of the Currency Reader Information Management System (CRIMS). Capstone IT is the sole contractor identified, necessitated by the unique capabilities required to maintain and upgrade CRIMS, which is integral for supporting the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. The system's current maintenance contract expires in February 2025, and immediate support is critical due to degradation issues that arose in mid-2024. The urgency is underscored by the efforts to migrate the system to a more robust Microsoft Azure platform, enhancing security and operational efficiency. The rationale includes the lack of suitable competing products and the essential nature of the brand name for fulfilling the Library's unique needs. To promote future competition, plans to transition fully to the new platform in FY26 are stated, aiming to facilitate competitive procurement processes moving forward. Overall, this document serves to ensure compliance with the legal framework governing non-competitive procurement actions while addressing immediate operational needs.