RFI_-_WEbKnossos_Enterprise_Software_License_and_Technical_Support_2.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

WebKnossos Enterprise Software License and Technical Support Acquisition

The Department of the Interior Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD) is issuing this Request for Information to determine businesses capable of providing all items listed within this request.

AQD is executing this market research on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology (CBIIT), Infrastructure Branch (IB).

Respond to this request no later than 10:00 AM ED July 28, 2026, providing the following information:

1. Company name,

2. Point of Contact Information, System for Award Management (SAM)

3. UEI.

4. Written confirmation that your company can provide the requirements within this announcement.

5. Confirm which NAICS you believe would apply to this acquisition.

6. Your company’s size standard in the NAICS you identified.

7. Identification of Authorized Reseller Status (if applicable).

8. Optional: Market Research pricing on the requirements listed within this announcement.

Respondents should identify their socioeconomic status, including:

1. Small Business

2. Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

3. 8(a)

4. HUBZone

5. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

6. Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

7. Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

8. Other

This RFI is being issued solely for market research information and acquisition planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to a contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the Government will not reimburse for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested parties’ expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in a future RFQ, if one is issued.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in 41 U.S.C. 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

No telephone calls will be accepted requesting a bid package or solicitation. There is no bid package or solicitation. In order to protect the procurement integrity of any future procurement, if any, that may arise from this announcement, information regarding technical point of contact will not be given and no appointments for presentations will be made.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor shall provide annual enterprise software licensing and associated commercial support services for the Government's existing WebKnossos Enterprise environment. Services include software licensing, technical support, software maintenance, monitoring, troubleshooting, software updates, and continued operational support for the existing custom integration between WebKnossos and NCI's OMERO environment. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, software, licenses, expertise, and technical resources necessary to perform the requirements identified in this Statement of Work.

1.0 TITLE

WebKnossos Enterprise Software License and Technical Support

BACKGROUND

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology (CBIIT), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Data Management and Analysis Program (DMAP) supports the NCI Intramural Research Program (IRP) microscopy core facilities located on the Bethesda and Frederick campuses. These facilities generate large volumes of high-resolution microscopy data using advanced imaging modalities to support cancer research involving human specimens and animal models.

3.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this acquisition is to provide continued access to the WebKnossos Enterprise software platform, including software licensing, hosting, maintenance, technical support, software updates, and continued support of the existing integration between WebKnossos and NCI's OMERO image management environment.

The contractor shall provide all services necessary to maintain uninterrupted operation of the existing production environment throughout the period of performance.

4.0 CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS/ AND PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

4.1 Enterprise Software License

The Contractor shall provide WebKnossos Enterprise software licenses sufficient to support NCI's institute-wide implementation for authorized NIH/NCI users and authorized Government support personnel.

The software shall provide capabilities that include, at a minimum:

Browser-based visualization of large three-dimensional and time-series microscopy datasets;

Rapid navigation through volumetric image datasets;

Volume and skeleton annotation;

Dataset management;

Collaborative annotation and project management;

Visualization of precomputed three-dimensional meshes;

Segmentation proof-reading capabilities;

Web-based data sharing;

Single Sign-On (SSO) using OpenID Connect.

4.2 Technical Support

The Contractor shall provide technical support throughout the subscription period.

Support shall include:

Email-based technical support during normal contractor business hours;

Response to technical support requests within one (1) business day;

Troubleshooting software defects and operational issues;

Assistance with software configuration issues;

Resolution of issues affecting normal system operation.

4.3 Software Maintenance and Updates

The Contractor shall provide ongoing maintenance services that include:

Continuous monitoring of the WebKnossos environment;

Installation of routine software updates;

Software bug fixes;

Security-related software updates;

Access to software enhancements released during the subscription period that are included within the licensed product.

4.4 Existing OMERO Integration Support

The Contractor shall provide continued operational support for the existing integration between WebKnossos Enterprise and the Government's OMERO image management environment.

Support shall include maintenance of existing integration capabilities, including:

Dataset import functionality;

Metadata synchronization;

User authentication and authorization;

Integration supporting OpenID Connect authentication;

Streaming of image data from Government-managed AWS storage;

Delivery of datasets through existing application programming interfaces (APIs);

Troubleshooting integration issues affecting production operations.

The Contractor shall maintain compatibility with the Government's existing implementation throughout the period of performance.

5.0 TYPE OF ORDER

This is a firm‑fixed‑price (FFP) task order.

6.0 SEVERABLE SERVICES

The services acquired under this order are severable. Funds are available only for the line item to which they are obligated and may not roll over to other periods.

7.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall consist of one (1) twelve-month base period and two (2) twelve-month option periods:

Base Period - September 01, 2026 – August 31, 2027 Option Period One - September 01, 2027 – August 31, 2028 Option Period Two - September 01, 2028 – August 31, 2029

8.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Services shall primarily be performed remotely at the Contractor's facilities.

Government users will access the software from:

National Cancer Institute 9609 Medical Center Drive Rockville, Maryland 20850

9.0 ONSITE SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

In the event of an onsite response, the Contractor shall sign in and be escorted by authorized staff. No access to Government data shall be provided; Contractor access is limited to underlying hardware

10.0 DELIVERY

Delivery shall occur within 60 business days of task order award. The Contractor shall provide the NCI Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) with tracking information to anticipate delivery. All shipping/handling (including FOB) and delivery/installation fees shall be included.

Deliver to: NCI/CBIIT, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1‑W‑446, Rockville, MD 20850.

11.0 REPORT(S)/DELIVERABLES

All work described in the SOW is subject to final inspection and acceptance by the Government’s COR. Services delivered to the COR will be deemed accepted 30 calendar days after delivery unless written approval or disapproval is issued within that period.

12.0 SECTION 508 ACCESSIBILITY

Products, platforms, and services delivered as part of this work that are ICT, or contain ICT, must conform to the Revised 508 Standards (36 C.F.R. § 1194.1 & Apps. A, C & D).

Conformance shall be confirmed using HHS OS Factsheets & Reference Guides and verified through the HHS WCAG 2.0 Refresh Checklists; Contractors are encouraged to use instructional materials and checklists at GSA Section508.gov.

DISCLAIMER: This Sources Sought Notice is for Market Research and planning purposes only in accordance with FAR Part 10 and shall not be considered as a Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any services. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice shall not serve as proposals, bids, or offers, which could be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Department of the Interior will not accept unsolicited proposals related to the subject of this Request for Information Notice. The responder must clearly identify any information it considers sensitive or proprietary. All information received in response to this Notice that is marked "Proprietary" will be handled accordingly.

Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Responses to this Request for Information Notice will not be returned.

Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated and incurred by responding to this Request for Information Notice: The Government does not require any cost for participating in this Market Research and Request for Information. The Government reserves the right to determine how it should proceed as a result of this notice.

An important outcome of this research will be the determination to consider if this can be acquisitioned as a Small Business Set aside, and the competitive set aside category in accordance with (IAW) FAR 19.201. The Government is interested in all socioeconomic contracting programs (i.e. Native American/Indian-Owned Businesses, 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran- Owned, HUBZone, and Women-Owned Small Business concerns). The Government requests that interested parties respond to this notice with capabilities and identify your small business status with respect to the identified NAICS code.