FBO 4 Emory-NCI DSA Software Integration.docx

Description and Scope: The National Institutes of Health – NCI intends to procure the services of a contractor with expertise in software integration and data management/analysis to provide customized Digital Slide Archives (DSA) system in the NCI cloud and re-identify whole slide image data sets.

The NIH/NCI office of the CIO maintains a digital image management and analysis platform based on the indica HALO software that supports researchers, external collaborators and staff with tools, collaborative workspaces, security protocols and data and image capabilities needed to manage, process and analyze a variety of image types.

CBIIT requires continued access to the Emory University Imaging Software and Services as the current equipment is a custom developed software capability for the NCI on prem and cloud environments.

Frequently, Investigators need to bring in large slide image collections from outside collaborators, many of which contain PII. In 2023, extensive market research was conducted to identify an approach for bulk di-identification that could be seamlessly integrated into the NCI HALO environment. It was determined that the open-source Digital Slide Archive software (DSA), developed by Emory University with funding from NCI, could be adapted to provide bulk de-identification capabilities. A contract was established with Emory to develop custom de-identification workflows and integrate the customized software into NCI’s HALO environment. Going forward, additional support is needed to optimize existing workflows, add capabilities to support new file types, and maintain the integration of DSA in the NCI HALO environment.

Extensive market research was conducted prior to NCI’s adoption of DSA software for use in NCI’s digital pathology data management and analysis environment. No suitable alternatives besides DSA were identified that could be integrated seamlessly into NCI’s environment, which is based on the Indica HALO image management platform. Open-source DSA was selected based on performance and interoperability. As the developer of DSA, Emory is uniquely positioned to provide follow-on support and maintenance for the DSA deployment at NCI.

This requirement is for a follow-on contract to provide continued support, maintenance and optimization of a custom software system that was developed for the NCI by Emory/Kitware. Initial market research was done to find a suitable de-identification tool for use in NCI’s environment, but none were identified that could integrate with the existing image management platform besides DSA. This request represents an outyear support element not captured in a previous award. There are no small business interests on current GWAC’s capable of competing for this requirement at a scale that can customize for the NCI environment.

Responsibilities of the Contractor

• Weekly meetings to provide updates, discussion, and progress projects

• Availability during normal business hours to address critical issues in data analyses and interpretation as needed

• Supply all necessary computer infrastructure including statistical programs to analyze data The NCI data set contains over 500,000 file objects, so Emory University expects additional optimizations will be needed to improve the efficiency of identifying slide sets. As they run additional cohorts through the pipeline, the team can provide additional support to improve the schema, enhance organization, and/or enhance documentation as needed. The underlying DeID capabilities of the DSA are also constantly improving, and the University researchers will be able to guide the NCI team on upgrades, backups, and similar maintenance tasks.

Deliverables: As described in the SOW, the University will support and enhance the custom DSA instance within the NCI computer ecosystem that allows batch de-identification of whole slide image data sets. This will include updating the DSA server instance and assisting with any required patches.

Duty Station The place of performance is Bethesda, MD 20817. This work may also be performed remotely at the discretion of NCI investigators.

Period of Performance Base: May 28, 2026 - May 27, 2027 OY1: May 28,2027 – May 27,2028 OY2: May 28,2028 – May 27,2029

Contract Type: This is a firm fixed-price type order.

NAICS Code# 541715 - Research and Development in The Physical, Engineering, And Life Sciences OR under NAICS# 541519 with the business size standard is $34.0 million.

Initial market research conducted by the Lab has shown availability of such services in Commercial market. The Lab has already solicited from different vendors and received one quote- from the incumbent. OALM/OA will award this requirement under a sole source under the authority of FAR 6.302. The proposed contract action is for which the Government does intend to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. The response close date of the notice for this requirement is in accordance with FAR 5.203(b). This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 – Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR Part 13.106-1 (b)(1) However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement and submit quotations. This notice is not a request for competitive quotes, but quotes received within the time and date of publication of this " Notice” will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this special notice # HHSN910EmorySoftwareFY26 is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Information received will normally be considered for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a future competitive procurement.

HOW TO RESPOND: In order to compete for this project, interested parties must be registered in the Central Contracting Registration/SAM and submit a technical and price quotation by 10:00 am, ET, May 20, 2026. Offerors should submit one copy of the quote to Mohamed FILALI via email. Electronic transmissions to Moe.Filali@nih.gov are preferable but must be timely. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to ensure the proposal is received by the date and time shown above.

This announcement constitutes the only solicitation, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2019-05.

The offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items; and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items – Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions applies to this acquisition. FAR Clause 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunication and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment; FAR Clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment; FAR Clause 52.213-4 to reflect the changes in FAC 2019-05 and FAR Clause 52.244-6 to reflect the changes in FAC 2019-05. The offeror must include their Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. The clauses are available in full text at http://www.arnet.gov/far. Interested vendors capable of providing the Government with the equipment specified in this synopsis should submit their quotation to the below address. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency. Quotations must be submitted by email to Moe.filali@nih.gov.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered and have valid certification in System for Award Management (SAM).

Primary Point of Contact:

MOE FILALI Contracting Office Address:

NIH/OALM/SSIT- Office of Acquisitions 6700 Rockledge Drive II, Room 530G Bethesda, MD 20817

(w) 301.827 7737 Moe.filali@nih.gov