RFI_CLEARR AUG 7.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY

Synopsis:

This is a Request for Information (RFI). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This notice is for MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY, and in no way obligates the United States Government to issue a solicitation or otherwise make a contract award. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency is seeking eligible performers who are qualified to conduct and accomplish the requirements specified in this RFI.

Background:

DTRA has been developing the Combined Logical Estimation Application for Rapid Results (CLEARR) predictive capability as part of the Threat Agent Science program within the Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP). CLEARR uses a number of databases, algorithms, and licensed software products to predict chemical, physical and toxicological properties of emerging threats, thus reducing the time and resource requirements for assessing the hazards associated with these threats. CLEARR is a functional tool for threat analyses recognized by several Government organizations (especially within the Defense Department), but has the capacity for further development through updating and adding additional databases, improving performance by incorporating additional AI/ML techniques, and adding additional predictive capabilities. Current and future iterations of CLEARR are expected to be used by several Defense Department organizations as well as integrated by other US Government agencies.

Purpose and Objectives:

This effort seeks to upgrade and improve the current CLEARR capability by expanding the number of databases and data sets used in its operation, incorporating more rigorous AI/ML methodologies for better prediction ability, and adding functionality to broaden the types of output to create a more comprehensive predictive threat characterization. This improvement will build upon the existing CLEARR tool, using the same general framework and component interface structure currently in place, to add the required new components and modify the input/output features and displays to accommodate the changes. The structure and integrity of the current CLEARR version will be maintained, with no large-scale redesigns of the CLEARR framework anticipated or desired, when the CEARR improvements are made.

General Requirements:

The following requirements, expertise and skill sets, capabilities, and deliverables are being sought:

· Software development expertise in toxicology and chemical property value prediction

· Ability to modify CLEARR to add new components, modify input/output interfaces needed to accommodate additional components and tool capability

· Knowledge of toxicology and applications to predictive tool development

· Expertise in software development methodologies for predicting physical and chemical properties (especially those relevant to toxicology prediction, QSAR/QSPR)

· Familiarity with open-source, Government-available and other physical-chemical property data sets and predictive or computational capabilities relevant to toxicology and chemical property value predictions

· Expertise in refining and updating interfaces associated with user feedback, to include graphics (i.e., GUIs) and input/output displays and export formats.

· Incorporation of performance and operational functions

· Ability for batch processing

· Chemical search methodologies beyond chemical name, CAS number, synonym, or structure

· Incorporation of AI/ML methods and techniques

· Enhanced Read Across

· Applicability to toxicology predictions

· Increased/decreased toxicity with respect to chemical structure changes

· Acute toxicity values (e.g., LD50, LCt50)

· Physical or Chemical Property value predictions

· Incorporation of additional databases, data sets, capabilities

· Open source and Government use capabilities, databases, data sets not already included

· EPA, PubMed generated capabilities not already incorporated

· User-generated or user-obtained data, incorporated into CLEARR by the user

· CLEARR Maintenance

· Update incorporated databases on a regular basis as new information is released

· Update open source and other incorporated software programs already employed in CLEARR

· GUI updates and related

Response Requirements:

The U.S. Government invites sources to respond to this RFI that have the capability to meet these parameters. Responses shall be limited to five (5) pages. Pages not included in the total page count are the cover page, the cover letter and the table of contents.

Any and all information submitted in response to this notice is strictly voluntary and in no way obligates the U.S. Government to a monetary compensation or otherwise to make a contract award. The U.S. Government will not return any submitted data and information. The responder may solicit input on technical aspects of the responses from non-government consultants/experts bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements.

Submission Instructions:

Responses shall be limited to five (5) 8½ x 11 pages and shall:

· Confirm source’s ability and interest to meet purpose and objectives provided

· Identify any aspects of the requirements stated that cannot be met and any issues/concerns with the requirements as stated

· Provide information on past performance including:

· Working with DTRA

· Working with other Government agencies

· Relevant contracts or other software development in Predictive Toxicology

· Foreign nation agreements, interactions with respect to software development

The responder should provide information to DTRA RD-CBS at:

dtra.belvoir.rd.mbx.rd-cbs-solicitations@mail.mil no later than 21 August 2023, 3:59 pm Eastern Time.

DTRA does not plan to answer questions in response to this request.

Disclaimer and Important Notes:

This is a Request for Information. There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for Solicitation and inquiries related to same will not receive a response. THIS NOTICE IS PUBLISHED FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY, AND IN NO WAY OBLIGATES THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION OR OTHERWISE MAKE A CONTRACT AWARD. Any and all information submitted in response to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this notice and shall become the property of DTRA. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organizations qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, DTRA may issue a pre-solicitation synopsis and an RFP. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation which may be published in the future.

Confidentiality:

No classified or confidential information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Any proprietary information should be clearly marked.