Statement of Work.pdf

Statement of Work

Update and Support for ComBase, and the Pathogen Modelling Program (PMP) Online and Desktop Versions.

Background

ComBase, an online quantitative food microbiology tool, was developed and maintained as a collaboration between the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and other partners during the past 20-years. In 2020, USDA-ARS resumed the role of sole ComBase Managing Partner, facilitated through the US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC) in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania. The Pathogen Modeling Program (PMP) also developed decades ago by ARS at ERRC is a package of models that can be used to predict the growth and inactivation of foodborne bacteria, primarily pathogens, under various environmental conditions. These predictions are specific to certain bacterial strains and specific environments (e.g., culture media, food, etc.) that were used to generate the models. Two version were developed: the online PMP and the desktop PMP.

ERRC now requires tasks related to the support and updating of both ComBase and the PMP, specifically:

ComBase

1. Provide ongoing support to ERRC to manage the hosting of ComBase, respond to user inquiries, assist in adding new datasets to the ComBase application, and working with the advisory and scientific group as directed by ERRC. Note that ERRC will be the initial point of contact for inquiries from the ComBase website.

• Ongoing support includes website updates, user support, processing of datasets for upload, support for the Advisory and Scientific Groups, additional website content changes.

2. Upgrade the code for the submit.combase.cc site to replace and update components to meet new IT security requirements (e.g. ASP.NET CORE library)

Pathogen Modeling Program (PMP): Update with new models and reconcile model discrepancies between the desktop and online versions (i.e. add models available only in one version to the other version).

1. Review list of model candidates to synchronize between online and desktop versions and select models to implement.

2. Develop VB code to implement models selected for synchronization in the other version

• Add the synchronized models to online PMP source code and test

• Add the synchronized models to desktop PMP source code and test

3. Review the published papers for new candidate models and extract equations and required data for the model, and verify published results can be reproduced

4. If published results can be reproduced:

• Develop Visual Basic (VB) code to implement the model

• Add model to online PMP source code and test

• Add model to desktop PMP source code and test

5. Once all models are implemented:

• Deploy models to test server for online PMP

• Produce and test desktop installer

• Update models with any revisions and update the online PMP

• Update models with any revisions and update the desktop PMP and produce a final installer.

Requirements include: :

• Technical experience with the ComBase website and related applications

• Technical experience with the PMP online and desktop applications

• Predictive microbiology expertise required to review and understand the scientific publications

• Statistical modelling expertise relevant to food safety

• Expertise in hosting and developing Windows-based applications such as ComBase and

PMP, including database development in SQL Server and web hosting with IIS Web server.

• Experience working with scientific advisory groups to provide technical advice.