DA10--Pre-Solicitation Notice with Intent to Sole Source Software Developer/Engineer Services for Development and Integration of Histopathology Image Processing Tools

Special Notice

Special Notice

Page 4 of 4

Pre-Solicitation Notice for the notice of intent to award a sole source contract. This is not a solicitation. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Office of Research and Development (R&D), Regional Procurement Office (RPO) East in Pittsburgh, PA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with BARTEK LLC to obtain Software Developer/Engineer Services for Development and Integration of Histopathology Image Processing Tools for the Atlanta VAMC.

BARTEK s software developer/engineer services are required to deliver a turnkey solution for histopathological medical image processing by developing and managing a GitHub repository to host a series of Python-based tools and scripts for histopathology image processing. The histopathology imaging processing tool will ensure VA researchers receive accurate, reliable, and actionable data outputs that can significantly enhance their diagnostic and research capabilities. The required services include setting up the repository, developing and containerizing Python-based scripts, documenting each tool with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), making foundation models available, creating a demo tool for interactive use, and ensuring these models can be integrated and utilized within the VA s infrastructure per the following line item structure:

ITEM INFORMATION

ITEM NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

QUANTITY

UNIT OF MEASURE

0001

Services GitHub Repository Setup and Tool Demo Integration Part 1

40

HR

0002

Services GitHub Repository Setup and Tool Demo Integration Part 2

40

HR

0003

Services Design and Conceptualization of Pipeline

40

HR

0004

Services Nuclei Segmentation Tool

40

HR

0005

Services Tissue Segmentation Tool

40

HR

0006

Services Feature Extraction Tool

40

HR

0007

Services Foundation Models Integration Part 1

40

HR

0008

Services Foundation Models Integration Part 2

40

HR

0009

Services Additional Tools and Maintenance

40

HR

Tools must comply with VA s security policies and guidelines, and repositories and tools must ensure the confidentiality and non-disclosure of any sensitive information.

BARTEK LLC is the only known vendor that can provide the specialized services required due to BARTEK s proprietary technology and expertise and specialized knowledge in developing and managing software repositories and tools specifically for biomedical image processing with a focus on histopathology images. Access to BARTEK s codebase for tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) special analysis and automated quality control of whole-slide images is required for data compatibility and comparability in ongoing research studies. Since the intent is to procure this on a sole source basis, no solicitation will be posted to Contract Opportunities. The applicable NAICS code is 541512 with a $34M size standard. The PSC is DA10. The authority for this action is RFO FAR 6.103-1 only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, any responsible source who can provide an equivalent service with the features described above may submit a capability statement to the contracting office no later than Monday, August 25, 2025, 11:00 AM, EDT. Interest/capability statements which specifically detail how your service meets the requirement may be sent to Shannon Hukriede at shannon.hukriede@va.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.