NHLBI Medical Imaging Software Development

Added: Dec 23, 2016 10:46 am Background Description: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has a medical imaging research program, which encompasses acquisition, reconstruction, post-processing, and clinical application of X-ray, CT, and MRI. As part of this broad program, several open source software packages are being developed and maintained by NHLBI scientists. Specifically, the Laboratory of Imaging Technology (LIT), under the leadership of Dr. Michael S. Hansen, is the driving force behind the ISMRM Raw Data (ISMRMRD) format (https://ismrmrd.github.io), which is the community standard for representation and storage of MRI raw data. This data format is used in a variety of image reconstruction and processing tools. The LIT is also actively developing and distributing an open source image reconstruction framework known as the Gadgetron (https://gadgetron.github.io). This framework includes a streaming pipeline architecture for efficient data processing and a set of toolboxes that provide image reconstruction components such as filters, transformations, and optimizers. In addition to these major software projects, the LIT also maintains various tools for integration with proprietary medical imaging instruments.

As these tools grow in scope and popularity, there is a need for continuous restructuring and enhancement of the software packages. The introduction of enhancements must be done with a view to both current and future applications that need to be supported.

The NHLBI seeks a contractor to carry out key enhancements of the ISMRMRD format that are needed to accommodate new data types and formalize and define certain work flows. A contractor is also needed to implement enhancements in the Gadgetron framework to modernize some older sections of code and to accommodate the changes implemented in the ISMRMRD format.

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) The solicitation number is NHLBI-CSB-HL-2017-013-JML and the solicitation is issued as a request for quote (RFQ).

(iii) The solicitation document, the incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-92-1 effective December 19, 2016.

(iv) The associated NAICS code is 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services, and the small business size standard is $27.5M. The acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13.5.

(v) Contractor Requirements:

See attached Statement of Work (SOW) for Contractor Requirements.

(vi) Period of Performance:

The period of performance of this contract is estimated to be two (2) years from the date of contract award. This will consist of one (1) base year and one (1) option year.

(vii) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(viii) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items, is applicable. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Contract award shall be made to the responsible Offeror whose offer, in conforming to this RFQ, provides the overall best value to the Government, technical, past performance, and cost evaluation factors considered. The Government's objective is to obtain the highest technical quality considered necessary to achieve the project objectives, with a realistic and reasonable cost. Technical and Past Performance evaluation factors are more important than cost. Total points: 100

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFEORS

1. Development Model

The work outlined in the statement of work (SOW) consists of multiple interlinked components with varying levels of complexity. It is likely that the implementation of some of the tasks will lead to adjustments in requirements for other tasks. Consequently, the offeror is expected to propose a development model that allows for flexible adjustments to requirements through feedback and discussion. This development model should be defined in terms of time scale on which work package requirements might be adjusted along with descriptions of how such adjustments will be made in collaboration with the NHLBI.

2. Time Frame

The work outlined in the SOW will likely take more than one year to complete. The offeror, therefore, is expected to include time estimates for each task (and subtask) of the SOW. It is understood that these estimates will change as the project progresses and adjustments (see above) are made, but initial (tentative) estimates of work effort and time lines are expected.

TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

1. Mandatory Criteria:

The contractor must have documented experience with the following areas:

• C/C++ software for signal processing.
• Medical imaging software.
• Open source software development.
• Development of software used in scientific research.

2. Evaluation Criteria

The following criteria will be used to assess the proposals from contractors who meet the mandatory criteria:

Criterion 1. Development Model (40 points)

This project goals and work packages are likely to be adjusted and updated as the project progresses. Consequently, it is critically important that the proposed development model, including the interaction with the NHLBI, allows for changes while providing a rigorous framework that ensures steady progress.

Criterion 2. Signal processing software experience (40 points)

The purpose of the ISMRMRD and Gadgetron projects is to provide pipelines for raw data signal processing. While it is not required for the contractor to be an MRI reconstruction expert, it is critically important that the contractor team has a deep understanding of signal processing and the numerical libraries (BLAS, LAPACK, etc.) that are used for such software. Significant portions of the code are written for the GPU (CUDA) and weight will be given to proposals that include a team with expertise in implementation of optimization code in both regular C++ and C++ for the GPU (e.g., CUDA).

Criterion 3. Past performance and proposed personnel (20 points)

The proposal will also be evaluated based on the contractors past performance on projects that implement scientific algorithms in general and image reconstruction and/or post processing in particular. The contractor is expected to list examples of experience in this area including the experience of proposed key personnel.

(ix) FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items, is applicable. An offeror shall complete only paragraphs (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certificates electronically via http://www.acquisition.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the System for Award Management (SAM) website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (p) of this provision.

(x) FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(xi) FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Including the following clauses and Prohibitions:

i. 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation
ii. 52.233-3, Protest After Award
iii. 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim
iv. 52.222-3, Convict Labor
v. 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities
vi. 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity
vii. 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities
viii. 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons
ix. 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases
x. 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management
xi. 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving
xii. 52.244-6, Subcontracts for Commercial Items
xiii. 52.2232-39, Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations

(xii) All responses must be received by January 11, 2017 at 12:00 PM and must reference number NHLBI-CSB-HL-2017-013-JML. Responses may be submitted electronically to john.lear@nih.gov or by U.S. mail to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisitions, COAC Services Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 6151, Bethesda, MD 20892-7902, Attention: Jonathan M. Lear. Phone: 301-827-7716.