Retinal Image Services for NHANES

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Acquisition Services is seeking a contractor to provide retinal image reading services for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The solicitation requires the selected vendor to evaluate fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images for approximately 2,200 participants annually, focusing on individuals aged 45 and over, plus those aged 18-44 with diabetes. Key contract requirements include developing grading protocols, reviewing image quality, evaluating retinal features and abnormalities, and providing comprehensive reports within 20 days of image receipt. The evaluation will be based on technical approach, facilities/equipment, similar experience, and price, with technical factors being significantly more important than pricing. Potential bidders must submit technical quotes by December 11, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET, with questions due by November 27, 2024, at 4 p.m. ET.

The contract is not set aside for any specific category of business and is structured as an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) agreement with a one-year base period from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, followed by three one-year option periods and a six-month close-out period. The minimum contract guarantee is $10,000 for the first 12 months, with the contract falling under NAICS code 621512 and a size standard of $19 million in annual revenue. Contractors must access and analyze images through a secure enclave provided by the CDC's data collection contractor (RTI) and have experienced graders supervised by an ophthalmologist. The place of performance is located in Chillum, Maryland, and the contract will involve detailed medical imaging analysis for critical public health research. Potential bidders should be prepared to handle sensitive medical data and demonstrate expertise in retinal image evaluation and diagnostic imaging.