9 January 1998 Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [Federal Register: January 8, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 5)] [Notices] [Page 1116-1117] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr08ja98-58] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS) National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Library of Medicine (NLM); Opportunity for a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement for Development and Commercialization of Computer Software for Data Mining, Data Warehousing and Data Visualization AGENCY: Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications, NLM, NIH, DHHS. ACTION: Advertisement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC), an R&D division of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), seeks a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with a commercial software developer experienced in developing and marketing sophisticated information systems products. A collaborator is sought with an established presence in the field of statistical or machine learning technology-based information systems for management of medical practice, medical administration, drug design, fraud detection, criminal investigation, market analysis or other high volume applications which utilize large, complex data bases. Firms interested in collaborating on new approaches to data mining, data visualization and data warehousing are particularly encouraged to inquire. The collaborator must have experience developing cutting-edge computer-based technology into commercial software application products. A record of success in software development, marketing, installation and support is required. The term of the CRADA will be up to five (5) years. DATES: Interested parties should notify this office in writing of their interest in filing a formal proposal no later than ninety (90) days from the date of this announcement, and then will have an additional thirty (30) days to submit a formal proposal. ADDRESSES: Inquiries and proposals regarding this opportunity should be addressed to Irma Robins, M.B.A., J.D. Phone (301) 435-3104, FAX (301) 402-2117, Technology Development and Commercialization Branch, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Blvd., Suite 450, Rockville, MD 20852. Inquiries regarding obtaining patent license(s) needed for participation in the CRADA opportunity may be addressed to John Fahner- Vihtelic, Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Blvd., Suite 325, Rockville, MD 20852, Phone (301) 496- 7735 (ext. 285); FAX: (301) 402-0220. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A CRADA is the anticipated joint agreement to be entered into by LHNCBC pursuant to the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 as amended by the National Technology Transfer Act (Pub. L. 104-113 (Mar. 7, 1996)) and by Executive Order 12591 of April 10, 1987. The Computer Science Branch, LHNCBC, NLM, has developed COEV, a unique prototype of an advanced framework for multidimensional data mining and analysis. COEV synergistically combines different methods of statistical analysis, neural networks, decision trees and genetic algorithms to the resolution of data queries. COEV automatically determines the optimal methods and data representations to apply at each step of inquiry and, as a result, can provide outcomes that are significantly more accurate than can be achieved by use of any one methodology alone. COEV uses an evolutionary learning technology to improve predictive outcomes with continued use. COEV is designed to advance the accuracy, flexibility, speed and ease of use of advanced data analysis technologies. COEV is the subject of pending United States and foreign patent applications filed by the Government. COEV requires further R&D and testing to make it a practical system for widespread use. LHNCBC, NLM seeks a CRADA to leverage the capabilities of the technical experts at LHNCBC, NLM and the expertise and resources of a private sector collaborator in order to enhance the prototype's reliability, efficiency and ease of use, and thereby to make it a successful commercial product. Under a CRADA, the LHNCBC, NLM can offer a selected collaborator access to designs, prototypes and technical expertise. The collaborator may contribute designs, prototypes, data, technical expertise, personnel, services and property. The collaborator has the option of contributing funding to the collaboration. The LHNCBC cannot contribute funding. The CRADA partner may elect an option to an exclusive or non-exclusive license to Government intellectual property rights arising under the agreement and may qualify as a co-inventor of new technology developed under the CRADA. COEV currently runs in a UNIX operating system environment. It is written in common LISP and utilizes a [[Page 1117]] web http user interface. COEV interfaces with flat data file databases. Under the present proposal, the goal of the CRADA will be: Improve portability to other operating system environments. Provide interactivity with a variety of database structures. Design and implement functions for data cleaning. Identify target concepts for machine learning. Expand and improve user interfaces. Design and execute all components of a commercial COEV product. Prepare and execute COEV marketing plan. Party Contributions The role of the LHNCBC in the collaboration will include: (1) Provide Collaborator with the COEV prototype system design and code and with all available information necessary for further development of the COEV system. (2) Provide COEV developer expertise and LHNCBC, NLM expertise in advanced machine learning systems engineering and in computer applications to chemical informatics, molecular biology and pharmaceutical chemistry. (3) Provide ongoing input to and evaluation of collaborator project designs and work product. The role of the Collaborator in the collaboration will include: (1) Provide expertise, staff, work space, equipment and materials for COEV product development tasks to include project management, design, coding, technical and user testing and technical and user documentation development. (2) Provide expertise, staff, work space, equipment and materials for COEV product marketing tasks to include marketing management, market analysis, product design advice, product packaging, promotion and sales, distribution and technical and user client support. (3) Provide funding, if and as necessary, for COEV product development and COEV marketing tasks as described above. Selection Criteria Proposals submitted for consideration should address each of the following qualifications. (1) Expertise A. Demonstrated expertise in translating highly sophisticated statistical or machine learning technology prototypes into successful commercial products. B. Demonstrated expertise in data mining, data warehousing and data visualization technology, preferably as related to the fields of biomedical science, medical care or public health. C. Demonstrated intellectual abilities; able to understand and transform cutting-edge computer-based technology into commercial applications. D. Demonstrated expertise in project design, project management and development of successful commercial software products. E. Demonstrated ability to market sophisticated software products in national and international markets. F. Demonstrated expertise and established resources for serving and supporting a substantial national and international client base. (2) Reputation The successful Collaborator must be recognized in the software industry for: A. Producing, marketing and supporting software for data mining, data warehousing, data visualization or related applications; B. High levels of satisfaction among end-users and client technical support staffs for both product performance and product support; C; Success in the marketplace with an established range of successful software products and services. (3) Physical Resources A. Established headquarters with sufficient offices, space and equipment to support a level of effort as defined in the CRADA with LHNCBC. B. Ability to communicate and collaborate by telephone, mail, e- mail, Internet, and other evolving technologies. C. Sufficient financial and technical resources to support a level of effort as defined in the CRADA with LHNCBC. Dated: December 23, 1997. Kathleen Sybert, Acting Director, Office of Technology Development, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. [FR Doc. 98-460 Filed 1-7-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140-01-M