Bioinformatics and Epigenetic Model Development

The contract involves the development of machine learning models, specifically elastic net regression, to predict the age of fish based on methylation data. This predictive modeling effort requires validation using otolith aging techniques to ensure accuracy and reliability. Deliverables include the complete codebase for the models, detailed reports outlining the methodology and findings, and comprehensive performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of the developed models. Issued by the Department of Commerce's NOAA office, the subcontract has a submission deadline set for early June 2026 and is categorized under NAICS code 541690, which pertains to scientific research and development services. The work is to be performed in Woods Hole, reflecting a focus on marine biology or related fields, with the intent of enhancing bioinformatics and epigenetic tools for fisheries science. The contract supports advances in understanding fish age determination through innovative data-driven approaches.