BPHL SFY25 Genomics Consultation & Contract Support for Bioinformatics RFP

The Ohio Department of Health Laboratory (ODHL) is currently utilizing a computational infrastructure for bioinformatics (application of computational and analysis tools to interpret biological data) supported by the Bioinformatic Regional Resource (BRR - Wisconsin State Laboratory. This infrastructure was set up in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and was only meant as a short-term solution. There are significant limitations and challenges with this infrastructure that impede ODH’s ability to efficiently conduct analysis and develop new analytical workflows.   These limitations manifest in several critical areas:   Limited Resources: The current infrastructure relies on an AWS cloud-based system (EC2 instance) which has limited resources in terms of both computing power and storage. This limits ODHL’s capacity to analyze sequence data from multiple projects concurrently, meaning that analysis must be executed in small batches, and compiled. This significantly extends the delivery times of analysis, by 5-10X, depending on the analytical process that is performed. Lack of Scalable Resource Allocation: ODHL lacks autonomy over resource allocation in the current model, preventing any increase of resources (computing and memory) to meet evolving project demands. Without the ability to scale resources, the department's capacity for handling larger datasets or expanding the scope of analyses is severely constrained. Dependency on Outside Partner: Updates to the infrastructure are managed by the BRR, necessitating coordination for downtimes which may not be at the most opportune times. This coordination and collaboration cause delays in production work and has caused complete system failures. Lack of Development Space. The current infrastructure lacks a dedicated environment for the development of new projects, thereby necessitating downtime from production work. This further exacerbates delays of deliverables (i.e. outbreak reports for program epidemiologists) and hinders the department's agility in implementing new initiatives quickly. It is also a burden as new features and upgrades are tested in the production environment, increasing the risk for system failures and the need to rollback production systems. Lack of Task Management System. ODHL has produced sustainable, flexible, analytical workflows which can utilize adaptive resource allocations. In addition to the critical resource deficiencies, the lack of a job scheduler or management system means that these pipelines are also under-utilizing their available features. With the addition of a task management system, multiple pipelines (i.e. SARS-CoV-2 & ARLN priority pathogens (Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales, including at least Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella, Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), and Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB)) could be deployed simultaneously, decreasing delivery times and increasing the ability to perform complex work. Reliance on Subject-Matter-Expert for Routine Tasks. The limitations on the current infrastructure prohibit other trained scientists (i.e. ODH laboratory scientists) from deploying regular analysis, requiring the SME to perform all analysis, limiting the time spent on more complex tasks. Implementing a guide-user-interface would allow for the SME to spend more time generating new reports or creating new analytical workflows in a more expedient timeframe. Addressing these infrastructure challenges is imperative for ODHL to fulfill its mission effectively and efficiently. By investing in a dedicated infrastructure solution, ODHL can enhance its analytical capabilities, foster innovation, and ultimately advance its mission of promoting public health and well-being. To ensure bioinformatics abilities are available within Ohio, ODHL has sought industry leaders, who are able to provide this subject-matter-expertise (SME), as well as provide the needed infrastructure for analysis. Offeror can provide a robust, flexible bioinformatic infrastructure containing large scalable computational capabilities (compute and data storage for an estimated 10,000 analyses of pathogen genomes) to immediately improve the limitations inherent to the two structures currently in use. This infrastructure will decrease turn-around times, enable new analytical frameworks to be developed, and improve current analysis by increasing the complexity of analysis performed. ODHL is committed to enhancing capacity for sequencing and bioinformatics for emerging infectious diseases and priority conditions of public health significance. The offeror should provide access to a computing environment which is a vital resource for genomic sequencing and is crucial to the continued analysis and support provided by the public health laboratory to ODH. This is a single source purchase request. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - approved the use of these grant funds for third party consultation and contract support from Offeror.