Emory DMAP Software Support for NCI

The National Institutes of Health, through its National Cancer Institute’s Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, is procuring ongoing software support services from Emory University to maintain and enhance the Digital Slide Archive (DSA) system, which has been customized to integrate with the NCI HALO digital image management platform. This effort supports the de-identification of large collections of whole slide images containing protected health information, enabling secure research collaboration while ensuring compliance with federal privacy standards. The contract, issued as a sole-source action under FAR 6.302-1 due to Emory’s unique role as the original developer of DSA, is a firm fixed-price arrangement with a base period from May 28, 2026 to May 27, 2027 and two one-year options extending through May 27, 2029. Deliverables include ongoing optimization of bulk de-identification workflows, expansion of file type support, maintenance of system integration with HALO, and responsive technical support during business hours, with performance measured by system reliability and efficiency in processing over 500,000 image files. Work may be performed remotely, but the primary place of performance is Bethesda, Maryland, where the NCI’s infrastructure resides. The acquisition follows FAR Part 12 commercial item procedures, requiring compliance with specific clauses related to representations, telecommunications equipment restrictions, and commercial item contracting, while no physical packaging, marking, or inspection standards are applicable due to the purely digital nature of the deliverables. Offerors must submit a complete technical and price quote via email, including their Unique Entity Identifier, Taxpayer Identification Number, and certification of business size under NAICS code 541519, with no page or format restrictions specified. All submissions must be received by May 20, 2026, to the designated point of contact at the NIH Office of Acquisitions, with award anticipated shortly after. Although exact pricing and funding mechanisms are not disclosed, the contract operates under HHS agency codes and supports critical biomedical research functions requiring uninterrupted availability, secure data handling, and seamless interoperability across national research networks.