9 January 1998
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html

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[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]

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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.

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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:
    <bullet> Improve portability to other operating system
environments.
    <bullet> Provide interactivity with a variety of database
structures.
    <bullet> Design and implement functions for data cleaning.
    <bullet> Identify target concepts for machine learning.
    <bullet> Expand and improve user interfaces.
    <bullet> Design and execute all components of a commercial COEV
product.
    <bullet> 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
