[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1116-1117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-460]


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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:
     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