D -- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Notice Date

August 29, 2000

Adminstrative Office

National Library of Medicine, Office of Acquisitions Management, Building 38A, Room B1N17, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20894

ZIP Code

20894

Solicitation Number

NLM 00-190/KDR

Response Due

September 8, 2000

Point of Contact

Karen D. Riggs, Contracting Officer, (301) 496-6546

E-Mail Address

RN Solutions (karen_riggs@nlm.nih.gov)

Description

It is the intent of the National Library of Medicine to negotiate for the National Institutes of Health, Office of Extramural Research (OER), on a sole source basis with RN Solutions, Highland, Maryland, to provide expert technical software development services in the update of the NIH Extramural Research Administration (ERA) System. Under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements, the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source. The ERA (IMPAC II) architecture is based on client/server and Web-enabled models using Unix-based servers to host two databases -- one for On-Line Transaction Processes (OLTP) and the other for Decisions Support Systems (DSS). This requirement is fulfilled using an ORACLE8 database that is distributed locally to individual ICD LANs through ORACLE8's distributed option and its replication technology. The system can accommodate up to 250 concurrent users at the central server and more than 3,000 users system wide. The front-end system (user interface) is developed as a graphical user interface (GUI) supported by the highly popular Windows environment. The IMPAC II system maintains large-scale grants information system that supports NIH in its mission to advance biomedical research in an effort to solve our Nations health problems. With an 1999 annual budget of nearly $11 billion for extramural research ( i.e., research conducted by medical schools, hospitals, research foundations, and similar organizations). NIH serves as the worlds premier organization that sponsors biomedical research. The IMPAC/CRISP system is a large-scale, mission critical grants tracking/scientific/financial database management system that is written in COBOL with information stored in IBMs VSAM data sets that reside on NIHs IBM MVS operating environment that is managed by the Center for Information Technology (CIT). The magnitude of IMPAC/CRISP is based on approximately 1,500,000 lines of code. IMPAC/CRISP is one of the largest application systems at NIH supporting the needs of virtually all ICDs and involving hundreds of end users. IMPAC/CRISP provides vast amounts of budgetary and research-related information that supports both intramural and extramural research. The system design includes the use of ORACLE RDBMS products including ORACLE8 for structured data and Context for textual data retrieval and manipulation. The system design approach includes the use of Designer/Developer 2000 (ORACLE*CASE tool) for design and application development which is based on GUI applications developed for the Windows environment. Additional design considerations include the use of declarative referential integrity and data base triggers for maintaining data quality and control at all server platforms. The ERA System, IMPAC II and the Commons, is being updated to current technology standards. OER is seeking the assistance from an individual with an expert understanding of the operations of the ERA System. OER requires the technical software development specialist for a period of six months. Specifically, the vendor will assist in the update of the ERA System in the following areas: (1) Internet/Intranet application Server Management; (2) Network Management; (3) Client/Server Application configuration; and (4) System Operations. RN Solutions staff is uniquely qualified in their knowledge in WindowsNT, Novel, and Unix Administration; Windows desktop administration; software and hardware configuration management, client server and Web-based software application distribution via the Web; and Leading edge technology infusion. RN Solutions is the only known source capable of providing assistance in updating the ERA System, IMPAC II and Commons. RN Solutions assisted in the development of the IMPAC II and Commons section of the system. This company has three year of experience on the ERA Project. RN Solutions Senior Systems Engineer, Mr. Somwaru has vast knowledge and experience in all aspects of the IMPAC II and Commons Systems, including the organization, the staff, the business requirements, and the technology and functionality of the commercially available solution package. RN Solutions is an experienced in systems designer and implementation experts. OER has determined that RN Solutions is the only source with the unique combination of required expertise and experience that can successfully complete the requirements listed above. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations, nor is a Request for Quotations available, however, all quotations received within 15 days after the date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by NIH. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Questions concerning this acquisition may be directed to Karen D. Riggs at 301-496-6546.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20000831/DSOL005.HTM (W-242 SN491352)