The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, (NCHS) intends to issue a solicitation for the grading of digital retinal images taken of participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The purpose of the grading is to detect signs of age-related maculopathy, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases and to quantitate cup to disc ratio. The data collected from these gradings will be analyzed together with other data from the NHANES. Single awards may result from this solicitation, with fixed-price contract(s). The first period of performance is for one year with four 1-year options. All image grading must be comparable throughout the survey with the same grading center and grading methods used. Photographs are evaluated using custom written software (an image processing database for storage, retrieval and manipulation of digital images). The reading center should have already developed and implemented a reliable digital capture and grading of images for age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal central and branch vein occlusions, macular holes, cup-to-disc measurements, and other retinal pathology. The center should demonstrate experience in grading fundus photographs from multicentered clinical trials, population-based studies that have developed a standard grading system and definition of diseases. Gradings must be supplied in machine-readable format no later than three (3) weeks after receipt of the digital images. The contractor must have at least 24 months continuous experience in conducting gradings of digital images. It is anticipated that 1,500 participants (9,000 images) will be tested per year. Offerors must have a well-established quality assurance program. Solicitation 2004-N-01170 will be available on or about April 12, 2004 and proposals due by May 14, 2004. Written requests for the solicitation documents may be sent to the above address, faxed to (412) 386-6429, or sent via e-mail to [email protected]. No telephone requests will be accepted. Solicitation documents will also be available at www.eps.gov.

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