ISO: National Cancer Institute looks for cloud technology

The National Cancer Institute is seeking cloud-based storage and server computing systems to accelerate the delivery of new technologies and treatments for patients with cancer and AIDS.

The computing systems will support operations in the new Advanced Technology Research Facility (ATRF) in Frederick, Md. SAIC-Frederick, a wholly owned subsidiary of Science Applications International Corp., runs NCI-Frederick’s laboratories under a 10-year, $5.2 billion contract awarded by the Health and Human Services Department.

SAIC-Frederick is seeking information from qualified vendors to provide computer systems for ATRF, which consists of an initial 2,500 to 3,000 square foot data center that can be expanded.

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The systems will support databases, dedicated services, high-performance computing, virtualization and bio-informatics, according to the request for information posted today on FedBizOpps.gov. Responses are due by 3 p.m. Aug. 2.

The computer facility must be capable of supporting a private cloud computing environment and integrate with systems located on the main campus of Fort Detrick, a U.S. Army installation also located in Frederick.

The storage system must support high-performance, low-capacity input/output, medium-performance high-capacity input/output, backup and archival services. The storage systems primarily will be composed of multicore blades with redundant power supplies, according to the RFP.

Drives for the storage systems can be a mixture of Fiber, Random Access Memory Cache, Serial Advanced Technology Attached and Solid State Drives supporting both Network File System (NFS) and Common Internet File System (CIFS).

Automated two-way data migration among storage tiers is mandatory. Plus, all interconnects should be based on a minimum of 10 Gigabit Ethernet, fiber channel or possibly fiber channel over Ethernet.

Server technology should consist of high-density blades, spread across multiple chassis.

The requested computer and storage information has been combined in one RFI to ensure seamless interoperability between the computers and storage.

Additionally, the systems should meet defined standards for Defense Contract Audit Agency, Federal Information Security Management Act, Section 508, SAS 70 and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.