FDA Updates IT Infrastructure

(FDA: Rockville, Maryland) -- In a bid to extensively modernize the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) data management, data warehousing, information technology (IT) infrastructure, and IT security, FDA has awarded 10 contractors a total of $2.5 billion to implement the FDA’s Information Technology for the 21st Century (ICT21) bioinformatics initiative.

“This contract sets the stage for the FDA to have IT to acquire, analyze, and act on data critical for import protection, food protection, and medical product safety plans,” says Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., commissioner of Food and Drugs. “We are creating a high-tech, efficient, data management system designed to meet the needs of those who must accomplish our mission, protecting, and promoting the health of the American public.”

The 10 contractors will compete for data information technology task orders through this contract. The FDA has awarded three task orders under the ICT 21 contract for the design and migration of all systems applications to two new data centers, which will be the cornerstone of the FDA IT infrastructure and bioinformatics modernization for the next decade. The three task orders were awarded to:

All FDA software applications and hosting operations will transition to the new data centers over a two-year period. The resulting enhanced computing power and greater responsiveness will provide the FDA with the tools it needs to ensure that all products reaching the American public are safer and more effective.

For further information, visit www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01893.html.

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