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Center for Biomedical Informatics (CBI)

The Center for Biomedical Informatics (CBI) directs and implements a broad range of business, research, and clinical informatics programs in support of the biomedical research mission of the NHLBI. The CBI articulates the NHLBI information technology (IT) strategic plan, forecasts future needs, sets and implements NHLBI IT policies and procedures. It provides the technical infrastructure to address complex and computationally-intense modeling and analysis in the areas of bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, and imaging.

The CBI defines and executes IT management methodologies which encompass strategic planning, complex organizational structures, technical project management, as well as business process modeling and re-engineering. It plans, monitors, and enforces information and systems security. It engineers and oversees the operation of the NHLBI IT and data infrastructures -- including software, servers, storage, networks, databases, websites, computing and mobile devices.

The CBI develops and manages the NHLBI Enterprise Architecture - including business, information, and technical specifications. It manages IT acquisitions and the associated budget for the Institute, including the Capital Planning and Investment Control process for all NHLBI IT investments. It guides and supports NHLBI administrative, scientific staff in the development and effective use of IT applications. The CBI studies, evaluates and tests new technologies, hardware, software, and information systems.


Office of the Director

The Office of the Director (OD) provides oversight and management of the CBI, including strategic alignment with the priorities of the NHLBI, leadership and guidance to the CBI Branches and Sections, and Center-wide resource and space management. It communicates and promotes the goals, needs, and achievements of the NHLBI in the areas of information management and technology to: the NIH and its institutes; HHS and other Government agencies; and outside vendors and partners.

The OD reviews the IT component of all RFAs and RFPs issued by the NHLBI and provides clearance for such. It works with officials during the execution of grants and contracts with significant IT components to evaluate the appropriateness of the investment and to ensure adherence with NHLBI IT guidelines and policies. Through the Information Systems Security Officer, the OD provides systems security administration and management including: defining standards; implementing and monitoring information systems security measures; and enforcing all OMB, HHS, NIH, and NHLBI IT security guidelines and policies.


Infrastructure Engineering Branch

The Infrastructure Engineering Branch (IEB) specifies, acquires, configures, and maintains the physical components of the NHLBI IT network.

The IEB defines the operational principles and procedures in all matters that pertain to the storage, delivery, and safeguarding of business data available over the information network and develops and maintains technology standards related to commodity IT operations. This includes service delivery processes, desktops, servers, mobile devices, and other network infrastructure items. The IEB develops and tests new data delivery technologies and paradigms such as distributed computing, virtualization, data compression, and secure communications.


Software Engineering Branch

The Software Engineering Branch (SEB) conceives and develops state-of-the-art custom software, databases, and Web-based applications addressing the business and scientific needs of the NHLBI. It maintains and improves IT applications based on formal evaluations and user experience in response to evolving development methods and technologies. The SEB sets the technical frameworks and programming languages supported at the NHLBI. It manages the NHLBI Digital Governance framework, implements policies set by the Web Policy Council, and ensures that the NHLBI Web properties and technologies remain in compliance with all applicable federal regulations. It assesses new projects for opportunities to improve business processes, reduce data and system redundancy, create reusable information services, and establish business performance metrics.

The SEB defines and applies the methods and tools used to ensure that software product development adheres to process, performance, and quality standards, as well as those used to control the cost and schedule of software development projects, including the HHS Enterprise Performance Life Cycle (EPLC), the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), and the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOKĀ® Guide).

Please send inquiries to the NHLBI Web Manager by emailing webmanager@nhlbi.nih.gov.


Operations and Performance Management Branch

The Operations and Performance Management Branch (OPMB) manages all CBI-wide regulatory, administrative and financial functions. It ensures that all accountable IT property procurement follows the established review and approval processes, and that IT property is accurately recorded and tracked in a central inventory system.

The OPMB plans, schedules, and manages the acquisition and deployment of hardware throughout the NHLBI; it provides supervision and guidance for the CBI administrative assistant staff; and sets best practices and expectations.

The OPMB manages the CBI office space the CBI budget execution, the operations of the NHLBI CPIC governance board (the IT Investment Review Board), and issues performance reports on all qualified IT investments to NIH and HHS. It develops standard operating procedures, tracks key CBI performance metrics, and translates metrics into actionable recommendations to improve the operational efficiency of the CBI.


Customer Support Branch

The Customer Support Branch (CSB) configures, installs, and troubleshoots all IT devices deployed to the NHLBI user community. By delivering high-quality, customer-oriented technical support, the CSB ensures the optimal operation and usage of NHLBI IT resources.

The CSB manages the operations of the NHLBI IT Help Desk -- including service requests, ticket queue, support for performance metrics and reports, and quality assurance. It delivers education to the NHLBI users in areas such as software applications, security, and new technologies through classroom instruction, one-on-one training, and documentation.


For further information contact:
The Center for Biomedical Informatics
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
ATTN: Web Site Inquiries
One Rockledge Center, Suite 6086
6705 Rockledge Dr. MSC 7994
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7994

Additional phone numbers are available in the Abbreviated Staff Directory



Last Updated July 2012



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