Supporting the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Scientific Computing Branch
Contract Vehicle:
NITAAC CIO CS Contract HHSN316201500061W
Delivery Order 75N95021F00001
Total Value 2,688,428.38
Executive Summary
Paragon Micro architected, delivered, and validated a high-performance computing infrastructure for NIH NCATS to support extreme-scale data analytics and translational science research.
The solution provided integrated compute, storage, and networking across physical and cloud environments and was engineered for performance, scalability, and operational efficiency.
Mission Challenge
The Scientific Computing Branch required infrastructure capable of:
• Supporting high-end data analytics
• Enabling extreme scale computing workloads
• Scaling for future therapeutic research demands
• Integrating physical and cloud HPC environments
• Maintaining operational continuity and performance optimization
The environment demanded architectural precision, performance tuning, and disciplined execution.
Technical Approach
Paragon Micro received defined physical, functional, and performance characteristics and delivered a fully integrated HPC solution.
Architecture and Engineering
Our engineering team:
• Designed rack-centric HPC architecture
• Integrated compute, storage, and networking layers
• Optimized airflow, cabling, and serviceability
• Engineered for scalability and long-term operability
The final deliverable was a fully functional and validated HPC rack stack optimized for performance and maintainability.
System Validation and Optimization
Before shipment, Paragon Micro performed:
• Hardware health checks
• BIOS, BMC, and firmware validation
• Flash updates and configuration tuning
• MAC address capture and electronic rack elevation verification
• Performance optimization testing
Every system was validated to reduce on-site integration time and minimize operational disruption.
Project Management and Execution Discipline
A dedicated Project Manager oversaw:
• Delivery Order execution from award through logistics
• Cross-functional coordination
• Budget adherence
• Timeline management
• Regular stakeholder reporting to NIH
Execution remained on time and on budget throughout the lifecycle.
Logistics and White Glove Delivery
All equipment was delivered with white-glove service to the final facility destination.
Certified, factory-trained engineers provided:
• On-site diagnostics
• Remote access validation
• System commissioning support
This ensured seamless deployment and rapid operational readiness.
Results and Impact
• Fully integrated and validated HPC infrastructure
• Optimized rack-centric performance architecture
• Reduced on-site deployment time
• Scalable support for translational science innovation
• On time and on budget delivery under CIO CS
Why This Matters
High-performance computing environments supporting therapeutic research cannot tolerate integration errors or performance instability.
Paragon Micro delivered:
Architectural certainty
Performance optimization
Execution discipline
Operational readiness