The U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6) is looking for a public academic institution in Honduras with a large trajectory of research in infectious and tropical diseases, mainly in viruses for a collaborative research effort to execute in Tegucigalpa-Honduras the study entitled: "Characterization of the infectious causes of acute febrile and/or exanthematous illness in Latin America". This study is aimed at determining the etiology of febrile and/or exanthematous disease syndromes in a variety of countries throughout Latin America. This acquisition requires the research project to carry out coordination and obtainment of study authorization from local health facilities to perform the study in Honduras; obtainment of local IRB approval; recruitment and training of personnel for performing the study; screening of at least 400 potential study participants per year; performing the informed consent process as described in the protocol; collecting study approved information and biological samples (oropharyngeal swabs, total blood and serum); labeling and keeping of samples in adequate cold-chain conditions to preserve viruses; maintenance of all forms with identifiers in a locked office; perform molecular tests (real-time RT-PCR and BioFire FilmArray system), preparation of biological samples for shipments to NAMRU-6 in adequate cold-chain conditions; delivery to NAMRU-6 of all samples collected as part of the study, consent/assent documents, and all epidemiological forms; reporting laboratory results provided by NAMRU-6 to local health authorities. All activities must be carried out with the utmost adherence to all ethical and quality control standards, in order to minimize risk of performance slips and maintain compliance with appropriation of funds and expectations of the sponsor. The contract will have a performance period of 1 year, effective from the date of signatures.

It is the intent of NAMRU-6 to award this requirement to Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH) the largest and highest ranked university in Honduras, UNAH is the only academic institution able to meet our research needs in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. UNAH has a large trajectory of research in infectious and tropical diseases, mainly in viruses. This institution has a Virology Laboratory well-recognized at a national and international level. Over the last 11 years of collaborative work with NAMRU-6, UNAH has shown high professional standards, and produced only impeccable research works, and accrued the necessary level of experience in how to successfully run the multiple activities that comprise the study.

All capability statements received by the due date will be considered by the Government. A request for documentation, additional information or submissions that only ask questions will not be considered as an affirmative response. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source contract.
Capability statements are due by 12:00 pm local time, 03 July 2019. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following address: [email protected]. Please use subject line "VEID190476".

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