Characterization of the infectious causes of acute febrile and exanthematous illness in Latin America
The Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6) is looking for a public or private academic institution in the city of Asunción, Paraguay with a large trajectory of research in infectious and tropical diseases, mainly in viruses for a collaborative research effort to execute in Paraguay the study entitled: "Characterization of the infectious causes of acute febrile and exanthematous illness in Latin America". This study is aimed at determining the etiology of febrile disease syndromes in a number of countries throughout Latin America including Paraguay. This acquisition requires carrying out coordination and obtainment of study authorization from local health facilities to perform the study in two Paraguayan sites: Hospital General Barrio Obrero in Asunción and Hospital Regional de Mariscal Estigarribia in Boquerón; obtainment of local IRB approval; recruitment and training of local health personnel for performing the study; screening at least 300 potential study participants per year per site; performing the informed consent process as described in the protocol; collecting all the 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 inside the site; preparation of biological samples for shipments to NAMRU-6 in adequate cold-chain conditions; shipment of samples in proper cold-chain conditions to NAMRU-6; 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 standards, in order to minimize risk of performance slips and maintain compliance with appropriation of funds and expectations of the sponsor. The period of performance is 1 year, effective from the date of contract approval.
If capable sources are not identified through this notice, then NAMRU 6 intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of 13.106-1(b)(i) to Non-Government Organization: "Rayos de Sol", located in Asunción, Paraguay.
This pre-solicitation is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for the requirement. Sources interested in responding to this notice are required to submit a capability statement that includes management and technical data and cost information, in sufficient detail and with convincing evidence that clearly demonstrates the capability to perform the required work. Capability statements shall not exceed 5 (8.5 x 11 inch) pages using a font size no smaller than 10-point. All capability statements received by the due date of this notice will be considered by the Government. A request for documentation or 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, 30 June 2017. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail only as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following address: genaro.m.vasquez.fn@@mail.mil. Please use subject line "N44852VEI170039"
Genaro M Vasquez, Email genaro.m.vasquez.fn@mail.mil
