Enhancement of Zoonotic Disease Outbreak Detection in Lao PDR

Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract to the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) for Enhancement of Zoonotic Disease Outbreak Detection in Lao PDR. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) intends to negotiate and award a sole source contract to MORU, a laboratory at Mahidol University in Thailand, to support and enhance fundamental zoonotic diagnostic capabilities at the local level. DTRA will provide for training of relevant staff at the National Animal Health Laboratory (NAHL) and animal health sector in sampling, sample handling, diagnostic procedures and field/laboratory biosafety. The implementer for this work must have existing relationships and access to animal health laboratories and have Lao PDR government approval to conduct training in Lao PDR, in particular in the National Animal Health Laboratory and provincial animal health laboratories. The implementer must also have demonstrated experience and expertise conducting diagnostics and biosafety training and subject matter expertise support in Lao PDR. MORU has provided critical training in animal health diagnostics at local, provincial and national levels in Lao PDR in close partnership with the NAHL for over five years. MORU is approved to work within the key organizations which DTRA will engage with during its support of this effort. MORU has a demonstrated track record of success and expertise regarding zoonotic pathogen diagnostics and animal health biosafety in Lao PDR and is recognized as subject matter experts in Lao PDR.