FSS Paraguay

The Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6) is looking for a public or private institution in the country of 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 one Paraguayan site: Mariscal Estigarribia in El Chaco region; obtainment of local IRB approval; recruitment and training of local health personnel for performing the study; screening at least 300 potential study participants per performance period; performing the informed consent process as described in the protocol; collecting all the study approved information and biological samples; 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 errors and maintain compliance with appropriation of funds and expectations of the sponsor. The period of performance is 4 months with an optional two 1-month extensions, effective from the date of contract approval.