Study entitled “Chagas disease and leishmaniasis surveillance in Antioquia”.

The requirement is for a 12-month base period of performance with an additional 12 month extension. The contractor shall provide services including (but not limited to) project management, ethical and regulatory approval, collection and identification of samples and screening. The contractor shall provide all supplies for sample collection and laboratory testing. NAMRU SOUTH will provide some reagents and supplies for collection and testing depending on funding availability. In addition, the contractor shall provide disease incidence data available from direct sources such as active human subject studies or indirectly from local health authorities. The study sites will be located in: Colombia: • Antioquia state • Other sites as requested by NAMRU SOUTH Monitoring activities will be conducted by NAMRU SOUTH via monthly conference calls and visits to selected field sites during the contract period. Monthly, short reports are expected during the conduction of the study. Performance Requirements: The Offeror is encouraged to propose a labor mix and level of effort based on their technical approach. The contractor shall provide general classes of services including (but not limited to) project management, provision of clinical samples and biological specimens, laboratory testing, shipment of samples, data analysis and reporting. Laboratory molecular testing shall be performed by the contractor in response to NAMRU SOUTH requirements. In addition, the contractor shall provide demographic, clinical and laboratory test results to NAMRU SOUTH. Monitoring activities will be conducted by NAMRU SOUTH and periodical monitoring visits and reports will be coordinated. Frequent communications such as monthly teleconferences are expected during the conduction of the study. FIELD AND LAB ACTIVITIES Entomological component Approvals: Secure all ethical and regulatory approvals required for collecting entomological specimens in Colombia. Sand fly collection: Perform field collections in two different regions of Antioquia: San Luis municipality and Turbo municipality using standard methods (CDC light traps). Secure the collection of approximately 200 sand flies and store them in ethanol. Record field collection data and prepare a database. Triatomine collection: Perform field collections of Triatomine bugs in two different regions of Antioquia: San Luis municipality and Turbo municipality using standard methods (Angulo tramps). Secure the collection of 40-50 triatomine bugs and store them at room temperature in ethanol. Entomological specimen identification: Perform taxonomic identification of at least 50% of specimens collected and preserve specimens for molecular testing. Lab testing: Determine the status of infection with Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi in 80 entomological specimens using molecular methods. Provide DNA aliquots of positive specimens to NAMRU SOUTH if requested. Data sharing: Provide information on field site, entomological specimen numbers recorded, sand fly and triatomine species identified per collection period per site, specimen inventory, and relevant epidemiological data as requested by NAMRU SOUTH Entomology. Animal component Approvals: Secure all ethical and regulatory permits approvals for conducting work with animals and collecting specimens in Colombia. Fieldwork: Perform animal trapping of potential Leishmania spp. reservoirs in Province (El Barcino) located in Campamento municipality and (El Alto del Pollo) Puerto Triunfo municipality. Specimens: Collect a minimum of 20 specimens from potential animal reservoirs, process and preserve them for molecular testing. Lab testing: Determine the status of infection with Leishmania and Trypanosoma spp in twenty specimens of wild mammals using serological or molecular methods. Data sharing: Provide information on collection site up to the district level, clinical and other relevant epidemiological data and laboratory testing results as requested by NAMRU SOUTH Parasitology....