The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has announced intentions to award a sole source contract with Oxford University in support of Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP) efforts to strengthen biosurveillance capabilities in Thailand and Cambodia.
Oxford is acting in Trust with Mahidol University in Thailand as the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), a collaboration established in 1979.
The purpose of this contract is to provide equipment to two laboratories within Thailand and one located in Cambodia. These include the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH) in Thailand, and the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) in Cambodia. This contract will also include training and mentoring of Cambodian staff and technicians in biosafety and biosafety cabinet certification.
“The enhanced capability of Thailand to detect, track, and share information on, pathogens with economic and security implications, such as anthrax and avian influenza, will directly benefit the United States,” explains the announcement. “This project will also focus on strengthening Cambodia laboratory capacity in biosafety through training of staff and mentoring of technicians.”
The estimated value of the contact is $603,000 for an 18-month performance period.
