The Virology & Emerging Infections Department of the U.S. Naval Medical and Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6) is seeking to purchase laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables to perform genome characterization using next-generation sequencing (NGS) using either MiSeq or MiniSeq Illumina platform. Specifically, requirement involves reagents for full genome sequencing of several viruses mainly influenza A, SARS-CoV-2, Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika. Two approaches are used, targeted and random amplification to obtain whole genome for SNPs analysis, lineage identification, genotyping and for pathogen discovery in respiratory and serum samples collected in our surveillance protocols.

Some of our NGS protocols use library kits for library preparation and quantification. These reagents have been previously validated by NMRC-BDRD. The library kit will mainly be used for SARS-Cov-2 whole genome sequencing following NMRC-BDRD protocol. NMRC-BDRD already tested the kits with Illumina sequencers. Since these kits prove to perform up to standard, all reagents used must remain the same as the ones specified in the SOPs; otherwise, the design and validation of these processes would have to be reinitiated from scratch, which would delay all processing and the timely diagnosis of relevant viral pathogens.

The dry bath heater will be used to heat up tubes and extract RNA from serum or swab samples, whereas the non-refrigerated microcentrifuge will be used to extract RNA from serum or swab samples using purification means.

Acrylic towel dispensers and towelettes will ease daily work in the lab.

Timers will be used to control time of processes executed in the lab. Material will replace older ones that will soon be disposed of.

NAMRU-6 will require items purchased to be shipped to Callao, Peru, following the reagent specific cold-chain requirements (dry ice, refrigeration or room temperature) as soon as award is signed.

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