Agnostic Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) for Clinical Diagnostics

The U.S. Army is seeking information on the development of a field-forward, threat-agnostic metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) capability for rapid identification of infectious disease agents. The system should be portable, ruggedized, and easy to use, with a fully automated "sample-to-answer" workflow. The system should also have advanced bioinformatics and clinical decision support capabilities. The Army is looking for mature candidates with a clear regulatory strategy for achieving FDA authorization. • The system should be able to detect a wide range of pathogens, including viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic agents. • The system should be able to operate in a variety of environments, including field hospitals, military vessels, and remote operations. • The system should have a user-friendly interface and be able to provide clinically relevant and actionable results. • The system should meet FDA requirements for a regulated clinical diagnostic device.