AFWERX Selects Othram for SBIR Phase II Contract to Advance Forensic Intelligence Through Forensic DNA Sequencing
Othram, the leading forensic sequencing laboratory for law enforcement, has been selected by AFWERX for a $1.25 million SBIR Phase II contract focused on advancing forensic DNA sequencing technology to address pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business, and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded.
As of May 24, 2024, Othram’s research and development team is now working to refine innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America. Othram’s Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® technology will be leveraged to accelerate DNA-assisted identifications of missing U.S. service members and other unidentified persons. This includes identifying human remains by the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Accounting Agency (DPAA) and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) and assisting AFMES with AFOSI cold cases.
Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® has been instrumental in solving numerous active and cold cases for local, state, and federal agencies across the United States and internationally. More forensic genetic genealogy cases have been solved with Othram FGGS® than any other method.
Note: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com .
About Othram Inc.
Othram is an identity inference infrastructure company that converts biological and investigative uncertainty into legally defensible identity, at scale. Othram is built as a vertically integrated system spanning forensic genomics, genetic genealogy, evidentiary reasoning, and operational workflows, intentionally designed to function as a single inference pipeline under scientific, legal, and operational constraints.
In the United States, Othram works with federal partners and law enforcement agencies in nearly every state and supports investigations internationally at both local and national levels. Othram’s infrastructure connects to the world’s largest database consented for forensic genetic genealogy matching and is purpose-built to deliver reliable identity outcomes where certainty matters most.
Learn more at www.othram.com.
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