The AFWERX arm of the Air Force Research Laboratory recently awarded a $1.25 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract to Othram for advancements to forensic DNA sequencing technology.
Othram is a forensic sequencing lab for law enforcement. As of this May, it began refining new means to accelerate DNA-assisted identifications of missing U.S. service members and other unidentified human remains, actively aiding the resolution of cold cases, missing person cases and more through its forensic-grade genome sequencing technology.
To date, the technology has been utilized in some active and cold cases at local, state and federal levels, and the company claimed its methods have solved more genetic genealogy cases than any other method.
This latest effort will place Othram under the watchful eye of the Department of the Air Force. It followed attempts by the Air Force to speed up the small business experience since 2018 through faster proposal to award timelines, expanded opportunities and reduction of bureaucratic necessities.