Push to Upgrade Research Facility
August 26, 2005
August 26, 2005 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is pushing to upgrade the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC).
The two departments have started the planning for a new facility, a Biological and Ago-Defense Facility (NBAF), to replace the one on Plum Island. The new center will conduct crucial research to safeguard the U.S. food supply from disease and bio-terrorism.
The PIADC performs extremely valuable work, however, the facility is more than 50-years-old and is now outdated and unable to meet today's high tech research standards. It lacks sufficient laboratory and test space to support the increased levels of research and development needed to meet the growing concerns about accidental or intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases.
DHS and USDA will publish a request for proposal (RFP) for conceptual designs for NBAF in the coming weeks. The scope, size and location of the new facility will be substantially influenced by the ideas and proposals that the agencies receive during the RFP process.
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