The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Division (DHS S&T) has issued a Request for Information on sources capable of providing technical and veterinary support to the Chemical and Biological Defense science mission at Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC).
The technical support will include assisting in the development of foreign animal disease (FAD) vaccines and countermeasures as well as diagnostic development coordination accompanying new countermeasure development. The veterinary support requirements include animal vaccinations, inoculations, and the maintenance, auditing, and verification of Select Agent inventories at PIADC.
PIADC currently provides the only U.S. research and confirmatory diagnostic capability for specific high-consequence foreign animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and is the only laboratory in the United States equipped with research facilities and livestock animal rooms that permit study of these diseases in livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and swine.
“PIADC is vital to successfully implementing a national strategy for protecting U.S. agriculture from a bioterrorist attack involving the intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD),” states the announcement. “PIADC supports the mission of the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).”
The estimated period of performance is a base period of one year, followed by four possible option years. The estimated start date is December 2013.
Further details are available under Solicitation Number: HSHQDC-13-I-CBD001. The response deadline is March 4, 2013.