Defense Technology

GAO Reviews Progress of National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility

Homeland Security Today: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is building the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) to address animal diseases which may infect people. Following a 2017 executive order regarding efficiency of government programs, DHS is transferring ownership of this facility to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which will use it for research and vaccine development.

The facility is to house state-of-the-art laboratories for research on foreign animal diseases—diseases not known to be present in the United States—that could infect U.S livestock and, in some cases, people. Construction is expected to cost about $1.25 billion. The facility is to be ready in December 2022 but COVID-19 may cause delays.

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