USDA National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to open the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF)—a world-class science facility for large animal agricultural research, training, and diagnostics. After a 3-year site selection process, Manhattan, KS was selected in 2009 as the location for NBAF. DHS is building the state-of-the-art facility to standards that fulfill the mission needs of USDA which will own, manage, and operate NBAF once construction and commissioning activities are complete. USDA is currently hiring the NBAF team, and the facility is scheduled to be fully operational by 2023.NBAF will replace the aging Plum Island Animal Disease Center located in New York which is more than 60 years old. Currently, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conduct foreign animal disease research, training and diagnostics in this facility. These agencies will also have programs at NBAF and will share responsibilities for its operations.To protect the food supply and support the nation’s economy, NBAF will enable the U.S. to conduct comprehensive research, develop vaccines and anti-virals, and provide enhanced diagnostic and training capabilities to protect the nation from transboundary, emerging, and zoonotic animal diseases that threaten our food supply, agricultural economy, and public health. NBAF will be the first facility in the U.S. to provide maximum biocontainment (BSL-4) laboratories capable of housing cattle and other large livestock for the purpose of developing vaccines and diagnostics for zoonotic diseases.