NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Western Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Testing Laboratory
[54 Pa.B. 4480]
[Saturday, August 3, 2024]The Department of Agriculture (Department) is soliciting applications from higher education and other public institutions to set up, administer and manage an animal diagnostic testing laboratory in western Pennsylvania that will become part of the current Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS). PADLS connects the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg, Penn State University's Animal Diagnostic Laboratory and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine's New Bolton Center to provide diagnostic testing, field-based monitoring and producer outreach, all with a focus on protecting our citizens, our food supply and our animal agriculture industry.
The proposed western laboratory will join this system to serve as a critical resource for additional diagnostics, research and monitoring of animal diseases, contributing significantly to the health and safety of our livestock population. This notice establishes the procedures by which applications will be solicited, reviewed and awarded.
The funding is made available through the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget and may not exceed $6 million to offer an assortment of diagnostic testing services, including molecular diagnostics, serology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology and toxicology, for a variety of animals. The funding is approved for costs associated with laboratory space (rental, lease), staffing, testing equipment (ELISA, PCR, freezers/refrigerators), IT services, supplies and overhead.
1. Grant Solicitation. The Department will accept grant applications for the purposes, in the form and according to the schedule set forth, as follows.
2. Purpose and Scope.
(a) The purpose is to support the development and viability of a fourth PADLS laboratory. The need for a dedicated animal health laboratory in western Pennsylvania has become increasingly evident due to the rising incidence of zoonotic diseases, demand for animal health diagnostics and the growing demand for poultry and livestock products. The absence of a facility could lead to delays in critical disease diagnosis and response, affecting the overall efficiency of our agricultural and veterinary services. Establishing a western laboratory would include, but is not limited to, furthering the reach and impact of our animal health and laboratory systems and infrastructure, improving our response to disease threats, contributing to research and innovation and creating opportunity and security for this Commonwealth's agriculture industry to grow a stronger future.
(b) The proposed location for a western laboratory is west of the Interstate 99 corridor, in a location that provides ample space for the necessary infrastructure and is strategically positioned for accessibility by local farmers, veterinarians and researchers.
(c) This proposal aims to complement our existing nation-leading PADLS. PADLS has achieved Tier 1 accreditation from the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, a distinction held by only 32 laboratories in 24 states. The accreditation is required for participation in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). NAHLN is a network of animal disease diagnostic laboratories that provides ongoing disease surveillance, responds quickly to disease events, communicates diagnostic outcomes to decision makers and has the capability and capacity to meet diagnostic needs during animal disease outbreaks.
(d) In 2023, PADLS performed 595,474 tests, providing critical information on diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Chronic Wasting Disease and rabies. Having accurate and timely test results saves precious time and allows for quick response in treating and stopping the spread of disease, thereby creating better outcomes for farmers, their livestock, the broader agriculture industry and the community.
3. Services. The intent of the western laboratory is to better serve our livestock and poultry producers while serving as an anchor for prospective economic and environmental benefits by supporting the potential to expand animal agriculture in this region. The laboratory will be equipped with modern diagnostic equipment and staffed by experienced professionals. It will offer a range of services. Key areas of focus for the new laboratory will include, but not be limited to:
(a) Avian Influenza AGID
(b) Avian Influenza PCR
(c) Avian Influenza ELISA
(d) Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus VN
(e) Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus PCR and VN
(f) Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis VN
(g) Parainfluenza 3 HI
(h) Equine Herpes Virus 1 PCR
(i) Streptococcus equi (Strangles) PCR
(j) Mycoplasma gallisepticum RPA and ELISA
(k) Mycoplasma synoviae ELISA
(l) Ruminant Pregnancy ELISA
(m) Parasitology Centrifugation
(n) Small Ruminant Lentivirus ELISA
(o) Coggins
4. Qualifications.
(a) Ability to achieve accreditation by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians or be approved by the NAHLN and meeting the ISO17025 standards requirement, or both, within 3 years of the awarding of the grant.
(b) Sufficient Biosafety Level 2 space (in square feet) to house the required testing equipment and staff to complete the services specified in the Request for Applications (RFA).
(c) Sufficient staff, equipment, sample storage and IT infrastructure to complete the services specified in the RFA.
(d) Ability to provide normal business hours open to walk-in customer support and sample drop-off.
(e) Ability to provide after-hours sample drop off provisions.
5. Governance. The western laboratory will be overseen by the State veterinarian of the Department's Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services. In delivering the mission of PADLS, the western laboratory director will be tasked with stakeholder engagement, attendance at the Animal Health Diagnostic Commission (AHDC) meetings and special meetings at the direction of the director/State veterinarian. This includes meetings and open lines of communications with the AHDC, industry representatives, the Department and all other appropriate stakeholders. Quarterly meetings with staff at all PADLS laboratories will provide a report of deliverables, challenges, new opportunities and spending. The western laboratory will have the same relationship to the AHDC and the same testing fee schedule as the existing PADLS laboratories.
6. Application Requirements.
(a) The applicant's full legal name, business address and contact information.
(b) Specification of how the purpose (or purposes), as set forth in Section 2, will be achieved by the project.
(c) A detailed description of the project for which reimbursement grant money is sought, including the following:
(i) A project budget.
(ii) A statement of the maximum amount of grant money sought for the project.
(iii) A project implementation schedule, as appropriate for the project or purchase with respect to which the grant is sought.
(iv) A brief narrative identifying each entity that will assist with and participate in the project.
(d) An attestation signed by a duly authorized representative of the applicant verifying the accuracy of the information presented on the application.
7. Application Delivery and Timeline. Interested applicants must submit a complete electronic proposal and grant application using the Department of Community and Economic Development's Electronic Single Application web site at https://www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/Login.aspx. Completed proposals and applications may be electronically submitted beginning August 5, 2024, and must be received by no later than 5 p.m. on October 4, 2024.
8. Informational Session. An informational session will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Department of Agriculture, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 for any interested applicants who have questions regarding any aspect of this RFA. This session is not mandatory, and interested applicants may attend inperson or by audio or video conference. Applicants who wish to participate by audio or video conference may contact the Department at the address set forth in Section 13 in advance of the session for a call-in number or link for the audio/visual option.
9. Application Review.
(a) Recommendation. When the Department receives a complete and accurate grant application, it will forward a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved or rejected, whether the grant should be in an amount less than requested and whether any special restrictions or limitations should be placed on the grant.
(b) Review committee. The Secretary will appoint a committee to review and evaluate all applications and supporting documentation and to make recommendations to the Secretary.
(c) Decisions. The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services and the AHDC, will review all recommendations of the review committee and will have final authority to accept or reject these recommendations.
10. Notice of Award. Applicants shall be notified by mail of the decision on their grant application by the Department. Best efforts will be made to do so within 60 days of the application deadline.
11. Grant Agreement. After the Secretary approves a grant application, and as a precondition to the Department's release of grant moneys to a successful applicant, the Department and the applicant will execute a written or electronic grant agreement which describes the terms and conditions subject to which the grant is made. The grant agreement will contain and conform to the requirements of this notice and will also contain any special terms and conditions as required by the Secretary. Among the terms of the grant agreement will be a requirement that the grant recipient provide the Department full and complete access to all records relating to the performance of the project and submit the information as the Department may require. Applicants who wish to view the full terms and conditions of the grant agreement in advance of applying may contact the Department at the address set forth in Section 13. Applicants who are unable to agree to the terms and conditions should not apply.
12. Delivery of Grant Funds by the Department. As this grant is a reimbursement grant, the Department will not issue grant money until the successful applicant submits the following to the Department:
(a) A verified statement that the eligible project has been implemented.
(b) Bills and invoices demonstrating that expenses were incurred for which reimbursement grant funds are sought.
(c) Other information as the Department might reasonably require.
13. Questions and Additional Information. Questions on this grant program, including the online application process, may be directed to Morgan Sheffield, Grants Office, Department of Agriculture, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408, (717) 787-3568.
RUSSELL REDDING,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 24-1080. Filed for public inspection August 2, 2024, 9:00 a.m.]
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