Department of Homeland Security August 13, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), through its Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), is seeking collaborators to aid DHS S&T in conducting validation testing on the ability of VHP and ClO2 to achieve sufficient biological load reduction against live FMDV and ASFV. PIADC operates a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) facility working primarily with high consequence foreign animal diseases. The nature of this work makes it paramount to ensure the effective and thorough decontamination of all material exiting the bio containment area within the facility. Rising health concerns and process efficiency/turn-around time with the use of formaldehyde gas (the current fumigation method used against FMDV and ASFV) are key driving factors in validating an alternative fumigation method. The fumigation method(s) will ultimately be used to decontaminate sensitive equipment and electronics, other material within the bio containment area, sealed portions of the facility, biological safety cabinets and perform in-place decontamination of heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) HEPA filtration systems. The role of the collaborator(s) in this CRADA will be to provide PIADC with the materials, equipment, and technological expertise to support accurate and reliable efficacy testing using VHP and ClO2. DHS S&T is seeking CRADA collaborators that own the technological components for, have the technological expertise in, and have proven track records of success in the fields of VHP and ClO2 decontamination validation studies. The proposed term of the CRADA can be up to eighteen (18) months.