Officials with the under construction National Bio and Agro Defense Facility are now targeting October 2021 for substantial completion of construction and thus allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture full access to operate the facility at that point.
The milestone had initially been set for this month, but COVID-19 disruptions have caused that to be delayed. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate and USDA collaborated to realign the schedule to minimize further delays to the overall program.
The revised date now includes significant additional efforts to address needed technology upgrades identified since completion of the design in 2012, as well as installation of USDA-funded equipment. Both efforts were not expected to happen until after the initial December 2020 milestone date.
To mitigate impacts to downstream milestones and operational standup as well as the transition from Plum Island Animal Disease Center, one proposal is to have USDA take phased responsibility for some operational functions at NBAF beginning in April 2021. The overall mission transfer from Plum Island to NBAF is now projected for December 2023, instead of the initial August 2023 date.
It’s anticipated that even with the challenges ahead, construction and commissioning will still be covered within the current $1.25 billion estimated cost.
