All nahln level 1, level 2 and level 3 laboratories will receive annual infrastructure support from the USDA/aphis

Under a $256,300 Cooperative Agreement awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on June 1, 2024, New Mexico State University's Office of Sponsored Programs will provide annual infrastructure support to all National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 laboratories. The purpose is to assist these laboratories in meeting their responsibilities as outlined in the 2024 NAHLN participation agreement, and to increase overall NAHLN capacity and capabilities to respond to adverse animal health events caused by emerging or foreign animal diseases. This will be accomplished by supporting quality management systems, laboratory information management systems, staffing expertise and proficiency, and equipment enhancements that directly improve testing processes and outcomes. The award aims to ensure the rapid response to any adverse animal health incidents and benefit the overall NAHLN network as well as the American population.

The purpose of this agreement is to assist the laboratory in meeting the responsibilities required of their designated level as outlined in the 2024 agreement for participation in the national animal health laboratory network (nahln). In addition, IT will support an overall increase in nahln capacity and capabilities to meet the needs faced during an adverse animal health event caused by the presence of an emerging disease or foreign animal disease. This will be accomplished by providing support for; quality management systems, laboratory information management systems to electronically submit testing data accurately and consistently, improving staffing expertise and proficiency, and enhancing equipment that will directly enhance work product, test outcomes, etc. This agreement will benefit the overall network as well as the american population by helping to ensure the rapid response to an adverse animal health event.