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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded a $256,300 Cooperative Agreement under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) to the University of Wyoming, Sponsored Programs. The purpose of this 1-year agreement is to provide annual infrastructure support to all National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Level 1, 2, and 3 laboratories. This funding will assist laboratories in meeting their designated NAHLN responsibilities, increasing overall NAHLN capacity and capabilities to respond effectively to emerging disease or foreign animal disease outbreaks. Specifically, the agreement will support quality management systems, laboratory information management systems, staffing expertise, and critical equipment enhancements to improve testing workflows and outcomes. This award is intended to help ensure a rapid, coordinated response to adverse animal health events, benefitting the NAHLN network and the American public.

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.