Summary of Cooperative Agreement Award

Lifestock, Inc., a woman-owned nonprofit organization, received $1,949,907 under a Cooperative Agreement awarded May 8, 2026, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) through the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025). The award funds the establishment and operation of GPAZDS, an international collaboration network designed to enhance surveillance and enable timely detection of high-consequence foreign animal and zoonotic disease threats in disease-endemic countries. Through November 7, 2027, Lifestock, Inc. will serve as the implementing partner to oversee collaborative relationships with laboratories and research organizations across multiple countries, addressing critical gaps in structured surveillance of transboundary animal diseases that pose risks to U.S. livestock agriculture, food supply, and public health.

Under this cooperative agreement, Lifestock, Inc. will deliver the following key services: convening with USDA/APHIS to identify priority surveillance areas; developing guidelines for soliciting proposals and statements of work from partner laboratories; conducting regular program evaluation and performance reviews; facilitating technical visits by Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory staff to partner facilities; providing capacity-building training to support implementation activities; and administering funds to collaborating international laboratories. These activities collectively establish a structured framework for strategic surveillance of foreign animal and zoonotic disease threats at their source, strengthening early detection capabilities to protect U.S. agricultural interests.