This cooperative agreement is directed toward accomplishing the following objectives addressed below: • approach for conducting national surveillance and response for animal health activities…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $618,320 Cooperative Agreement to Georgia Poultry Improvement Association, Incorporated (doing business as Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network) on April 1, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

The recipient conducts non-NPIP and NPIP avian influenza serology and PCR surveillance across Georgia poultry flocks, including surveillance at industry collection sites and on-farm locations such as auctions, flea markets, and shows to meet sampling minimums. GPLN provides trace testing, epidemiological support, logistics, reporting and communication, data entry and outreach, and FAD-consistent syndrome reporting to USDA VS, Georgia, and the state animal health official. The agreement supports passive surveillance necropsies, AI serology, and PCR testing. GPLN also conducts monthly preventative maintenance and equipment training on depopulation equipment including foamers and CO2 carts. In the most recent fiscal year (April 2025–March 2026), GPLN conducted approximately 7,399 PCR tests, 290,931 serology tests, and 1,116 necropsies.

The period of performance runs April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, with place of performance in Georgia.

Activities

Goals will be attained by performing non-npip and npip avian influenza serology and PCR surveillance by maintaining current industry collection sites and on‐farm (auctions, flea markets, shows) surveillance to meet surveillance sampling minimums for georgia poultry flocks. Gpln reports FAD consistent syndromes and ensures that USDA, VS, GA and the GDA saho are aware of the report and subsequent investigation in a timely manner. Gpln will provide surveillance, trace testing, epidemiology, and logistics, reporting and communication, data entry and outreach. The agreement supports part of the cost of necropsy (passive surveillance), AI serology and PCR numbers of GA tests for the last 3 f iscal years: APR 23-MAR 24: 5,729 PCR 312,584 serology 1,250 necropsies APR 24-MAR 25: 7,217 PCR 312,998 serology 1,168 necropsies APR 25-MAR 26: 7,399 PCR 290,931 serology 1,116 necropsies (& counting) deliverables and expected outcomes: deliverables are products or events to be produced from the cooperative agreement such as reports, educational materials, websites, guidance documents, publications, functional exercises, workshops, online classes, and others. Gpln maintains an AI hotline where non-commercial poultry owners can call in about their flock concerns. This often leads to AI testing, and IT always supports their education about avian influenza. We also update our posters to be distributed to poultry growers, such as recent updates of the "avian influenza" and the "biosecurity principles" posters. Intended beneficiary(IES): beneficiaries of this agreement include the georgia department of agriculture, the georgia poultry federation, the georgia poultry industry, the georgia poultry producers, processors and backyard owners. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: there has not been any subawards associated with this cooperative agreements.