Include 1 reference The nation\'s main defense against biological terrorism-a $1
ID: 199187 • Letter: I
Question
Include 1 reference The nation's main defense against biological terrorism-a $1-billion network of air samplers in cities across the country-cannot be counted on to detect an attack, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office. LATES The BioWatch system, introduced with fanfare by President George W. Bush in 2003, has exasperated public health officials with numerous false alarms, stemming from its inability to distinguish between harmless germs and the lethal pathogens that terrorists would be likely to unleash in an attack. NATIC Declar remem 45m NATI Man ar homel FEB 20 Read invented by TeadsExplanation / Answer
Biowatch is United states federal Government programme to detect the release of pathogens into the air as a part of terrorist attack on major American cities. The programme was created in 2001 due to increased threat of Bioterrorism, it was influenced by Anthrax attack of 2001 . This programme is nations first early warning network of sensors to detect biological attack.
Biowatch funding - U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides funding to state and local responders for cooperative agreement grants , supporting in the field of operations and sample collection activities under the BioWatch Program. The is primarily for continuation funding of current operations under the program.DHS states. This grant mechanism can be used as supplemental awards to current recipients in case of emergencies,
Cooperative agreement recipients will be part of the BioWatch Evaluation Program (BWEP), under the BioWatch Quality Assurance Program effective since April 1, 2013. This quality assurance and quality control programmes will be audited externally by Signature Science and internal audits of BioWatch Systems Program Office and their field personnels. Award will depend on availability of funds.
Procedure for sanction of funding -
Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact assessment is done for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official, who is the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process. The State should be followed up for the application of this assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
An application (SF-424, Budget, program or project narrative and assurances) should be submitted outlining the implementation of the project and the expenditure of funds, related to the project identified by this announcement.
Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff, and the processing of the award is done.
The range of approval depends on the type of project to be funded. Renewal of an award to increase funding or to extend the period of performance is under the Department of Homeland Security.
Financial and nonfinancial assistance is provided for - salaries, materials and supplies, equipment, travel, publication costs, subcontractor and supporting costs these are required for technical and other activities to achieve the objective. Restrictions on use of funds can be seen in the funding opportunity announcement, program guidance, and award provisions.
Under the Biowatch programme the five intramural laboratories received 96% of 57 million dollar invested in homeland security research at DOE's laboratories in 2003 and received 90% of the 201 million dollar for fiscal year 2004.
Some of these laboratories are Argona National laboratory which received 1,324,185 $ in 2003 and 2,000,000$ in 2004.
Brook haven National laboratory received 400,000 $ in 2003 and 1,400,000$ in 2004
Lawrecnce Livermore national laboratories received 18,300,000 $ in 2003 and 89,500,000$ in 2004.
DHS designed it's extrameural programmes mainly to capitalize on the strength of nonfederal sector.
According to DHS officials, it is necessery to make long term investments in certain laboratories , which will help to create a durable R&D complex for federal homeland security.
Reference : Homeland security Biowatch programme- Department of homeland securities.