National Bio And Agro Defense Facility

The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas, is a high-security federal biological research laboratory designed to advance the nation’s capabilities in animal disease research, diagnostic testing, countermeasure development, and preparedness for bioterrorism threats. The 700,000 SF campus is anchored by a 574,000 SF main laboratory building that featured BSL-2, BSL-3AG, BSL-4, and ABSL-4 laboratories, a high-security visitor access control center, a secure perimeter, and a large central utility plant (CUP), all supported by extensive security measures. NBAF replaced the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York, offering expanded capabilities such as large animal ABSL-4 containment for high-consequence livestock disease research.

The project was executed in three phases: preconstruction, CUP construction, and the main laboratory and outbuildings, with oversight from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which assumed operational responsibility for the facility. The laboratory building was engineered to withstand tornadoes and blast forces and included specialized animal holding rooms, advanced research labs, necropsy and cage wash areas, and support spaces for staff and operations. The CUP, an 87,000 SF facility, provided critical utilities, while the CUP connector linked it to the laboratory with loading docks, receiving areas, and office space. The transshipping building managed shipping, receiving, storage, and inspection of materials, with dedicated areas for animal and waste handling, mail scanning, and vehicle servicing. Outbuildings included a visitor center with security processing, conference and support spaces, a covered walkway connector, two gated entry control points for vehicle access, a treatment plant for campus-wide wastewater management, and a pump house for irrigation and water features. The campus layout and access were tightly controlled, with enhancements to protect all buildings and ensure the safety and integrity of the research conducted within this state-of-the-art complex.