Security Enhancement and Training for the University of Louisville Regional Biosafety Laboratory

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc. will use Fiscal Year 2009 Congressionally Selected Awards funds to provide security enhancement and training for the Regional Biosafety Laboratory. The Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) at the University of Louisville (UofL) will continue its UofL Select Agent Program. The Select Agent Program has and will continue to address the following areas in order to be successful: security, accountability, personnel responsibility, and worker & community health and safety. The following activities will take place under the grant: development of Principles and Practices of Security, Accountability, Personnel Responsibility Worker & Community Health and Safety; development of Principles and Practices for Receiving, Shipping, Storage, and Inventory of Products, Specimens, Materials, Reagents with Applicable Regulations; development of a Biosafety Plan; and the provision of training for individuals with access approval from Health and Human Services. This may include: biosafety, security, and incident response training. Only authorized lab users will be granted access to biocontainment facilities where Select Agents are used and/or stored. All individuals who are listed as having access to select agents and toxins must complete the biosafety, security, and incident response training on at least an annual basis.

NCA/NCF