Enhance the security and resilience of the national food safety system

Abstract This grant proposal from the University of Arizona, Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is in response to Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) # PAR-22-063 from the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Office of Research Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN). The purpose of this proposal from University of Arizona, Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AzVDL) is to address the following three key project areas: 1. Participation in FDA/Vet-LIRN surveillance assignments and sample analysis in the event of animal food or drug-related illnesses or other large-scale animal food/drug emergency events requiring surge capacity testing of implicated diagnostic or animal food samples. 2. Providing analytical data using standardized methods, equipment platforms, and reporting methods; participation in proficiency testing and method training provided by the Vet-LIRN Program Office (VPO) at the Center for Veterinary Medicine; and implementation of standardized quality management systems for laboratories. 3. Participation in small-scale method development, method validation and/or matrix extension work as determined by the VPO. A successful implementation of the project outlined in the proposal is predicted for many reasons including the extensive experience of AzVDL’s professional and technical staff. The qualifications of the technical and professional staff are presented. As part of the proposal, a detailed view of the laboratory facilities and quality system are provided. This grant proposal also addresses the CVM request for sample analysis commitment as well as the laboratory’s ability and willingness to complete the proposed research in a timely manner. Several additional documents including the internal Proficiency Testing (PT) results (see Research Strategy), and certificate of AAVLD accreditation (appendix of Research Plan) are provided along with the