Q: What are the different classifications of diseases that will be studied at NBAF?

There are three different classifications of diseases that will be studied at NBAF: zoonotic, human and foreign animal. Zoonotic diseases are caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted or shared by animals and humans. Zoonotic diseases pose a very serious threat to the agricultural industry and human health.

Human diseases are caused by bacteria, a virus, pathogen, or fungus, and transmitted from one human being to another by direct contact or inhalation. Human diseases can be highly contagious and in some cases fatal.

Foreign animal diseases are any diseases which affects animals and are not indigenous to the United States. These may be diseases of livestock, poultry or wild species. Many diseases have been eradicated within the United States, or have never been present. These diseases are also referred to as “exotic animal diseases.”

Q: Why is TBAC pursuing this facility?

TBAC’s constituent organizations are highly recognized and respected in the medical and scientific community. TBAC’s mission is to advance the understanding and eradication of disease. Specifically, SFBR’s cutting-edge biomedical research and success running the only privately owned BSL-4 facility in the country, UTHSCSA’s outstanding work researching viral and bacterial pathogens and new animal imaging facility, and UTSA’s infectious disease research make this consortium a strong contender for NBAF. The combined expertise of this collaboration related to the study of zoonotic diseases and animal research with human pathogens only further bolsters its proposed bid.

Q: How will NBAF be governed?

As of now, NBAF will be funded through DHS. NBAF could become a government-owned, government-operated (GOGO) or government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) facility. However, DHS has not yet released its position on the concept of operations for NBAF.

Q: What measures would TBAC implement to ensure safety?

All NBAF personnel will receive specialized training for working with and disposing of bacteria and pathogens. NBAF will have restricted access and a secured perimeter, in accordance with federal regulations. NBAF will also meet all federal safety and security requirements, in addition to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal regulatory requirements. The CDC has employed a set of basic guidelines that specifically discuss the correct way to study and dispose of pathogens. Accordingly, standard laboratory practices will be implemented to control hazards associated with all bacteria and pathogens during a lab procedure. Laboratory personnel and the safety practices and techniques adopted will also be supplemented by appropriate facility design, safety equipment, and management practices. TBAC’s member institutions adhere to the highest security measures possible, as demonstrated by SFBR’s BSL-4 facility that has been owned and operated for over six years without incident and has an excellent safety record.

Q: What type of research is proposed to take place at NBAF?

NBAF will conduct extensive research on organisms and diseases as well as develop a system to better detect these organisms and develop new vaccines and treatments. Research will be conducted on agricultural diseases, zoonotic disease and public health issues. The goal of this research is to develop better testing and evaluation methods, and understand the origin, transmission and eradication of various diseases that pose serious risks to the American public and worldwide health.

Q: Has this type of research been done in San Antonio, Texas?

Yes, each constituent of TBAC has conducted at least one form of the research proposed here. SFBR conducts extensive research on various forms of biological diseases, such as Anthrax, Hemorrhagic Fever, SARS, West Nile, Plague, and other various forms of newly emerging tropical diseases. SFBR also focuses on some of the nation’s leading health problems, such as Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Additionally, SFBR successfully runs the only privately owned BSL-4 laboratory in the United States. UTSA operates a new Infectious Diseases Research Center and BSL-3 laboratory that studies Tularemia (Rabbit Fever). The CDC considers Tularemia a Category A agent, one of the most deadly zoonotic diseases and highest potential to be used as a biological weapon. UTHSCSA currently conducts research on established and emerging infectious diseases caused by parasitic, fungal, viral, and bacterial pathogens, including agricultural pathogens. Its newly acquired animal imaging center will allow it to conduct research on high consequence animal diseases.

Q: Why locate NBAF at any of the proposed San Antonio sites?

TBAC’s proposal consists of three highly attractive locations for NBAF. Brooks City Base (BCB) was created through a one-of-a-kind partnership between the U.S. Air Force and the City of San Antonio to transform the former Brooks Air Force Base into a thriving research park, while saving the DOD millions of dollars in operating costs. It is was originally envisioned that BCB would undergo economic development, however with regard to NBAF, the vision for BCB would be one of bioscience research and academics. The workforce at BCB is highly skilled, highly educated and comprised of military, civilian and academic personnel and over 400 researchers at the doctoral level. Currently, there are four BSL-3 laboratories located at BCB that study a range of diseases, including pathogens that threaten global health.

Texas Research Park’s (TRP) mission is to build and maintain a center of bioscience research, education and economic development, in order to help provide healthcare benefits worldwide. The 1,000 acre TRP is owned and operated by the Texas Research & Technology Foundation (TRTF). The environment at TRP encourages collaborations and productivity. The largest resident tenant at TRP is UTHSCSA. TRP has identified up to 100 contiguous acres (50 for the initial project, 50 for expansion, as needed) as the proposed NBAF site. Acreage is proposed to be donated or made available through a long-term ground lease for $1 per year. No environmentally sensitive areas are known in the immediate vicinity.

The Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBF) site offers up to 70 acres for NBAF research. The site has immediate direct access to the Interstate Highway system, San Antonio International Airport, shared runways of Lackland Airforce Base and major railroads. SFBR currently owns approximately 300 acres of land at or near the proposed site. Of this, a 200 acre parcel is bounded by three thoroughfares.

Q: Will the public opinion concerning NBAF be taken into consideration?

Yes, according to DHS, the public will be kept informed and invited to participate during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) evaluation process. DHS will release a Notice of Intent (NOI) for all remaining proposals to submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will analyze the potential environmental impacts created on each proposed area from constructing and operating NBAF. DHS encourages public input and plans to hold public meetings in communities that may host NBAF. The design and construction of NBAF, as well its operation, will be in compliance with NEPA and all Federal, State and local laws and requirements.

Q: What is an EIS and why is it necessary?

Federal laws mandate the federal government to evaluate the effects of its actions on the environment and to consider alternative courses of action. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) specifies when an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be prepared. NEPA regulations require, among other things, federal agencies to include discussion of a proposed action and the range of reasonable alternatives in an EIS. The EIS will analyze the potential environmental impacts of a range of possible alternatives for constructing and operating NBAF.

Q: If San Antonio is chosen, what are the regional benefits created by NBAF?

If San Antonio is chosen as the site for NBAF, the economic impact would be significant. NBAF would create a variety of positions during the construction phase, as well as research and administrative positions upon completion of the facility. NBAF will attract additional top-notch scientists who could potentially bring additional research dollars into the community. Primarily, the work done would place San Antonio at the hub for bioterrorism research in the nation. It is estimated that approximately $400 million dollars will be spent to construct NBAF and the annual operating budget is estimated at $35 million dollars per year.

Q: What are the criteria for choosing a site?

DHS is utilizing four main criteria: research capabilities, workforce, acquisition/construction/operations, and community acceptance.

Q: How does TBAC fit those criteria?

TBAC meets and exceeds all of the criteria set forth by DHS. The combined extensive research capabilities and experience with foreign animal, human and zoonotic diseases, by SFBR, UTSA, and UTHSCSA puts TBAC at the forefront of the competition. The BSL-4 facility at SFBR and newly opened BSL-3 facility at UTSA provide the consortium unparalleled experience in running biocontainment facilities and studying rare and dangerous types of high consequence diseases and agents. The Healthcare and Bioscience Industry of San Antonio accounts for over 110,000 jobs and $14 billion dollars. This established infrastructure could easily support the demands of NBAF. There are no environmental compatibility issues with any of the three proposed sites, therefore acquisition and construction of NBAF in San Antonio would not be problematic from an environmental standpoint. Also, all three of the proposed sites have access to major highways and proximity to airports, as well as adequate utility infrastructure. Finally, TBAC already has community support. Prominent members of the State of Texas, as well as the San Antonio community such as, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Sen. John Cornyn, Gov. Rick Perry, Mayor Phillip Hardberger, and Judge Nelson Wolff of Bexar County have written letters and expressed support for locating NBAF in Texas.

Q: What is the next step in the DHS proposal process?

DHS is currently leading site visits with a multi-agency panel and plans to reduce the list of proposals to five or fewer in June 2007. The remaining proposals will each participate in creating an EIS and allow their respective communities a chance for participation and input.

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