WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback and U.S. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins today announced new opportunities for Kansas jobs and economic growth with construction of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) to be located at Kansas State University in Manhattan.

The Department of Homeland Security has issued its Request for Proposals (RFP) for preliminary construction bids on the NBAF. The Department will hold a Pre-proposal Conference for general contractors offering proposals on April 7, 2009 at Kansas State University. Those interested in attending the conference should email: Paulette.Webster@dhs.gov for details.

This phase of construction of the NBAF is estimated to inject $523 million into the Kansas economy and to create 1500 jobs. The final overall investment will be $650 million.

"I am pleased to see this first step in construction on the new NBAF," Senator Roberts said. "I encourage Kansas contractors to take advantage of the many opportunities presented by this important project. Today it means jobs and growth for Kansas. Tomorrow it will mean better food security for the nation and an economic engine for the state."

Senator Brownback said, "This is great news for our Kansas contractors and communities. The request for proposals gives highly-skilled Kansans the chance to generate a projected $523 million and 1,500 jobs in Kansas. Given the tough economic times the nation is currently facing, this is a great opportunity."

"Securing NBAF presents a tremendous opportunity for Kansas, and I am pleased to see the Department of Homeland Security move forward with construction plans," Congresswoman Jenkins said. "At a time when so many are struggling to find jobs, the NBAF will bring as many as 1,500 jobs to the Manhattan area. From the early construction phases through being fully operational, the NBAF will play a critical role in K-State’s leadership in animal and public health research and in the Kansas economy."

For more information, the RFP can be found here: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/FLETC/FLETCBPB/HSFLBP-09-R-00001/listing.html

The NBAF will be the nation’s premier laboratory for plant and animal health research.

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