Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services Laboratory Flexible Funding Model

About This Grant

RFA-FD-25-007 Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM) (U19) Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services Project Summary Principal Investigators: Jessica Price, Ph.D. and Amanda Woods The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) is the public health laboratory for the Commonwealth of Virginia and offers a wide variety of laboratory testing services for state and federal agencies, local governments and other states in support of public health, environmental protection, food safety, and emergency response. DCLS provides surveillance and emergency response testing of food samples for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Food Safety Program by offering comprehensive testing of food samples by microbiology, chemistry, and radiochemistry methods. DCLS obtained ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in January 2017 and has since expanded this scope of accreditation to include seven chemical methods and five microbiological methods. DCLS proposes to maintain and further expand this accreditation scope to include up to three new test methods during the budget period. DCLS’ experience with testing MFRPS food samples for our state partners along with participation in proficiency testing events, dedicated BSL-2 trained staff, dedicated laboratory space and equipment along with our long-standing history with the FERN Network, sets DCLS apart from other state testing facilities. If granted these funds for all three disciplines, DCLS is committed to providing emergency testing, surveillance and regulatory human and animal food testing for any situation when called upon by the FDA. DCLS is also committed to providing testing support for national security events as well as participate in all proficiency tests and training when applicable. DCLS will participate in FDA-requested exercises and surveillance activities to support and maintain a state of readiness. Additionally, DCLS will ensure analysts are trained and have current documented competency, all equipment and instruments remain in working order, and reagents and supplies are available or could quickly be procured in the event of an emergency.