PAR-20-105: Discipline A - Microbiology - Track 5: Microbiology Capability/Capacity Development Project Summary The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Food Safety and Consumer Services (FS&CS) Laboratory is the State?s Primary Regulatory Human Food and Animal Feed Safety Laboratory. The WSDA FS&CS Laboratory seeks one year of funding through the FDA Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM) Cooperative Agreement Program?s Discipline A Microbiology Track 5 to develop the capacity and capabilities of Cyclospora testing on fresh produce and environmental samples for regulatory purposes. ? The WSDA FS&CS Laboratory has all the required technical expertise in testing under this analytical track. Our Lead Microbiologist attended the FDA Foodborne parasites LB302 training in 2019. We have since trained several Microbiologists in our laboratory on the FDA BAM 19b ? Molecular Detection of Cyclospora. ? The FS&CS Laboratory has proven itself a successful partner of FDA FERN, ISO, AFRPS, MFRPS, RRT and Produce Safety cooperative agreements, having completed all assignments successfully and on-time. ? As one of 8 selected state laboratories chosen for the USDA Microbiological Data Program (MDP), we have extraordinary experience developing methodologies for produce testing. Microbiologists are knowledgeable and experienced in various Real-Time PCR protocols with proven competency based on many years of successful proficiency test results. ? The Laboratory has already obtained a portion of the required equipment and is working towards acquiring the additional equipment needed for testing. ? Has the necessary facilities to continue supporting the additional work associated with this project. If funded, we propose to support a microbiologist dedicated to meeting the requirements of this Cooperative Agreement. ? Has been accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 since 2011. If our Track 5 proposal is accepted, we are willing and able to do the following: 1. Participate in Cyclospora testing, as needed 2. Provide analytical data for potential regulatory utilization 3. Annual Proficiency Testing, as available 4. Maintain our ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certification 5. Attend the annual LFFM Face-to-Face Meeting Washington State Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Consumer Services Laboratory
