National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility

IMEG provided structural and security engineering design services for a next-generation biological and agricultural defense facility, the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), which replaced the aging research facility at Plum Island. The project consists of the following laboratory facilities and outbuildings:

• 504,000-sf main research building
• 13,000-sf cGMP research lab
• 1,000-sf entry guard house
• 22,000-sf central receiving facility
• 56,000-sf central utility plant (CUP)
• General surface parking for staff and visitors

One of the two laboratory buildings is the primary research building containing the BSL-2, BSL-3E, BSL-3Ag, and BSL-4 laboratories. The other laboratory building is a cGMP laboratory located adjacent to the primary research laboratory.

IMEG participated in the DHS-led site selection feasibility study and provided security planning, design, and engineering services, and is currently providing construction administration services for the security systems installation. NBAF is surrounded by a secured perimeter to prevent unauthorized vehicles from approaching any closer than a prescribed standoff distance and is designed to resist the effects of a vehicle borne explosive threat that may be detonated at the closest accessible locations. The project required harden perimeter and vehicle Entry Control Points (ECPs) with operable barriers. Security Systems include:

• Access control and alarm monitoring screening
• CCTV monitoring and recording
• Security data communications
• Security voice communications and connection to DHS headquarters security monitoring systems

In addition, IMEG provided the design for the Security Command Center (SCC). The SCC was designed as a two-person modular console with Security Management System (SMS) and Security Video Surveillance System (SVSS) stations. A video wall was also designed to provide expanded viewing capabilities in addition to the SMS and SVSS workstation monitors.

Read a related case study on structural services IMEG provided for this project.