Bill Overview
Title: NBACC Authorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to designate a specified laboratory as the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC). It shall be the lead federal facility dedicated to defending the United States against biological threats. The NBACC may include the National Bioforensic Analysis Center and the National Biological Threat Characterization Center. The NBACC shall engage in specified activities, including conducting studies and experiments to better understand current and future biological threats and hazards and pandemics; providing the scientific data required to assess vulnerabilities, conduct risk assessments, and determine potential impacts to guide the development of countermeasures; conducting and facilitating the technical forensic analysis and interpretation of materials recovered following a biological attack, or in other law enforcement investigations requiring evaluation of biological materials, in support of the appropriate lead federal agency; and coordinating with other national laboratories to enhance research capabilities, share lessons learned, and provide training more efficiently. The NBACC must engage in a continuously operating Work for Others program to make the unique biocontainment and bioforensic capabilities of the NBACC available to other federal agencies; and perform regularly scheduled and required maintenance of laboratory infrastructure, and procure mission-critical equipment and capability upgrades. The Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall conduct a mission needs assessment of the NBACC.
Sponsors: Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
Target Audience
Population: People who could be affected by biological threats and pandemics
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The NBACC will focus on research and analysis of biological threats, which is relevant to any population affected by biological hazards.
- Their work includes understanding pandemics, which can impact the global population, as pandemics are not geographically limited.
- The facility’s role in supporting law enforcement during biological attacks can indirectly impact general public safety and health policy.
- By providing scientific data for vulnerability assessments and countermeasure development, the work impacts healthcare, scientific communities, and policy-makers globally.
Reasoning
- The simulated population should include people who both directly and indirectly might be impacted by the increased national security against biological threats.
- Considering the broad natural scope of biological threats, interviewees would likely include healthcare professionals, law enforcement, academic researchers, and ordinary citizens.
- Budget constraints suggest focusing on those who could see clear advantages or disadvantages from immediate national biological threat improvements.
- People living near the designated laboratory might have differing viewpoints due to proximity effects or economic opportunities from job creation.
Simulated Interviews
Biotechnology Researcher (Bethesda, MD)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy should bolster our ongoing research with additional resources and collaboration opportunities.
- I hope the focus on biodefense will also increase public awareness around our work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Public Health Official (Kansas City, MO)
Age: 51 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better scientific backing and infrastructure are critical for our public health strategies.
- We're always in need of data-driven insights into potential biological threats.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While indirectly affected, improved biological threat assessments could impact future healthcare solutions.
- I am concerned about potential surveillance implications.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Rural Kansas)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More jobs and infrastructure can be positive, but I'm worried about safety and environmental impact.
- We hear about biological research bringing risks to nearby communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Biophysicist (Los Alamos, NM)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Collaboration with NBACC could advance our knowledge and response capabilities.
- There is always a need for funding to maintain the cutting-edge capabilities this policy promises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy can enhance collaboration and offer new market opportunities for biotech firms like ours.
- There may be more chances to pilot and deploy new technologies for countermeasures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Hospital Administrator (Miami, FL)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Collaboration with NBACC could lead to better resource allocation and threat management.
- The ability to quickly diagnose and mitigate biothreats is crucial for patient safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Epidemiologist (Boston, MA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- NBACC's expansion could lead to breakthrough findings in epidemiology and public health.
- Close interdisciplinary collaboration can amplify the scope of pathogen research.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Law Student (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal policies like these shape national security law, influencing my career prospects.
- Large-scale collaborations are key in adopting new legislations in health safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Elementary School Principal (Chicago, IL)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Health risks include potential biothreats; having more defined plans is reassuring.
- My role requires taking preventive action plans, which could benefit from national guidelines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $155000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $185000000)
Year 3: $160000000 (Low: $135000000, High: $190000000)
Year 5: $170000000 (Low: $140000000, High: $200000000)
Year 10: $180000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $220000000)
Year 100: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- The center's role in enhancing national biodefense could be crucial amidst rising concerns about biological threats.
- Initial and ongoing funding needs to be secured to ensure the center meets its strategic goals.
- Collaboration with existing federal agencies may spread costs but also increase complexity in coordination.