TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – U.S. Senator for Kansas Jerry Moran released a statement Saturday following a report that found the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan is still not fully operational.
The $1.25 billion-dollar animal disease research facility opened three years ago. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspector general published a report in July 2026 finding the Department of Homeland Security never properly configured the complex.
The report found more than $75 million in repairs, new work and other costs needed to bring the lab space up to requirements to house animals and handle dangerous diseases.
At this time, the facility continues to operate at lower biosafety levels.
The report states the USDA hopes to have NBAF in compliance with the higher biosecurity levels by the end of September.
NBAF’s presence is considered a key piece of encouraging bioscience industry development in the region.
Sen. Moran released the following statement regarding the report, stating that the Senate Appropriations Committee has provided the necessary funds for the facility’s completion.
“I reviewed the report from USDA’s Office of Inspector General following its September 2025 site visit. It is disappointing that NBAF was not fully operational when the facility was transferred from DHS to USDA in 2024. Despite DHS’s failure, then-USDA Secretary Vilsack testified that NBAF was expected to be significantly operational by the end of 2024. Since then, I have insisted that USDA quickly bring NBAF to full operational capacity – a point I have emphasized to Secretary Rollins. In my role as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, we have provided funding necessary for successful completion of the facility.
“NBAF is important to the safety of Americans, and further delays cannot be tolerated. Deputy Secretary Vaden has visited the facility with me, and I have invited Secretary Rollins to do the same. I will continue working with USDA and department officials to make certain there is a clear timeline and that the resources necessary are in place to realize NBAF’s full operational capacity.”
A press release from Sen. Moran’s office notes that Moran applauded the USDA’s decision to exempt NBAF from the federal hiring freeze in January.
In addition, the office says Sen. Moran hosted USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden at NBAF for a tour of the facility in September 2025.
He also says in April 2024, then-USDA Secretary Vilsack testified that NBAF was expected to be significantly operational by the end of 2024 during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing.
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