PROJECT DETAILS
The primary mission of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is to protect the public health and our nation’s food supply. The new state-of-the-art, 574,000 SF biocontainment laboratory will accomplish that by strengthening America’s ability to conduct research, develop vaccines, diagnose emerging diseases, and train veterinarians.
Animal disease research is currently performed at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) which is nearing the end of its lifecycle and is no longer capable of meeting research needs in relation to emergent and foreign animal disease threats. A new facility with increased integration, expanded biocontainment capabilities, and larger physical space is necessary to fulfill future requirements.
With NBAF construction underway, Merrick & Company is providing construction administration services for the project. Merrick will also provide commissioning services anticipated to be completed in May 2021, ahead of NBAF full operations beginning in December 2022.
DESIGN FEATURES
DESIGN GOALS
As part of the five-firm NBAF Design Partnership Team, Merrick provided services for animal planning, conceptual design, and full MEP engineering for the critical BSL-3Ag and portions of the BSL-4 areas of the facility. The NBAF facility will house cattle, sheep, swine, whitetail deer, poultry, mice/rats, bison, and equine and will be the first laboratory facility in the U.S. to provide BSL-4 laboratories capable of housing cattle and other large livestock. It will be the nation’s only large animal BSL-4 facility designed to safely handle pathogens that do not currently have treatments or countermeasures.
As lead engineer for the high-containment elements of the facility, Merrick consulted on:
• Animal holding room design characteristics
• Process flows including animal holding rooms process, rooms/suites, feed supplies,
personnel flows, necropsy suite, necropsy support spaces, and personnel & animal
• Waste flows and removal
• Liquid and solid waste disposal
• Decontamination and washing systems
• Equipment wash room
• Decontamination
• Gas decontamination
The NBAF project integrates aspects of both public and animal health research, which have been determined to be central to national security. It provides critical capabilities to our nation’s homeland defense research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) responsibilities by:
• Providing essential animal model testing and evaluation capacity to support licensure of vaccine countermeasures
• Providing a unique biosafety level (BSL3-Ag and BSL-4) livestock capable laboratory for developing countermeasures against foreign animal diseases
• Providing advanced test and evaluation capability for threat detection, vulnerability, and countermeasure assessment for animal and zoonotic diseases
• Demonstrating the ability to design a high containment lab to meet USGBC LEED Silver certification standards with baseline energy modeling used to track energy
efficiency and savings over time
Site Aerial View
Aerial View
Entrance
Entrance
Main Laboratory Entry
Visitors Center
Cafe Balcony
Barrier Change Entry
BSL-3E Corridor
Containment Area Breakroom
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MERRICK DESIGN
Brad Andersen, RA, PMP
Senior Project Manager
As Vice President of Merrick's Life Sciences group, Brad takes on a leadership role in the programming, planning, design, and commissioning of large, technically complex, multidiscipline laboratory facility projects such as NBAF. With over 35 years of experience in the design of new and renovated laboratory facilities, he has the knowledge, skills, and expertise required to solve complex problems in a timely, cost-effective manner.
Chris Kiley, PE
Lead Engineer
Chris has over 20 years of experience as a professional engineer in HVAC design, construction administration, and commissioning of technically complex laboratory projects for a wide range of commercial, industrial, and government facilities. As a technical leader, he ensures the multiple disciplines of design are integrated with project objectives including sustainable practices that are mandatory for all on-going projects.
Ken Gow, PE
Mechanical Engineer
Ken Gow, PE, has nearly 40 years of experience in mechanical and fire protection engineering specializing in HVAC system design, plumbing systems, fire sprinklers, control systems, and associated mechanical and electrical systems. His expertise includes mechanical systems for laboratories, hospitals, commercial buildings, public buildings, schools, offices, and industrial facilities.
Keith Binkley, PE, RCCD, LEEP AP
Electrical Engineer
With over 25 years of diversified engineering and design experience, Keith is a senior electrical engineer, leading Merrick's electrical design team. His work philosophy is to serve Clients and the design team by continually developing technical and leadership skills that contribute to all aspects of design.
Philip Pleiss
BIM Coordinator
Philip Pleiss manages Merrick's Autodesk software products used for developing building models and construction documents. His role includes setup and maintenance of Revit templates, content libraries, and BIM standards; providing Revit training and support; and staying informed on Revit best practices.
Cory Ziegler, PE
Lead EDS/Plumbing Engineer
Cory has 20 years of experience in design, construction administration, and commissioning of HVAC and specialty plumbing systems for laboratory facilities for universities and governments world-wide. He has been involved in the design or commissioning of systems including breathing air, chemical showers, and waste decontamination for numerous biological laboratories.
YOUR CHALLENGE. OUR PASSION.
We’re passionate about what we do, and we pride ourselves in delivering unique, fresh solutions that meet our clients’ most complex challenges.
Our track record of repeat work and client satisfaction is a testament to the open communication, creativity, and seamless design process
that we provide clients through the Merrick Experience.
RESPONSIVE
COLLABORATION
EXPERIENCE
SUSTAINABILITY
LEADING-EDGE
RESPONSIVE COLLABORATION
Communication is key. Through workshops, charrettes, and client interaction, Merrick works with clients to identify their needs and program requirements, and then translates that knowledge into responsive facility solutions.
EXPERIENCE
With 60 years of experience, Merrick has developed an extensive design portfolio ranging from planning and concept design to technically sophisticated, high containment laboratories. Our hands on, collaborative approach marries traditional with leading-edge technology, allowing our team to explore and provide successful design.
SUSTAINABILITY
The integration of sustainable design is paramount in our work; we see it as a core feature that constantly evolves and improves the built environment. Our team of experienced and licensed professionals use pragmatic and state-of-the-art technology to ensure that sustainable features meet your needs and fall within budget.
Learn more about Merrick's renewable energy and sustainability services here.
LEADING-EDGE
With technology rapidly evolving, we’re constantly adding to our toolbox to develop new design solutions, operational approaches, energy reduction strategies, and science-based training to enhance total building and program performance. Merrick professionals provide thought leadership in the industry on these and many other of today’s key topics. Whether through hand sketches, BIM modeling, virtual animations, commissioning, SOP, or training development, our team is always exploring and pushing the latest technology, newest ideas, and most creative solutions to assist our clients achieve their mission objectives.
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