Biosurveillance Program Advanced Technology Development

This program exploits advances in technology to develop, improve and implement detection, information processing and decision support for biosurveillance. The mission of this program is to create a fit-for-purpose biosurveillance capability with federated collection, processing, analysis, production, and dissemination capabilities to enable strategic, anticipatory, and operational decision-making for deterrence and risk mitigation. To accomplish this mission, the Biosurveillance Program will: 1) Implement agile planning and response processes through a cross-functional biosurveillance organizational architecture—with the structure, function, and authorities—to support time-sensitive needs of DoW leaders; 2) Expand physical and digital detection capabilities and capacity—infused with intelligence collection—to enable early warning, sustained awareness, and agile response focusing on advanced technological capabilities; 3) Enhance biosurveillance insights by increasing data value, knowledge generation and accelerating processing of existing health and biodefense repositories into a fit-for purpose analytic capability; 4) Communicate the full range of analytic products necessary for leadership decision-making across the continuum of conflict. This budget is justified by the critical gap, identified in the 2023 Biodefense Posture Review, in the Department's ability to gather and analyze timely biothreat information to protect the Joint Force and enhance national security. The funding will establish this necessary capability by operationalizing a Biosurveillance Information Platform (BIP), expanding next-generation sequencing, and improving data sharing. These investments are essential for enhancing readiness and resilience against a dynamic landscape of natural, accidental, and deliberate biological threats.