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The BioWatch program is a federally managed, locally operated early warning system that is designed to detect the intentional release of select aerosolized biological agents. The BioWatch program’s mission is to deploy, sustain, and maintain a 24x7x365 operational ability to detect, and respond to a bioterrorist event in metropolitan areas across the country. The DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) administers the BioWatch program and is currently engaged in advanced development, test, evaluation and operations to improve sampling technologies, collection procedures, sample analysis, and develop and implement a next generation biodetection system. The Biowatch program and PPD-8 share the following elements. • First, in accordance with the National Preparedness Goal, the Biowatch program provides a comprehensive strategy for countering biological terrorism. • Next, following the National Preparedness System and the BioWatch Program is a federally managed, locally operated early warning operational capability designed to enhance national preparedness. The program provides an early warning system that detects the release of a select biological agent that may pose a danger to the public health in select jurisdictions. • Biowatch, in accordance with the National Planning Frameworks and Federal Interagency Operational Plans, acts as an early warning system which enhances the security of jurisdictions by providing the needed time to execute their comprehensive concept of operations plans to counter biological terrorism. In addition, the BioWatch program provides advice and guidance to jurisdictions to develop biological preparedness programs that properly address the needed mitigation plans that reduces the negative impacts to a biological attack. The Biowatch program is a critical part of an ongoing effort to build and sustain preparedness which helps the United States maintain momentum through targeted jurisdictional planning that highlights preventative actions necessary to allow for a proper and timely response and begin the process to recovery from a biological agent release. To provide funding and/or property for the conduct of operations and other related activities intended to identify, counter, or respond to biological and chemical threats.
This chart shows obligations for the program by fiscal year. All data for this chart was provided by the
administering agency and sourced from SAM.gov, USASpending.gov, and Treasury.gov.
For more information on each of these data sources, please see the
About the data page.
The BioWatch Program’s mission is to provide and maintain a continuous bio-terrorism air monitoring system in metropolitan areas and coordinate with state and local public health communities to prepare for and respond to a bioterrorist event. This mission is accomplished by serving as an early warning system that enhances the security of jurisdictions by providing the needed time to execute their comprehensive concept of operations plans to counter biological terrorism. The Biowatch Program is a critical part of an ongoing national effort to build and sustain preparedness that helps the United States to maintain momentum through targeted jurisdictional planning that highlights preventative actions necessary to allow for a proper and timely response and begin the process to recovery from a biological agent release. The BioWatch Program’s mission provided and maintained a continuous bio-terrorism air monitoring system in metropolitan areas and coordinated with state and local public health communities to prepare for and respond to a bioterrorist event. This mission was accomplished by serving as an early warning system which enhanced the security of jurisdictions by providing the needed time to execute their comprehensive concept of operations plans to counter biological terrorism. The Biowatch Program is a critical part of an ongoing national effort to build and sustain preparedness which helps the United States to maintain momentum through targeted jurisdictional planning that highlights preventative actions necessary to allow for a proper and timely response and begin the process to recovery from a biological agent release.
The BioWatch Program’s mission is to provide and maintain a continuous bio-terrorism air monitoring system in metropolitan areas and coordinate with state and local public health communities to prepare for and respond to a bioterrorist event. This mission is accomplished by serving as an early warning system which enhances the security of jurisdictions by providing the needed time to execute their comprehensive concept of operations plans to counter biological terrorism. The Biowatch Program is a critical part of an ongoing national effort to build and sustain preparedness which helps the United States to maintain momentum through targeted jurisdictional planning that highlights preventative actions necessary to allow for a proper and timely response and begin the process to recovery from a biological agent release.
The BioWatch Program’s mission is to provide and maintain a continuous bio-terrorism air monitoring system in metropolitan areas and coordinate with state and local public health communities to prepare for and respond to a bioterrorist event. This mission is accomplished by serving as an early warning system which enhances the security of jurisdictions by providing the needed time to execute their comprehensive concept of operations plans to counter biological terrorism. The Biowatch Program is a critical part of an ongoing national effort to build and sustain preparedness which helps the United States to maintain momentum through targeted jurisdictional planning that highlights preventative actions necessary to allow for a proper and timely response and begin the process to recovery from a biological agent release.
The BioWatch program’s mission is to provide and maintain a continuous bio-terrorism air monitoring system in metropolitan areas and coordinate with state and local public health communities to prepare for and respond to a bioterrorist event. This mission is accomplished by serving as an early warning system which enhances the security of jurisdictions by providing the needed time to execute their comprehensive concept of operations plans to counter biological terrorism. The Biowatch program is a critical part of an ongoing national effort to build and sustain preparedness which helps the United States to maintain momentum through targeted jurisdictional planning that highlights preventative actions necessary to allow for a proper and timely response and begin the process to recovery from a biological agent release.
Fiscal year 2020: BioWatch through their Federal, State, and local partners successfully collected and tested more than 225,000 samples for the presence of biological agents in 32 major metropolitan cities (jurisdictions). Additionally, the BioWatch Program supported the following:
FY21: The BioWatch program, through their Federal, state, and local partners, collected and tested more than 230,000 samples for the presence of biological agents in over 30 major metropolitan areas (“jurisdictions”).
Fiscal Year 2022: The BioWatch program, through their Federal, state, and local partners, collected and tested more than 230,000 samples for the presence of biological agents in over 30 major metropolitan areas (“jurisdictions”). Additionally: • The BioWatch Program Office responded to 2 BioWatch Actionable Results (BARs) and developed After-Action Report/Improvement Plans for each BAR. • BioWatch jurisdictions completed 92 local exercises/drills/trainings in addition to 5 technical laboratory or national conference calls with DHS and federal interagency personnel. • The BioWatch Program Office supported 56 special event deployments for events such as festivals, fairs, award ceremonies, concerts, major sporting events, and political conventions. • Over 175 BioWatch 101/201 trainings were delivered to local stakeholders, federal interagency partners, and DHS staff.
The BioWatch program, through their Federal, state, and local partners, collected and tested more than 234,000 samples for the presence of biological agents in over 30 major metropolitan areas (“jurisdictions”)
Additionally:
Single Audit Applies (2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F):
For additional information on single audit requirements for this program, review the current Compliance Supplement.
OMB is working with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and agency offices of inspectors general to include links to relevant oversight reports. This section will be updated once this information is made available.
