Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) will help the Department of Homeland Security plan programs to develop countermeasures such as vaccines that work to prevent the introduction and spread of foreign animal diseases to U.S. livestock.
The company will perform the planning, program management and oversight work under a potential five-year, $12 million contract, Leidos said Wednesday.
DHS awarded the contract to Leidos through the Science and Technology Agricultural Defense Scientific Program, which is based at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York state.
“We are pleased to continue our support to the DHS S&T directorate to protect U.S. livestock from foreign animal diseases that can seriously threaten our livestock industries, economy, and way of life, ” said Steve Comber, president of Leidos’ health group.
The PIADC laboratory is the only facility in the U.S. that is authorized to work on “high-consequence” foreign animal diseases and focuses on efforts to develop vaccines, biotherapeutics and other diagnostic tools to prevent outbreaks.
