Abstract PROJECT 9: SPECIAL PROJECTS– TRACK 1 – SAMPLE COLLECTION The Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service of OTSC will collect 1100 animal food surveillance samples under the microbiology and chemistry disciplines. Funds will be used to cover investigator expense associated with sample collection. The Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service (FFCS) of OTSC is the state regulatory entity responsible for regulating animal feed. The FFCS is comprised of 14 field investigators who will collect and submit 11000 samples per year (500 for Project Two- microbiological surveillance for animal food and 600 for Project Six – chemical surveillance for animal food) using official procedures and a chain-of- custody. The plan of work is developed by the Texas State Chemist (Tim Herrman – Project PI) and Associate Director (Mary Sasser – key personnel). Samples will be received at the OTSC laboratory and a continuation of the chain-of-custody will result in official sample results that can be utilized to remove contaminated product from the market. The field is organized into three teams. The field staff collect samples (SOP F0015) and perform inspections and investigations (SOP F0018) under state and federal authority. Product that is contaminated will be removed from the market under the direction of the Associate Director of Compliance (Ben Jones –key personnel) and the field investigators under the direction of the Associate Director of Field Operations. The AAS Senior Quality Manager (Megan Rooney) will serve as a Co-I and oversee conformance to the OTSC chain-of-custody protocol and sample receipt. The professional development (training and education) of the field staff is documented in alignment with AFRPS standard 2, 11 of the field staff meeting advanced investigator status and all qualified to collect samples using approved sampling methods and submit samples following chain-of-custody procedures outlined in the feed sample collection SOP (F0015). As an outcome of this project, projects involving animal food surveillance for microbiological and chemical hazards will be implemented successfully.