# Discipline D Special Project - Track 1: Sample Collection

> **NIH FDA U19** · WA STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE · 2020 · $35,000

## Abstract

PAR-20-105: Discipline D – Special Project – Track 1: Sample Collection 
Project Summary 
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Food Safety and Consumer Services 
(FS&CS) Laboratory is the State’s Primary Regulatory Human Food and Animal Feed Safety 
Laboratory. The Laboratory seeks five years of funding through the FDA Laboratory Flexible Funding 
Model (LFFM) Cooperative Agreement Program’s Discipline D Special Projects Track 1. This funding 
will be used to support our goals described in LFFM Discipline A Microbiology Tracks 2 and 3, thereby 
promoting the preventative food safety approach championed under FSMA. 
 The Laboratory and WSDA Food Safety and Animal Feed Regulatory Programs have benefitted 
 greatly through our long-standing collaboration. The samplers within the regulatory programs have 
 demonstrated competence in aseptic sampling techniques, chain of custody documentation, and 
 adherence to the strict sampling guidelines of FDA. 
 Our eligibility for Discipline D Special Projects Track 1 is contingent upon receiving funding under 
 Discipline A Microbiology Tracks 2/3. We are strong contenders for the latter since we have 
 received funding under FDA FERN MCAP, and have used this funding judiciously and well. 
 Our Laboratory also has a renowned history of capacity for regulatory sample collection spanning 
decades. 
 o Our sample collection history dates back to 2001 as a member of the USDA AMS 
 Microbiological Data Program (MDP). For over 11 years, the commodities were routinely 
 collected by members of our Laboratory from the midpoint of distribution, including 
 warehouses and distribution centers. Training provided by USDA instilled the importance of 
 following aseptic sampling technique, preserving sample integrity during transit, and 
 maintaining complete chain of custody documentation. 
 o Our sampling experience has only grown stronger as an FDA FERN MCAP participant. 
 Currently, 8 Laboratory members have received sampling training by our state and/or FDA. 
In conclusion, if our proposal is accepted, we are willing and able to participate in sample collection 
activities that support the goals set forth in other analytical tracks. Given our decades of sampling 
experience, sampling breadth that encompasses both fresh produce and RTE commodities, and a 
history of collaboration with our regulatory partners, our Program has the skills necessary to support 
LFFM’s goals. 
Washington State Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Consumer Services Laboratory

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10173386
- **Project number:** 1U19FD007086-01
- **Recipient organization:** WA STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
- **Principal Investigator:** Yong Liu
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $35,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10173386

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10173386, Discipline D Special Project - Track 1: Sample Collection (1U19FD007086-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10173386. Licensed CC0.

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