MANHATTAN (KSNT) – The DHS built the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan under budget, according to the DHS, after opening in 2023.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced that it completed and commissioned the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas “under budget” and returned $10,082,355.80 in gift funds to the state of Kansas back in 2024.
According to the Kansas Legislative Research Department Budget Summary from the 2026 Session, those funds were then given to Kansas State University towards its Extension Systems and Agricultural Research in the form of Federal Aid Payments, Scholarship Grants and State Aid Payments.
Jefferson County jail inmate dies while in custody, KBI opens investigation
The DHS selected the joint venture contractor McCarthy Mortenson to build the facility in Manhattan back in September of 2009. The DHS turned over the facility to the USDA and stated in a memorandum that it had completed the commissioning process and distributed the commissioning report to the USDA in July of 2023. DHS noted that there were no outstanding contract deliverables or associated technical documentation to be provided to the USDA.
However, the USDA reported deficiencies in the facility’s readiness. The USDA brought in an independent third-party inspector who determined the project was constructed and designed without major exceptions, and the overall project design complied with typical requirements of this type of facility.
However, the commissioning process was found to be incomplete. The USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report in July said there was missing documentation, an inability to navigate to or search for certain commissioning documentation and documentation that showed issues were not resolved during the commissioning process.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture told 27 News that they don’t have any information to share regarding the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility. We have reached out to the USDA for comment. To read the OIG’s Report from July, you can click here.
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.