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Appendix A Statement of Task At the request of the U.S. Army, the National Academies will evaluate the requirements for and feasibility of whole-system testing of biological standoff detection systems using active biological warfare agents (BWAs) and issue a report. The committee will: ⢠Review the scope, adequacy, and limitations of current and potential near-future biological standoff detection system testing protocols and methodologies and ⢠Identify what test protocols and methodologies should be adopted to ensure that current and future biological standoff detection systems will meet operational requirements and why. In particular, the review will consider the use of (1) active BWA testing, (2) inactivated BWA testing, and (3) simulants/agent-like organisms (ALOs) testing and ⢠Discuss the knowledge and confidence gained for each level of testing as well as the shortfalls and risks associated with each, and ⢠For each of the three options (active BWA testing, inactivated BWA testing, ALO testing), comment on the relative scientific and technological risks and discuss the relative cost- benefit and risk-benefit. This should include consideration of regulatory issues that would affect each level of testing. 13
