U.S. DHHS seeks 320 WWTPs to provide samples twice a week for 9 weeks

Awards contract to BioBot, to reach out to all states, plus territories, Tribal Nations

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) awarded a contract to Biobot to conduct SARS-CoV-2 wastewater testing in order to provide additional support for wastewater surveillance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) anticipates enrollment of 320 wastewater utilities “across the US, including territories and Tribal Nations” for 9 weeks of sampling (twice weekly). Data generated “will be submitted to HHS Protect and into the National Wastewater Surveillance System” according to CDC. BioBot’s June 7, 2021, press release explains how to apply, that its program will include genomic sequencing, and that BioBot wants sampling to begin a week later (see https://biobotanalytics.medium.com/biobot-launches-national-wastewater-monitoring-project-2968a5997af ).