Board approves Research Advisory Panel updates to 2018 solicitation to focus IPM research on ants, cockroaches and termites

The Structural Pest Control Board on March 12 voted unanimously to approve updates to the 2018 solicitation request for research proposals, following recommendations from the board’s five‑member Research Advisory Panel (RAP).

Why it matters: The board’s research fund supports science to improve pest‑management practices and regulatory guidance. The updated solicitation narrows the posted research focus to integrated pest management (IPM) for ants, cockroaches and termites and sets minimum researcher qualifications to emphasize California‑based applicants with peer‑reviewed research experience.

What the board approved: Tom Van Eichen, the board’s lead investigator, summarized a RAP meeting held Dec. 3, 2024. The panel proposed that solicited projects must: include original, innovative research in IPM for the three pest groups noted; be led by California‑based researchers with prior peer‑reviewed scientific projects; and include references and completion histories for prior work. The panel also recommended a requirement that principal investigators provide examples of at least three prior peer‑reviewed projects and references who could confirm completion and scope.

Board action and vote: The board accepted the RAP’s recommendation and approved the solicitation changes, 5–0 in roll‑call vote (President Yesenia Anderson, Vice President Finley, board members Bridal, Mendenhall and Paxton voting yes). The amended solicitation with tracked changes will be used to solicit proposals for the board research fund.

Ending: Staff will publish the revised solicitation and proceed with the RFP process under the updated criteria approved by the board.