Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Research topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Structural Pest Control Board endorses four research projects on rodents, RNAi, cockroaches and drywood termites
Summary
Following a review by the Research Advisory Panel, the board endorsed four research proposals — on rodenticide exposure in coyotes, RNAi for Argentine ants, German cockroach control, and drywood termite solutions — and authorized finalizing contracts for the top-ranked projects.
The Structural Pest Control Board on Oct. 1 endorsed four research proposals recommended by its Research Advisory Panel and authorized staff to finalize contracting steps and make non-substantive edits needed to complete agreements.
Executive Officer Sabina (presenting staff recommendation) said the panel reviewed five proposals received in response to a board request for proposals and recommended funding the top four: a study of rodenticide exposures in coyotes, RNA interference (RNAi) solutions for Argentine ant control, proposals on German cockroach control and a study addressing drywood termite control methods. The board’s research advisory panel evaluated proposals using the RFP criteria, scored budgets and ranked submissions at an Aug. 27 panel meeting; staff then presented the panel’s recommendation at the Oct. 1 meeting.
UC Berkeley researcher Neil Tsutsui spoke briefly during webex public comment to thank the panel and the board for investing in applied research and to emphasize the value of continued funding for new methods.
The board unanimously approved the panel’s recommendation (4–0) to endorse the top four proposals and to authorize the executive officer to finalize non-substantive contract changes needed to complete the awards. Staff said the contracts will cover multiple years (roughly a four-year project window) and the board noted the work is expected to run across the next several years.
Board members and staff also clarified that the projects will proceed through DCA contracting processes and that the board’s endorsement will allow staff to begin finalizing scope and budgets in consultation with the selected investigators.
The board’s action followed its earlier issuance of a competitive RFP and amounted to a first-round endorsement; the executive officer was authorized to finalize contracts and return to the board with any substantive changes that exceed staff authority.
