Topeka ? Kansas has launched a full-court press for a $450 million federal laboratory that would put the state in the middle of efforts to combat potential threats to the food supply and public health.

In late February, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Kansas’ congressional delegation and state legislative, business and bioscience leaders were in Washington, D.C., lobbying federal officials for Kansas’ bid for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility.

“It was unprecedented,” Sebelius said of the Kansas effort.

The Kansans met with officials from the departments of Homeland Security and Agriculture as well as congressional representatives on the appropriations committees.

Six sites, including Kansas State University in Manhattan, are in the running. Homeland Security officials are scheduled to choose the site this fall.

Kansas officials believe Kansas is uniquely qualified because of its central location, agricultural base, home to the nation’s largest concentration of animal health companies and widespread public support. KSU has also said federal researchers could use its new bioscience lab while they are building the larger NBAF.

The other sites being considered include Athens, Ga.; San Antonio; Granville County, N.C.; Madison County, Miss.; and an existing lab at Plum Island, N.Y.

And Sebelius said the Kansas group is keeping a close eye on whether the site selection process turns more toward politics than merit.

She noted that the Senate Appropriations Committee includes three senators who represent potential sites. They include Thad Cochran, R-Miss., who is the ranking minority member; Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas; and Sam Brownback, R-Kan.

“In some ways they kind of balance each other out,” Sebelius said.

The situation in the U.S. House “is more fluid,” she said. But, she said, if it appears that politics is taking over the site selection, Democrats in control of Congress may delay the selection decision until the next president takes over in January.