A delegation of state leaders traveled to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to meet with Department of Homeland Security officials about the proposed federal biosecurity research lab that Kansas is trying to get.

“Based on the qualifications laid out by the Department of Homeland Security, Kansas is the best location to site this facility,” said Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

The campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan is one of six proposed sites for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility. Homeland Security is scheduled to pick a location by the end of the year.

In addition to Sebelius, the delegation included Kansas Bioscience Authority President Tom Thornton, former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, representatives of Kansas’ congressional offices and leaders from KSU, the Kansas Farm Bureau and city of Manhattan.

In a statement, Sebelius said, “Kansas already has a world-class reputation for biosecurity, and we’re ready to play a larger role in protecting our nation’s food supply. This delegation demonstrates the statewide and bipartisan support that the NBAF has in Kansas and I appreciate everyone’s work in achieving this goal.”