29 September 22, 2026
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Long Beach
California
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement all necessary documents, and any subsequent amendments, including to the award amount or terms, with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Resilience, to accept and expend funding in an amount not to exceed $2,896,046 to maintain BioWatch Field Operations for biothreat detection, for a one-year period beginning August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027, with the option to renew for four additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager;
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $2,896,046, offset by reimbursement revenue; and, Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $948,250, offset by reimbursement revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On May 12, 2026, the City Council approved a limited competition contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the provision of BioWatch Field Operations, for the period of June 9, 2026, through July 31, 2026, which has been extended through September 30, 2026.
The BioWatch Program is a cornerstone of DHS’s comprehensive strategy for countering biological terrorism. As a federally managed, locally operated early warning system designed to detect the release of select aerosolized biological agents, the BioWatch Program’s mission is to deploy, sustain, and maintain a national 24/7/365 operational ability to detect and respond to a bioterrorist event. The total funding received for the limited competition contract was $948,250, which covers BioWatch operations for the Long Beach-San Diego operational area, including the Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County. As was noted on that date, the Health Department is requesting the appropriation for this award now, upon receipt of the formal grant award.
The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has received additional funding through the Fiscal Year 2026 BioWatch Grant Program, which will continue the operations established from the limited competition contract from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2031. The Health Department will operate and maintain environmental air monitoring collectors at designated sites by conducting daily field sampling, ensuring timely laboratory Health and Human Services
2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 570-4000
Honorable Mayor and City Council
September 22, 2026
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analysis, and adhering to established federal protocols and quality assurance standards.
Operations include routine monitoring as well as support for special event deployments.
Since 2017, the Health Department has conducted 39 special event deployments, including the 2019 California Democratic Convention, 2022 NFL Kick Off event, and annual events such as the Long Beach Grand Prix, Long Beach Marathon, and Vans Warped Tour. The Long Beach BioWatch field team has also conducted special event deployments in Pasadena for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 Rose Parade and Rose Bowl.
The program is supported by a multidisciplinary team and coordinated through a local BioWatch Advisory Committee with representation from public health, emergency management, law enforcement, fire, environmental agencies, and other partners.
Funding will support personnel, field operations, equipment, and prorated facility and utility costs necessary to sustain continuous monitoring. This project will strengthen local and regional preparedness by enhancing early detection capabilities and enabling coordinated public health and emergency response actions.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Nicholas Masero on September 3, 2026 and Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on September 2, 2026.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 22, 2026, to enable the funding agreement to proactively proceed from its August 1, 2026, start date.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant funding in an amount not to exceed $2,896,046 for the period of August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. An appropriation increase in the amount of $3,844,296 is requested in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, inclusive of the $948,250 awarded from June 9, 2026, to September 30, 2026, offset by grant revenue. All anticipated indirect costs will be covered by grant funds. There is no match or in- kind service mandate. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
Honorable Mayor and City Council
September 22, 2026
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APPROVED:
_______________________
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
Alison King
Director
Health and Human Services