Source: NCDA&CS, 2/16/21

Work to move into the Agricultural Science Center will soon begin with the hiring of moving companies to help facilitate the move of core lab equipment, office equipment and supplies. This is anything but a typical move because of the highly sensitive nature of some of the equipment and the work that will be needed to get it recalibrated for use.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” To listen, click here. 

Summary of Talking Points:
• We haven’t talked about the Agricultural Sciences Center in a few months, so I thought it would be a good time to share what is going on.
• We have recently hired three moving companies to facilitate the transfer and set up of critical lab equipment and supplies, as well as office equipment.
• Moving seems like a pretty simple concept – you box things up, put them in a truck or on a trailer and then you unpack that and unpack the boxes.
• But a move involving highly sensitive lab equipment and special chemicals is much more specialized. I thought listeners might be interested in how the move will be broken down.
• For background, more than 1,400 pieces of lab equipment are involved in the move. And moving a delicate piece of lab equipment isn’t as easy as unplugging it from one location and plugging it back in once it reaches the new lab.
• PCI will be the main moving vendor. This company has extensive experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. They are very familiar with quality requirements and have an ISO 17025-accredited calibration lab.
• ISO 17025 is an important accreditation for our labs. It represents the highest standard for calibration and testing laboratories. Earning it means a laboratory is technically proficient and able to produce accurate and precise calibration and test data.
• Despite the age of our old labs, I am proud we hold those high accreditation standards and look forward to the new lab meeting requirements for these high accreditation standards.
• The labs will carry their certifications with them, but when you move a piece of equipment you must re-certify. Some of the equipment requires running a series of tests to ensure it works correctly, for other pieces of equipment, such as balances, you must hire a company to re-certify it.
• For its part, PCI will shut down, decommission and recommission equipment being moved, except for any equipment that is being moved by the original equipment manufacturers.
• This company will also act as the main project manager for the move, supervising two subcontractors – Armstrong Commercial Services and Triumvirate Environmental.
• Armstrong will be responsible for the administrative area moves and will handle all transportation from the old facilities to the new lab.
• This company also has extensive experience in healthcare, laboratory and industrial transport, including the movement of temperature-sensitive materials.
• And, Triumvirate Environmental will take care of packing all lab supplies, equipment, chemicals and samples. They will need to use temperature-controlled trucks for items that must be moved cold or in freezers.
• Of course, one of the main goals in coordinating this move is to ensure the continuity of operations since these labs provide such critical services as food and drug testing, veterinary diagnostics, standards calibrations and pesticide testing.
• The companies will be coordinating with division move managers and staff at the Agricultural Sciences Center to create a detailed project plan for the move.
• I am looking forward to the completion of this building because I know what a tremendous asset it will be to the agricultural community. It’s hard to believe this project began in 2016 with the ConnectNC Bond package. It is the single largest building project ever undertaken by our department and it will be a proud moment when our employees move in and start work. We are still on target to be moved in and operational by mid-year.