Project Number: 1235-52000-061-38
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 29, 2012
End Date: Sep 28, 2017

Objective:
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to provide analytical quality control, analytical services and technical expertise and coordination for USDA-initiated laboratory contracts and other laboratory projects to improve the quality of data in the National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.

Approach:
The effort will incorporate multiple tasks to include reference material procurement and handling; evaluation and monitoring of analytical contractors; preparation and shipment of food samples to contract laboratories to obtain analytical data; development and validation of analytical methods as coordinated with NDL; and consultation regarding quality control of nutrient data obtained from the contract laboratories. In addition, this agreement includes consultations with NDL and contract laboratories on issues of methodology, sample analysis, handling and storage, and it may include analysis of specific nutrients in selected food matrices and research to improve methodology or address quality control.