Lawmakers in Washington are recommending a site in Kansas for the $450 million National Bio- and Agro-Defense Laboratory, besting out competition from five other sites, including one on the University campus.

The NBAF site will study biological threats such as anthrax and foot-and-mouth disease. The Department of Homeland Security’s choice of Manhattan, Kan., beat out competition from the UGA land off South Milledge Avenue and other sites in Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas.

Agency officials revealed their choice for NBAF to lawmakers late Tuesday.

Lawmakers and staff familiar with the decision spoke only on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement won’t be made until later this week, when the agency releases an environmental impact statement.

The choice won’t be made final until sometime after a 30-day window for comments on the decision, which could face legal challenges from losing states.

The new lab would replace an aging facility on Plum Island, N.Y.

- The Associated Press contributed to this story.