2008-10-14 23:27:01 -

www.bv.com - The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has awarded Black & Veatch, a leading global engineering consulting and construction company, one of the agency's major Biological Threat Reduction Integrating Contracts (BTRIC), with a collective ceiling of $4 billion over 10 years among the five selected contractors.

As part of the BTRIC, Black & Veatch was selected and awarded the first task order in Ukraine valued at more than $175 million during an initial five-year timeframe to include options.

"Our Ukraine task order will enhance the safety and well-being of the country as well as globally," said Bill Van Dyke, President of the Federal Services Division of Black & Veatch. "This is an opportunity to apply our

capabilities to provide sustainable solutions to our clients' most complex challenges."

The Ukraine task order involves strengthening biosafety and biosecurity measures to combat bioterrorism and prevent the proliferation of biological weapons (BW) related technology, pathogens, and expertise while enhancing the government's existing disease surveillance systems to detect and report bioterror attacks, epidemics and potential pandemics. The task order also includes enhancing the Ukraine's existing network of human and veterinary diagnostic laboratories that handle especially dangerous pathogens, in addition to constructing a secure and permanent repository for pathogens.

As overall prime integrating contractor, Black & Veatch will design, engineer and deploy systems, processes and technologies to further strengthen reporting, detection and response capabilities.

Van Dyke added that Black & Veatch has continuously worked with DTRA since 1993 in Russia and throughout the Former Soviet Union (FSU). The company has expanded its presence to more than 50 professionals based in the FSU with those resources supported by some 400 professionals in the company's Federal Services Division. An integrating contract office also will be established in Kiev, Ukraine, to manage the global effort on a local basis.

Previous work that DTRA has awarded to Black & Veatch include AICMS I and AICMS II (Automated Inventory Control and Management System), as well as EIDSS and PACS (Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance System and Pathogen Asset Control System).

About DTRA

DTRA safeguards the United States and its allies from weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high explosives) by providing capabilities to reduce, eliminate and counter the threat and mitigate its effects. This combat support agency serves as the intellectual, technical, and operational leader for the Department of Defense in the national effort to combat weapons of mass destruction. Established in 1998, this year DTRA celebrates 10 years of creative solutions through teamwork.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, telecommunications, management consulting, federal and environmental markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients' needs and provide sustainable benefits. Solutions are provided from the broad line of service expertise available within Black & Veatch, including conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, program management, construction management, environmental, security design and consulting, management consulting and infrastructure planning. With $3.2 billion in annual revenue, the employee-owned company has more than 100 offices worldwide and has completed projects in more than 100 countries on six continents. The company's Web site address is www.bv.com.

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