Black & Veatch Awarded Contract to Help Counter Biological Threats

Ukraine program is part of U.S. Government effort to make world safer

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Black & Veatch was recently selected by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to continue the company’s work in Ukraine to enhance the partner nation’s sustainable capacity to detect, diagnose, report, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. Under the contract, Black & Veatch will support implementation of the agency’s Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP) with the Government of Ukraine. This award has a potential contract value of about $85 million over five years.

The CBEP program enhances the animal health system by providing modern lab facilities, equipment and training. Black & Veatch is completing support for similar program activities it began in 2008 to strengthen the human health system in Ukraine.

“We will continue to provide our client with best practices in preventing the spread of biological weapons, technology and pathogens,” said Bill Van Dyke, President, Federal Services, Black & Veatch. “We understand the client’s needs and goals required for successful, sustainable results.”

In 2010, Black & Veatch completed Ukraine’s first Bio-Safety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory under a contract with the DTRA. It is the first BSL-3 laboratory commissioned for the agency. The facility enhances the existing biosurveillance system to detect and respond to bioterrorism and potential pandemics.

Editor’s Notes:

• The DTRA first awarded Black & Veatch one of its Biological Threat Reduction Integrating Contracts in 2008.
• The DTRA has now awarded the next five-year phase of the CBEP in Ukraine.
• The DTRA rated Black & Veatch and its integrated partner companies at the highest “exceptional” level for contract performance in the first implementation phase of the Ukraine program from 2008 to present.
• The Ukraine BSL-3 laboratory is the first to be commissioned in the Former Soviet Union under the Nunn-Lugar Global Cooperative Threat Reduction Program.
• The Ukraine BSL-3 laboratory is co-located with the Mechnikov Anti-Plague Institute in Odessa. The 124-year-old institute was the second biological safety lab of its kind in the world at the time, second only to the Pasteur Institute of Paris.
• Black & Veatch has continuously worked with the DTRA to safeguard against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, in Former Soviet Union states since 1993.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building Critical Human Infrastructure™ in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2011 were US$2.6 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and in social media.