The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has selected the firm Black & Veatch to work with the government of Armenia to design a sustainable program that will strengthen the Republic of Armenia’s human and veterinary biological threat reduction capabilities and the public health system. The project is the first time DTRA has selected a contractor to provide program design for a country before contracting for program implementation.

“Black & Veatch has been working with DTRA continuously for more than 18 years, implementing cooperative threat reduction programs across former Soviet Union countries, including Ukraine and Russia,” said Matthew Webber, Black & Veatch Vice President and Program Manager. “Our experience in implementing these programs will provide tremendous value to DTRA as we work to design Armenia’s program.”

The project is part of DTRA’s Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP) to combat bioterrorism and prevent the proliferation of biological weapons-related technology, pathogens and expertise. The program also aims to enhance host governments’ disease surveillance systems to detect and report bioterror attacks, epidemics and potential pandemics.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is an agency within the United States Department of Defense created "to safeguard America and its interests from weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high explosives) by reducing the threat and providing quality tools and services."