CDC taps TRW for $511 million IT contract

TRW Inc. has won a $511 million, 7-year contract from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop and support information systems that aid CDC public health research, surveillance and intervention efforts, the company announced Sept. 12.

TRW Systems, a component of Cleveland-based TRW, has developed scientific and administrative systems for the CDC since October 1996. These systems collect and report disease data for surveillance and outbreak investigations; receive, store, retrieve and track laboratory specimens; and perform statistical analyses to identify risk factors and support the development of appropriate public health intervention programs.

Under the new contract, which began Sept. 1, TRW will expand its work to include analyzing information requirements for existing and upcoming public health efforts; managing projects and endeavors critical to these efforts; and training users in both CDC-developed and commercial software applications.

TRW also will contribute to the formation of a public health information network, so CDC can share information with its public health partners. The work will help CDC meet its homeland security mission.

TRW's small business subcontractors include Business Computer Applications Inc., Duluth, Ga.; The Ginn Group Inc., Atlanta; The Kevric Company Inc., Silver Spring, Md.; Analytical Sciences Inc., Durham, N.C.; and Nova Research Co., Bethesda, Md.

"Essential to achieving [its] mission is CDC's need to build and maintain integrated, interoperable systems that facilitate rapid response, accurate analysis and the transfer of comprehensive knowledge and information among a myriad of federal, state and local agencies," said Wood Parker, vice president and general manager of TRW Systems information technology division. "The IT infrastructure investments the CDC is making will result in a more robust and effective public health system capable of responding to acute or chronic health concerns for many years to come."