DOE awards $115M contract to Echota Technologies

From Staff Reports

The U.S. Department of Energy has given a multimillion dollar contract to Echota Technologies Corp., located in Maryville.

The Blount County, Native American-owned small business was awarded a five-year contract valued at $115 million to support the Department's National Training Center (NTC) located in Albuquerque, N.M.

The NTC provides training through the Department of Energy's Office of Health, Safety, and Security. The training programs focus on nuclear safeguards and security, safety, infrastructure protection and antiterrorism.

More specifically, Echota Technologies will be tasked with:

ä Designing, developing and maintaining DOE-certified instructional courses in advanced safety and security tactics

ä Retaining a highly proficient course development and instructional staff to analyze training needs, develop instructional material, present courses, and maintain courses through a continuing evaluation and review process

ä Supporting the operation and maintenance of the DOE training facilities, including the Live Fire Range at the Albuquerque site, safely and efficiently.

Two major subcontractors, one from New Mexico and the other from Ohio, will be part of the Echota team.

U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. (R-Tenn.) announced the contract.

"Small businesses are the economic backbone of our Nation, and I am proud that an East Tennessee small business has been recognized for the services that they can provide to our government," Duncan said.