Civilian skills

(RTSC), a subsidiary of Raytheon, has been awarded a

(HHS) task order to provide technical and management support to the HHS Biotechnology Engagement Program (BTEP).

Through this five-year task order, which has a base year and four one-year options -- and a potential value of up to $25 million, including options -- RTSC will provide program management, scientific, technical and administrative support on existing HHS projects.

RTSC will also help publicise and expand the program beyond the current group of sponsored scientists and institutes. Work will be performed primarily in Russia, as well as in Kazakhstan, Georgia and Armenia.

Administered by the HHS Office of Global Health Affairs (OGHA), the BTEP program is designed to encourage former Soviet biological and chemical weapons scientists not to proliferate their weapons-related expertise and to develop new civilian-oriented research skills.

The program encourages joint teams of Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) scientists with weapons of mass destruction (WMD) expertise to co-develop projects with US experts and apply for support and co-operation in areas of research and development that address urgent public health concerns in Russia and the Eurasia region.

Basic and applied research, technology development and demonstration and training projects are all candidates for BTEP support.