Johnstown, PA, June 3, 2005—Congressman John P. Murtha (D-PA 12th) joins Daniel R. DeVos, President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) in announcing that the Department of Defense (DoD) has selected CTC for the establishment and operation of a new Center of Excellence (CX) to improve safety, reduce accidents, and, through the Occupational Health and Safety Administration's (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), achieve recognition for exemplary occupational safety and health performance. The program is valued at up to $5,000,000 per year for four years for CTC. CTC's National Defense Center for Environmental Excellence (NDCEE) will conduct the program. CTC received a new five-year, competitively awarded contract in December 2003 to operate the NDCEE for the government.

The Secretary of Defense, citing that "world-class organizations do not tolerate preventable accidents," established the Defense Safety Oversight Council (DSOC) to help reduce preventable mishaps 75% by FY08. The DSOC, recognizing the safety program improvements required to achieve VPP recognition typically result in a 50%-60% reduction in accidents, mandated that safety program improvements targeted to achieving VPP recognition be implemented at selected DoD Installations. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness is the sponsor of the DSOC safety initiatives and advocates reducing preventable accidents to zero. "By implementing a comprehensive approach to improving safety programs and adopting industry best safety practices at DoD Installations, I am confident that the Department will achieve significant civilian accident reductions," said Mr. Joseph Angello, Director of Readiness Programming and Assessment in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Installations and Environment, is designated the Executive Agent for the Center of Excellence to improve safety and reduce preventable accidents.

OSHA's VPP developed as an accident reduction best practice, recognizing exemplary occupational safety and health program performance. To qualify for VPP recognition, facilities must demonstrate that employers and employees have worked together to reduce the number of occupational safety and health hazards at their places of employment and continue to work together to institute new and perfect existing programs for providing safe and healthful working conditions. Facilities complete a detailed application process and onsite evaluation by OSHA, followed by annual self-assessments and periodic onsite reviews.

"Safety in times of peace is critical. In wartime, safety takes on greater emphasis. CTC will utilize direct subject matter experts who know how people train, work and think at our military bases. We will focus on assessing, validating and applying advanced tools and methods and employ hands-on, regional and virtual assistance to address the DoD's top 40 identified installations while helping our stakeholders accrue the benefits of loss prevention from avoidable accidents," stated Mr. DeVos.

Congressman Murtha stated, "This award is so important because of the pressing need to reduce accidents and incidents for both civilian and military personnel. The DoD's total lost-day rates are significantly higher on average than comparable data for private industry. Due to the nature of their mission, the DoD recognizes this and is funding the NDCEE to provide the expertise to quickly begin addressing our military's requirements. I'm pleased that CTC and the NDCEE will be utilized for this important mission."

CTC is an independent, nonprofit, applied research and development professional services organization providing management and technology-based solutions to a wide array of clients representing state and federal government as well as the private sector. Established in 1988, CTC operates from more than 35 locations with a staff of 1,400 employees.

For more information, please contact Daniel R. DeVos, President & CEO at 814-269-2420.