CDC awards public health net

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded a $511 million, seven-year contract to TRW Inc. to develop information systems that can be used in evaluating public health threats, including terrorist attacks.

TRW Systems has had a contract with CDC since 1996 to collect and report disease data for outbreak investigations and surveillance as well as to evaluate risk factors and develop public health response programs.

Under this new contract, announced today but effective Sept. 1, TRW will expand its work as well as contribute to the formation of a public health information network — a secure information system through which public health organizations can share information, data and alerts about health threats.

The company also will train users in CDC-developed and commercial software applications.

"The critical mission of the CDC cannot be overstated, especially in today's environment," said Wood Parker, vice president and general manager of TRW Systems information technology division. "Essential to achieving that mission is CDC's need to build and maintain integrated, interoperable systems that facilitate rapid response, accurate analysis and transfer of comprehensive knowledge and information among a myriad of federal, state and local agencies."