FAIRFAX, VA, August 30, 2005 – ICF Consulting announced today that it was awarded a five-year contract by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide consulting services and technical support related to federal performance-based environmental programs. The contract to support EPA’s Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation is worth up to US$19.5 million through August 2010. ICF Consulting is assisting EPA with development, implementation, and evaluation of performance-based environmental programs.

Performance-based environmental programs are designed to facilitate and support partnerships with industry, government, and other stakeholders to improve their compliance records, provide environmental protection above and beyond regulatory requirements, and attain levels of environmental performance that benefit their employees, communities, customers, and the global environment. ICF Consulting is performing research; collecting data and materials; providing policy, technical, economic, and statistical analyses; and providing general program, information management, marketing, logistical, and meeting support.

"ICF Consulting has helped design and implement more than 60 environmental stewardship programs and public-private partnerships for EPA and other government clients, and we are eager to apply this experience as we support EPA’s performance-based environmental programs," says Randall Freed, an ICF Consulting Senior Vice President.

A leading example of a performance-based environmental program is EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track. The program is a voluntary partnership with facilities that consistently meet their legal requirements, implement high-quality environmental management systems, and commit to continuously improve their environmental performance and to work closely with their community and employees. EPA provides recognition and other incentives for top environmental performers.

"We have provided strategic, implementation, and technical support to the Performance Track program since its inception, including market research, outreach, marketing and branding support, conference management, and member services," says Beth Binns, an ICF Consulting Vice President. "ICF Consulting is delighted to be affiliated with the program and looks forward to continuing to support this and other worthwhile voluntary programs for EPA for many years to come," says Ms. Binns.