The addition of MLU creates a complete
continuum offering turnkey program management solutions in
technology, resilience and emergency management within a single
enterprise
PITTSBURGH, June 6, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in
engineering, planning, and consulting services, acquired MLU
Services, Inc. ("MLU"), a national logistics and disaster response
firm headquartered in Athens,
Georgia. MLU will operate within Tidal Basin Group, an
industry-leading program management consulting firm providing
integrated technology, resilience and emergency management
solutions.
The acquisition of MLU strengthens Michael Baker's and Tidal Basin's national
capabilities in its industry-leading disaster management and
technology solutions for the government and private sectors,
including the full emergency management spectrum of services from
pre-disaster preparedness, sustainability and resilience services
to emergency response in the critical hours and days following a
disaster, to long-term disaster recovery and hazard mitigation
preparedness to build stronger, more resilient organizations and
communities.
MLU's turnkey logistics and disaster response services, combined
with Tidal Basin's grant and case management technology and program
management expertise, and Michael
Baker's technology, planning, engineering design and
construction solutions, sets a new benchmark in the industry and
differentiates the combined team as the leader of full-spectrum
program management and technology solutions.
"Integrating MLU with Michael Baker International to complement
and diversify the offerings of our Tidal Basin team enhances our
combined capacity to offer swift, comprehensive resiliency
consulting and technology solutions nationwide for the public and
private sectors," said Brian A.
Lutes, Chief Executive Officer of Michael Baker
International.
This partnership adds to a growing team of over 4,500
professionals and expands local operations with more than 100
physical offices and service locations nationwide, enabling rapid
and effective disaster response and providing timely, on-the-ground
support to affected organizations and communities.
Comprehensive Project Portfolio Demonstrating Integrated,
Holistic Solutions
Adding MLU bolsters the combined firms' nationwide portfolio of
projects across the government sector, including the following key
clients and programs.
Federal Government (Civil and Department of Defense [DoD])
Sector Projects
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): MLU has
successfully delivered temporary housing under the $2.7 billion LOGHOUSE IDIQ contract, installing
over 82 thousand units nationwide. Through the Vanguard joint
venture, Tidal Basin has conducted over 2 million post-disaster
housing inspections since 2013 for FEMA's Housing Inspections
Services (HIS) contract. Michael
Baker has contributed to flood risk management and hazard
mitigation, supporting FEMA's $1.05
billion flood map modernization and resilience programs
under the Production & Technical Services (PTS) contract.
Additionally, Michael Baker's joint
ventures have enhanced FEMA's hazard mitigation and community
resilience efforts through comprehensive technical assistance,
communications and outreach, and innovative preparedness strategies
for the Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program (HMTAP) and
the Community Energy Resiliency Centers (CERC) contracts.
- Various U.S. Military Installations: Michael Baker
International has significantly contributed to various U.S.
military projects, emphasizing sustainability, security, and
efficiency. At the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)
headquarters in Virginia, they
provided comprehensive design services for a new facility that
meets high security and environmental standards. For the U.S.
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North
Carolina, they developed a Strategic Sustainability
Performance Plan to promote environmental stewardship. At the
Customs and Border Protection's Advanced Training Center in
West Virginia, they implemented a
Sustainability Component Plan focusing on energy and resource
management. Furthermore, Michael
Baker is leading the design and construction efforts for the
Hurricane Florence recovery at several Marine Corps bases in
North Carolina, focusing on
resiliency and sustainable rebuilding of damaged
infrastructure.
State Government Sector Projects
- State of Hawaii: Tidal
Basin has been a critical partner to Hawaii for over a decade, offering unmatched
expertise and managing over $1.8
billion in federally funded declared disaster programs.
Their work has enhanced disaster response, recovery, and federal
funding for the state. Following the Maui Wildfire in August 2023, Tidal Basin swiftly provided
comprehensive emergency management services to support immediate
response and long-term recovery efforts. Their collaboration with
partners like Michael Baker and MLU
bolsters Hawaii's resilience and
infrastructure against future disasters.
- State of California:
The Tidal Basin team, including Michael
Baker, was contracted by CalRecycle and successfully
executed structural debris and hazard tree removal monitoring
services in California's inland
counties affected by the 2019-2020 wildfires. The team coordinated
with arborists, managed environmental cleanup aspects, secured
necessary permits, protected sensitive areas, complied with
regulations, and meticulously tracked removal activities. In
addition, MLU significantly contributed to disaster response during
the Paradise Fire in 2019 and the Creek Fire in 2020 by quickly
establishing temporary housing, setting up 400 Mobile Housing Units
for the Paradise Fire, and providing 170 bunk trailers with over
2,040 beds for the Creek Fire.
- State of Florida: Tidal
Basin, Michael Baker and MLU have
played pivotal roles in Florida's
resiliency and recovery initiatives. MLU provided housing and
wrap-around services for emergency workers post-Hurricanes Sally
and Ian. Additionally, Tidal Basin's extensive program and grant
management, contact center support, technology solutions for
Florida's vaccine rollout, the
$1.6 billion Emergency Rental
Assistance Program and immediate disaster response and long-term
recovery services following Hurricanes Ian and Idalia combined with
Michael Baker's management of the
State Highway System Resilience Action, showcases significant
contributions to public health initiatives, housing recovery and
infrastructure resilience in Florida.
Healthcare Sector Projects
- Veteran Affairs Las Vegas Medical Center: The
936,468-square-foot facility is the first major project by the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs in over 15 years. The complex
includes a hospital, behavioral health facility, skilled
nursing-community living facility, outpatient clinics, and more on
a 160-acre site. Employing a modular design for flexibility and
expansion, the center focuses on a holistic approach to veteran
care, integrating the latest healthcare concepts for optimal
service and incorporating state-of-the-art technology for future
medical advancements.
- Major U.S. Healthcare Institutions: Tidal Basin has
enhanced disaster recovery and mitigation efforts across several
major healthcare institutions. Tidal Basin developed a
FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan at the University of Texas's MD Anderson hospital system,
significantly improving disaster preparedness and securing
mitigation funding. Their efforts were instrumental in recovering
millions in federal grant funding following Hurricane Harvey,
boosting the hospital system's resilience. Similarly, after
Superstorm Sandy, NYU Langone Medical Center collaborated with
Tidal Basin to overhaul its disaster response, developing
comprehensive emergency and business continuity plans and securing
$1.13 billion in federal grants.
Energy Sector Projects
- Photovoltaic and Water Storage for Homeowners in the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico:
Tidal Basin is managing the $300
million Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery
(CDBG-DR)-funded Community Energy and Water Resiliency
Installations (CEWRI) Program, improving energy and water
resilience for homeowners in Puerto
Rico affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, with
photovoltaic systems with battery backup and water storage. The
project has successfully installed 3,500 systems. Additionally,
Tidal Basin provided FEMA Public Assistance and program management
expertise to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA),
obtaining the highest single funding allocation of $11 billion to date, enabling them to rebuild
infrastructure.
- Solar Generation Facilities in California: Michael Baker has provided comprehensive
engineering and design services for the world's largest solar
generation facilities, including the 242-MW, 2,100-acre Antelope
Valley Solar Ranch One project with nearly four million solar
panels generating enough energy to power 75,000 homes and prevent
over 140,000 metric tons of carbon emissions yearly. Similarly, the
Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating Facility is the largest solar
thermal power plant globally, using over 300,000 mirrors to direct
sunlight to power towers, producing enough electricity for more
than 140,000 homes during peak hours and reducing carbon emissions
by over 450,000 tons annually. Both projects highlight significant
advancements in solar energy technology and their substantial
contributions to renewable energy production and carbon emission
reduction.
Transportation Sector Projects
- Various Airport Facilities Nationwide: Tidal Basin and
Michael Baker International have enhanced airport safety,
efficiency and emergency preparedness across major U.S. airports,
including Dallas Fort Worth
International Airport, Los Angeles World Airports, MidAmerica St.
Louis Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,
and more. Tidal Basin has delivered comprehensive consulting,
including FAA-compliant exercises and emergency management,
improving airport readiness, and Michael
Baker has significantly improved airport infrastructure and
technology with runway replacements, drone inspections, and green
engineering practices.
- Various Road and Rail Transit Facilities Nationwide,
Engineering Design, Sustainability, and Resiliency Solutions:
Michael Baker and Tidal Basin have
been at the forefront of advancing road and rail transit safety and
infrastructure resiliency through enhanced incident training,
freight logistics, infrastructure improvements, and urban
connectivity for major U.S. transit companies like CSC, CTfastrak,
SEPTA, Oregon Tri-County and more. Infrastructure improvements
include
As illustrated through these diverse projects and clients, the
collaborative efforts between Michael
Baker, Tidal Basin and MLU have had a significant positive
impact on communities nationwide. Their government and critical
infrastructure work underscores a commitment to resilience,
recovery and sustainability. This portfolio showcases their ability
to manage and execute large-scale projects under challenging
conditions and their dedication to enhancing the well-being of
affected communities and advancing environmental
sustainability.
"This acquisition marks a significant milestone for our
companies and clients. It is a testament to our unwavering
commitment to deliver top-notch disaster response and resiliency
solutions," said James Kelley,
President of MLU Services, Inc. "Combining the companies allows us
to focus on immediate relief and long-term success for our clients
in a better and more diversified way."
With a larger, more diverse portfolio and a unified team of
experts, organizations and communities can expect even greater
value with more effective turnkey solutions, helping them to be
stronger than before.
About Michael Baker International
Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering
and consulting services spanning five distinct Verticals:
Infrastructure, Design-Build Services, Federal Programs and
Services, Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS), and
Sustainable and Resilient Solutions (SRS). The firm's Practices
encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design and civil
engineering for diverse bridge, highway, water, rail transit, and
aviation projects, as well as planning, architecture, environmental
and construction, and program management. For over 80 years, the
company has been a trusted partner to clients, providing
comprehensive services and solutions, delivering expertise and
quality, and embracing emerging technologies and the latest
innovations – like intelligent transportation, engineered models,
and public safety software as a service (SaaS).
The firm's more than 4,000 employees across nearly 100 locations
are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities
through a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technological
advancement while Reimagining Michael Baker to become a
full-service engineering and consulting firm over the next five
years. To learn more, visit mbakerintl.com.
About Tidal Basin
Tidal Basin Group is an industry-leading program management
consulting firm providing integrated technology, resilience, and
emergency management solutions that build resilient organizations,
communities, and infrastructure. Our solutions are tailored to your
needs, drawing on extensive experience managing complex,
large-scale programs. We have a proven track record of success,
supported by a deep understanding of nuanced, braided funding
opportunities, making us the ideal program implementation partner
across the public and private sectors. With our skilled team,
robust systems, cutting-edge tools, financial strength, diverse
capabilities, and deep-rooted expertise, we are fully equipped to
execute your programs with excellence. As your trusted partner, we
cover everything from strategic advisory consulting, thorough
emergency and resilience planning, and turn-key logistics and
response support to proficient grant and financial program
management, innovative design and engineering, and efficient
construction management, complemented by customer relations,
communications, and technology solutions. Count on us to be by your
side, dedicated to advancing your objectives and solving your
challenges. Together, we will build a resilient future where
everyone can Be Stronger Than Before®. To learn
more, visit tidalbasingroup.com.
About MLU Services, Inc.
MLU is a national disaster response and logistics leader,
acclaimed as FEMA's premier provider of temporary housing
solutions. Since its inception in 1999, MLU has grown to command a
formidable network of 3,000 ready-to-deploy first responders across
the United States. Positioned for
immediate action, we specialize in providing rapid temporary
accommodations for those affected by natural disasters and setting
up base camps for first responders. Our legacy, built on a
foundation of integrity, responsiveness, safety, and quality,
showcases our unique capability to mobilize our extensive
experience swiftly and efficiently wherever needed. These core
values anchor our operations and guide our commitment to fostering
enduring client relationships. MLU Services holds itself to the
highest standards, ensuring every project surpasses expectations
and every client experience is exemplary. Discover more about our
dedication to excellence and our comprehensive services at
mluservices.com.
Contact: Julia
Covelli
julia.covelli@mbakerintl.com
(866) 293-4609
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