March 18, 2012

(LANHAM, Md.)—Data Solutions & Technology Incorporated (DST) and The Bizzell Group, LLC (TBG) were awarded a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) contract under its Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) in the Feasibility, Pilot and Evaluation Projects domain.  The IDIQ, with an estimated value of $1.5 billion over the next five years, will be used as a means to provide program assessment support services to SAMHSA officials and staff to help them achieve their individual Centers/Divisions/Offices missions in a timely manner.

“We consider the SAMHSA IDIQ an important win for DST and TBG – Team DST – for it supports critical initiatives that help people (and their families) with mental and substance use disorders build strong and supportive communities,” said DST President & CEO Deborah Scott Thomas.  “We look forward to being part of a team that will help prevent costly and painful behavioral health problems and promote better health for our citizens.”

SAMHSA, an operating division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the leading source for behavioral health expertise and innovation in the nation. The division is charged with reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness in America’s communities. SAMHSA has identified the following eight strategic initiatives to focus its resources on areas of urgency and opportunity: Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness; Trauma and Justice; Military Families; Recovery Support; Health Reform; Health Information Technology; Data Outcomes, and Quality; and Public Awareness and Support.

Under the SAMHSA IDIQ Domain 1 contract, Team DST shall design, conduct, and report results from feasibility and pilot studies, as well as develop tools that increase reliability to the implementation of successful models of intervention and program design.

“We are honored that SAMHSA selected our team to provide technical and management support to help them achieve their mission and goals,” said Dr. Anton Bizzell, President & CEO, TBG.  “Addressing the issues of substance abuse and mental health along with the development of key resources and interventions that improve behavioral health for all Americans is critical to the continuum of care in this country and ultimately in securing positive health outcomes for all. We, at Team DST, are looking forward to assisting SAMHSA’s work in improving lives and furthering the nation’s scientific and medical knowledge.”

Contact
Tammi L. Thomas, Vice President for Strategic Management,  240-487-1479, www.dstincorporated.com