Fort Detrick, located near Washington, D.C., is vital to the nation’s security. Personnel conduct biomedical and biohazard research, and provide essential communication systems for the White House and the U.S. Army. All services must be maintained on a 24/7/365 basis. Research and communications at the installation’s facilities depend on constant, high-quality, reliable energy.

Under the auspices of its Enhanced Use Leasing (EUL) authority, the Army and Fort Detrick selected Keenan Development to market, finance, develop, manage, and operate a central utility plant (CUP) on the installation. The CUP will produce steam, chilled water, and conditioned power and emergency power to meet the energy requirements of the National Interagency Biodefense Campus (NIBC) facility, which includes the United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Integrated Research Facility, Fort Detrick's Sterilization Plant and the Department of Homeland Security’s National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center.

The CUP includes numerous sustainable design features, such as high combustion-efficient boilers, high efficiency chillers and primary pumps.

Keenan Development provided the leadership and insight essential to the project’s successful financial and organizational structure, with such approved by all pertinent federal authorities, including the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Office of Management and Budget. Functioning within a highly secure setting and securing alternative financing also are unique elements to the project’s success.

The CUP was completed in April 2008, on time and within budget.