The US Army has awarded a $230.7m contract to Clark Construction Group for the construction of a replacement facility for the army’s Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) in Maryland.

The USAMRICD is the defence laboratory for the development of medical countermeasures against chemical weapons. It provides expert analytical and consultative services related to medical chemical defence research and medical management of chemical weapon casualties.

Under the contract, the company will build 526,255ft² facility, which also includes medical gas utilities (O2, CO2, LN2, N2), conventional utilities including water, sewerage, gas, central district chilled water, steam and electrical services including emergency power generation.

In addition, supporting infrastructure will include communication and information systems, fire protection and alarm systems, and site improvements that include landscaping and new access roads.