WASHINGTON D.C. – Two Durham companies have received $8.4 million in U.S. Department of Homeland Security contracts, according to an announcement from the office of U.S. Rep. David Price, D-Chapel Hill.

Price is the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.

Durham-based IEM, a firm that offers disaster and emergency planning, disaster recovery and other services, will oversee three projects for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security worth $7.99 million, according to the release. The firm will be providing engineering, logistics and data processing support for the department's Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program.

The program is a partnership between the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army. It provides emergency preparedness assistance and resources to protect communities near the Army's chemical warfare stockpiles in the event of a chemical accident or incident. The Army is in the process of eliminating aging chemical munitions and materials stockpiles in accordance with international treaties.

"We are honored that CSEPP is leveraging IEM's proven expertise in science-based approaches to emergency management and homeland security to accomplish their goals," said Madhu Beriwal, IEM President and CEO, in a prepared statement.

In addition, PiTech Solutions will oversee a project for the department worth $483,782, providing technical drawing and programming services in support of airplane parts manufacturing conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center's Industrial Operations Division in Elizabeth City.