About ERG

Since our founding, ERG has strived to create an atmosphere of respect, a company where everyone at all levels is treated with kindness and compassion, and where we all work collaboratively to serve our clients and do work we believe in. ERG’s commitment to these goals is what makes our continued growth and success possible.

How does this work? Whether hiring staff or, in a few cases acquiring other companies, we look for people with similar goals, skills, and dedication to client service. We look for people who embrace our collaborative, inclusive philosophy, and who are committed to doing excellent, socially beneficial work. In this atmosphere, our employees develop, grow, and diversify their skills by participating on project teams comprising different specialties and strengths to meet specific client needs. By building and maintaining a respectful corporate culture, we see exceptional employee retention which, in turn, keeps clients returning to ERG time and time again. In annual anonymous staff surveys, more than 90 percent of respondents agree that “employees interact respectfully” at ERG, with just 1 to 2 percent disagreeing.

The atmosphere of respect that we apply internally extends in equal measure to client relationships. We listen to and learn about our clients’ goals. We work collaboratively with our clients to develop and implement practical, cost-effective plans to meet those goals. And we make ourselves available and responsive to their changing needs and priorities.

ERG leadership contacts our clients regularly to assess our performance. Over the years, their feedback has been nothing short of phenomenal. You might be interested in what they have to say about us:

“ERG is absolutely the best consulting firm to work with.”

“Of all the companies I've worked with in the federal government, you're the most professional and knowledgeable.”

“I am so impressed with your attention to detail, flexibility, imagination, and the professionalism your folks have demonstrated…The personalities and uniqueness that your employees bring to the table deserve recognition and praise.”

Our People

There’s a reason ERGers are so dedicated. We work in a friendly, flexible, inclusive environment with clients who are committed to making the world a better place.

Meet Our People

Small Business Program

ERG recognizes that our small business partners are an integral source of experience, innovation, and expertise, and we value and respect the significant economic and social benefits that emerge from utilizing and collaborating with small business subcontractors. ERG’s dedicated Small Business Liaison Officer advocates for small businesses by conducting outreach, promoting company program initiatives, investigating subcontracting opportunities, networking with small businesses, and fulfilling compliance requirements.

In 2019, ERG proudly accepted the Administrator’s Award for Outstanding Accomplishments by a Large Prime Contractor from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This award recognized our small business program accomplishments, including small business utilization and outreach activities. Use the form on the Team with Us tab below to contact ERG's Small Business Liaison Officer for more information.

Accreditations

Quality Management – ISO 9001:2015

ERG achieved ISO 9001 Quality Management System certification from NSF International Strategic Registrations. ERG’s quality management system certification applies to the management of professional, engineering, and IT services that ERG provides under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracts that require contract-specific quality management plans.

The International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 9001 standard is based on quality management principles such as a strong customer focus, the involvement of top management, and continual improvement. The standard helps organizations reliably meet the needs of clients in both the delivery and continuous improvement of products and services. The standard focuses on performance through a combination of risk-based thinking and a process approach, as well as employment of the “plan-do-check-act” cycle at all levels in the organization.

IT Service Management – ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018

ERG achieved ISO/IEC 20000-1 Service Management System certification from NSF International Strategic Registrations. ERG’s service management system applies to the management of website and IT application help desk services for contracted customers.

The International Organization for Standardization’s ISO/IEC 20000-1 standard helps identify and respond to customer needs through planning, delivery, and improvement of customer services. Implementation of a service management system demonstrates ERG’s commitment to excellence and best practices in service.

Information Security Management – ISO/IEC 27001: 2013

ERG achieved ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management System certification from NSF International Strategic Registrations. This certification covers the information security management system ERG established to manage the secure cloud-based environment we use to host corporate and customer-based applications. This environment provides isolated development and staging areas that support software development and testing activities.

The International Organization for Standardization’s ISO/IEC 27001 standard describes the requirements for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining, and improving a documented information security management system. The standard focuses on the management and protection of information assets through risk-based thinking, monitoring and measuring controls, and continual improvement.

Capability Maturity Model Integration for Development (CMMI-DEV)

ERG’s Digital and Information Solutions Group was appraised at CMMI-DEV maturity level 3 by JFR Consulting.

Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a process and behavioral model that helps organizations streamline process improvement and encourage productive, efficient behaviors that decrease risks in software and service development. CMMI is the result of more than 20 years of ongoing work at Carnegie Mellon University by members of industry, government, and ISACA.

An appraisal at maturity level 3 indicates the organization is performing at a “defined” level. At this level, ERG’s Digital and Information Solutions Group ensures that:

We use organizational standards and tailoring to address project and work characteristics.
We focus on achieving both project and organizational performance objectives.
We’re dedicated to continuous performance improvement and producing the highest quality of products and services.
Our projects use and contribute to organizational assets.
Our projects have processes that are planned and executed in accordance with policy.

Our Awards

We are proud to have been recognized for our environmental achievements, our communications excellence, and our support for voluntary partnership programs.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator’s Award for Outstanding Accomplishments by a Large Prime Contractor, 2019
Society of Government Meeting Professionals
Sam Gilmer Partnership Award, 2017–2018
Arlington Transportation Partners
Employer Champions—Gold Level Status, 2023
Employer Champions—Silver Level Status, 2021
Employer Champions—Bronze Level Status, 2019
Employer Champions—Gold Level Status, 2018
Employer Champions—Platinum Level Status, 2017
Employer Champions—Gold Level Status, 2016
Champion of the Month, 2015
Workplace Commute Champions Campaign Award, 2013
NorthEast Diesel Collaborative
Honoree for developing and implementing MassCleanDiesel program, 2011
Massachusetts Eco Awards
Pacesetter Award for Excellence in Commuter Options, 2011–2017
A Better City Challenge for Sustainability
Practically Green Company of the Year, 2011
Practically Green Employees of the Year, 2011
Arlington County, Virginia, Green Games
Silver Award, 2011
Transportation Research Board
"Communicating with John and Jane Q Public: Focus on Global Climate Change"
International Finalist, 2009, for "Best Workplaces for Commuters and Climate Change: Making the Connection"
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
EPA Achievements in Stratospheric Protection Poster
Best 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol Poster, 2007
EPA SunWise School Program
Public Awareness Awards, 2007
ReBrand™
EPA Smoke-Free Homes Pledge Campaign Materials
100 Notable Winners, 2006

Commitment to Community

Annual contribution to the Federal Water Quality Association’s National Capital Environmental Scholarship Fund
Corporate Challenge, a national program that sponsors a race to benefit local charities, MA
Leadership and support for community service activities organized by Engineers Without Borders - Northern Virginia Professional Chapter
Volunteer food rescue and distribution for Food Link, eastern MA
Volunteer support for Bailey’s Shelter & Supportive Housing, northern VA
Volunteer stream monitoring program, Arlington County, VA
Volunteer water quality monitoring for the Charles River Association, MA
Volunteer support for Climable.org, Cambridge, MA
Annual holiday assistance program at Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center, MD
Annual holiday Adopt-a-Family gift drive, Fairfax, VA
Volunteer Earth Day invasive species removal at Potomac Overlook Park, Arlington, VA
Volunteer tree and vegetation planting at Bluemont Park, Arlington, VA

Green Power Partnership Program

ERG is a longstanding Partner in the U.S. EPA’s Green Power Partnership, a voluntary leadership program of organizations committed to using clean power.

openLCA

ERG is the U.S. partner for the open-source life cycle assessment software openLCA. Our staff include certified trainers in openLCA.

American Center for Life Cycle Assessment (ACLCA)

ERG is an organizational member of ACLCA and supports ACLCA’s initiatives to advance the North American LCA community.

American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP)

ASAP supports and connects adaptation professionals to advance innovation in the field of practice. ERG has been an ASAP member since 2022.

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

USGBC is a green building certification organization that operates the LEED program. ERG supports numerous clients in achieving LEED certification for eligible projects. ERG has been a USGBC member since 2006.

University of Michigan Center for Sustainable Systems

ERG serves on the Center's External Advisory Board—a multi-stakeholder group representing business and industry, government, NGOs, and academia that reviews the Center's progress, provides guidance for executing the Center's mission, and helps identify new research areas, such as those related to life cycle assessment (LCA) and circular economy.

The Water Research Foundation (WRF)

ERG is a subscriber to The Water Research Foundation—the world’s leading One Water research and innovation organization. WRF invests in sound science to support water quality and improved public water service and collaborates with national and international organizations to advance innovative solutions in the water sector. Subscribers help drive WRF's research agenda and influence the future of the water sector.

Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT)

ERG is a corporate member of ACT, the premier organization and leading advocate for commuter transportation and transportation demand management professionals.

American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)

ERG has been a corporate member of AAAE—the largest professional organization for airport employees and service providers—since 2019.

Environmental Council of the States (ECOS)

A nonpartisan association of U.S. state and territorial environmental agency leaders, ECOS works to improve the capability of state environmental agencies and their leaders to protect and improve human health and the environment. ERG has been a member of ECOS since 2008.

Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)

ERG has been a corporate sustaining member of SAME since 1999. SAME promotes and facilitates engineering support for national security by building relationships among, and competencies of, engineering professionals in the uniformed services and private industry.

American Water Works Association (AWWA)

ERG staff participate as members and serve on committees of the AWWA, an international, nonprofit, scientific, and educational society dedicated to providing total water solutions to ensure effective water management.

National Adaptation Forum

ERG staff participate as members and serve on committees of the National Adaptation Forum. The Forum gathers adaptation practitioners from across the U.S. and multiple sectors and stakeholder groups to foster knowledge exchange, innovation, community building, and professional development, with a focus on moving beyond adaptation awareness and planning to adaptation action.

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)

ERG is a member of the AIHA, an organization that helps ensure that work-related occupational and environmental health and safety hazards are anticipated and eliminated or controlled. ERG’s certified industrial hygienists also are very active in local AIHA chapters, including Karen Capwell who is a “Director at Large” of the Potomac AIHA section.

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)

ERG is a member of the ACGIH, a nongovernmental scientific organization that studies occupational and environmental health issues. Its members are industrial hygienists or other occupational health and safety professionals dedicated to promoting health and safety within the workplace.

American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)

Many of ERG’s 50+ chemical engineers are members of AIChE, whose mission is to promote excellence in chemical engineering education and global practice. ERG’s staff have been elected to several offices including: Chair of the Environmental Division; Chair of the Nanoscale, Science and Engineering Forum; Programming Chair; and webmaster. We regularly organize sessions for, and participate in local and national conferences.

Clients and Contracts

ERG works with a wide variety of clients, including government agencies, non-government organizations, higher education, corporations, and businesses. Learn more about our clients and the contract vehicles they can use to access ERG services.