About

Abt Global begins its long-term relationship with NASA.  Early work includes studies on the transfer of NASA technology to urban construction, using science and technology as an instrument for social and economic change, and adapting NASA-developed environmental systems—energy efficiency—to earthbound companies. Later studies will focus on NASA’s pioneering projects aimed at attracting underserved youth to the science and technology fields.

Abt Global develops a rigorous experimental design for HUD to analyze the effect of demand-based subsidies on disadvantaged families in two cities.  The randomized control trial study—the Housing Allowance Demand Experiment—lays the foundation for design and adoption of the Section 8 voucher program, the nation’s predominant low-income safety-net housing program for the next 30 years.

The Survey Research Group is established.  One of its contracts is with the Transportation Systems Center of the U.S. Department of Transportation which calls for a survey of mass transit rider's attitudes on transit system innovations. This is the first time that transportation planners and system operators had examined the attitudes of their ridership.

Demand for work with EPA builds, beginning in 1986. By the mid-90s, Abt conducts an acid rain allowance market analysis, a risk/benefit analysis of fungicides used on fruit crops, an ecological risk assessment of dioxin in the paper industry, and studies the global warming impacts of increased use of ethanol. The Company’s work supports EPA’s efforts to improve the nation’s air quality. a major study on toxic substances and Demand for Abt Global’ environmental services dramatically builds, with an economic and regulatory analysis project for EPA’s Office of Water.  

The rapid spread of HIV/AIDS hastens the need for more information and interventions. Abt Global responds on a variety of fronts—tracking the incidence of the disease among imprisoned inmates, developing an annotated bibliography of AIDS research, and developing a three-year demonstration of a model outreach, education and intervention program for women involved in activities such as prostitution that pose the potential for transmitting HIV. Later, in 1993, with no cure for AIDS in sight, prevention protocols are seen as the most practical step to slow the transmission of HIV. Abt Global is awarded the master contract to provide scientific and administrative leadership for the HIV Network of Prevention Trials in the U.S. This project results in the enrollment of nearly 20,000 individuals in 17 scientific protocols, clearly demonstrating the feasibility of conducting Phase III efficacy trials.

Abt's 30+ years of health system strengthening work with USAID begins, leading to seven generations of flagship programs spanning 50+ countries and health reforms in financing, policy, workforce, governance, and more.

A Company study for the Justice Department reveals that racial disparities in federal sentencing for drug convictions stem from the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act.  The imposition of harsh mandatory minimum sentences for crack cocaine trafficking is found to disproportionately affect African Americans. Abt Global’ findings—which eventually contribute to passage of the 2010 Fair Sentencing Act—are cited by the Supreme Court in 2012 in a related case.

Abt is awarded EDGE Certification, becoming the first U.S. government implementing partner to meet the prestigious global business standard for gender equality.  Abt is one of just 20 organizations in the U.S. to attain this certification.

Abt Global has become the first-ever company to earn a new sustainability certification, the only one of its kind designed specifically for the professional services industry. The NSF/ANSI 391.1 General Sustainability Assessment Criteria for Professional Services measures professional services firms across environmental, social, economic, and sustainable supply chain criteria. Abt earned the highest “Leadership” level certification for transparency and rigor of practices, policies, and commitments spanning these domains.