Bernhard Capital’s DOE Services Platform Buys Nuclear Security Consulting Firm SMSI; Chris Dillon Quoted

The Department of Energy services platform of private equity management firm Bernhard Capital Partners has acquired federal technical consulting services provider Strategic Management Solutions for an undisclosed sum.

Albuquerque, New Mexico-based SMSI has more than 400 employees and has been providing program management and project support services to DOE, National Nuclear Security Administration, national laboratories and industrial customers within the nuclear security enterprise since 1999, Bernhard Capital said Tuesday.

SMSI supports customers with environmental management, national security and large infrastructure initiatives through its business lines across the areas of special nuclear material and high hazard operations, procurement and supply chain, project delivery and integration and decontamination and demolition.

“The addition of SMSI strengthens the mission-critical capabilities and further positions our growing national platform as a go-to resource for essential consulting, program management, engineering, procurement, safety and field services within the DOE Complex and National Security Enterprise,” said Chris Dillon, partner at Bernhard Capital.

SMSI President Matt Nuckols and the firm’s current leadership team will continue to oversee the company as part of the DOE services platform, which Bernhard Capital established in 2022 through its purchase of Boston Government Services and Sterling Engineering & Consulting Group. The latest transaction marks the platform’s third acquisition.

SMSI CEO David O’Flynn will take on the role of executive director at Bernhard Capital’s energy platform.

Lee Bernstein, founder and chairman of SMSI, will focus on strategy as he transitions to the role of consultant at Bernhard Capital.

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