Tetra Tech (NASDAQ: TTEK) is a cutting-edge company that provides consulting, engineering and technical services for the water, environment, energy, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors. Lots of money has been flowing into this sector, from both government and private sources, and Tetra is well-positioned to profit.

Tetra Tech’s clients include federal, state, and local government agencies in the US, as well as commercial and international clients. The company also has a growing presence in the energy sector, for pollution prevention and remediation.

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Pasadena, California, Tetra Tech prepares facilities, infrastructure and supply chains for the worst—and comes to the rescue if the worst actually occurs.

For nearly five decades, Tetra Tech has responded to thousands of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive releases, as well as natural calamities such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes.

Notably, Tetra Tech supported the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2005 with response and remediation services for environmental emergencies resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the subsequent flooding in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Part of the company’s Katrina-related services included search and rescue, deploying as many as 65 responders to affected areas.

With the emergence of international markets that are interconnected and operate around the clock, companies increasingly rely on global supply chains to maximize efficiency. However, the vast scope of these supply chains makes them vulnerable to catastrophic disruption.

Tetra Tech is now involved in the establishment of tsunami warning centers commissioned by the US government.

When unexpected disaster strikes a company, particularly an outsourcing firm with far-flung operations, decision makers often find themselves at a nexus, where supply chain management and emergency response intersect.

Without a well-prepared roadmap in hand, the supply chain—and by extension, the company—can fall to its knees. Tetra Tech has carved out a specialty and track record as the “go to” company for disaster preparedness and response.

Tetra Tech faces competition from a handful of giant engineering and construction firms, particularly Fluor Corp (NYSE: FLR), Halliburton Co (NYSE: HAL), and AECOM Technology Corp (NYSE: ACM). These companies are politically well connected and regularly obtain sizable amounts of government largesse, in addition to private sector clients.

However, Tetra Tech is the leader in crisis management, whereas the operations of its rivals are considerably more diffuse and their fortunes are more closely tied to the cyclical construction sector.

Tetra Tech also is a play on the environmental ramifications of booming shale gas production in North America.

Regardless of Washington’s budgetary follies, the share price should get a boost this year from accelerating global growth, worsening unrest overseas, persistent pollution woes, and continued prosperity in the energy sector.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Estuary Program selected Tetra Tech to assist in the completion of two handbooks—Coastal Stormwater Management through Green Infrastructure: A Handbook for Municipalities and Getting to Green: Paying for Green Infrastructure, Financing Options and Resources for Local Decision-Makers.

The handbooks were designed to help municipalities plan and pay for green infrastructure. This design strategy helps to manage stormwater runoff by distributing water into vegetation, soil, and natural processes, creating healthier urban and suburban environments while providing long-term cost benefits and reducing the need for additional storage capacity for municipalities.

Revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 was $581.1 million and revenue, net of subcontractor costs, was $437.1 million, each down 10% compared to the prior year. The declines were primarily due to the decision to complete certain fixed-price construction activities and wind-down the Remediation and Construction Management (“RCM”) segment. Operating income was $36.6 million and earnings per share (EPS) were $0.41. Cash generated from operations was $5.5 million.

Tetra Tech’s Chairman and CEO Dan Batrack commented, “Our new Water, Environment and Infrastructure (‘WEI’) and Resource Management and Energy (‘RME’) segments started the year with solid first quarter results, which contributed to exceeding EPS guidance for the first quarter. In addition, combined backlog for our on-going operations grew 5% on a constant currency basis. We continue to make progress towards completing the remaining RCM projects, and are focused on long-term growth opportunities that will leverage our technically differentiated services in the water and environmental markets.”

The stock price has recently taken something of a hit, falling from $27 to $23, but it has since bounced back and is trading above $24. We think the recovery has just begun. The stock is a buy up to $30.

Tom Scarlett is an investment analyst with Personal Finance.