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Navy to Update Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Systems
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Navy to Update Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Systems

The U.S. Navy has moved forward with its follow-on efforts to modernize ocean and shore equipment used to train military personnel in anti-submarine operations.

Increments II and III of the Navy's Undersea Warfare Training Range (USWTR) recapitalization and expansion projects will focus on updating sensors, electronics and facilities situated in the Pacific and Caribbean regions, Naval Air Systems Command said Friday.

USWTR systems are designed to help warfighters monitor surface or subsurface targets and offer a realistic training environment for military vessel and aircraft operators.

The branch awarded L3Harris Technologies a $393 million contract in August to support the installation of the second and third increments of underwater training infrastructure.

For Increment I, the company helped the Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges program office install subsystems located off the coast of Florida.

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NIST to Solicit Input on Potential Parameters, Goals for Supply Chain Security Framework; Jon Boyens Quoted
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NIST to Solicit Input on Potential Parameters, Goals for Supply Chain Security Framework; Jon Boyens Quoted

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is working on a supply chain security framework for the information and communications technology industry and plans to issue a request for information to seek input about goals, principles and potential parameters for the new framework, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

“We really want the stakeholders to tell us where they think the biggest bang for the buck is, or the moonshot,” said Jon Boyens, deputy chief of NIST’s computer security division. 

NIST plans to address industry concerns when it comes to sharing sensitive supply chain security data with the government.

“One of our big questions I think we’ll put in the RFI is how to get a trust mechanism similar to what we’re doing in the software world: artifacts, evidence to achieve greater trust, to achieve greater assurance in the supply chain without sacrificing intellectual property,” Boyens said.

NIST has unveiled “recommended minimum standards” for software code testing since the release of the cybersecurity executive order in May and is collaborating with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on labeling initiatives to help consumers determine the security of software and internet of things devices.

Supply Chain Cybersecurity: Revelations and Innovations

ExecutiveBiz, sister site of GovConDaily and part of the Executive Mosaic digital media umbrella, will host a virtual event about securing the supply chain on Oct. 26. Visit ExecutiveBiz.com to sign up for the “Supply Chain Cybersecurity: Revelations and Innovations” event.

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CISA Warns of Water, Wastewater Infrastructure Security Threats
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CISA Warns of Water, Wastewater Infrastructure Security Threats

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Security Agency (NSA) and the FBI issued a joint advisory warning that threat actors are targeting hardware and software that support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure operations. 

CISA said Thursday that malicious cyber threats to information and operational technology networks, systems and devices could affect the sector's potable water delivery wastewater management efforts.

The alert states that cybercriminals are spearphishing personnel, exploiting unsupported and outdated operating systems and software, and capitalizing on control system devices with vulnerable firmware in an attempt to compromise facilities.

In the advisory, CISA listed five cyber incidents that occurred within the water industry between March 2019 August 2021 and attributed sector-specific intrusions to vulnerabilities associated with insider threats from employees with improperly managed credentials and ransomware attacks.

To defend against such threats, the agency and its federal partners recommended operators to conduct monitoring and adopt various mitigation practices related to remote access, networks safety systems, and planning and operational processes.

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White House Seeks to Advance Equity in Science and Technology With Ideation Challenge; Eric Lander Quoted
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White House Seeks to Advance Equity in Science and Technology With Ideation Challenge; Eric Lander Quoted

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has unveiled an ideation challenge meant to gather insights from the public about how to drive equity and inclusion in science and technology. 

The Time is Now: Advancing Equity in Science and Technology Ideation Challenge kicked off Thursday, Oct. 14th, on the Challenge.gov website and will run through Nov. 19 to collect ideas that could help incite actions and other efforts in the field of science and tech, the White House said Thursday.

“America’s future depends on science and technology like never before, and to address the extraordinary opportunities and challenges we face — to our health, our planet, our economic prosperity, and our national security — the United States will need to draw on all of its assets, chief among them our unrivaled diversity,” said Eric Lander, the president’s science adviser and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The challenge marks the second phase of OSTP’s Time is Now: Advancing Equity in Science and Technology program and does not come with a monetary prize.

“We need everybody to be able to participate in and contribute to science and technology because different experiences and perspectives are the bedrock of new scientific and technological insights, because having everybody on the team is essential to America’s global competitiveness in the 21st century, and, because it’s the right thing to do,” added Lander.

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SAIC CEO Nazzic Keene to Receive 2021 Good Scout Technology Award From Boy Scouts of America on Nov. 3rd
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SAIC CEO Nazzic Keene to Receive 2021 Good Scout Technology Award From Boy Scouts of America on Nov. 3rd

Nazzic Keene, CEO of Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) and four-time Wash100 Award winner, will receive the 2021 Technology Good Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America during the National Capital Area Council’s (NCAC) 24th Annual Good Scout Technology Award Luncheon on Nov. 3rd. 

The annual luncheon recognizes the most significant leaders of consequence who exemplify the values of the Scout Oath and Law in his or her daily life. The constituency includes top leaders from across the GovCon sector, federal landscape and specifically in the technology industry. 

Please visit the event website www.NCACBSA.org/Technology for registration details and sponsorship opportunities. 

This year’s luncheon will be held at the Tysons Corner Marriott beginning at noon with a light reception and will move on to the Good Scout Award presentation and lunch from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. SAIC Board Director Bob Bedingfield will act as the Good Scout Chair for the event.

The luncheon will recognize Keene’s significant contributions towards the digital modernization efforts for SAIC, its customers and the IT modernization initiatives for government agencies across the federal landscape. 

Keene will receive the Good Scout Award and add to the highly prestigious history of honorees who have each practiced trustworthiness and loyalty in their professional and civic lives. Nazzic Keene joins fellow Good Scout Award recipients and Wash100 Award winners such as ManTech CEO Kevin Phillips, Mac Curtis, CNSI’s Todd Stottlemyer and more! 

More than 36,000 Scouts participated in outdoor adventures and camping activities that have a profound positive impact on physical and mental health. 

The Boy Scouts of America is consistently recognized as one of the most admirable non-profit organizations in the world. The young men and women of America will greatly benefit from the support of the GovCon industry.

Please visit the event website www.NCACBSA.org/Technology for registration details and sponsorship opportunities. Even if you don’t plan to attend the luncheon, you can make a donation to the organization or take advantage of sponsorship opportunities for the event.

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SpyCloud Wins 2021 Threat Detection Solution of the Year Award; Ted Ross Quoted
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SpyCloud Wins 2021 Threat Detection Solution of the Year Award; Ted Ross Quoted

CyberSecurity Breakthrough, a market intelligence organization that recognizes top talent in the global information security sector, has named SpyCloud as the winner of its 2021 “Overall Threat Detection Solution of the Year” award.

Noting the urgent market need for cyber attack prevention, SpyCloud co-founder and CEO Ted Ross said, “Cybercrime has come to the forefront of public consciousness with major supply chain attacks impacting the country’s infrastructure.” 

“Despite the urgency of the problem, most companies still struggle to detect and prevent cyberattacks that stem from the use of stolen credentials,” Ross continued.

SpyCloud’s account takeover prevention services perform rapid recovery of stolen data, alerting security teams upon the event of credential compromise and allowing the platform to proactively thwart identity-based cyber attacks like credit card fraud, ransomware and business email compromise.

James Johnson, managing director of CyberSecurity Breakthrough said, “SpyCloud’s unique combination of human intelligence, early data recovery and the largest collection of breach data in the industry allows businesses to find more compromises, stay ahead of hard-to-detect attacks, and protect employees, consumers, and their bottom line.”

The company houses a threat intelligence database of over 130 billion assets, 5.7 billion of which, including compromised credentials and personal identifiable information, were recovered by SpyCloud researchers last year alone.

SpyCloud recently powered an update to Identity Automation’s RapidIdentity platform to enhance cybersecurity capabilities and prevent identity-based attacks in K-12 schools and higher education institutions.

ExecutiveBiz will host its Supply Chain Cybersecurity: Revelations and Innovations event on October 26th, during which distinguished cybersecurity experts will gather to examine the historic 2020 Solarwinds cyber attack and share insights, strategies and solutions for improving prevention capabilities and reducing the risk of future attacks. 

Visit ExecutiveBiz.com to register for the Supply Chain Cybersecurity event and other upcoming GovCon webinars.

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GSA, DOE Seek Market Info on Greenhouse Gas Reduction Tech
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GSA, DOE Seek Market Info on Greenhouse Gas Reduction Tech

The General Services Administration (GSA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) want to identify market sources of retrofit technologies designed to reduce greenhouse gases. 

GSA said Tuesday in a SAM.gov notice that it seeks market information on technologies such as carbon capture, power generation, decarbonized heating and on-site energy production.

These technologies could help agencies better support the Biden Administration's goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The government intends to implement these technologies across commercial buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Interested parties may submit responses through Dec. 7th. The government will evaluate responses based on the technology's decarbonization, energy efficiency and capacity to address energy challenges in underserved communities.

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GAO: DOD Should Fill Gaps in Small Business Strategy
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GAO: DOD Should Fill Gaps in Small Business Strategy

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) advises the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop an implementation plan, policy and a formal monitoring process for the DOD Small Business Strategy.

Congress, in 2019, tasked DOD to create a strategy that will guide how the department handles small business programs, GAO said Thursday.

The accountability office found that DOD witnessed boosted obligation values, but also reductions in the number of small business contractors between 2011 and 2020. DOD awarded over $80 billion to small businesses in FY 2020.

GAO discovered that DOD lacked the mechanisms necessary to improve the coordination of small business programs. DOD has agreed with the government watchdog's recommendations to address this gap.

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Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson Presents Maxar Technologies’ Tony Frazier His Fifth Wash100 Award
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Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson Presents Maxar Technologies’ Tony Frazier His Fifth Wash100 Award

Tony Frazier, executive vice president of Global Field Operations for Maxar Technologies, was presented his 2021 Wash100 Award, the most prestigious award in all of government contracting (GovCon), by Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic and founder of the Wash100 Award on Wednesday.

Executive Mosaic recognized Frazier with his fifth Wash100 Award, and third consecutive, for his vision and leadership in helping defense and intelligence customers with Maxar’s commercial space technology as well as driving satellite constellation advancement.

Most recently, Tony Frazier said that Maxar has developed 3D maps of the Earth for government and military customers and plans to address the demand for the maps in commercial markets. He explained that there has been an increasing demand from the auto industry to develop these high-fidelity maps to enable autonomous vehicles to have the navigation capabilities they need.

In addition, Maxar Technologies invested $600 million in the continued development of a constellation of Worldview Legion imaging satellites, as a range of commercial satellite imagery products are being prepared for launch by the National Reconnaissance (NRO).

Frazier said the Legion satellite constellation will boost the company’s capacity to help meet the imagery requirements of NRO, international and commercial clients.

“Legion is intended both to ensure continuity incapacity for all of our customers as well as to expand capacity, particularly in those parts of the world where there is high demand,” Frazier explained.

Executive Mosaic congratulates both Maxar Technologies and Tony Frazier for the fifth Wash100 Award win of his career. Frazier’s drive for excellence and innovation in the tech field continues to push Maxar as one of the most significant companies in the GovCon sector and elevates Frazier as one of the most influential leaders of consequence in the federal landscape.

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Leidos Wins $65M IT Modernization Contract for ONI’s Hopper Information Services Center; Mike Rickels Quoted
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Leidos Wins $65M IT Modernization Contract for ONI’s Hopper Information Services Center; Mike Rickels Quoted

Leidos has secured an approximate $65 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) prime contract to provide IT services and support for the Office of Naval Intelligence’s (ONI) Hopper Information Services Center.

The contract covers operations management, software development, cloud migration, cybersecurity and information assurance services, Leidos said Friday. 

"ONI has a critical role in ensuring that U.S. naval forces maintain a decisive information advantage," said Mike Rickels, senior vice president of C4ISR solutions for Leidos. "We look forward to continuing our decades-long support to ONI while providing timely and accurate maritime domain information to the warfighter," he added.

Recently, Leidos was awarded a spot on a $93 million IDIQ to provide the Navy with tactical threat support systems services to improve naval aircrew lethality and survivability.

Additionally, the Navy selected Leidos for IT services support on the Marine Corps’ multi-domain radar for a contested environment last month. 

Under the new IDIQ contract, Leidos will assist ONI in advancing its modernization efforts and continue the company's established history of collaboration with the U.S. Navy. Contract work will be performed primarily in Suitland, Maryland. 

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