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Blackstone Completes Acquisition of QTS Realty Trust; CEO Chad Williams Quoted
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Blackstone Completes Acquisition of QTS Realty Trust; CEO Chad Williams Quoted

Blackstone has officially announced that its acquisition of QTS Realty Trust has been completed for approximately $10 billion. The acquisition was completed through the affiliates of Blackstone Infrastructure Partners, Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., and Blackstone Property Partners.

“Completing this transaction with Blackstone marks an exciting new chapter for QTS,” said Chad Williams, CEO of QTS. “Our Powered by People approach will continue to be the foundation for how we serve our customers, local communities and each other, enabling QTS to continue setting a new standard for innovation and service delivery in the data center industry.”

Blackstone Senior Managing Directors Greg Blank and Tyler Henritze expressed their enthusiasm for the acquisition and the future of QTS.

QTS aligns with one of Blackstone’s highest conviction themes – data proliferation – and the required investment makes it well suited as a long-term holding for our perpetual capital vehicles,” said Blank and Henritze in a collective statement.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as financial advisors to Blackstone and Jefferies LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as financial advisors to QTS.

About QTS Realty Trust

QTS Realty Trust is a leading provider of data center solutions across a diverse footprint spanning more than 7 million square feet of owned mega scale data center space within North America and Europe.

Through its software-defined technology platform, QTS is able to deliver secure, compliant infrastructure solutions, robust connectivity and premium customer service to leading hyperscale technology companies, enterprises, and government entities.

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CISA, FBI Recommend Steps to Mitigate Risk of Ransomware Attacks; Eric Goldstein Quoted
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CISA, FBI Recommend Steps to Mitigate Risk of Ransomware Attacks; Eric Goldstein Quoted

The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have issued an advisory outlining mitigation measures that organizations in public and private sectors can implement to reduce the risk of ransomware attacks and other cyber incidents. CISA and the bureau have observed a rise in ransomware attacks during holidays and weekends.

The bureau and CISA recommend that organizations conduct preemptive threat hunting activities on their networks, such as understanding the baseline environment, reviewing data logs, using intrusion prevention and automated security alerting systems and deploying honeytokens.

They also suggested network best practices to mitigate the risk of compromise, including making an offline backup of data, updating software and operating systems, using strong passwords and multifactor authentication, implementing segmentation and creating an incident response plan.

CISA and the FBI also warn against paying a ransom to threat actors since it does not guarantee data recovery or protection from future attacks. Should organizations decide to pay the ransom or not, they should report attacks to the agencies to provide critical information to track attackers, help victims and hold criminal actors accountable.

“Ransomware continues to be a national security threat and a critical challenge, but it is not insurmountable,” said Eric Goldstein, executive assistant director for cybersecurity, CISA. 

“With our FBI partners, we continue to collaborate daily to ensure we provide timely, useful and actionable advisories that help industry and government partners of all sizes adopt defensible network strategies and strengthen their resilience. All organizations must continue to be vigilant against this ongoing threat,” he added.

Supply Chain Cybersecurity: Revelations and Innovations

ExecutiveBiz, sister site of ExecutiveGov, 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” forum.

Amanda Toman Named Acting Principal Director for 5G Initiative at DOD
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Amanda Toman Named Acting Principal Director for 5G Initiative at DOD

Amanda Toman assumed the role of acting principal director for 5G initiative at the Department of Defense (DOD) following Joseph Evans’ departure from the role within the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering in mid-August, FedScoop reported Tuesday.

The temporary Pentagon 5G lead has worked the department for over a decade now. She was a program manager from December 2010 to May 2020, and has served as 5G initiative director since then, according to her LinkeIn profile.

Prior to joining the government, Toman was with Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) for more than three years. As program analyst, she was responsible for leading several research and development projects, analyzing novel armor materials for various applications and engaging customers and government users, among other tasks.

Toman, earlier in her industry career, also worked as research scientist at System Planning Corp. where she was a technical lead who developed new Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program.

If you’re interested in the fifth generation wireless technology, then check out the Potomac Officers Club’s Fall 2021 5G Summit on Sept. 16. The event will feature a NextG and space insfrastructure-focused discussion that Toman will join as one of the panelists.

Amanda Toman Named Acting Principal Director for 5G Initiative at DOD

Click here to gain additional information about the summit and visit POC Events page to learn more about other GovCon-related gatherings.

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NNSA’s Jill Hruby: Nuclear Science & Tech Adoption Key to Address Climate Change
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NNSA’s Jill Hruby: Nuclear Science & Tech Adoption Key to Address Climate Change

Jill Hruby, administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, said she believes that adopting nuclear science and technology advancements will be key to reduce the global consequences of climate change.

She told the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management and the European Safeguards Research and Development Association's joint annual meeting that nuclear energy has the potential to become a “safe, secure, reliable, clean base power capability” for the world.

Hruby called for global cooperation in the climate science field and pointed to reactors, alternative fuel, nuclear material safeguards and spent fuel management as essential approaches to advance energy innovation.

“We still have the same common longstanding goals to achieve – providing effective nuclear materials security and safeguards to protect our citizens from incidents or accidents while allowing the development of nuclear energy and other peaceful uses," she added.

NNSA's Jill Hruby: Nuclear Science & Tech Adoption Key to Address Climate Change

On Tuesday, Sept. 14th, Potomac Officers Club will host its Bolstering Climate Resilience for National Security Forum featuring Senior Climate Advisor for the Office of the Secretary of Defense Joseph Bryan as the opening keynote speaker.

Ecological Futures Group Founder and CEO Dr. Rod Schoonover will join Bryan as the closing keynote speaker as both execs discuss the challenges that climate change presents to U.S. supply chains, military readiness and our federal infrastructure as a whole.

Visit PotomacOfficersClub.com to register for the platform’s Bolstering Climate Resilience for National Security Forum to learn more about the impact climate change is having on the federal landscape and U.S. national security.

House Committee to Take Up $7.4B Federal Vehicle Electrification Bill
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House Committee to Take Up $7.4B Federal Vehicle Electrification Bill

House Oversight and Reform Committee members plan to vote on a $7.4 billion spending bill that seeks to grow the federal government's fleet of electric vehicles, Government Executive reported Tuesday.

The legislation, which the panel could take up Thursday, includes $5 billion for vehicle purchases by the General Services Administration (GSA) and another $2.4 billion for the U.S. Postal Service to buy EVs and support infrastructure.

The committee is also considering authorizing nearly $11 million to finance electrification oversight processes led by the inspectors general at GSA and USPS. GovExec reports that less than 1 percent of the 657,000 federal vehicles is powered by electricity.

The Biden administration said Aug 5th that it would invest in programs to build a national network of EV charging stations, incentivize consumers to purchase electric cars and provide financial aid to the EV manufacturing industry.

The White House aims to make EVs account for half of the domestic auto market sales by 2030.

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U.S. Contractors Continue Efforts to Evacuate Personnel From Afghanistan; Howard Lind Quoted
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U.S. Contractors Continue Efforts to Evacuate Personnel From Afghanistan; Howard Lind Quoted

Some government contractors continue efforts to move their staff out of Afghanistan even after the U.S. completed troop withdrawal and evacuation operations late Monday, the Washington Business Journal reported Tuesday. PAE told the publication in a statement Friday that employee safety remains a top priority for the company.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure the security of our remaining local national workforce there, working closely to support the Department of State and Department of Defense in their evacuation efforts,” PAE added.

Some Washington, D.C.-based GovCon firms, including PAE, CACI International and Amentum, have either started the process of reducing contract work or were planning to retain employees in Afghanistan in support of the former government since President Joe Biden’s troop withdrawal announcement in April.

Howard Lind, president and executive director of the International Stability Operations Association, said ISOA member companies have adopted “Plan B” operations to evacuate their staff and Afghan allies from Afghanistan.

“Now that the U.S. military has left, the means of getting out is reduced — it’s not impossible. So we are trying to provide information to them, nontraditional means of leaving through aviation or on-ground routes across the country,” Lind said.

ISOA is a trade group representing nongovernmental organizations and companies that provide military, humanitarian, construction and development support in fragile countries.

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DARPA Hands Over ACT-IV Sensor System to Air Force Research Lab; Program Manager Tom Rondeau Quoted
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DARPA Hands Over ACT-IV Sensor System to Air Force Research Lab; Program Manager Tom Rondeau Quoted

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has transitioned an active electronically scanned array (AESA) sensor system to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, to support future defense research and development initiatives. 

The AESA system developed under DARPA’s Arrays at Commercial Timescales – Integration and Validation program can simultaneously conduct radar, communications and electronic warfare functions at various modes, the agency said Tuesday.

“With the ACT-IV program, we were able to realize the vision of ACT by developing an advanced sensor system with ACT common modules,” said Tom Rondeau, ACT-IV program manager.

The ACT common module is an advanced semiconductor device from which large platforms can be developed.

“Transitioning the ACT-IV system to AFRL will enable continued exploration of digital, multifunctional RF technologies for defense needs,” added Rondeau.

Northrop Grumman served as the primary research team on the program and helped transition the technology to AFRL. DARPA said the ACT-IV program resulted in the establishment of a third-party developer community that has come up with new applications and tools.

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U.S. Agencies Partner to Expand Federal Digital Workforce; Clare Martorana Quoted
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U.S. Agencies Partner to Expand Federal Digital Workforce; Clare Martorana Quoted

The General Services Administration (GSA) partnered with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the White House to further develop the federal government's workforce of digitally skilled professionals. 

The two-year U.S. Digital Corps fellowship will gather early-career professionals in critical technology areas such as data science, cybersecurity and software engineering for opportunities to work with the federal government, GSA said Monday.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, GSA and other agencies will host the fellowship's initial batch of 30 individuals in fiscal year 2022.

“To provide best-in-class service delivery, agencies must have the right combination of workforce talent in place as their existing personnel accelerate towards retirement,” said Clare Martorana, federal chief information officer, at the White House's Office of Management and Budget.

“OPM is excited to support the U.S. Digital Corps as one facet of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to rebuilding, reenergizing, and diversifying the federal workforce," said Kiran Ahuja, director at the Office of Personnel Management.

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VA Exec Neil Evans Named Department’s Acting CIO
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VA Exec Neil Evans Named Department’s Acting CIO

Neil Evans, chief officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Connected Care, has been appointed to serve as the VA’s chief information officer on an acting basis, Fedscoop reported Monday.

He will fill VA’s top information executive role, succeeding Dominic Cussatt, who has transferred to the State Department.

Evans has been with the VA for two decades, having joined the agency after graduating from Johns Hopkins University’s medical school and completing training at Osler Medical Residency.

VA’s Office of Connected Care, which Evans leads, develops and implements digital health strategies across the agency. The VA executive also provided advisory services for the Federal Electronic Health Modernization Program Office.

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ECS Receives Multiple Contract Awards on ASTRO IDIQ; COO John Heneghan Quoted
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ECS Receives Multiple Contract Awards on ASTRO IDIQ; COO John Heneghan Quoted

ECS announced on Tuesday that the company has been named a prime award recipient on the recent General Services Administration's (GSA) ASTRO contract. 

The work under the potential ten-year, multi-billion dollar contract with the GSA will include the development, integration, operation, maintenance, and support of unmanned/manned/optionally manned systems, robotics, and platforms. 

“Our company has a long history of delivering cutting-edge, never-before developed AI/ML solutions to federal customers,” said John Heneghan, chief operating officer of ECS. “We look forward to working with GSA FEDSIM on this innovative contract as we strengthen our nation’s warfighters across sea, air, land, and space.”

ECS will leverage the company’s expertise in autonomous aviation, artificial intelligence, machine learning and mission solutions to develop and deploy operational AI/ML algorithms across the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) domain.

“ECS continues to be at the forefront of analytics, autonomous robotics, and AI/ML algorithm development,” said Marshall Thames, senior vice president of ECS Mission Solutions business unit. “Through the ASTRO contract vehicle, ECS will provide the DoD with innovative technologies that deliver new capabilities to the warfighter, ensuring the success of future missions.”

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