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Brian Goodger: NITAAC Eyes March Release of $40B CIO-SP4 IT Support Contract Solicitation
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Brian Goodger: NITAAC Eyes March Release of $40B CIO-SP4 IT Support Contract Solicitation

Brian Goodger, acting director of the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC), said NITAAC plans to issue a request for proposals for the potential $40 billion Chief Information Officer – Solutions and Partners IV contract for IT support services by mid-to-late March, Federal News Network reported Monday.

Goodger told FNN in an interview NITAAC will accept bids through April 30 and expects to receive more than 1,000 proposals for CIO-SP4 with plans to select up to 450 large and small business vendors by early 2022.

He said NITAAC will adopt a three-phased approach to the evaluation of bids for the governmentwide acquisition contract to immediately address any potential complaints. The initial phase calls for vendors to fill out a self-scoring sheet, while the second phase is a go no-go decision. Phase three includes a technical and business proposal review.

“That will result in some total score at the bottom of the page out of 10,000 points. It’s important to note that each company based on their business size is competing to get on the GWAC only amongst companies of a similar size. So larges are only going against larges, and smalls are only going against smalls,” said Goodger, who is also CIO-SP4 program director.

“Another reason we’ve moved to the phased approach is that although the offerors will submit everything in total upfront. The phased approach allows NITAAC the opportunity to notify them immediately after the conclusion of each phase of whether or not they’ve advanced to the next phase. And in doing so, we will be able to start any protest clock immediately with those that did not make it from phase one to phase two,” he added.

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DOD Opens Aerospace Research Facility; Jagadeesh Pamulapati Quoted
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DOD Opens Aerospace Research Facility; Jagadeesh Pamulapati Quoted

The Department of Defense (DOD) has inaugurated a new facility at Tuskegee University in Alabama that will support the study of various topics under aerospace and materials sciences.

The Aerospace Education Research and Innovation Center (AERIC) was sponsored by Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., and built as part of a $2 million funding effort from Congress, DOD said Monday.

AERIC will explore how materials and components perform under harsh conditions and handle two-year undergraduate research programs in experimental aerodynamics and fatigue damage tolerance.

The center will also work with Boeing, Chevron, Dynetics and Wichita State University to drive education and research initiatives.

"The establishment of centers of excellence plays a vital role in our defense enterprise by stimulating research and innovation for the next generation of STEM leaders," said Jagadeesh Pamulapati, director at DOD's office of research, technology and laboratories.

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DHS Issues Multiple Contract Awards for CISA-Supported Network Security Project
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DHS Issues Multiple Contract Awards for CISA-Supported Network Security Project

The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) has awarded new research and development contracts for a network security program in partnership with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). 

The first seven awards under the new Secure and Resilient Mobile Network Infrastructure project will tackle legacy network security, end-to-end network traffic protection and 5G security development, DHS said Monday.

The project's first round will also cover the development of a secure voice communications technology for use in government operations. S&T’s Mobile Security R&D Program manages the project.

“These awards will further CISA’s efforts to support the security of existing mobile networks as well as emerging 5G networks being rolled out by carriers across the country,” said Brandon Wales, acting director at CISA.

The project's participants and their corresponding award values are:

  • 4K Solutions – $1.6 million
  • Commdex – $2 million
  • Texas A&M University – $1.1 million
  • Aether Argus – $1.4 million
  • University of Florida (Gainesville) – $1.7 million
  • Red Balloon Security – $750,000
  • AdaptiveMobile Security Inc. – $1.2 million
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VA Issues Framework on Data Usage, Privacy; Richard Stone Quoted
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VA Issues Framework on Data Usage, Privacy; Richard Stone Quoted

The Department of Veterans Affairs has released an online document that discusses how VA employees, partners, stakeholders and veteran users can access their information.

Devised by the Data Ethics Work Group, the Ethics Principles for Access to and Use of Veteran Data contains nine principles that support the department's standards on information security and privacy, VA said Monday.

Richard Stone, acting undersecretary for health at VA, said the framework aims to establish a group of standards for its partners through a proactive approach in data privacy and management.

"VA is applying this framework to all data interoperability initiatives, including those tied to our COVID-19 response and modernization efforts."

VA aims to incorporate the framework's principles into a set of policies, directives and requirements meant to be published the following year.

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Space Force to Add Software Professionals From ‘Coding Boot Camp’; Patricia Mulcahy Quoted
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Space Force to Add Software Professionals From ‘Coding Boot Camp’; Patricia Mulcahy Quoted

The Space Force has concluded its first coding boot camp which saw 28 civilian and military personnel graduate as the service branch's “supra coders”, SpaceNews reported Monday. The service selected the participants among 300 candidates and is slated to conduct subsequent events in a push to expand its pool of software coders to 400.

Work under the new coders' purview include space-based traffic control, data analysis and satellite operations at various worldwide locations.

The Space Force is also slated to welcome up to 116 graduates from the U.S. Air Force Academy along with 300 from the latter’s basic military training program who will serve as operations specialists for space systems.

Patricia Mulcahy, deputy chief of space operations for personnel and logistics, said the Space Force additionally plans to enlist officers from STEM-focused programs under the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

“What you’ll see is emphasis on being digitally enabled. This is the very fabric of who we are,” she said.

Mulcahy’s comments come after Gen. John Raymond, chief of space operations and a 2021 Wash100 Award recipient, called for a renewed focus on establishing a digital-minded force.

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FAA Needs Personnel to Facilitate Recreational Drone Safety Tests
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FAA Needs Personnel to Facilitate Recreational Drone Safety Tests

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seeks test administrators for a new program that aims to test the safety of recreational drones. FAA said Monday that it has opened applications for third-party entities that would administer and facilitate The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST).

The agency developed the test based on responses from the drone community about FAA-imposed authorization requirements. Recreational drone users under the TRUST program will receive best practices and other information as guidance for drone safety.

Parties interested to serve as test administrators may submit applications through March 31st. FAA will unveil the successful applicants in June 2021.

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IG Report: GSA Must Improve Oversight of Insider Threat Program
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IG Report: GSA Must Improve Oversight of Insider Threat Program

The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) is recommending the agency to improve information sharing and internal communications regarding its Insider Threat Program (ITP).

The GSA OIG said in the report released Wednesday that the agency must work on its organizational collaboration efforts to proactively detect, mitigate and prevent insider threats. GSA must improve its oversight of employee termination and separation, the OIG noted.

According to the report, GSA’s senior designated official for ITP is yet to submit its report on insider threats to the GSA administrator and that the agency does not actively monitor risks associated with terminated and separated employees that retain access to agency systems.

“Taken together, these deficiencies expose GSA information to theft or loss, facilities to damage, and personnel to actual or threatened harm; and create gaps that can be exploited in other ways to undermine GSA’s ability to effectively carry out its operations,” the report states.

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Infrastructure Security Vet Nitin Natarajan Named Deputy Director of CISA; Brandon Wales Quoted
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Infrastructure Security Vet Nitin Natarajan Named Deputy Director of CISA; Brandon Wales Quoted

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has appointed homeland security expert Nitin Natarajan to serve as deputy director.

Tenured cyber executives Eric Goldstein and David Mussington have also joined CISA’s leadership team to serve as executive assistant directors for cybersecurity and infrastructure security, respectively, the agency said Monday.

Natarajan’s cybersecurity career spans both public and private sectors, having held cyber-related roles at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Avantus Federal.

He most recently led homeland security and federal civilian market pursuits of Avantus Federal, which offers services in the areas of augmented intelligence, software, algorithms, machine learning and other emerging applications.

Goldstein led cybersecurity risk management efforts at Goldman Sachs and held various roles at the National Protection and Programs Directorate, CISA’s predecessor. Mussington supported the cybersecurity of European, Canadian and British organizations, in addition to the U.S. federal government, across more than 20 years.

“CISA is gaining strong advocates and leaders with these appointments, and I welcome them to the team,” said Brandon Wales, acting executive director at CISA.

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GSA to Re-award $5.5B Second Generation IT BPAs; Sonny Hashmi Quoted
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GSA to Re-award $5.5B Second Generation IT BPAs; Sonny Hashmi Quoted

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will re-award its 2nd Generation Information Technology (2GIT) Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), which have an estimated value of $5.5 billion over five years, the agency reported on Tuesday. The BPAs will be available for use by all agencies across the federal government.

“2GIT will deliver great value across the federal government. It serves as an example of GSA developing IT solutions that cater to agencies’ current and future requirements with supply chain risk management as a key feature,” said GSA assistant commissioner of Information Technology Category Laura Stanton.

GSA developed the 2GIT solution in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force, and it will extend the benefits of a Best-in-Class (BIC) IT Products purchasing solution to the federal government.

The 2GIT solution will deliver a reliable, flexible, fast and efficient way to procure best-value solutions for complex IT hardware requirements. The BPAs will provide a streamlined process for purchasing IT hardware and software products and services through GSA Advantage!.

In addition, 2GIT provides access to a comprehensive set of IT products and ancillary services from pre-vetted industry partners and includes supply chain risk management assurances, as well as on-site and virtual customer support and training.

“Increasing access for small businesses and under-served communities within federal acquisition is an important goal for GSA,” said Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) commissioner and 2021 Wash100 Award recipient, Sonny Hashmi.

Of the 70 industry partners, more than 50 are small businesses. “Small and disadvantaged businesses form an important component of the federal contracting community, and GSA will continue to identify and elevate opportunities for them to bring their expertise and innovation to support the federal government,” Hashmi continued.

GSA to Re-award $5.5B Second Generation IT BPAs; Sonny Hashmi Quoted

Hashimi will deliver a keynote speech at GovCon Wire’s Modernizing Federal Acquisition Forum on April 15. To register for the virtual forum and view other upcoming events, visit the GovConWire Events page.

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Boeing Starts Production of T-7A Red Hawk Advanced Trainer; Shelley Lavender Quoted
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Boeing Starts Production of T-7A Red Hawk Advanced Trainer; Shelley Lavender Quoted

Boeing has initiated production of the first U.S. portion of the T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer, the company reported on Tuesday. The aircraft was fully designed using 3D model-based definition and data management systems developed at Boeing over the past 20 years.

“The future of air dominance lies in the ability to move quickly, take smart risks and partner in new ways to get the job done,” said Shelley Lavender, Boeing senior vice president of Strike, Surveillance and Mobility. “By creating aircraft and systems along a digital thread, we can accelerate build times and increase quality and affordability for our customers in a way that has never been done before.”

The T-7A Red Hawk is an advanced pilot training system designed for the U.S. Air Force that will train the next generation of fighter and bomber pilots. The T-7A Red Hawk leveraged the digital engineering and design of Boeing’s T-X aircraft. 

Designed using a digital thread, the T-7A aligns with the U.S. Air Force’s Digital Century Series strategy by enabling the integration of new concepts and capabilities faster and more affordably through virtual testing. The Advanced Pilot Training System also incorporates leading-edge ground-based live and virtual simulators to give students and instructors a “real as it gets” experience.

In Sept. 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $9.2 billion contract to supply 351 advanced trainer aircraft and 46 associated ground-based training simulators. Saab is teamed with Boeing on the trainer and provides the aft fuselage of the jet.

“This is a historic moment for the program and industry,” said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president of T-7 Programs. “The build process leverages full-size determinant assembly, which allows technicians to build the aircraft with minimal tooling and drilling during the assembly process. The digital process accounts for a 75% increase in first-time quality.”

About Boeing

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

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