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Government Technology/News
Laura Stanton: IT Category at GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service Reports Over $30B in FY 2020 Revenue
by Jane Edwards
Published on February 12, 2021
Laura Stanton: IT Category at GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service Reports Over $30B in FY 2020 Revenue

Laura Stanton, assistant commissioner for the office of Information Technology category at the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), said the IT category recorded more than $30 billion in fiscal 2020 revenue, up from the previous fiscal year’s $26.5 billion, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

“That really represents the trust that the federal agencies have put in us, the customer service, the support in reducing the acquisition lead time, the innovation, the data transparency, all of the things that the federal agencies have put their trust into ITC in order to make that happen,” Stanton said during a panel sponsored by ACT-IAC. She noted that the figures are not yet final.

“Out of that, we also provided more than $2 billion in savings and cost avoidance to the customers out of ITC alone,” she added.

Stanton said GSA also advanced efforts to promote robotics process automation, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies and plans to launch new acquisition vehicles this year under Polaris and ASTRO governmentwide acquisition contracts for small businesses.

“We also launched the IT acquisition university, which is about the digitization of the workforce, and how that’s beginning to change how we get out new information on how to buy and about technology,” Stanton said during the panel.

Government Technology/News
GAO: VA Should Address Existing Test Findings Prior to EHR System Deployment in New Locations
by Jane Edwards
Published on February 12, 2021
GAO: VA Should Address Existing Test Findings Prior to EHR System Deployment in New Locations

A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made progress implementing its electronic health record (EHR) system by performing end-user training, creating system interfaces and capabilities and making system configuration decisions, among other efforts. 

GAO said in the report published Thursday there were 361 high severity test findings and 17 critical severity test findings that VA failed to close or address as of late September 2020. The congressional watchdog recommended that VA delay fielding its new EHR system in new sites until all existing critical and high severity test findings are addressed or closed.

On Oct. 24, VA fielded its EHR platform in Spokane, Washington, with zero critical severity test findings. The department also saw its high severity test findings drop from 361 in September to 55 the following month. Of the remaining 55, 44 high severity test findings had workarounds, seven were linked to future deployments and one had a workaround VA identified at the time of initial deployment.

“Nevertheless, as the department moves forward with deployment of additional capabilities at new locations, VA will likely identify new critical and high severity test findings,” GAO said. “If VA does not close or appropriately address all critical and high severity test findings prior to deploying at future locations, the system may not perform as intended.”

Government Technology/News
Naval Surface Warfare Center Nears Completion of Corrosion Testing System With Academic Partner; Armen Kvryan Quoted
by Nichols Martin
Published on February 11, 2021
Naval Surface Warfare Center Nears Completion of Corrosion Testing System With Academic Partner; Armen Kvryan Quoted

Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) has entered the final stages of a partnership with academia to develop a system that can test the material corrosion of naval weapon systems.

NSWC PHD partnered with the University of California, Santa Barbara to develop an automated corrosion testing system (ACTS), Naval Sea Systems Command said Wednesday.

The project began in September with NSWC PHD’s Fathomwerx Lab, a private-public partnership, and five personnel from UCSB’s mechanical engineering department.

The system moves an object into and out of the water to speed up the corrosion rate, then applies a liquid solution afterward. Users may also control salinity, water temperature and other variables of the test via a computer interface.

“The Navy can utilize the automated corrosion testing system for research and development and new design application, but what we plan on using this for is overall maintenance and to understand more how we can contribute to ship readiness,” said Armen Kvryan, lead materials engineer at NSWC PHD.

The team aims to finish the system by June 2021

Government Technology/News/Press Releases
NIST Releases FY 2021 Topics for SBIR Program
by Matthew Nelson
Published on February 11, 2021
NIST Releases FY 2021 Topics for SBIR Program

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has unveiled the research areas for the first phase of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program in fiscal year 2021. The projects are required to validate and address NIST technical program areas associated with research topics under the program, the agency said Wednesday.

Selected applicants will receive up to $100,000 in funds to validate the technical merit and feasibility of the proposed research and development projects for commercialization. Qualified projects may receive additional funds in succeeding SBIR phases.

SBIR seeks to support research projects in an effort to ensure that the U.S. system of measurements is built on scientific and technical principles.

The research areas are:

  • Advanced Communications, Networks and Scientific Data Systems
  • Advanced Manufacturing and Material Measurements
  • Cybersecurity and Privacy
  • Fundamental Measurement, Quantum Science and Measurement Dissemination
  • Health and Biological Systems Measurements
  • Physical Infrastructure and Resilience
  • Exploratory Measurement Science
Executive Moves/News
Brad Bunn to Assume Vice Director Role at DLA
by Matthew Nelson
Published on February 11, 2021
Brad Bunn to Assume Vice Director Role at DLA

Brad Bunn, director at the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) human resources unit, will succeed Mike Scott as vice director. Bunn will lead and oversee the agency’s operations, strategic planning and resource management functions, DLA said Wednesday.

DLA Director and U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic said Bunn will bring his knowledge of the agency’s mission, logistics, business and financial operations to his new capacity.

Bunn noted he led DLA’s human resources unit for 11 years. He helped DLA respond to data breaches at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and assisted in addressing various gaps brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Senior Executive Service veteran oversaw the design, creation and implementation of the National Security Personnel System into DLA. He also served as director of the Defense Civilian Personnel Management Service.

Scott is slated to leave DLA at the end of the month.

Executive Moves/News
Intelligent Waves Promotes Dennis Freeland to VP of BD; Erin Horrell Quoted
by Sarah Sybert
Published on February 11, 2021
Intelligent Waves Promotes Dennis Freeland to VP of BD; Erin Horrell Quoted

Intelligent Waves has promoted Dennis Freeland to vice president of Business Development to manage resources and drive strategic goals to support the company’s growth and expansion through proactive management engagement, the company reported on Thursday.

“We are thrilled to recognize Dennis for his strategic contribution to our record growth and excited to promote him as he helps us extend our growth trajectory to the next level. His experience, acumen, and trusted expertise in the Defense and IC community are second to none,” Erin Horrell, Intelligent Waves’ chief growth officer said.

Freeland has more than three decades of executive leadership and has spearheaded significant initiatives. He has utilized his insights from serving with the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and private sector companies to deliver solutions that support growth initiatives within Intelligent Waves.

Freeland has extensive knowledge of planning, coordination and instruction, and he has also conducted wide-ranging security missions, including All-Source intelligence analysis, personal security,and direct-action operations.

He has more than two decades of active duty service with the United States Marine Corps (USMC). With USMC, Freeland served, trained and deployed with infantry and reconnaissance units. Freeland is also an active member in the Defense and Intelligence Community (IC).

He served in an operational role where he supervised, coordinated and certified combat-capable Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance platoons in tactics, doctrine and equipment. Freeland was also a senior enlisted member of Crisis Action Planning within deployed Maritime Special Purpose Force units.

Freeland collaborates with multiple Professional Associations, including Marine Corps League, Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Association, Disabled American Veterans, National Defense Industrial Association, Program Management Institute and AFCEA International.

He is also a Global SOF Foundation member. Freeland has an active Top Secret SCI Eligible security clearance, and he received his bachelor’s degree in History from the American Military University and is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Financial Reports/News
Iridium Reports Fourth Quarter 2020, Issues Full Year 2021 Guidance; Matt Desch Quoted
by Sarah Sybert
Published on February 11, 2021
Iridium Reports Fourth Quarter 2020, Issues Full Year 2021 Guidance; Matt Desch Quoted

Iridium Communications has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2020 and issued its full-year 2021 guidance, the company announced on Thursday. The company reported fourth-quarter total revenue of $146.5 million, which consisted of $116.9 million of service revenue and $29.6 million of revenue related to equipment sales and engineering and support projects. 

Total revenue increased five percent versus the comparable period of 2019, while service revenue grew three percent from the prior year. from the year-ago period. Service revenue was 80 percent of total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020.

"I am incredibly proud of the results Iridium delivered this year in the face of an unprecedented business environment. The resilience of our wholesale business model and double-digit subscriber growth in 2020 are testaments to the strength of our global partner network and the growing demand for Iridium's safety services and mobility platform," said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium and 2021 Wash100 Award recipient. 

Iridium noted that its net loss for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $7.9 million, as compared to net loss of $107.9 million in the same quarter of 2019. The company’s net loss improvement was primarily due to debt extinguishment costs associated with Iridium's refinancing in the fourth quarter of 2019. 

The company’s Operational EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $84.8 million, as compared to $80.1 million for the prior-year period, representing a year-over-year increase of 6 percent.  OEBITDA primarily benefited from increased commercial service revenue and engineering and support work for the government.

The Company ended the quarter with nearly 1.5 million total billable subscribers, which compares to 1.3 million for the year-ago period and is up from 1.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. Total billable subscribers grew 14 percent year-over-year, driven by growth in commercial IoT and government business.

For the full year, Iridium reported net loss of $56.1 million, compared to net loss of $162.0 million for 2019. Iridium reported record total revenue in 2020 of $583.4 million, which was up four percent from the year-ago period. 

The company’s total revenue included $463.1 million of service revenue and $120.3 million of revenue related to equipment sales and engineering and support projects. OEBITDA for 2020 was $355.6 million, a seven percent increase from $331.7 million in the prior year, representing an OEBITDA margin of 61 percent. Capital expenditures were $38.7 million for the full-year 2020.

Iridium has issued its full-year 2021 outlook and reiterated, projecting revenue growth of approximately three percent full-year 2021. Additionally, Iridium expects full-year 2021 OEBITDA to be between $365 million and $375 million. 

Commenting on Iridium's share repurchase authorization and capital priorities, Desch said, "In light of Iridium's strengthening capital position and continued opportunities for growth, I am happy to announce that our Board of Directors approved the first share repurchase program in the Company's history.”

“This program authorizes the repurchase of up to $300.0 million of Iridium common stock through December 31, 2022, and demonstrates Iridium's commitment to long-term value creation through returns of capital to shareholders," Desch added. 

Iridium Reports Fourth Quarter 2020, Issues Full Year 2021 Guidance; Matt Desch Quoted

Desch received his 2021 Wash100 Award for stewarding the company through the launch of its broadband service upgrade, satellite cloud-based offering for internet of things and maritime emergency response system. 

Executive Mosaic congratulates Matt Desch and the Iridium team for their selection to the 2021 Wash100 Award. To vote for Desch, or your favorite executive of this year’s Wash100 Award selection, visit Wash100.com to cast your TEN votes, learn more about the history of the award and read more about the latest class of winners from 2021.

Executive Moves/News
SPA’s William Vantine to Serve as Member on NASA ISS Advisory Committee
by Sarah Sybert
Published on February 11, 2021
SPA’s William Vantine to Serve as Member on NASA ISS Advisory Committee

Dr. William Vantine, president and chief executive officer of Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA), has been appointed as a member of the NASA International Space Station (ISS) Advisory Committee for another term, the company reported on Thursday.

“It is my honor and privilege to continue to serve on this Advisory Committee, and I look forward to supporting NASA, our Nation, and all of our International Partners in ensuring the continued success of the International Space Station,” Vantine said.

As a member of the committee, Vantine will provide advice and recommendations to NASA on the safety and operational readiness of the ISS. He will also help assess the possibilities for using the ISS for future space exploration.

Vantine will participate in independent and joint meetings with Russia’s Roscosmos Advisory Expert Council to assess ISS spaceflight operations and any additional issues identified in accordance with the committee charter.

“The work we are doing on the ISS is key to learning how to live and work in space and to our nation’s further development of innovative technologies,” Vantine added.

Vantine was named to the committee by NASA’s associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, Kathryn Lueders. The Advisory Committee is chaired by Lt. General Thomas Stafford, USAF (Ret.).

SPA has provided support to a variety of space agencies. In the past year, the company has received a five-year task order to support technical and engineering functions under the U.S. Space Command’s program management office director.

SPA will help the SPACECOM PMO supervise design, construction and systems integration efforts for command-and-control facilities such as the National Space Defense Center and the Joint Operations Center. The company received the task order under the General Services Administration’s Professional Services Schedule contract.

SPA Australia was also selected as a potential supplier to the Australian Space Agency Support Services Panel in Dec. 2020. Under the agreement, SPA Australia will serve as a potential supplier to support the Australian Space Agency with risk management and specialist support services. The work will be conducted by the SPA Australia office in Canberra with support from its parent company, SPA.

Contract Awards/News
SGT Wins Task Order to Support Space Force 45th Space Wing; Tina Dolph Quoted
by Sarah Sybert
Published on February 11, 2021
SGT Wins Task Order to Support Space Force 45th Space Wing; Tina Dolph Quoted

Siemens Government Technologies (SGT) has been awarded an initial task order for a potential $21 million by the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, to provide electronic security maintenance and support of operations for the Space Force 45th Space Wing, the company reported on Thursday.

“Our team at the Cape has more than 49 years of collective experience in supporting the unique needs of our Space Force customer for fire and electronic security, with thorough knowledge of the systems installed for safe, secure and reliable operations,” said Tina Dolph, president and CEO of SGT and 2021 Wash100 Award recipient.

Under the award, SGT will utilize its smart infrastructure expertise to deliver maintenance and support for electronic security systems. The company’s efforts will advance orbital vehicle launches and range operations at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Patrick Air Force Base (PAFB) and Kennedy Space Center.

The 45th Space Wing provides support for NASA, the Air Force’s Technical Applications Center and 920th Rescue Wing and the Naval Ordnance Test Unit, which are responsible for national interests in space exploration, strategic defense and deterrence missions.

“We look forward to meeting our customers’ highest expectations for new efficiencies without compromise for safety or security, and we have just the team in place to support the pioneering men and women who are defining our future in Space security, science and exploration,” Dolph added.

With the contract, SGT has expanded its portfolio of building automation, utility monitoring and control systems and enhanced security systems at military installations. SGT secured the task order under the Army Corps of Engineers’ Utility Monitoring and Control Systems fifth generation (UMCS V) contracting vehicle.

Additionally, in Nov. 2019, SGT was selected as one of 14 companies to support the UMCS V contract vehicle. The seven-year, multiple award contract (MAC) has a ceiling value of $1.2 billion. Under UMCS V, SGT has delivered a range of services inclusive of heating, ventilation, chiller/boiler controls, utility metering, automated controls, as well as fire alarm, protection and electronic security.

Government Technology/News
DOD Encourages Self Assessments in Preparation for CMMC Cybersecurity Program’s Further Implementation
by Nichols Martin
Published on February 11, 2021
DOD Encourages Self Assessments in Preparation for CMMC Cybersecurity Program’s Further Implementation

The Department of Defense advises companies to first assess themselves for compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements, as certified CMMC assessors are still not ready to audit for the program, FedScoop reported Wednesday.

Stacy Bostjanick, a DOD official working on CMMC, said companies looking to receive early CMMC approval may first test their own network security, while no existing certified third-party assessor organization or C3PAO is prepared to conduct assessments.

Bostjanick noted that she expects several C3PAO companies to have completed the needed accreditation by early summer. Kratos Defense and Security Solutions is among the first few companies that have received accreditation to become a C3PAO.

The five-tier CMMC model is made to standardize the security controls of controlled unclassified information within the defense industrial base.

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