Processing....

Logo

Digital News Coverage of Government Contracting and Federal Policy Landscape
Sticky Logo
  • Home
  • Acquisition & Procurement
  • Agencies
    • DoD
    • Intelligence
    • DHS
    • Civilian
    • Space
  • Cybersecurity
  • Technology
  • Executives
    • Profiles
    • Announcements
    • Awards
  • News
  • Articles
  • About
  • Wash100
  • Contact Us
    • Advertising
    • Submit your news
    • Jobs
Logo
Government Technology/News
Senators Ask FBI, CISA to Provide Details Over SolarWinds Orion Compromise
by Jane Edwards
Published on December 17, 2020
Senators Ask FBI, CISA to Provide Details Over SolarWinds Orion Compromise

A group of six senators has called on leaders of the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to respond to several questions with regard to a cyber vulnerability involving SolarWinds’ Orion Network Management products. 

In a Tuesday letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and Acting CISA Director Brandon Wales, the lawmakers asked the two agencies to provide a list of federal entities that reported using the products cited in the cyber incident, describe the quantities and categories of data that were vulnerable to unauthorized access and share how their offices organized coordination with federal agencies to support investigative and forensic analysis efforts.

The letter came days after CISA issued an emergency directive directing all agencies to immediately disconnect SolarWinds Orion products versions 2019.4 to 2020.2.1 HF1 from their networks to mitigate the vulnerability.

The senators also want to know about the support SolarWinds has offered to agencies to address data security concerns, whether the investigation identified any lapses in the implementation of the Federal Information Security Modernization Act and how the investigation will assist SolarWinds’ customers in the private sector.

The letter was signed by Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.; Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; John Thune, R-S.D.; Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

The FBI, CISA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a joint statement Wednesday announcing the formation of a cyber unified coordination group to facilitate a “whole-of-government response” to the cyber attack.

Government Technology/News
Army Research Lab Works With Industry, Academia to Develop New ML-Based Cybersecurity Method
by Nichols Martin
Published on December 16, 2020
Army Research Lab Works With Industry, Academia to Develop New ML-Based Cybersecurity Method

The U.S. Army has applied machine learning to develop a new method for detecting cyber threats that evade a system's security mechanisms.

Army Research Laboratory (ARL) worked with Samsung and the University of Southern California, Riverside to develop the fully automated Context Learning-based Adversarial Protection system, the Army said Tuesday.

“Our machine learning based method is principled and based on the observation that prior evasion attacks exhibit themselves in sequences of packets that are uncommon in benign traffic," said Zhiyun Qian, a professor at the University of California, Riverside. 

Qian added the method uses a context-based learning approach to gather data on a cyber attack's inherent features.

Kevin Chan, a researcher at ARL, said these stealthy cyber-attacks would manipulate packets to instigate a variety of behaviors that camouflage malicious activities. The research will run for two more years through ARL's Cybersecurity Collaborative Research Alliance.

Executive Moves/Government Technology/News
W. Russ DeLoach to Oversee Safety & Mission Assurance Across NASA; Jim Bridenstine Quoted
by Nichols Martin
Published on December 16, 2020
W. Russ DeLoach to Oversee Safety & Mission Assurance Across NASA; Jim Bridenstine Quoted

W. Russ DeLoach, director of safety and mission assurance (SMA) at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, has been appointed to lead SMA across the whole space agency, effective Jan. 1, 2021. 

DeLoach will succeed Terrence Wilcutt who will soon conclude a NASA career that ran for over three decades, the space agency said Wednesday.

The newly named NASA SMA chief developed and led safety approaches for both Johnson and Kennedy space centers. The latter facility serves as a venue for multiple space launch missions.

“His leadership will ensure NASA continues its safety first ideology across the entire agency," Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator and 2019 Wash100 Award winner, said about DeLoach.

DeLoach first engaged with NASA in 1987 on an internship with a U.S. Army-led technical training program.

News
Dana Gordon, Sery Kim Tapped to Join Defense Health Board Subcommittees
by Brenda Marie Rivers
Published on December 16, 2020
Dana Gordon, Sery Kim Tapped to Join Defense Health Board Subcommittees

Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller has selected Dana Gordon, principal clinical research associate at Florida-based health research company PPD, to join the Defense Health Board’s subcommittee on neurological and behavioral health. 

Miller also plans to appoint Sery Kim, assistant administrator of the Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership, to DHB’s public health subcommittee, the Department of Defense said Tuesday.

Gordon and Kim will provide advisory services to the DoD on matters such as healthcare access and benefits for defense personnel.

Dave Vasquez, a spokesman for the DoD, said Gordon and Kim will bring “a wealth of knowledge and experience” to the federal advisory committee in their new roles.

Gordon joined PPD in 2010 where she held clinical research associate roles with responsibility over clinical monitoring and site management operations.

She held a similar position at inVentiv Health Clinical from 2015 to 2016 and served across roles of increasing responsibility at various health institutions throughout her more than two-decade career.

Kim has been serving in her current role since July and is responsible for overseeing OWBO’s partnerships with federal and industry entities on efforts to develop women-owned businesses.

She previously served as senior adviser at the Department of Health and Human Services and held counsel positions at the House of Representatives.

Prior to joining SBA, Kim served as a litigation associate at a Texas-based law firm.

Executive Moves/News
BAE Systems Names Jeremy Tondreault as President of Platform & Services Sector; Tom Arseneault Quoted
by Sarah Sybert
Published on December 16, 2020
BAE Systems Names Jeremy Tondreault as President of Platform & Services Sector; Tom Arseneault Quoted

BAE Systems has promoted Jeremy Tondreault as president of the Platform & Services sector, effective Jan 4, 2021, the company reported on Wednesday. Tondreault will join BAE Systems’ senior leadership team, which is led by Tom Arseneault president and CEO, and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient.

The Platforms & Services sector is a provider of tracked and wheeled armored combat vehicles, naval guns, naval ship repair and modernization, artillery and missile launching systems, precision strike munitions and ordnance, among other solutions for U.S. and international customers.

“Jeremy’s strong leadership of our combat vehicle portfolio, experience ramping up production lines, and deep expertise in operations and program management have positioned him as the right choice to advance the sector’s performance and continue driving operational excellence for our customers,” said Arseneault.

Tondreault has served with BAE Systems for more than two decades. During his tenure, Tondreault has held a variety of leadership roles. Most recently, he served as vice president and general manager of the Combat Mission Systems business.

He has also served as vice president of operations for the Electronic Systems sector. Throughout his career with BAE Systems, Tondreault has held roles in program management, operations, engineering and line management, managing the development, production and delivery of highly complex products.

Tondreault will succeed Guy Montminy, who will remain as a legacy fellow with the company until his planned retirement later in 2021.

“Guy has made significant contributions to our company, our employees and our customers over his 35-year career,” added Arseneault. “His dedication to our people and our mission, and his focus on safety, performance and operational excellence have guided the business through challenging times and positioned it for success into the future.”

Contract Awards/News
AFS Wins US Navy Task Order to Support Enterprise Transformation; Vince Vlasho Quoted
by Sarah Sybert
Published on December 16, 2020
AFS Wins US Navy Task Order to Support Enterprise Transformation; Vince Vlasho Quoted

Accenture Federal Services (AFS), a subsidiary of Accenture, has been awarded a five-year, $38 million task order to help the Department of the Navy drive an enterprise transformation strategy, the company reported on Wednesday. AFS will help restructure the Navy’s plans and practices to include data, cloud, cybersecurity, architecture, investments, and talent. AFS’ support will enable the service branch to achieve greater advantage and readiness.

“We’re honored to help the Department of the Navy manage its digital, data and IT services so they can focus critical resources on mission-specific requirements,” said Vince Vlasho, who leads Accenture Federal Services’ Defense portfolio. “As commercial technology accelerates, we want to ensure that the DON adapts and has what it needs to maximize readiness and warfighting effectiveness.”

Under the task order, AFS will provide information technology (IT) and management consulting services to the Navy, Marine Corps and the Department of Defense (DoD) leadership. AFS’ effort will help the Navy transform investment strategy for enterprise capability modernization to enhance joint-domain capabilities.

AFS leverage innovative solutions that scale to meet future needs and improve operational outcomes. The work includes transformation for the Navy’s enterprise through strategy, digital, portfolio planning, enterprise architecture, data management, modeling and architecture, cybersecurity and organizational change management activities.

About Accenture Federal Services

Accenture Federal Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Accenture LLP, is a U.S. company with offices in Arlington, Virginia. Accenture’s federal business has served every cabinet-level department and 30 of the largest federal organizations.

Accenture Federal Services transforms bold ideas into breakthrough outcomes for clients at defense, intelligence, public safety, civilian and military health organizations.

Contract Awards/News
Northrop Grumman Wins US Army Contract to Deliver XM813 Bushmaster Chain Guns
by Sarah Sybert
Published on December 16, 2020
Northrop Grumman Wins US Army Contract to Deliver XM813 Bushmaster Chain Guns

Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army to deliver 95 XM813 Bushmaster Chain Guns as part of the Stryker Medium Caliber Weapon System 30mm Lethality Upgrade program, the company reported on Wednesday. 

“We are committed to ensuring our U.S. warfighter remains ahead of emerging threats, and the XM813 will deliver overmatch and greater standoff range for Stryker crews,” said Jennifer Zonneveld, director for Bushmaster Chain Guns, Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman’s XM813 is a 30x173mm caliber cannon and a derivative of the company’s Mk44 Bushmaster Chain Gun, which is integrated across air, land and naval platforms. The contract will support enhancements to the XM813 and the integration of the chain guns into an additional U.S. Army Brigade Combat Team.

The XM813’s versatility allows for the incorporation of future advancements, including the ability to fire Northrop Grumman’s advanced ammunition types which will ultimately include proximity fuzed and guided munitions. 

Northrop Grumman’s chain gun will fire the company’s MK310 Programmable Air Bursting Munition (PABM) with air-burst, point-detonate and point-detonate with delay fuze settings to defeat a variety of targets. 

“We have a long history working alongside the U.S. Army and CCDC-AC to deliver advanced capabilities and we look forward to supporting the Stryker program into the future,” Zonneveld added. Northrop Grumman’s XM813 production will occur at Northrop Grumman’s Mesa, Arizona facility. Initial deliveries will begin in early 2022.

About Northrop Grumman 

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.

Executive Moves/News
Joe Biden to Nominate Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg for DOT Secretary
by Nichols Martin
Published on December 16, 2020
Joe Biden to Nominate Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg for DOT Secretary

Joe Biden, the U.S. president-elect, intends to nominate former South Bend City Mayor Pete Buttigieg for the Department of Transportation's (DOT) highest leadership role, Biden's transition campaign said Tuesday. Buttigieg, Biden's nominee to become the U.S. secretary of transportation, would succeed Elaine Chao if elected for the role. 

The nominee would align DOT's efforts with Biden’s Build Back Better agenda that calls for increased job creation, sustainable infrastructure and other progress-focused efforts.

“I am nominating him for secretary of transportation because this position stands at the nexus of so many of the interlocking challenges and opportunities ahead of us,” Biden said about Buttigieg.

Buttigieg led the city of South Bend over an eight-year tenure and has contributed military service as an intelligence officer from the U.S. Navy's reserve force, having been deployed to Afghanistan.

Government Technology/News/Press Releases
Tiffany Hixson: GSA Eyes Expanded Service Offerings for Multiple-Award Contracts Following OASIS Conclusion
by Brenda Marie Rivers
Published on December 16, 2020
Tiffany Hixson: GSA Eyes Expanded Service Offerings for Multiple-Award Contracts Following OASIS Conclusion

The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) concluded on-ramp activities for the One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) vehicle and looks to launch a “services marketplace” initiative to improve its governmentwide services contracts.

Tiffany Hixson, assistant commissioner for GSA’s Office of Professional Services and Human Capital Categories, wrote in a blog post published Tuesday that GSA has issued 730 contracts through OASIS since 2018. Seventy percent of awardees represented small businesses, she noted.

GSA plans to establish a “broader and more flexible” vehicle known as the Best-in-Class Multi-Agency Contract that would replace OASIS following its expiration in 2024, said Hixson.

She noted that her office will lead efforts to develop BIC MAC and will seek industry feedback to establish its requirements and scope. Her team will also work to expand service offerings in GSA’s consolidated multiple-award schedule while improving FAS market research and reporting functions, she added.

Other FAS initiatives include establishing the Polaris GWAC, issuing awards under the 8(a) Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resource for Services III follow-on contract and improving user experience for GSA’s contract management systems.

GSA previously announced plans to award STARS III in 2021.

Government Technology/News/Wash100
Gen. John Raymond: Space Force to Launch Space Systems Command in Spring 2021
by Brenda Marie Rivers
Published on December 16, 2020
Gen. John Raymond: Space Force to Launch Space Systems Command in Spring 2021

Gen. John Raymond, chief of space operations and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, has said the U.S. Space Force plans to establish its proposed Space Systems Command (SSC) in early 2021, Inside Defense reported Tuesday.

Raymond said at a press briefing that the service branch concluded its final planning procedures for SSC and is slated to brief U.S. Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett in the coming weeks ahead of standing up the command in spring.

He noted that SSC’s organizational structure is based on the Space and Missile Systems Center’s functions related to consolidating enterprise acquisition programs in efforts to quicken the pace of fielding technologies.

Changes in the new command also include increased acquisition authorities for lower-level officials, added Gen. Raymond.

“It builds some unity of effort and allows competition between disruptors and prototypers and more traditional acquisition organizations,” he noted. “We’re excited about how this is going to materialize.”

In October 2020, Raymond said that SSC will primarily focus on research, development and procurement efforts related to the Space Force's satellite programs and other space technology initiatives.

Previous 1 … 1,213 1,214 1,215 1,216 1,217 … 2,607 Next
News Briefing
I'm Interested In:
Recent Posts
  • Deborah Gracio Named PNNL Director
  • Army DEVCOM Armaments Center Partners With IQT to Address Tech Capability Gaps
  • Western Tech Startups Urged to Guard Against Exploitation in International Pitch Competitions
  • NSF Selects 4 Teams to Design Quantum Science Virtual Laboratory
About

ExecutiveGov, published by Executive Mosaic, is a site dedicated to the news and headlines in the federal government. ExecutiveGov serves as a news source for the hot topics and issues facing federal government departments and agencies such as Gov 2.0, cybersecurity policy, health IT, green IT and national security. We also aim to spotlight various federal government employees and interview key government executives whose impact resonates beyond their agency.

Read More >>

RSS ExecutiveBiz
  • SciTec Elevates David Simenc to President
  • Summit 7 Acquires CMMC Training Provider GRC Academy
  • Former SAP Exec Carmen Krueger Joins Microsoft as US Federal Corporate VP
  • Hanwha Defense USA Adds Todd Mueller, Jessica Vanaman to Executive Team
  • Parsons Books $81M Task Order for Army C5ISR Radar Support Services
  • Austal USA Awarded $314M in Contract Options for Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter Construction
RSS GovConWire
  • SAIC Reports $1.8B in FY 2026 Q2 Revenue
  • US Navy Announces 59 Awardees of $20B Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract
  • General Dynamics OTS Taps Jason Barr as VP, CIO
  • Army Awards Javelin Joint Venture $901M Follow-On Production Contract
  • Scott Edwards Named Nokia Federal Solutions CFO
  • Safran DSI Acquires Attollo Engineering to Strengthen Imaging, Sensing Capabilities
Footer Logo

Copyright © 2025
Executive Mosaic
All Rights Reserved

  • Executive Mosaic
  • GovCon Wire
  • ExecutiveBiz
  • GovCon Exec Magazine
  • POC
  • Home
  • Acquisition & Procurement
  • Agencies
    • DoD
    • Intelligence
    • DHS
    • Civilian
    • Space
  • Cybersecurity
  • Technology
  • Executives
    • Profiles
    • Announcements
    • Awards
  • News
  • Articles
  • About
  • Wash100
  • Contact Us
    • Advertising
    • Submit your news
    • Jobs
Go toTop