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PAE Wins $50M Contract to Support Navajo Nation COVID-19 Response; John Heller Quoted
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PAE Wins $50M Contract to Support Navajo Nation COVID-19 Response; John Heller Quoted

PAE has been awarded a $50 million contract by the Navajo Nation to serve as the joint logistics and medical integrator for the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 response, the company reported on Thursday. With the company’s selection, PAE will provide solutions to operate multiple Alternate Care Sites and deploy mobile testing teams. 

“Our recognized capabilities implementing results-focused COVID-19 response measures was critical for the Navajo Nation in choosing us to deliver integrated medical and logistics solutions vital to the health of Navajo citizens,” said PAE president and CEO, and 2020 Wash100 recipient, John Heller. 

Under the contract, PAE will develop a strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19. The company will also provide comprehensive ACS facility services and medical staffing. PAE will also deploy mobile testing teams throughout the territory to advance COVID-19 testing coverage. In addition, PAE will establish facilities to anticipate future pandemic responses.

PAE’s Expeditionary Support and Stabilization Team has launched turnkey alternate care solutions to support customers’ response efforts to the pandemic. The team has offered operational logistics capabilities and currently supports ongoing health initiatives in North America. 

“Our Expeditionary Support and Stabilization Team is saving lives with their quick deployments and epidemic expertise as they respond to the needs of governments and organizations around the world,” Heller added. 

About PAE

For 65 years, PAE has tackled the world’s toughest challenges to deliver agile and steadfast solutions to the U.S. government and its allies. With a global workforce of about 20,000 on all seven continents and in approximately 60 countries, PAE delivers a broad range of operational support services to meet the critical needs of our clients. Our headquarters is in Falls Church, Virginia.

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SAIC Wins Task Order to Support C4ISR Naval Services; Jim Scanlon Quoted
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SAIC Wins Task Order to Support C4ISR Naval Services; Jim Scanlon Quoted

The U.S. Navy awarded Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) a $49.5 million single-award, cost-plus fixed-fee task order to continue to provide the Royal Saudi Naval Forces support services for command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) upgrade and refurbishment, the company reported on Thursday. Work will take place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 “For more than 40 years, SAIC has supported the Navy’s mission to help maintain the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ C4ISR capability modernization, engineering and logistics,” said Jim Scanlon, SAIC executive vice president and general manager of the Defense Systems Group.

SAIC’s task order was awarded as part of the five-year SeaPort-NxG prime contract. Under the task order, the company will utilize repeatable solutions, including engineering, design and integration, integrated product support and sustainment capabilities on critical networks. 

The company’s efforts will support Naval Information Warfare Systems Command's requirement for Program Executive Office C4I International Integration Program Office (PMW 740) Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) In-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Support Services.

In addition, SAIC will provide program management, systems engineering and integration, maintenance engineering and integrated logistics for the modernization and refurbishment of RSNF systems. 

“As a leader in technology integration, SAIC is excited to continue its assistance to the Navy as it continues to build this strategic partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Scanlon added. 

About SAIC

SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator driving our nation’s digital transformation. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian, and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in engineering, IT modernization, and mission solutions. 

Using our expertise and understanding of existing and emerging technologies, we integrate the best components from our own portfolio and our partner ecosystem to deliver innovative, effective, and efficient solutions that are critical to achieving our customers' missions.

We are 25,500 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has pro forma annual revenues of approximately $7.1 billion.

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Suzan Zimmerman, of Sepio Systems, Announces New Executive Appointments
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Suzan Zimmerman, of Sepio Systems, Announces New Executive Appointments

Suzan Zimmerman, senior advisor with Sepio Systems’ Board of Advisors, has announced the appointments of Jay Smilyk, as chief revenue officer (CRO), and Lane Bess, as advisory on the company’s Advisory Board.

“These new appointments further strengthen Sepio’s leadership team and advisory board as the company focuses on revenue generation and expansion globally,” said Yossi Appleboum, co-founder and CEO of Sepio Systems. “Smilyk adds important, diverse expertise to our executive team with an impressive resume and extensive experience as a driving force for the company’s revenue stream.”

Smilyk will bring more than 20 years of experience in technology sales and sales leadership to Sepio Systems. In his new role, Smilyk will generate revenue and manage strategic growth challenges. Prior to joining the company, Smilyk served as eastern regional director of Sales for Vectra Networks. He was also vice president of Sales for North America at Safend/Supercom.

Before that, Smilyk served as vice president of Sales with Cynet, where he created a team of security professionals that brought the threat detection solution to the market. He has also held leadership roles with RSA, Wave Systems Corp, Safend Software and Check Point.

“Sepio’s technology brings full visibility into IT, OT, and IoT infrastructures and allows control and mitigation of risk,” said Smilyk. “I am looking forward to joining the team as Sepio is poised to take the lead in this emerging market as threats are growing exponentially.”

Bess has over three decades of operational experience and growing technology companies. Prior to his position on the advisory board, Bess was principal and founder at Bess Ventures and Advisory.

He has also served as chief operating officer (COO) of Zscaler Inc and CEO of Palo Alto Networks. With Palo Alto, Bess led fundraising and scaled the company from its early go-to-market, to a revenue run rate exceeding $200 million on the path to its IPO. Before his tenure with Palo Alto, he served as the executive vice president of Trend Micro Inc.

“Sepio Systems addresses a critical market need in today’s evolving security environment ‒ to provide the ultimate visibility into each IoT device connected to an organization’s infrastructure,” said Bess. “No company is doing this effectively today. As an advisor, I am most excited to help Sepio along the path to define, innovate and lead hardware security risk and compliance at the device level.”

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Accenture Wins DoD’s 2020 Employer Support Freedom Award; Jimmy Etheredge, Vince Vlasho Quoted
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Accenture Wins DoD’s 2020 Employer Support Freedom Award; Jimmy Etheredge, Vince Vlasho Quoted

The Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded Accenture its prestigious 2020 Employer Support Freedom Award for the company’s support of its National Guard and Reserve member employees, Accenture reported on Thursday.

“We are honored to receive the highest award that the Department of Defense gives employers,” said Jimmy Etheredge, Accenture’s CEO of North America. “It is our privilege to create pathways for National Guard and Reserves members as they bring their many talents to civilian careers. Their dedication, discipline, teamwork and leadership are shining examples to us all.”

Accenture Plaques
The U.S. Department of Defense awards Accenture the 2020 Employer Support Freedom Award

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) has coordinated the annual Freedom award program, on behalf of the Secretary of Defense. After it receives nominations, ESGR state committees review the organizations and make recommendations on which employers should move to the next round in three categories.

The categories include small employer, large employer and public sector. Following, a national selection board, consisting of senior DoD officials, business leaders and prior awardees, will select up to 15 employers to receive the award. In 2020, ESGR received more than two thousand nominations for employers, and awarded 15 companies, including Accenture.

“I’d like to thank the Department of Defense for recognizing Accenture with this prestigious Freedom Award. We salute the many National Guard and Reservists currently employed at Accenture for their tireless work ethic and critical contributions, not only to Accenture, but to our great nation,” Vince Vlasho, Accenture Federal Services’ (AFS) Defense Portfolio lead, said.

The program receives nominations from National Guard or Reserve members who work with the organizations they nominate. Accenture was nominated by staff sergeant Tiny Freeman, who currently serves in the company’s public sector practice.

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GAO Assesses 5G Strategy Against Six Key Characteristics of Effective National Strategies
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GAO Assesses 5G Strategy Against Six Key Characteristics of Effective National Strategies

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has examined the National Strategy to Secure 5G released by the White House in March 2020 and found that the document partially addressed five of the six desirable characteristics for an effective national strategy.

GAO said in a report published Wednesday those partially addressed characteristics were purpose, scope and methodology; organizational roles, responsibilities and coordination; integration and implementation; goals, subordinate objectives, activities and performance measures; and problem definition and risk assessment.

The 5G strategy failed to address the characteristic of results, investments and risk management, including the lack of cost estimates and the type of investments and resources needed to implement the strategy.

GAO called on the assistant to the president for national security affairs to collaborate with the National Security Council (NSC) and National Economic Council to ensure that the 5G strategy meets all of those six characteristics.

“Until the Administration assures that the implementation plan fully addresses all elements of the six desirable characteristics, the plan will provide limited guidance to decision makers about allocating resources to address 5G risks and challenges,” the GAO report states.

GAO Assesses 5G Strategy Against Six Key Characteristics of Effective National Strategies

Join Potomac Officers Club for its 5G Summit on Oct. 27, 2020 to learn about the impact that innovative technologies and 5G integration have on the private and public sectors, the steps the federal agencies have taken to remain up to speed with the rapid advancement of technology, and the future programs, plans and priorities as the nation aligns with emerging technology.

Hon. Ellen Lord, undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment at the Department of Defense (DoD) and four-time Wash100 Award recipient, will be featured as the keynote speaker.

Don’t miss out on this must see event! Register here for the 5G Summit on October 27th.

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Rear Adm. Susan BryerJoyner on Navy’s Data Sharing, Software-Defined Networking Requirements
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Rear Adm. Susan BryerJoyner on Navy’s Data Sharing, Software-Defined Networking Requirements

Rear Adm. Susan BryerJoyner, cybersecurity division chief at the office of the chief of naval operations, said the U.S. Navy is seeking industry support to help address its software-defined networking and data sharing requirements, C4ISRNET reported Wednesday.

“We need to get to software defined networks. We know we need to be able to share data more seamlessly across the Navy. The challenge is, how do we come up with modular platforms that don’t require hull cuts in order for us to be able to swap in and out on board the ship,” she said at the AFCEA NOVA Naval IT Day Wednesday. “That’s honestly one of the greatest impediments to modernization.”

BryerJoyner said the service is working with industry to enable its naval ships to transmit data and run applications in denied environments.

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OSTP Launches New Website, Report on Quantum Info Science; Michael Kratsios Quoted
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OSTP Launches New Website, Report on Quantum Info Science; Michael Kratsios Quoted

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has unveiled a new website and a report that identifies priority areas that require continued research to advance quantum information science.

“With the launch of Quantum.gov, the White House has created an online home for the National Quantum Coordination Office (NQCO) and a new digital hub for the growing quantum community to connect with wide-ranging activities underway across the Federal Government,” Michael Kratsios, U.S. chief technology officer and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, said in a statement published Wednesday.

“The newly published Quantum Frontiers Report lays out critical research questions for the entire U.S. innovation ecosystem to tackle in the years ahead, and will serve as an important roadmap for researchers around the country,” Kratsios added.

The Quantum Frontiers Report was based on insights from federal, academic and industry leaders and determines areas for continued QIS research, including materials science and quantum information technology for precision measurements.

The official NQCO website will include news on QIS efforts across the federal government as well as reports, documents and information on agency programs.

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Marine Corps Conduct Cyber Electronic Warfare Training; Capt. Neal McGaughey
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Marine Corps Conduct Cyber Electronic Warfare Training; Capt. Neal McGaughey

Service members from the U.S. Marine Corps' I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group and 1st Force Reconnaissance Company participated in a two-week training on tactical cyber electronic warfare reconnaissance and survey operations.

The training program sought to hone the participants' capacity to map out digital terrain and equip them with information-related skills, USMC said Tuesday.

The course also discussed the development of future approaches that can employ internet of things technology in the battlefield.

"We need to educate and train to the constant changes and advancements to our communication infrastructure in today’s world; the enemy is developing new strategies to achieve dominance in the information environment," said Capt. Neal McGaughey, a cyberspace warfare development officer at Marine Corps Cyberspace Command.

The U.S. Cyber Command awarded MarkPoint Technologies a two-year contract to deliver training on wireless cyber-software products and services in support of the Department of Defense.

"The Marine Corps has proven our adaptability to always remain the most effective and lethal force in the world; this applies to the information domain," McGaughey added.

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Air Force, Wichita State University to Develop Digital Twin for B-1 Aircraft Maintenance; Joseph Lay Quoted
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Air Force, Wichita State University to Develop Digital Twin for B-1 Aircraft Maintenance; Joseph Lay Quoted

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has partnered with Wichita State University to create a virtual twin or a digital representation of the B-1B Lancer aircraft for maintenance purposes.

The U.S. Air Force said Tuesday it would use the digital twin to forecast maintenance issues that may occur in B-1B units. The university's National Institute of Aviation Research is now inspecting every part of the Lancer aircraft to develop the virtual twin.

"We have been scanning the wings, and the wing scans have been helping us understand how to build new repairs for some of the cracks that we have seen in the wings themselves,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Lay, material leader of the B-1 Program Office's engineering branch.

Lay said the virtual twin would provide B-1 maintainers a ready-to-use repair approach, eliminating the need to develop repairs for every time a damaged area is spotted.

“Then we will be able to apply data from aircraft in the field to help us predict areas that are more likely to have structural issues. This living virtual model of the B-1’s structure will be superimposed with layers of maintenance data, test/inspection results, and analysis tools, which can be integrated over the aircraft’s life cycle,” Lay said.

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DHS Continues Efforts to Integrate AI Into Contractor Performance Assessment System
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DHS Continues Efforts to Integrate AI Into Contractor Performance Assessment System

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is continuing a prototyping effort focused on using artificial intelligence to help improve a system designed for managing data on contractors’ past performance.

The DHS Procurement Innovation Lab will work with 10 agencies to assess seven AI technologies intended to modernize the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) and simplify its data management operations, FedScoop reported Tuesday.

DHS will allocate $50,000 for phase 2 awards which will cover further development of the selected AI tools to meet requirements for software-as-a-service (SaaS) and security accreditation.

Matthew Blum, associate administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), told attendees at a recent ACT-IAC event that the effort seeks to reduce time allocated for navigating CPARS and obtaining relevant information.

“So if we can use AI to shorten that timeframe and get this information much more rapidly, it saves the workforce a tremendous amount of time, but you still get all the value," he noted. 

DHS first announced plans to test nine AI systems for the CPARS effort in January 2021.

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