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VA Eyes October Rollout for Modernized EHR System
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VA Eyes October Rollout for Modernized EHR System

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to continue testing and training for the updated electronic health records (EHR) system ahead of its scheduled launch date at the end of the month. The VA intends to roll out the Cerner-developed EHR system at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center by Oct. 24th as part of the capability set 1.1 increment, Nextgov reported Wednesday.

John Windom, executive director of the VA Office of EHR Modernization (OEHRM), said at a recent House hearing that the COVID-19 pandemic “caused a shift in the VA’s health care operations” and that OEHRM sought to execute a nonintrusive modernization process.

He noted that his office has completed infrastructure readiness requirements for the new EHR at the Spokane, Washington medical facility and concluded prerequisite procedures for the go-live.

“The remaining key milestones are on schedule to be executed in advance of Mann-Grandstaff go-live, which will further hone governance, configuration management, as well as solidify processes,” said Windom.

The VA is slated to launch the EHR capability set 2.0 in spring 2021.

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FCC Modifies Screening Process for Foreign Companies Interested in U.S. Telecom Market
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FCC Modifies Screening Process for Foreign Companies Interested in U.S. Telecom Market

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will implement changes to improve the screening process for foreigner-owned companies that want to operate in the U.S. telecommunications market. The new changes aim to boost the timeliness and transparency of the process through which agencies review the applications of these companies, FCC said Wednesday.

The implemented changes align with President Trump’s Executive Order made on April 4th. This EO called for the creation of a committee that would assess foreign participation in the U.S. telecommunications sector.

An FCC notice made in June 2016 featured proposals that led to these new changes. The updated rules also allow executive branch agencies to better review these foreign applications.

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GAO: Agency Efforts Vary in Preventing IT Contract Duplication
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GAO: Agency Efforts Vary in Preventing IT Contract Duplication

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that federal agencies “varied in their efforts” to execute category management procedures to prevent duplication in information technology contracts.

GAO said in a recently published report that most of the seven agencies it reviewed had fully or partially implemented activities recommended by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prevent, identify and reduce IT contract duplications. Three agencies had not implemented spend analysis procedures in line with the OMB-recommended practices, the watchdog noted.

According to GAO, contract duplication occurs when agencies award two or more contracts to the same vendor or different vendors offering similar products or services. Duplication also occurs when agencies issue new contracts for projects that could be categorized under contract vehicles. 

Agencies reported a significant amount of savings resulting from category management practices, while others cited challenges such as ongoing efforts to establish strategies for integrating such activities into agency operations, GAO noted.

“Until agencies ensure that their efforts to prevent, identify, and reduce duplicative IT contracts are fully aligned with category management principles and practices, and are informed by spend analyses, they will be at increased risk of wasteful spending,” the report states.

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House Passes Cybersecurity Improvement Act for Public Sector; Rep. John Katko Quoted
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House Passes Cybersecurity Improvement Act for Public Sector; Rep. John Katko Quoted

The House has approved a bipartisan bill that seeks to mitigate cybersecurity gaps on local and state government networks.

The State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act will authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to facilitate a $400 million grant effort that will incentivize state governments to increase their respective cybersecurity funds, the office of Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., said Wednesday.

The bill will task the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to build a strategy to reinforce the government's cybersecurity posture and establish a committee that will help government entities inform CISA of their needs.

"This bipartisan bill, which passed the House today, will ensure state and local governments have the necessary resources and guidance to be prepared for, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks," said Ratko.

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Veritas Capital Completes $5B Acquisition of DXC’s HHS Business; Mike Salvino, Ramzi Musallam Quoted
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Veritas Capital Completes $5B Acquisition of DXC’s HHS Business; Mike Salvino, Ramzi Musallam Quoted

DXC Technology has completed the sale of its State and Local Health and Human Services business to Veritas Capital for $5 billion to form Gainwell Technologies, DXC reported on Thursday. 

“I am very pleased that we have delivered on our plan in completing this transaction, which strengthens our balance sheet and allows us to bring the ‘new DXC’ to the market. Our focus on our people and our customers combined with our improved financial flexibility better positions DXC for long-term success,” said Mike Salvino, president and CEO, DXC.

DXC will use the net proceeds from the cash consideration to strengthen its balance sheet and reduce debt by approximately $3.5 billion. Following the repayment of debt, DXC will have approximately $6.0 billion of total debt on its balance sheet and net-debt of about $3.0 billion.

“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Gainwell, and we thank DXC for its partnership and stewardship in establishing the company as a true technology leader,” said Ramzi Musallam, CEO and managing partner of Veritas Capital, as well as a 2020 Wash100 Award recipient.

Gainwell will operate as a standalone company with over 7,500 employees who will support clients across 42 U.S. states and territories. The company will offer Medicaid Management Information Systems (MMIS), fiscal agent services, program integrity, care management, immunization registry and eligibility services. 

Gainwell carries will focus its efforts through technological innovation, service excellence and industry expertise, offering clients scalable and flexible solutions for complex challenges.

“With the invigoration and focus of a standalone company, Gainwell is poised as an innovative partner in the evolving healthcare technology market. We are proud to build upon Gainwell’s deep heritage and experience to continue to support clients in achieving essential outcomes in their communities nationwide,” added Musallam.

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DARPA Awards Gryphon Task Order to Support the DRACO program; Tabitha Dodson, Pamela Braden Quoted
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DARPA Awards Gryphon Task Order to Support the DRACO program; Tabitha Dodson, Pamela Braden Quoted

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Gryphon Technologies a $14 million task order to support the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program, the company reported on Tuesday. 

"A successfully demonstrated NTP system will provide a leap-ahead in space propulsion capability, allowing agile and rapid transit over vast distances as compared to present propulsion approaches," said Dr. Tabitha Dodson, Gryphon's chief engineer on the support team and a national expert in NTP systems.

Under the task order, Gryphon will support the development and demonstration of a High-Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) system. The rocket will enable the defense department to operate spacecraft in cislunar space.

"Gryphon is committed to providing high-end technical solutions to our nation's most critical national security challenges," said P.J. Braden, CEO of Gryphon. "We are proud to support DRACO and the development and demonstration of NTP, a significant technological advancement in efforts to achieve cislunar space awareness."

About Gryphon Technologies

Gryphon Technologies Inc. is a transformational leader in providing digital engineering, cyber, cloud solutions, predictive analytics and technical solutions and services to national security organizations.  

From science and technology, research and development, to design, to construction, to operations and sustainment, to decommissioning and disposal; our experience across this spectrum informs our approach to each stage, allowing us to deliver maximum value to our customers in each of our engagements.

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PSC Announces Approval of FY21 Continuing Resolution; David Berteau Quoted
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PSC Announces Approval of FY21 Continuing Resolution; David Berteau Quoted

The Professional Services Council (PSC) has announced its approval for the recent passage of FY21 Continuing Resolution by the U.S. Senate, PSC reported on Wednesday. The Council has also urged President Trump to sign the “Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act,” which would fund the government through Dec. 11th, 2020.

“We thank the Congress for acting to avoid a harmful government shutdown before the start of the new fiscal year,” said David Berteau, PSC President and CEO, and two-time Wash100 Award recipient. “We urge the Congress to enact the 12 appropriations bills and fully fund the government through Fiscal Year 2021.”

The “Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act” will extend the authority of a key contractor retention program, Section 3610 of the CARES Act through Dec. 11, 2020. If the provision is signed, it would ensure that federal agencies retain the contractor workforce needed to complete missions. It would also enable companies to preserve workforce talent.

In PSC’s letter to Congressional Leaders, the Council urged Congress to extend Section 3610 beyond the CR, noting that it has been successful across the federal government to help address continuing COVID-19 impacts, while staying within available funding.

Berteau added that “PSC extends our appreciation to the many Members of Congress who support this extension, including Chairman Gerry Connolly and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senators Rubio and Warner.”

About PSC

PSC is the voice of the government technology and professional services industry. PSC’s more than 400 member companies represent small, medium and large businesses that provide federal agencies with services of all kinds, including information technology, engineering, logistics, facilities management, operations and maintenance, consulting, international development, scientific, social, environmental services, and more. Together, the trade association’s members employ hundreds of thousands of Americans in all 50 states.

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Iron Bow Wins OMNIA Support Contract to Extend Cybersecurity Solutions; Bill Saltenberger Quoted
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Iron Bow Wins OMNIA Support Contract to Extend Cybersecurity Solutions; Bill Saltenberger Quoted

Iron Bow Technologies has been awarded a Region 4 Education Services Center (ESC) contract, effective Oct. 1, 2020, for cybersecurity solutions, associated products and services through OMNIA Partners, the company reported on Thursday. The contract will be available through Sept. 30, 2023, with an option to be renewed annually for an additional two years. 

“We are excited about the opportunity to work with OMNIA Partners through this award to provide state and local end users an easy and accessible resource to procure cyber security solutions,” said Bill Saltenberger, general manager for Commercial Enterprises, State, Local and Education Sales at Iron Bow Technologies.

Under the contract, Iron Bow will provide services and solutions to state and local government agencies, school districts, universities, public agencies and nonprofits through Iron Bow Technologies. The award will also expand Iron Bow’s reach into the SLED market. 

Region 4 ESC established the contract to create a national cooperative contract for Cyber Security Solutions and Services in order to simplify procurement and offer cost savings for OMNIA Partners’ network of public sector agencies. 

“This partnership validates our continued investments and commitment to providing our SLED clients with best in class technology solutions to further their missions and meet their goals,” Saltenberger added. 

About Iron Bow Technologies

Iron Bow Technologies is a leading IT solution provider dedicated to successfully transforming clients' technology investments into robust business capabilities. Working with government, commercial and healthcare clients, Iron Bow brings a depth of technical expertise as well as domain and market knowledge to deliver the right solution to achieve desired business outcomes. 

Iron Bow partners with clients from planning and implementation through ongoing maintenance and management to deliver solutions that are strong, flexible and on target with their mission. Iron Bow's global reach and strategic partnerships with industry leaders as well as disruptive technology partners ensures clients implement appropriate cutting edge technology in support of objectives. 

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Greenhouse Consulting Names Jay Jones as Managing Director; Bill Rossello Quoted
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Greenhouse Consulting Names Jay Jones as Managing Director; Bill Rossello Quoted

Greenhouse Consulting has appointed Jay Jones as managing director, the company reported on Thursday. Jones has nearly three decades of sales, business development, capture management and marketing experience in complex consulting and service environments.

“We are excited to have someone of Jay’s caliber join our team. Jay brings a wealth of business development experience and large capture expertise,” said Greenhouse’s managing partner Bill Rossello. “Jay has been one of the best in the govcon space for a long time and the extensive reach of his network is hard to match.”

Prior to joining Greenhouse Consulting, Jones served as vice president for business development, strategic partnership and planning, capture management and marketing for the Health and Civilian Solutions Division at General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT). His teams supported the company’s homeland security, health and civilian customer facing sectors.

Jones has also served as director at Deloitte Consulting. He was responsible for the strategic identification and business development within the U.S. Government market space, specifically within federal energy and Veteran Affairs (VA).

As vice president of the U.S. Government Solution Sales at Siemens Enterprise Communications, he delivered thought leadership, executive customer engagement and relationship development in the global defense community and was responsible for generating $30 million in product and services revenue.

From 2000-2009, Jones served as senior vice president of Global Public Services Sales for BearingPoint Inc., where he supervised the company-wide strategic planning and capture in the federal, healthcare, state and local, higher education and international emerging markets. His sales team was nationally recognized as the top revenue generator within the organization.

Jones is a retired Colonel within the U.S. Army ODISC4 and was awarded both the Legion of Merit and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. His leadership positions include: Platoon Leader, 197th Infantry Brigade; Deputy Commander, Military Traffic Management Command in Okinawa, Japan; Associate Professor of Military Science at the University of Rhode Island; Deputy Commander of Information Systems, Armed Forces Courier Services; and Commander of European Mediterranean Southeast Asia Operations, Defense Courier Service.

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DoD’s Joint Acquisition Task Force to Become Defense Assisted Acquisition Cell; Hon. Ellen Lord Quoted
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DoD’s Joint Acquisition Task Force to Become Defense Assisted Acquisition Cell; Hon. Ellen Lord Quoted

The Joint Acquisition Task Force established by the Department of Defense to help coordinate the delivery of acquisition support to other agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic will be called the Defense Assisted Acquisition Cell and will operate under the Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell starting next year, Federal News Network reported Wednesday.

“As the JATF transitions from its current structure to a more permanent operation under the JRAC, the JATF and JRAC teams are developing a playbook to document the processes, authorities and resources needed for this and any future public health crises to which the department responds,” Hon. Ellen Lord, undersecretary of defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, said at the virtual COMDEF conference.

JATF has helped process contracts worth more than $3B in support of agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The task force also helped HHS build up the capacity for domestic production of critical medical supplies using Defense Production Act authorities under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

 

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