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Ellen Lord Issues Memo on Temporary Amendment to Delegation of Approval Authority for OTAs
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Ellen Lord Issues Memo on Temporary Amendment to Delegation of Approval Authority for OTAs
Ellen Lord
Ellen Lord

Ellen Lord, defense undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, issued a memo on April 5 to announce the changes made to the delegation of approval authority for the use of other transaction authorities for prototype agreements and follow-on production contracts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The memo states that directors of the Defense Innovation Unit, other defense agencies and field activities as well as commanding officers of combatant commands with contracting authority are authorized to approve OTAs for prototype projects and follow-on contracts exceeding $100 million.

Lord also authorized directors of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Missile Defense Agency and military services’ senior procurement executives to clear OTAs exceeding $500 million.

A provision in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act eases the 30-day advance notification requirement for approving authorities with regard to a contract in excess of $500 million, according to the memo.

“The changes authorized in this memorandum will remain in effect until the COVID-19 national emergency declaration is rescinded,” Lord wrote in the memo.

About The Wash100

This year represents our sixth annual Wash100 Award selection. The Wash100 is the premier group of private and public sector leaders selected by Executive Mosaic’s organizational and editorial leadership as the most influential leaders in the GovCon sector. These leaders demonstrate skills in leadership, innovation, achievement, and vision.

Visit the Wash100 site to learn about the other 99 winners of the 2020 Wash100 Award. On the site, you can submit your 10 votes for the GovCon executives of consequence that you believe will have the most significant impact in 2020.

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Sean Connelly on Agencies’ Trusted Internet Connections Pilots
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Sean Connelly on Agencies’ Trusted Internet Connections Pilots
Sean Connelly
Sean Connelly

Sean Connelly, Trusted Internet Connections program manager at the Department of Homeland Security, said the pilot projects completed by the departments of Energy and Justice and the Small Business Administration as part of the TIC program influenced the use cases for remote workers or branch offices, Federal News Network reported Friday.

“One of the things we need to do is work with multiple pilots to capture that broad spectrum of cloud services that are available,” Connelly said in a March interview on the network’s Ask the CIO program. “It’s also important to us that when agencies are articulating what their vision is to understand their data flows. Agencies really need to understand the data they need to protect.”

He called SBA’s TIC pilot a gold standard. Through the pilot, the agency used cloud security platforms to look at its cloud network and on-premises services and act on network vulnerabilities and other threats in real time.

Connelly also discussed DOE’s TIC pilot. “One of the interesting things with working with Energy’s team was we built out the baseline for how they wanted to secure their environment, but they recognized they wanted some security solutions above and beyond what TIC was offering at the time. TIC is that baseline and agencies are welcome to go beyond the baseline,” he said.

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USAF Puts Jolly Green II Helicopter in Environmental Tests
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USAF Puts Jolly Green II Helicopter in Environmental Tests

USAF Puts Jolly Green II Helicopter in Environmental Tests

The HH-60W helicopter, nicknamed Jolly Green II, underwent a series of temperature tests to demonstrate operational sustainability.

The U.S. Air Force put the search-and-rescue aircraft in extreme temperatures and environmental conditions at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory, Hill Air Force Base said Wednesday. Tests ended April 2.

Jolly Green II, made by Sikorsky, went through heavy rains, strong winds and temperatures between negative 60 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Checking system performance under the stress of heat, cold, heavy wind and rain will give us real-world data regarding the helicopter’s capability to perform the rescue mission worldwide in various environments, which is exactly what the operator needs to make solid employment decisions,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Coates, a USAF pilot with the 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron.

Challenges included the development of a ventilation system designed to remove exhaust and allow laboratory personnel to better control temperatures.

“Everyone worked together extremely well and we completed on time and on budget,” said Ben Walker, the effort’s lead test engineer.

USAF named the helicopter after the model’s Vietnam-era predecessor.

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Air Force Secures Patent for Biological Material Stabilizing Method
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Air Force Secures Patent for Biological Material Stabilizing Method

Air Force Secures Patent for Biological Material Stabilizing Method

The U.S. Air Force has received a patent for an approach that extends the shelf life of biological materials including vaccines and antibodies without refrigeration.

The approach will work to stabilize biological materials through the removal of water from their production and storage containers, USAF said Wednesday.

According to the service branch, while biological materials maintain their function when they are stored in pH neutral-water, it speeds up their decay in time.

“Once the water is removed, the protein is highly concentrated and remains a liquid. No additional solvent is needed,” said Patrick Dennis, a researcher at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s 711th Human Performance Wing and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s materials and manufacturing directorate.

Dennis collaborated with Rajesh Naik and Joseph Slocik, AFRL 711th Human Performance Wing researchers, to work on the method for three years.

Dennis noted the approach applies to laboratory studies and not for clinical purposes.

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DIU Seeks to Raise Awareness on National Security Importance Amid COVID-19
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DIU Seeks to Raise Awareness on National Security Importance Amid COVID-19

DIU Seeks to Raise Awareness on National Security Importance Amid COVID-19

The Defense Innovation Unit wants to urge the importance of continuing national security support work amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Space News reported Wednesday.

DIU wants local authorities to support ongoing activities of contractors and subcontractors in support of space technology development, one of the unit’s focus areas.

The organization has sent contractors letters on the importance of the latter’s work to the Department of Defense in support of national security.

The letters also include advice on the observance of public safety measures to help with the prevention of further spread.

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DoD, SBA Engage With Defense Industry Companies in Webinar
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DoD, SBA Engage With Defense Industry Companies in Webinar

DoD, SBA Engage With Defense Industry Companies in Webinar

The Department of Defense and the Small Business Administration have partnered to engage industry partners and address their questions in a webinar.

DoD said Wednesday it aims to collaborate with SBA and defense industry organizations to support small businesses that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amy Young Murray, director at DoD’s Office of Small Business Programs, oversaw meetings with defense industry stakeholders, associations and the U.S. military to hear various concerns from 3M member companies.

SBA launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a loan initiative that enables businesses to sustain their workforce.

Aside from PPP, the agency also unveiled other relief efforts to help small businesses amid the outbreak.

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US, UK Issue Joint COVID-19 Cybersecurity Advisory; CISA’s Bryan Ware Quoted
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US, UK Issue Joint COVID-19 Cybersecurity Advisory; CISA’s Bryan Ware Quoted
Bryan Ware
Bryan Ware

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency and its U.K. counterpart are urging the public to be cautious of malicious actors that use the current health crisis to conduct scams and other cyber attacks.

CISA and the U.K.’s national cybersecurity center issued a joint advisory calling on citizens to remain vigilant of hackers and advanced persistent threat groups that use phishing tactics to obtain personal information, NCSC said Thursday.

The APT groups send emails that appear to be from legitimate entities like the World Health Organization to lure individuals into downloading malware and other dangerous software. Both agencies have also encountered cases of cybercriminals using remote working tools such as video conferencing software to conduct cyber attacks.

“As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, bad actors are using these difficult times to exploit and take advantage of the public and business,” said Bryan Ware, assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA.

“We urge everyone to remain vigilant to these threats, be on the lookout for suspicious emails and look to trusted sources for information and updates regarding COVID-19,” he added.

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Attorney General William Barr to Head Committee on Foreign Telecom Ownership
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Attorney General William Barr to Head Committee on Foreign Telecom Ownership
William Barr
William Barr

President Trump has assigned U.S. Attorney General William Barr to chair a new committee that will handle national security reviews of foreign entities operating U.S. telecommunications systems.

Trump signed an executive order last week formalizing the “Team Telecom” committee that will provide advisory assistance to the Federal Communications Commission on law enforcement matters related to foreign telecom ownership, the Department of Justice said Tuesday.

Team Telecom, which includes the defense and homeland security secretaries, will review foreign ownership applications for U.S. telecom, submarine cable landing and other licenses under FCC. The committee will conduct assessments for 120 days and facilitate additional vetting procedures throughout a 90-day period upon identification of potential risks.

“This is a national security and public safety issue,” said Barr. “That’s why the federal government must be vigilant and ensure that a foreign adversary cannot undermine the networks our country depends on.”

Ajit Pai, commissioner of the FCC, announced his support for the Team Telecom initiative last week.

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Aaron Weis Talks Plans to Continue Navy’s Modernization Initiatives
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Aaron Weis Talks Plans to Continue Navy’s Modernization Initiatives
Aaron Weis
Aaron Weis

Aaron Weis, chief information officer of the U.S. Navy and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, said he does not expect to see directional changes following the resignation of Thomas Modly as acting secretary, FedScoop reported Wednesday.

Weis said in an email to the publication that the service branch is continuing work on the modernization goals outlined by former Secretary Richard Spencer and continued by Modly during the latter’s tenure.

Weis noted that he sees “no changes in the direction or strategy” with regards to his role as CIO and the service will push through with efforts to modernize and sustain the Department of the Navy’s systems and networks.

“I am looking forward to working with future DON leadership to make the vision ‘to build information superiority to win the global naval fight’ a reality,” he added.

James McPherson, acting undersecretary of the U.S. Army, will take over Modly’s duties on a temporary basis until the Senate confirms a permanent secretary.

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Quantum has Appointed Ed Fiore, Mark Bakke, Bruno Hald to Leadership Positions to Restructure Engineering Division; Jamie Lerner Quoted
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Quantum has Appointed Ed Fiore, Mark Bakke, Bruno Hald to Leadership Positions to Restructure Engineering Division; Jamie Lerner Quoted

Quantum has Appointed Ed Fiore, Mark Bakke, Bruno Hald to Leadership Positions to Restructure Engineering Division; Jamie Lerner Quoted

Quantum Corp. has announced the reorganization of its engineering division to strengthen its archive and data protection, the company announced on Wednesday.

“With our new corporate structure in place Quantum is better able to help our customers who are seeking agile partners and more flexible solutions such as storage-as-a-service offerings that can enable them to weather today’s rapidly-shifting business climate,” said Jamie Lerner, President and CEO of Quantum.

Quantum has established two general manager positions with P&L responsibility to lead the company’s primary and secondary storage product lines in addition to adding a key executive role. The positions will enable Quantum to expand its leadership in storing video and other unstructured data, as well as build on its strengths in archive and data protection.

The reorganization supports Quantum’s goals to grow both organically and via strategic acquisitions, and to extend its business model with recurring revenue streams as organizations shift to options such as storage-as-a-service.

Ed Fiore has been named vice president and general manager of primary storage. Fiore previously served as co-founder and CEO of Atavium, a private data storage software company focused on bringing business intelligence to storage.

Atavium’s metadata-rich file system will combine real-time search and analytics with a data orchestration engine to provide workflow automation, hybrid multi-cloud collaboration and policy-based data placement. As general manager of primary storage, Fiore will continue to develop source code and intellectual property that Quantum acquired from Atavium.

Through the development, Quantum will advance StorNext developments to address customer needs for media library software, real-time search and analytics, a hybrid multi-cloud experience and ease of use. Prior to Atavium, Fiore served as vice president of Storage Engineering for Dell where he was responsible for the Compellent, EqualLogic and FluidFS engineering teams.

Mark Bakke will also join Quantum as a technical director on the primary storage team. Bakke is an industry veteran who was one of the co-founders of Atavium. Bakke has made contributions to next-generation, high-speed storage networking innovation, including the market’s first virtual switch and first iSCSI products. At Quantum, he will drive efforts developing enterprise-wide networking capabilities that are essential for emerging cloud solutions.

Bruno Hald will serve as vice president and general manager of secondary storage. Hald is a seasoned engineering leader who has been with Quantum for over 25 years and currently leads the engineering teams for the archive and data protection product portfolio.

Throughout his career, Hald has helped develop and launch many successful storage platforms that generated significant revenues for Quantum. In the new role, he will leverage his extensive experience with hyperscale customers, large enterprises and big OEM accounts to help customers address their needs in the secondary storage space.

“Ed Fiore and Mark Bakke provide the startup caliber talent that is essential to our primary storage portfolio as we transition to delivering more software-defined solutions. I’m also thrilled to promote Bruno Hald to a new role that will enable us to focus on the unique requirements of archive and data protection customers who depend on Quantum,” added Lerner.

About Quantum

Quantum technology and services help customers capture, create and share digital content – and preserve and protect it for decades. With solutions built for every stage of the data lifecycle, Quantum’s platforms provide the fastest performance for high-resolution video, images, and industrial IoT. That’s why the world’s leading entertainment companies, sports franchises, researchers, government agencies, enterprises, and cloud providers are making the world happier, safer, and smarter on Quantum.

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