Gen. Stephen Lyons: TRANSCOM Looks for Ways to Offload Work to Commercial Airlines
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Gen. Stephen Lyons: TRANSCOM Looks for Ways to Offload Work to Commercial Airlines
Stephen Lyons
Stephen Lyons

Army Gen. Stephen Lyons, head of U.S. Transportation Command, said TRANSCOM is exploring ways on how to shift work to Civil Reserve Air Fleet partners in an effort to mitigate the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the commercial airline industry, Defense News reported Monday.

CRAF is a program where Delta, United Airlines and other commercial aviation firms can carry out transport missions on behalf of the Pentagon during emergencies.

“On a cargo side, the civil aviation fleet is going pretty strong. On a passenger side, it has dropped off significantly,” Lyons said. “We’re talking to [commercial airline companies] regularly. I am concerned, to some degree, about impacts on the passenger segment of the aviation industry, so any opportunity we have to push workload in their direction, we’re doing that.”

The State Department’s repatriation task force tapped TRANSCOM in late March to help manage contracts with U.S. airlines to transport U.S. citizens and permanent residents back to the country.

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NASA Installs Wheels on Perseverance Rover
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NASA Installs Wheels on Perseverance Rover

NASA Installs Wheels on Perseverance Rover

NASA has installed the wheels, air brakes and parachute system of Perseverance, the rover designed to collect samples for the Mars 2020 mission.

The space agency said Friday its Kennedy Space Center completed the rover’s wheel installation March 30, following a test in December with mock-up wheels.

The new, mission-tailored wheels are engineered to accommodate the red planet’s terrain and build on the ones used by the existing Curiosity rover.

Perseverance’s wheels have bigger diameters than those on Curiosity and new tread designs. Jet Propulsion Laboratory tested the new treads and have generated results that show improvement over the previous model in terms of pressure resistance.

The parachute installation took place earlier and ended on March 26 after multiple days of work.

Perseverance is scheduled to launch this year for a mission to study microbial life and geology on the red planet, in preparation for manned exploration under the Artemis program.

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Navy Reuses USS Enterprise Data Link on John F. Kennedy Carrier
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Navy Reuses USS Enterprise Data Link on John F. Kennedy Carrier

Navy Reuses USS Enterprise Data Link on John F. Kennedy Carrier

Naval Undersea Warfare Center has delivered a salvaged data system to the John F. Kennedy nuclear aircraft carrier after refurbishment and installation activities at Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific.

The repurposed AN/USQ-167 Common Data Link System, formerly of the decommissioned USS Enterprise, would allow John F. Kennedy to process sonobuoy data transmitted from undersea warfare aircraft, the U.S. Navy said Friday.

San Diego-based Fleet Test and Evaluation Center performed installation activities and a technical refresh to link the system with Kennedy’s USW aircraft.

“Live testing, consisting of both on-deck and in-flight operations, were successfully conducted, proving the next-generation common data link system increased capabilities were operationally sound,” said Dave McKae, an engineering technician at FTEC.

The Reuse of USS Enterprise’s CDLS allowed the Navy to save $1.8M.

Sen. Mark Warner Asks OMB to Clarify Relief for Contractors Involved in National Security Missions
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Sen. Mark Warner Asks OMB to Clarify Relief for Contractors Involved in National Security Missions
Mark Warner
Mark Warner

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a three-time Wash100 award winner, has asked the Office of Management and Budget to release a directive that would direct agencies to implement a provision in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act that offers relief to contractors supporting the country’s national security missions.

“Without such overarching directive, I fear that agencies and their contracting officers will take disparate approaches, leading to uncertainty and instability in the contractor industrial base, if not a permanent loss of capability,” Warner wrote in a letter to Acting OMB Director Russell Vought.

Warner said he wants the policy to support teleworking initiatives and payment for contractors amid the COVID-19 pandemic and provide a fair cost reimbursement method.

The lawmaker also asked OMB to come up with a standard contract modification language within 15 days of the directive’s release to “maintain ready state (on-call) contractor capability, reflects dependencies on subcontractors and suppliers whose performance may be impaired by COVID-19, and adjust contract performance issues.”

To avoid any disruption in contract implementation, Warner said the directive should permit accelerated consideration of extensions in performance periods and “adjustments in contract ceiling values.”

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Navy Commissions USS Delaware
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Navy Commissions USS Delaware

Navy Commissions USS Delaware

A Virginia-class submarine built by Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics‘ Electric Boat company has entered into active service with the U.S. Navy.

Codenamed SSN 791, USS Delaware is the 18th of the Virginia-class attack submarines to join the service branch, the Department of Defense said Saturday.

The attack submarine measures 377 feet long and will work to conduct various operations such as anti-surface warfare, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance missions. It can also submerge at depths over 800 feet, travel at a speed of more than 25 knots and operate for over three decades.

“I am equally proud of the families who have stood by through the long hours of shift work, testing, and sea trials and supported our mission with patriotism and devotion,” said Cmdr. Matthew Horton, commanding officer at USS Delaware.

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2020 Wash100 Awardees John Murray, Bruce Jette Cite Plans to Prevent Disruptions in Army Modernization Efforts
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2020 Wash100 Awardees John Murray, Bruce Jette Cite Plans to Prevent Disruptions in Army Modernization Efforts
2020 Wash100 Awardees John Murray, Bruce Jette Cite Plans to Prevent Disruptions in Army Modernization Efforts

U.S. Army officials have said that the military branch is working to prevent further delays in its more than 800 acquisition programs as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause disruptions, National Defense Magazine reported Friday.

Gen. John Murray, commanding officer of the Army Futures Command and 2020 Wash100 Award winner, said at a teleconference that programs such as the integrated air-and-missile defense battle command system could be at risk of delays due to current health-related restrictions.

Testing of the IBCS was initially slated to take place in May while another test for the long-range precision strike missile is scheduled for this month. According to Murray, the Army may “have to look at some concurrency” if the service deems it necessary.

Bruce Jette, assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, and a fellow 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, added that the service has continued network modernization initiative as well as testing of hypersonics technology amid the health crisis.

Other Army projects that could face disruptions include the Integrated Visual Augmentation System designed to support warfighters’ situational awareness functions on the field, Murray noted.

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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DoD Requests to Allow Non-Disclosure of Classified Programs’ Budget Data
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DoD Requests to Allow Non-Disclosure of Classified Programs’ Budget Data

DoD Requests to Allow Non-Disclosure of Classified Programs' Budget Data

The Department of Defense is seeking legislative approval to allow some of its programs and budgetary allocations stated in the five-year Future Years Defense Program to remain classified, Defense News reported Saturday.

Chris Sherwood, a spokesman for the DoD, said in a statement that the department has not complied with the request due to concerns that “providing that level of detail for the outyears might put critical information at risk and breach classification standards.” The fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization Act currently requires the DoD to submit an unclassified FYDP report, he noted.

Sherwood’s comments come after the Federation of American Scientists’ Steven Aftergood released a report detailing the DoD’s plans on the legislative proposal.

Aftergood noted that the proposal would make it difficult for Congress and the public to “refocus and reconstruct the defense budget.”

“The DoD is exploring all possible paths forward, including requesting relief from the new requirement, as well as trying to determine how much information can safely be public in addition to all the budget information already made available,” he added.

According to Sherwood, the legislative proposal would not change the Pentagon’s procedures related to budgetary disclosure.

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Soraya Correa Unveils DHS Procurement Team for COVID-19 Response Efforts
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Soraya Correa Unveils DHS Procurement Team for COVID-19 Response Efforts
Soraya Correa
Soraya Correa

Soraya Correa, chief procurement officer of the Department of Homeland Security, is standing up an acquisition team that will handle coronavirus-related sourcing and industry engagement activities across DHS components.

Correa wrote in a statement dated April 2 that the COVID-19 Procurement and Acquisition Innovation Response Team will manage coordination across the DHS and Federal Emergency Management Agency in efforts to streamline all procurement-related operations for disease response.

According to Correa, interested entities must continue directing inquiries and capability offerings to DHS’ industry liaison as the PAIR team is being established.

“The COVID-19 PAIR team is ensuring that DHS is maximizing procurement flexibilities and innovative approaches to meet the requirements for COVID-19 response,” she said. “We thank you in advance for working with DHS to bring your best ideas and solutions forward to address DHS needs and capability gaps.”

Soraya Correa Unveils DHS Procurement Team for COVID-19 Response Efforts

Correa will serve as a keynote speaker during Potomac Officers Club’s 2020 Procurement Forum on Tuesday, June 9th. Register here to save your spot for the forum. During her keynote address, she will discuss the short term and long term strategies, acquisition, workforce initiatives, tech modernization and collaboration between government and industry.

Julie Dunne of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will also serve as a keynote speaker for the event. Register here to join Potomac Officers Club for its 2020 Procurement Forum on June 9th.

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Parsons Releases COVID-19 Update, Delivering New Abilities to Adapt During Pandemic; Chuck Harrington Quoted
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Parsons Releases COVID-19 Update, Delivering New Abilities to Adapt During Pandemic; Chuck Harrington Quoted

Parsons Releases COVID-19 Update, Delivering New Abilities to Adapt During Pandemic; Chuck Harrington Quoted

Parsons has released new capabilities the company will deliver to its customers and community to assist during the coronavirus outbreak, Parsons announced on Monday.

“I am proud of our employee’s response to supporting their communities, and furthermore want to share the capabilities and products that are being deployed across our enterprise to empower our customers during this unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,” said Chuck Harrington, Parsons chairman and CEO and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient.

Parsons’ team in Huntsville, Alabama initiated an effort internally to 3D print face shields, which are being used to augment personal protective equipment for our teams performing mission essential services.

The company’s team in Abu Dhabi will continue to work closely with the local government, Abu Dhabi Municipality, to sanitize public areas and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, Parsons has announced alternate care facilities, where the company will rapidly convert conference centers, arenas, hotels and other areas into healthcare facilities to treat patients.

Parsons will also create a mobile and transportable COVID-19 structure, where the company will design and deploy safe testing infrastructure, modular energy and secure communications solutions to support rapidly deployed medical environments.

The company also released smart technology to support airports, military bases and ports of entry to provide contactless passenger check-in and screening, biometrics and modified baggage handling and virus detection to detect and eliminate dangerous viruses.

Parsons has also introduced cyber protection and expanded its cyber defense solutions to support critical infrastructure sectors, including healthcare, elections, transportation, energy, emergency services and water in addition to its situational awareness and analysis to ensure visibility of real-time conditions.

“As COVID-19 continues disrupting lives and businesses around the world, we are reminded that the true measure of humankind is not our response in times of normalcy, but how we rise to the challenge in times of adversity. While the global situation remains fluid, we remain agile and steadfast in supporting our customer’s missions,” concluded Harrington.

About Parsons

Parsons (NYSE: PSN) is a leading disruptive technology provider in the global defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, and smart cities. Please visit parsons.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn how we’re making an impact.

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CACI Names Susan Gordon to Board of Directors; JP London Quoted
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CACI Names Susan Gordon to Board of Directors; JP London Quoted

CACI Names Susan Gordon to Board of Directors; JP London Quoted

CACI International has appointed Susan Gordon, two-time Wash100 Award recipient, to its Board of Directors effective immediately, the company announced on Monday.

CACI executive chairman and chairman of the board Dr. J.P. London said, “Sue Gordon brings us incredible expertise and experience with an exemplary history of leadership in the Intelligence Community. Her selection continues our history of appointing highly qualified and exceptionally credentialed professionals to our Board.”

Gordon has served in senior leadership positions across numerous intelligence organizations and disciplines. She will bring over  30 years of leadership experience across a broad spectrum of complex issues to the board in the development of innovative technology solutions and transformative outcomes for the Intelligence Community (IC).

With her extensive experience in the IC, Gordon will further the expertise and technology CACI provides to the IC, particularly in the areas of cyber, space, and artificial intelligence to counter threats to the United States’ national security.

Gordon was sworn in as the fifth principal deputy director of National Intelligence in 2017. In the role, she was a key advisor to the President and National Security Council and provided leadership to the IC. She also focused on advancing intelligence integration across the IC, expanding outreach and partnerships and driving innovation across the IC.

In addition, she served as the deputy director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) from 2015 to 2017, where she provided leadership to the agency and managed the National System of Geospatial Intelligence.

Prior to her assignment with the NGA, Gordon served for 27 years at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), serving in a variety of senior leadership positions in operations, analysis, science and technology and support. In 1998, Gordon led the effort that culminated in the formation of In-Q-Tel.

“We are confident that she will add valuable insight into our IC customers’ missions and CACI’s key growth areas. We welcome Ms. Gordon to CACI and look forward to her contributions to the Company’s growth and the delivery of long-term shareholder value,” added London.

About CACI   

CACI’s 22,000 talented employees are vigilant in providing the unique expertise and distinctive technology that address our customers’ greatest enterprise and mission challenges. Our culture of good character, innovation, and excellence drives our success and earns us recognition as a Fortune World’s Most Admired Company. As a member of the Fortune 1000 Largest Companies, the Russell 1000 Index, and the S&P MidCap 400 Index, we consistently deliver strong shareholder value.

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