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ICF Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results; John Wasson Quoted
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ICF Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results; John Wasson Quoted
ICF Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results; John Wasson Quoted

ICF has released its report for the fourth quarter and full year results, ending Dec. 31, 2019, the company announced on Friday. 

"Growth catalysts across our client set resulted in a revenue increase of 11 percent for full year 2019, representing positive year-on-year comparisons in each of our client categories," said John Wasson, president and chief executive officer of ICF and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient. 

Revenue from government clients increased at a double-digit rate, led by large growth in state and local government and a significant pickup in federal government work in the second half of the year. 

Revenue from commercial clients, approximately 35 percent of 2019 revenue, advanced by 6 percent year-over-year, accredited to growth in marketing services and energy markets, which together comprised 93 percent of commercial revenue.

ICF recorded its full year results, highlighting a total revenue of $1.48 billion; diluted EPS Was $3.59, inclusive of $0.24 in special charges; non-GAAP EPS was $4.15 and adjusted EBITDA Margin on Service revenue was 13.4 percent. The company reported contract awards of  $1.5 billion and operating cash flow of $91 million.

ICF reported its fourth quarter highlights, noting a total revenue of $397 million, diluted EPS as $1.01, inclusive of $0.09 in special charges. Non-GAAP EPS was $1.18, adjusted EBITDA margin on service revenue was 14.9 percent and contract awards of $353 million. 

The company highlighted key contract awards for the fourth quarter. Notably, the company received a contract with a midwestern U.S. utility to provide program implementation services for its residential energy efficiency programs within its energy services division.

In Marketing Services, ICF won multiple task orders with a U.S. health insurer to provide a variety of marketing services for its programs. The company also received extensions of its retainer with a U.S. rail transportation system to continue providing loyalty services and a retainer with a hospitality website to provide public relations and social media services.

For its public health and survey research, ICF reported a  follow-on agreement with U.S. Agency for International Development and the President's Malaria Initiative to strengthen country systems across sub-Saharan Africa to generate high quality health information used to support actions that address malaria.

Within the company’s commercial revenue fourth quarter 2019 highlights, ICF recorded a commercial revenue of $152.4 million, up 1.0 percent from the $150.9 million reported in last year's fourth quarter. Commercial revenue accounted for 38 percent of total revenue compared to 40 percent of total revenue in the 2018 fourth quarter.

About ICF

ICF (NASDAQ:ICFI) is a global consulting services company with over 7,000 full- and part-time employees, but we are not your typical consultants. At ICF, business analysts and policy specialists work together with digital strategists, data scientists and creatives. We combine unmatched industry expertise with cutting-edge engagement capabilities to help organizations solve their most complex challenges. Since 1969, public and private sector clients have worked with ICF to navigate change and shape the future. 

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Accenture Completes Mundano Acquisition to Enhance Analytic Transformation; George Marcotte, Athina Kanioura Quoted
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Accenture Completes Mundano Acquisition to Enhance Analytic Transformation; George Marcotte, Athina Kanioura Quoted
Accenture Completes Mundano Acquisition to Enhance Analytic Transformation; George Marcotte, Athina Kanioura Quoted

Accenture Applied Intelligence has completed its acquisition of Mudano, a strategic data consultancy to U.K. financial services firms, the company reported on Friday. The acquisition will enhance Accenture’s analytics, data and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation capabilities. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Accenture Applied Intelligence announced its agreement to buy Mudano data and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation capabilities on Feb. 3 2020. 

“Mudano’s focus on helping clients build a ‘data culture’ aligns perfectly to Accenture’s Applied Intelligence strategy. By creating a strong data foundation, supported by the right skills, stakeholders and technologies, our clients can transform at speed and scale and fuel real change for their business.”said George Marcotte, managing director and head of  Accenture’s Applied Intelligence.

Accenture will gain over 20,000 industry-focused data professionals worldwide who help clients implement AI, including 6,000 data scientists, data engineers and AI professionals. The company will also integrate Mudano’s data advisory expertise and technology solutions into the existing capabilities to help Accenture’s clients generate value and return on investment from large-scale transformation projects.

Mudano has used the advanced analytics system, applied data science and modern data technologies to help the banks, insurers and wealth management firms transform customer behavior analytics, financial crime-prevention and intelligent data management.

“Our acquisition momentum in Applied Intelligence over the past six months enables us to deliver AI at scale to clients around the world across a range of industries,” said Athina Kanioura, chief analytics officer and global lead, Accenture Applied Intelligence. “By bringing new talent and capabilities into our business, we complement our ongoing organic growth strategy and increase our speed to market.”

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network.

Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With 505,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives.

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Accenture Acquires AlphaBeta Advisors to Expand Analytics-Led Strategy Capabilities; Bob Easton, Andrew Charlton Quoted
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Accenture Acquires AlphaBeta Advisors to Expand Analytics-Led Strategy Capabilities; Bob Easton, Andrew Charlton Quoted
Accenture Acquires AlphaBeta Advisors to Expand Analytics-Led Strategy Capabilities; Bob Easton, Andrew Charlton Quoted

Accenture has acquired AlphaBeta Advisors, a privately held Australian consultancy that combines business strategy, data analytics and econometrics to advise leading organizations on how to respond to profound technological, economic and social change, to enable Accenture to expand its analytics-led Strategy capabilities in market, Accenture announced on Friday.

“We are strongly aligned in how we work with organisations to address some of the most pressing issues and opportunities of our time. AlphaBeta Advisors’s data and analytics-led approach to strategy and consulting will boost the specialised strategic advice Accenture offers clients to help them achieve competitive agility by turning data-driven insights into real action and impact,” said Bob Easton, chairman of Accenture in Australia and New Zealand.

AlphaBeta Advisors has led organizations across all major industries, such as government, technology and financial services. The company has helped clients better understand how the market shapes industries so that client companies remain relevant and continue to grow. 

AlphaBeta Advisors experts have worked on projects aimed at tackling some of Australia’s biggest contemporary challenges, including the future of work, national reform programs and technology and innovation.

Founded in 2015, AlphaBeta Advisors has a presence in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, and employs an experienced team of approximately 35 people with backgrounds in data analytics, economics and public policy.

“Following a period of rapid growth, we are ready to take our business to the next level. By joining forces and combining our data-led advisory services with Accenture’s world-class strategy capabilities, we will be best positioned to guide clients on the journey from strategy through to execution,” said Andrew Charlton, founder and director at AlphaBeta Advisors.

In this past year, Accenture has made four other acquisitions in Australia, including SAP and business intelligence specialists, Icon Integration in Feb. 2020; specialist Government consultancy, Apis Group in Dec. 2019; big data and analytics company Analytics8 in Aug. 2019; and cybersecurity and technology company BCT Solutions in June 2019.

Accenture’s acquisition of Icon Integration will continue to improve Accenture’s growing technology initiatives and number of SAP professionals in the region.Icon Integration, consisting of 70 employees in Australia and New Zealand, works with some of the regions’ largest retail, consumer goods and government organisations. With the acquisition, Accenture will gain Icon’s differentiated capabilities in supply chain execution, particularly warehouse management. 

Accenture will also improve its data optimization, as well as designing, developing and delivering bespoke enterprise technology solutions that help clients improve business performance and operational efficiencies with the purchase.

“Combined, Accenture and Icon Integration offer a unique proposition to help clients realize tangible business benefits from their technology investments. This acquisition supports our strategic growth objectives to meet rising demand for technology solutions by SAP users. We welcome Icon Integration’s team and clients to our practice,” said Scott Hahn, head of Accenture’s Technology practice in Australia and New Zealand. 

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions. 

Underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network — Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With 505,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives.

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Hughes Announces TELECOMM Partnership to Power Community Wi-Fi Hotspots in Mexican Villages; Ramesh Ramaswamy, Sergio Viñals Padilla Quoted
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Hughes Announces TELECOMM Partnership to Power Community Wi-Fi Hotspots in Mexican Villages; Ramesh Ramaswamy, Sergio Viñals Padilla Quoted

Hughes Announces TELECOMM Partnership to Power Community Wi-Fi Hotspots in Mexican Villages; Ramesh Ramaswamy, Sergio Viñals Padilla Quoted

Hughes Network Systems has collaborated with Telecomunicaciones de México (TELECOMM) to install Hughes Express Wi-Fi hotspots, powered by Facebook Connectivity’s Express Wi-Fi platform, in as many as 4,000 rural communities in Mexico, the company announced on Friday.

“We are excited to provide under our contract with Hughes the installation and maintenance of the Hughes Express Wi-Fi solution in rural communities nationwide,” Sergio Viñals Padilla, Director General at TELECOMM. “Hughes satellite Internet will enable more Mexicans to enjoy transformation and social inclusion for the wellness of the population, as defined in the Federal Government Connectivity Program and Social Coverage Program.”

Hughes has installed the first hotspot in the town of General Sandino, where there was previously no high-speed Internet. With Hughes Express Wi-Fi, the community will gain new access to social, economic and educational benefits of broadband Internet access.

The company will provide high-speed Internet access available to people in rural communities at prices as low as 50 cents per hour. Hughes will integrate the Hughes JUPITER System, its next  generation VSAT platform designed and optimized for broadband services, in addition to Ka-band capacity from the JUPITER 2 (EchoStar XIX) High-Throughput Satellite.

With Hughes’ systems, the company will enable Internet service to the locations that were selected under the Federal Government Connectivity Program and Social Coverage Program. At each site, Facebook Connectivity’s Express Wi-Fi platform will provide local managers to operating systems  and make Wi-Fi available on handheld and laptop devices.

“The agreement with TELECOMM to deploy Hughes Express Wi-Fi hotspots at thousands of rural locations reflects the power of the solution to make affordable Internet access available quickly to help connect the unconnected,” said Ramesh Ramaswamy, senior vice president and general manager, International Division at Hughes. “We look forward to working together…”

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in broadband satellite technology and services for home and office. Its flagship high-speed satellite Internet service is HughesNet®, the world’s largest satellite network with over 1.4 million residential and business customers across the Americas.

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VA Eyes July Launch for EHR System’s Initial Capabilities; Robert Wilkie Quoted
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VA Eyes July Launch for EHR System’s Initial Capabilities; Robert Wilkie Quoted
Robert Wilkie
Robert Wilkie

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to launch initial capabilities of its electronic health record system in July at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., Federal News Network reported Thursday.

VA Secretary Robert Wilkie told the House Veterans Affairs Committee Thursday the department may field new EHR capabilities sooner than the July target, but would delay the rollout if his expectations are not met.

VA originally scheduled the initial EHR launch on March 28 but Wilkie said he chose to postpone the rollout because the platform was not fully completed.

“When I reviewed it, the two portions of the program that were not ready for our clinicians were programs that were incredibly important, particularly to the [Pacific North]west, were travel and community care,” said Wilkie, a 2019 Wash100 Award winner. “Those programs weren’t ready.”

Richard Stone, executive in charge of the Veterans Health Administration, joined Wilkie during the House panel hearing to talk about the EHR initiative.

VA requested $4.9B for the EHR modernization project in its fiscal 2021 budget proposal, reflecting a $1.1B rise from the prior year’s requested budget for the program.

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Gen. David Goldfein, Gen. Jay Raymond on Joint All-Domain C2 Network
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Gen. David Goldfein, Gen. Jay Raymond on Joint All-Domain C2 Network
Gen. David Goldfein
Gen. David Goldfein

Gen. David Goldfein, chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force and 2020 Wash100 Award winner, and Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, chief of space operationsand fellow 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, wrote in an opinion piece published Thursday on Defense News that the U.S. military should ensure continued superiority by developing a battle network designed to link weapons and warfighters operating from various domains.

Gen. David Goldfein, Gen. Jay Raymond on Joint All-Domain C2 NetworkThe proposed Joint All-Domain Command and Control “network would leverage data, artificial intelligence and machine learning so that we know the location and movement of both friendly and enemy forces at all times,” wrote 2020 Wash100 awardees Goldfein and Raymond. “U.S. forces operating on land, sea, air, and in space and cyberspace — the major ‘domains’ of modern warfare — will be able to share information continuously and call on each other when needed.”

The generals said the service branch is working with other partners from other service branches and industry to develop and test the components of the JADC2 network. They cited an operational demonstration conducted in December in support of the initiative.

Raymond and Goldfein indicated that the Department of Defense would need the help of the private sector and Congress to further advance the JADC2 program.

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Report: Pentagon’s JAIC Taps Alka Patel to Lead AI Ethical Principles Implementation
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Report: Pentagon’s JAIC Taps Alka Patel to Lead AI Ethical Principles Implementation
Alka Patel
Alka Patel

The Department of Defense’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center has appointed Alka Patel, a member of JAIC’s strategic engagement and policy team since January, to lead the implementation of its new ethical principles for the use of AI in combat, Nextgov reported Thursday.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, director of JAIC and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, indicated that the center already hired an individual to lead the work but did not name the official.

“[Patel] is coordinating these efforts for the JAIC,” Lt. Cmdr. Arlo Abrahamson, a spokesperson for the center, told the publication. “She [is] a deep thinker who possesses a strong and proven ethical foundation in her approach to fielding AI solutions.” 

Patel previously worked as a research intern at the Montreal AI Ethics Institute and served as commissioner of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. She is former executive director of Carnegie Mellon University’s risk and regulatory services innovation center and previous managing director and senior counsel at the Bank of New York Mellon.

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Air Force Selects PEOs for ‘Vanguard’ R&D Effort
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Air Force Selects PEOs for ‘Vanguard’ R&D Effort
Air Force Selects PEOs for 'Vanguard' R&D Effort

The U.S. Air Force has assigned program executive offices to manage acquisition activities for the service branch’s new Vanguard program.

The Air Force said  Wednesday the PEOs will operate under the service’s Transformational Capabilities Office and focus on prototyping emerging weapon platforms to support the service’s 2030 strategy. The service first announced the Vanguard programs in November.

Weapons PEO Brig. Gen. Anthony Genatempo will oversee the Golden Horde program focused on establishing an integrated weapons system for a network of collaborative autonomous systems.

Col. Dale White, the PEO for advanced aircraft, will manage the Skyborg project involving unmanned aerial vehicles for manned-unmanned teaming applications.

Lt. Gen. John Thompson and Paul Waugh, the respective PEOs for space and agile combat support, will co-lead the Navigation Technology Satellite 3 initiative focused on deploying positioning, navigation and timing technologies and a satellite segment in geosynchronous orbit.

The segment will remain in orbit for a year to help inform the development of reprogrammable GPS capabilities.

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DHS to Develop Master’s Degree Program for Security Technologies Through Funding Opportunity
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DHS to Develop Master’s Degree Program for Security Technologies Through Funding Opportunity
DHS to Develop Master's Degree Program for Security Technologies Through Funding Opportunity

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a request for proposals to seek input from universities in developing the capabilities of DHS personnel.

DHS said Wednesday it aims to create a master's degree program that will work to help students implement security technologies that are under the research and development phase to operational capacity.

Based on the department's Security Technology Transition effort,  the program will enable employees to explore federal acquisition policies, study technology adoption gaps and observe the research and development process. DHS also envisions the students to manage and mitigate potential issues in carrying technological updates as part of the course.

“S&T’s investment in this MBA program will build a cross-DHS collaborative workforce with the capability and skill set needed to develop, acquire, implement, and manage the transition process of operationally relevant technologies,” said William Bryan, senior official performing the duties of the undersecretary for science and technology at DHS.

Interested schools may employ and aggregate existing courses to build an MBA program that will house a management curriculum with real-world case studies and security technology subjects.

Phase I proposals are due March 5, while Phase II submissions will be accepted until March 26.

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Air National Guard Group to Foster Innovation in New AFWERX Program
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Air National Guard Group to Foster Innovation in New AFWERX Program
Air National Guard Group to Foster Innovation in New AFWERX Program

The 152nd Airlift Wing within Air National Guard has established a "spark cell" innovation program that aims to foster creative innovation across force members.

The Silver State Spark cell would allow airmen to explore and plan innovation projects for a maximum of five days during technician and training periods, the U.S. Air Force said Wednesday.

The program also allows airmen to propose their formed project plans to respective commanders and apply for a chance of implementation.

"A Spark Cell gives Airmen of all ranks the opportunity to think creatively toward new and innovative solutions to the challenges they face in the daily conduct of flying, fighting and winning our nation's wars," said Col. Jacob Hammons, 152nd Airlift Wing commander, who initiated planning for the spark cell's creation.

Maj. Greg Green, who facilitates the wing's spark cell, gathered insight during an AFWERX-supported spark cell training event that took place in Las Vegas from Feb. 19 to 21.

 "There's no doubt a demand for improving the way we do business," Green said, also noting that airmen are already submitting ideas.

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