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Don Davidson, Director of Cyber-SCRM Programs at Synopsys, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th
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Don Davidson, Director of Cyber-SCRM Programs at Synopsys, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th


Don Davidson, Director of Cyber-SCRM Programs at Synopsys, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th
Don Davison

Don Davison, director of Cyber-SCRM Programs at Synopsys, will be featured as a panelist during Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th. Register now for the forum right here.

During the forum, GovCon and industry leaders from the public and private sectors will discuss how federal agencies protect, defend and secure supply chains from susceptible threats and the challenges that arise as technology becomes more fundamental to supply chains.

Davidson joined Synopsys in Feb. 2019 as the director of Cyber-SCRM Programs. He assists in the stand-up of a new Chief Security Office (CSO) in the Office of the President, and is focused on hardware assurance (HwA) and software assurance (SwA) to enable trusted technology components and capabilities.

Prior to his tenure with Synopsys, Davidson retired from the U.S. Department of Defense in Jan. 2019 after 44 years of service in the federal government. Davidson served as the deputy director for Cybersecurity (CS) Implementation & CS/Acquisition Integration / Chief Lifecycle Risk Management / Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) between Jan. 2015 and his retirement in Jan. 2019.

Davidson also served 11 years active duty military in the US Army Field Artillery. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy (and Information Resource Management) from the National War College at National Defense University.

Don Davidson, Director of Cyber-SCRM Programs at Synopsys, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th

Cheri Caddy of the NSA, Keith Nakasone of GSA, Daniel Kroese of DHS’ NRMC and Tina Kuhn of Cybercore Technologies will also be featured as panelists during the forum with Jill Singer of AT&T, 2019 Wash100 Award recipient, serving as the panel’s moderator. Kristen Baldwin of DoD will serve as the keynote speaker for the forum as well.

Don’t miss out on Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th. Register now for the forum right here.

Three DoD Officials to Lead Implementation of Software Acquisition Study’s Recommendations
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Three DoD Officials to Lead Implementation of Software Acquisition Study’s Recommendations

 

Jeff Brody

Three Department of Defense leaders have been selected to implement the approved recommendations within the four lines of effort of the Defense Innovation Board’s Software Acquisition and Practices study, FedScoop reported Monday. The four lines of effort are refactoring regulations, statutes and processes for software, creating cross-program and cross-service digital infrastructure, establishing new paths for digital talent and changing software procurement and development practices.

Joshua Marcuse, the board’s executive director, said those officials are Stacy Cummings, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for acquisition enablers; Jose Gonzalez, executive director of human capital initiatives and Peter Ranks, deputy chief information officer for information enterprise. Marcuse noted that Ellen Lord, defense undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment and a 2019 Wash100 Award recipient, plans to submit to Congress a SWAP implementation plan in the next few weeks.

The Defense Innovation Board released the final report of the SWAP study in May, which includes 10 primary recommendations and 16 additional items to help the Pentagon address challenges regarding its approach to modernizing software.

 

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Pentagon Unveils Digital Modernization Strategy
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Pentagon Unveils Digital Modernization Strategy


Jeff Brody

The Department of Defense unveiled a strategy on Friday to inform DoD’s information technology modernization effort, the Pentagon said Monday.

“The Digital Modernization Strategy provides a roadmap to support implementation of the National Defense Strategy lines of effort through the lens of cloud, artificial intelligence, command, control and communications and cybersecurity,” David Norquist, acting deputy DoD secretary and a 2019 Wash100 Award winner, wrote in the document’s foreword.

The strategy serves as the Pentagon’s Information Resource Management strategic plan and includes four digital modernization goals: innovate for competitive advantage, optimize for improved capability and efficiencies, evolve cybersecurity for an agile and resilient defense posture and cultivate talent for a ready digital workforce.

“Through four strategic initiatives, this strategy outlines how the department will increase agility and remain competitive within a constantly evolving digital global threat landscape,” said Dana Deasy, chief information officer of DoD and a fellow 2019 Wash100 Award recipient.

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AI National Security Commission Holds Third Plenary Session
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AI National Security Commission Holds Third Plenary Session


Jeff Brody

The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence convened Thursday, July 11, in Cupertino, Calif., for its third plenary session and received “classified briefings on counterintelligence threats and challenges” related to AI, C4ISRNET reported Monday.

“The session advanced the Commission’s understanding of the nature and challenges facing the United States,” Commissioner Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon Web Services, said in a Department of Defense news release.

The third session specifically included classified discussions regarding opportunities to advance the country’s leadership in AI and workshop reports on potential uses of AI in national security and ways to maintain U.S. leadership in AI research. The report said the commission hasn’t released any information about its recommendations related to AI. The national commission was created in accordance with the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act to assess advances in AI, machine learning and related technologies to address economic and national security risks.

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Matt Goodrich to Step Down as GSA Senior Adviser
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Matt Goodrich to Step Down as GSA Senior Adviser


Matt Goodrich to Step Down as GSA Senior Adviser
Matt Goodrich

Matt Goodrich is slated to leave his position as senior adviser for technology transformation service at the General Services Administration July 26, Nextgov reported Monday.

Prior to his current role, Goodrich served as an assistant commissioner for products and programs and led the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program office for seven years. He also worked as a policy analyst at the Office of Management and Budget.

“It’s been a wild ride the last 10 years—launching Apps.gov, working at the White House, leading & transforming FedRAMP, running OPP,” Goodrich said in a tweet. “I’m proud of all I’ve done & excited for what the next 10 years will bring.”

Goodrich received his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from the University of Miami and obtained a Juris Doctor degree at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law.

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LaFondra Lynch Named GSA Deputy Chief of Staff
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LaFondra Lynch Named GSA Deputy Chief of Staff


LaFondra Lynch Named GSA Deputy Chief of Staff
LaFondra Lynch

LaFondra Lynch, former chief of staff of the General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service, has been appointed as the agency’s deputy chief of staff. GSA said Monday that Lynch will help the agency’s administrator and chief of staff develop, evaluate and implement programs as part of her new capacity.

In her most recent role, Lynch assisted the PBS leadership team in managing national programs and managed a $10 billion budget with over 5,300 employees. She also spent some time at the Department of Justice and held senior officer positions at the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

Lynch holds a doctorate degree in management from the University of Maryland University College, a master of arts degree in government from the Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor of science degree in English from Towson University.

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Charles Hicks Appointed Chief Financial Officer of NCI; Paul Dillahay Quoted
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Charles Hicks Appointed Chief Financial Officer of NCI; Paul Dillahay Quoted


Charles Hicks Appointed Chief Financial Officer of NCI; Paul Dillahay Quoted
Charles Hicks

NCI Information Systems announced on Tuesday that Charles Hicks has joined NCI as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer.

“Chuck is a well-known change agent and a highly respected finance/business leader in the GovCon market,” said Paul Dillahay, president and CEO of NCI and former Wash100 Award winner. “He has a stellar track record of driving financial operational excellence and will be integral in helping shape our decision making as we continue to execute on our growth strategy,” he added.

Hicks brings over 25 years of experience in merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions, integration initiatives to improve operational excellence, efficiency and performance and the development of strategic partnerships to the role with NCI.

Before joining NCI, Hicks served as CFO for Cresa Global, Inc. Hicks was executive vice president for strategic growth, chief operating officer and CFO for SC3, which is now part of General Dynamics Information Technology. He’s also served in executive leadership roles with ASRC Federal, SAIC, USIS, Ernst & Young and he served in the U.S. Navy.

Hicks holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maryland College Park. He also completed executive M&A education from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

“This is an exciting time for our company, as we partner with our federal customers to help advance their mission utilizing emerging technologies and innovative solutions such as artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics and agile software development,” said Charles Hicks.

About NCI 

NCI is a leading provider of enterprise solutions and services to U.S. defense, intelligence, health and civilian government agencies. The company has the expertise and proven track record to solve its customers’ most important and complex mission challenges through technology and innovation — delivering cost-effective solutions and services in areas such as advanced analytics; agile DevSecOps; artificial intelligence; cybersecurity and information assurance; engineering and logistics; health IT; and hyperconverged infrastructure.

Coupled with a refined focus on strategic partnerships, NCI is committed to bringing commercial innovation to missions of national importance. NCI is a mid-tier systems integrator headquartered in Reston, Virginia, and operates at locations across the globe.

Soraya Correa: DHS’ FirstSource III Contract Vehicle to Include ‘Set-Aside’ Tracks
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Soraya Correa: DHS’ FirstSource III Contract Vehicle to Include ‘Set-Aside’ Tracks


Soraya Correa: DHS' FirstSource III Contract Vehicle to Include 'Set-Aside' Tracks
Soraya Correa

Soraya Correa, chief procurement officer at the Department of Homeland Security, has said DHS will establish a third iteration of the FirstSource information technology contract vehicle with award tracks dedicated to five socioeconomic groups. She wrote in a FedBizOpps notice posted Monday that her team is working with the DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer and other department components to determine a timeline for the FirstSource III program.

Correa added that she intends to ensure that the upcoming contract will align with category management guidelines from the Office of Management and Budget. FirstSource covers networking equipment, wireless technology, imaging products, voice recognition systems, online data reporting services and associated product support offerings.

OPM Appraisal Tool Selected as Igniting Innovation Awards Finalist
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OPM Appraisal Tool Selected as Igniting Innovation Awards Finalist


Jeff Brody

A software platform used by the Office of Personnel Management has been recognized by the American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council as one of the 40 finalists in the Igniting Innovation Awards. The USA Performance tool assists government agencies to automate appraisal processes and electronically sign performance plans, OPM said May 22.

Agencies may also use the tool to track the employees’ performance, provide feedback and align individual performance with organizational standards. A group of industry and government executives selected the 40 finalists from 207 nominations through a review process earlier in the year.

DHS S&T Seeks Proposals for Data Utilization Projects
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DHS S&T Seeks Proposals for Data Utilization Projects


Jeff Brody

The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate is requesting proposals on two projects with a combined value of over $820,000. DHS S&T said Friday that it calls for universities to submit proposals on data utilization projects in support of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

USCG is in need of technologies to support search and rescue planning based on leeway drift data, while CBP seeks to better utilize forecasting data to predict and prevent potential pest threats. DHS will award up to $487,000 for the USCG project and up to $333,900 for the CBP project.

The projects support a partnership between DHS S&T’s Office of University Programs and the Minority Serving Institution Research and Development Consortium.

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