Advanced Concepts and Technologies International (ACT I) announced on Wednesday that the company has been accepted into the Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. 

ACT I and the other 46 companies selected for the VALET program were chosen by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) based on quantitative and qualitative selection criteria and on the company’s dedication to growing export sales. 

“We are pleased to be selected by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership for this effective program,” said Mr. Claudio Monticelli, ACT I COO. “As ACT I continues to expand its international base of business we welcome the opportunity to work with VEDP to extend the Commonwealth of Virginia’s international reach,” Monticelli added. 

The VALET program provides participating companies with export planning services and assistance from a team of experienced international service providers to help meet their international goals. Since the program was established in 2002, 337 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program. 

About ACT I

ACT I is an ISO 9001:2015 certified small business and assessed at CMMI Level 3 for Services delivering mission-critical Total Acquisition Management, Cyber Security, and Foreign Military Sales solutions to customers across the globe. 

We are retained by the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, Department of Homeland Security and other Federal Agencies and allied partners to support their most complex programs in the areas of Requirements, Acquisition Strategy and Planning, Program Management, Healthcare Advisory Support, Engineering, Logistics, Financial Management, Security and Cyber, Contract Negotiation Support, and Security Cooperation and Assistance Services. 

ACT I is a prime contractor on the following GSA and DoD IDIQ contracts: OASIS Small Business Pools 1 and 2, Professional Services Schedule, and Seaport-e, Seaport Next Generation, and PASS-SB.

QTS Realty Trust announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded QTS’ Ashburn mega data center a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. 

LEED certification is an important part of QTS’ comprehensive environmental and sustainability initiatives documented in its Environmental, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) report. QTS owns and operates 26 data centers globally with a goal of achieving LEED certification in 90% of owned facilities by 2025, up from 60% today. 

QTS Ashburn’s LEED certification encompasses the entirety of the 445,000 square foot data center facility that also features office space for both customers and QTS’ Northern Virginia-based employees.

“QTS is committed to leading the industry in sustainability and environmental responsibility,” said Travis Wright, Vice President of Energy and Sustainability – QTS.  “We have aggressive, documented goals for renewable energy usage, water reclamation, waste recycling and operational efficiency and we look forward to reporting on our progress,” Wright added. 

About QTS Realty Trust 

QTS Realty Trust, Inc. is a leading provider of data center solutions across a diverse footprint spanning more than 6 million square feet of owned mega scale data center space within North America and Europe. Through its software-defined technology platform, QTS is able to deliver secure, compliant infrastructure solutions, robust connectivity and premium customer service to leading hyperscale technology companies, enterprises, and government entities.

The Parsons Corporation and its partners announced on Tuesday that the first Smart Cities Challenge, titled “Transforming Intersections.” will significantly increase mobility around cities and reduce the amount of time citizens spend at red lights.

The objective of Parsons’ Smart Cities Challenge is to change the way cities move by collaborating with governments to solve the most complex mobility issues. With Parsons Intelligent Intersections, cities and counties can leverage existing data to provide automated traffic re-timing based on changing traffic patterns, enhancing mobility for the region.

In addition, connected vehicles can communicate with traffic signals, which will lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly driving with a smaller carbon footprint and, ultimately, safer intersections. Traffic signal owners can also provide priority to transit and emergency vehicles or automatically extend green cycles for pedestrians needing extra time to cross the street.

“Every year people spend more than a week and a half of their life sitting at red traffic lights,” said Chuck Harrington, Parsons chairman and CEO. “By changing intersections through our Transforming Intersections challenge, we will not only revolutionize how cities move, but we’ll provide people with some of their valuable time back to do things other than sit at a traffic light. Our goal is to give cities the opportunity to increase their mobility, reduce their carbon footprint through reduced idling of vehicles, and keep their city moving.”

About Parsons 

Parsons (NYSE: PSN) is a leading disruptive technology provider for the future of global defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure, with capabilities across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, and smart cities.