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HHS Appoints Jennifer Freese as Deputy Director for OCIO Operations
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HHS Appoints Jennifer Freese as Deputy Director for OCIO Operations

Jennifer Freese has become deputy director of the Office of the Chief Information Officer operations within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Freese, who previously served as CIO of the National Institutes of Health, assumed her new position on June 30, according to a recent post on LinkedIn.

Prior to the NIH, Freese was a CIO for the Department of the Army, a customer relations manager at the Department of Homeland Security and a program manager at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

She holds several degrees, including a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, a master’s degree in health administration informatics and health informatics from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a doctorate degree in healthcare administration and management from Franklin University.

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Antony Blinken: State Department Launches ‘Central Hub for All Things AI’
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Antony Blinken: State Department Launches ‘Central Hub for All Things AI’

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the State Department has established a “central hub” for all artificial intelligence technologies.

AI.State is “a home for all of our internal State Department AI tools – libraries of prompts and use cases,” Blinken, a previous Wash100 awardee, said at an event Friday in Washington, D.C.

The hub “offers formal and informal training, including already videos that are up there to help folks get started,” according to Blinken, who called on everyone to try the new AI central hub.

“I’d encourage everyone to test it out, to try it out, to explore it, to try to learn from it, and also lend your own ideas and input, because this is something that will continue to be iterative and a work in progress,” he said.

Blinken also cited the release of the Enterprise AI Strategy in November and the two major reasons for advancing AI initiatives – freeing up staff to focus on more strategic work and enhancing analysis to glean new insights – as examples of the State Department’s AI-focused work.

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GovCon Index Fell Back Into Negative Territory Last Week
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GovCon Index Fell Back Into Negative Territory Last Week

On Friday, Executive Mosaic’s GovCon Index dropped by 0.47%, a shift back to the downward trend that characterized most of June. Despite a positive start to the week, a four-day streak of losses brought the overall average down.

GovCon Index is an aggregate index that tracks and presents data on the stock market performance of 30 notable government contracting organizations in real time. With this information, users can gain key insights into each company’s status in the market and assess the broad trends shaping today’s GovCon landscape.

Last week’s decline was consistent with overall GovCon Index performance last month, in which decreases occurred three out of four weeks. These losses have not impeded overall growth, as GovCon Index has risen by 5.92% year-to-date.

Check out last week’s market reports for additional information about daily GovCon Index performance. To access the full list of tracked companies, click here.

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Lt. Gen. David Isaacson: J-6 Could Appoint CDAO to Further Digital Modernization Plan
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Lt. Gen. David Isaacson: J-6 Could Appoint CDAO to Further Digital Modernization Plan

Lt. Gen. David Isaacson, director of C4 and chief information officer of the J-6, said the office is considering establishing its own chief digital and artificial intelligence officer to help implement Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Charles Brown’s digital modernization plan, Breaking Defense reported Friday.

“Currently we have a CDO and I serve as the CIO, but we’re looking at ways to reorganize the Joint Staff to get after what I think is some open field running and a real opportunity for us to continue to evolve,” Isaacson said during his keynote address at TechNet Cyber in Baltimore on Thursday.

“This was inward looking at the Joint Staff. As you might imagine, the outcomes were very, very promising,” he added.

According to Isaacson, the campaign will be implemented through an enhanced infrastructure, digitally enabled workforce, AI capabilities and the “rapid adoption” of these tools.

To ensure a stronger infrastructure, he said the J-6 office will closely work with the Joint Force Headquarters, Defense Information Systems Agency and Department of Defense Information Network partners to promote industry technology investments within the DOD.

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Booz Allen Receives $419 Million NSF Contract for IT Modernization
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Booz Allen Receives $419 Million NSF Contract for IT Modernization

Booz Allen Hamilton has received a position on a seven-year Information Technology Mission Application Support contract from the National Science Foundation.

Under the $419 million contract, Booz Allen will aid the development and IT operations of NSF’s merit review and grants management system, the McLean, Virginia-based company announced Monday.

Dan Tucker, senior vice president of Booz Allen, said he is proud to contribute to the continued growth of science alongside NSF.

“This work aligns with Booz Allen’s VoLT business strategy, focused on velocity, leadership, and technology, and further solidifies our position as a key enabler of innovation for ensuring NSF and the nation remain at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological advancements that change the world,” he said.

As part of the work under the ITMAS contract, Booz Allen will support NSF through system modernization using its generative AI, DevSecOps, automation and cloud strength capabilities.

Lane Blackmer, principal at Booz Allen and program manager on the project, said, “This recompete win speaks volumes to the collective ingenuity of a diverse and extremely talented team from across the firm, bolstered by our deep NSF mission knowledge and expertise aligned to NSF’s complex technical stack.”

This contract continues Booz Allen’s twenty-year history of supporting NSF.

“The win required a long history of high-quality delivery, continuous cultivation of new and existing client relationships, and strategic injection of new capabilities such as DevSecOps, CloudOps, and AI to ensure the U.S. is keeping pace in scientific advancement and novel innovation at home,” Blackmer stated.

SAIC’s Vincent DiFronzo to Introduce Keynote Speaker at the 2024 Air Defense Summit
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SAIC’s Vincent DiFronzo to Introduce Keynote Speaker at the 2024 Air Defense Summit

Vincent DiFronzo is a defense veteran with a deep-rooted background in the Air Force. Throughout his career, he has overseen diverse initiatives, including command; control; computers; communications; cyber; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; information technology; training systems; and research and development. 

DiFonzo’s insights will be highlighted at the 2024 Air Defense Summit, which will address pressing issues and developments impacting the aerospace sector.

 

Who Is Vincent DiFronzo?

Vincent DiFronzo is the executive vice president for SAIC’s Air Force and COCOM business group. He leads a team of more than 2,900 employees to manage the company’s programs for the U.S. Air Force, combatant commands and the Department of Defense (DOD). 

DiFronzo began his career in the Air Force, commanding various critical units and achieving a 3,600-flying-hour status, 200 of which were combat hours. In 2015, he joined SAIC as the vice president, managing the company’s programs for the Air Force.

DiFronzo is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and the National War College and has an MBA from Golden Gate University.

 

DiFronzo’s Experience at the U.S. Air Force

  • Air Force command positions — DiFronzo held several prominent command roles at the Air Force, leading the 505th Command and Control Wing, the 23rd Fighter Group and the 58th Fighter Squadron. 
  • Vice command and expeditionary leadership — He served as the vice commander of the 19th Air Force and the vice wing commander for the 455th Expeditionary Wing at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.
  • Key operational roles — DiFronzo served as the director at Air Force Central’s Air Operations Center Combat Operation division in the initial year of Operation Enduring Freedom after 9/11. 

He also completed two Pentagon tours, working on advanced program requirements and serving as an executive officer for the deputy chief of staff for air and space operations. 

 

Vincent DiFronzo’s 2024 Wash 100 Award

Vincent DiFronzo receiving his 2024 Wash100 award
Photo/ Executive Mosaic

DiFronzo received the 2024 Wash100 Award for leading technology advancement initiatives and fostering talent growth. 

For over a decade, Wash100 has recognized the exemplary leadership of top government contracting executives. Winners are chosen for their influence and impact on shaping the evolving GovCon industry.

“It’s humbling to be listed among the Wash100 awardees and I recognize that I am simply representing the hard work and diligence of the people I lead,” DiFronzo said. 

“Their creative solutions to tough challenges make our nation and our allies more secure and they are always quick to rally around our veterans. They are doing amazing things and I welcome every opportunity to celebrate their successes,” he added.

Additionally, DiFronzo serves as the chair for Executive Mosaic’s 4×24 DOD Group, spearheading initiatives to facilitate exchanges of ideas among defense experts. 

 

Vincent DiFronzo, Keynote Introducer at the 2024 Air Defense Summit

2024 Air Defense Summit

The 2024 Air Defense Summit will discuss critical updates concerning the U.S. Air Force’s strategic direction, peer competition, modernization and integration of new technologies into existing capabilities. 

Vincent Difronzo’s illustrious career at the U.S. Air Force has qualified him to introduce the opening keynote speaker, Air Force Undersecretary Melissa Dalton, at the 2024 Air Defense Summit.

Register to join the discussion on enhancing the air defense technologies and missions to defend the skies and nation.

 

Vincent DiFronzo’s Contribution to Government Contracting

DiFronzo has made significant contributions to government contracting, including:

 

Enhancing Military Capabilities With Advanced Technology and Training

Through his leadership at SAIC, DiFronzo has made outstanding contributions to advancing pioneering cloud-based command and control systems. These systems have enhanced coalition interoperability and modernized the military’s training methods. 

Moreover, DiFronzo discussed SAIC’s technological efforts and advancements to enhance the DOD’s warfighter capabilities, such as cloud technologies, multi-domain operations and virtual training.

 

Empowering Veteran Hires

DiFronzo advocates for mentorship programs, veteran support initiatives and non-veteran employee education across organizations. He suggests using specialized recruitment and hiring tools to attract veterans with technical skills vital to organizations. 

“By recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by veterans and military family members and embracing the diverse talents and skills of this workforce, organizations can further foster a culture of inclusivity and create business value in a new, unique way,” DiFronzo stated.

 

You might also want to read: SAIC to Enhance Business Operations at Defense Undersecretary’s Office Under $96M Contract; Vinnie DiFronzo Quoted

Air Force IT Outsourcing: How It Works and Why It’s Essential
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Air Force IT Outsourcing: How It Works and Why It’s Essential

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is undergoing a technological shift as part of its long-standing modernization initiative. In its recent information technology strategy, the Air Force is accelerating cloud adoption and improving portfolio management of its digital assets. 

Supporting these advancements, the Air Force is outsourcing nearly all routine IT operations to contractors and external partners. This move allows the DAF to build dedicated cybersecurity mission teams for its more mission-critical digital concerns. 

Learn more about Air Force IT outsourcing and its crucial role in supporting the DAF’s technology and operations.

 

What Is Air Force IT Outsourcing?

IT outsourcing means hiring external IT experts to manage the Air Force’s information technology services and operations. This strategy enables the DAF to maximize external expertise, resources and capabilities to meet its internal IT needs.

 

How Does Air Force IT Outsourcing Work?

The IT outsourcing process in the Air Force involves crucial steps:

  1. The Air Force assesses its IT requirements and identifies its outsourcing objectives.
  2. The Air Force outlines the scope of the outsourcing project and develops contract requirements based on its assessment.
  3. The DAF then issues requests for proposals, inviting potential vendors to submit proposals that meet its needs.
  4. Once it receives the proposals, the Air Force evaluates them based on the vendors’ capabilities, experience, proposed solutions and cost-effectiveness.
  5. After selecting the most suitable vendor, the Air Force awards the contract.

 

EITaaS: Advancing Air Force IT Capabilities

The Enterprise Information Technology as a Service (EITaaS) is one of the Department of the Air Force’s key initiatives to boost its IT capabilities. It is a program designed to utilize commercial services and best practices to deliver standardized, innovative and flexible IT services in the Air Force.

In August 2022, the Air Force awarded the Wave 1 EITaaS contract, valued at $5.7 billion, to an industry team led by CACI. The contract yielded great results, such as: 

  • Adoption of top-tier commercial technology
  • Improved mission readiness
  • Resilient IT and data operations
  • Enhanced IT service quality

Moreover, Wave 1 focuses on three main areas:

  • IT service management, operations management and asset management
  • Enterprise service desk and local field services
  • End-user devices and device management

In June 2024, the Air Force posted a new request for information for Base Infrastructure Modernization, the next phase of the EITaaS. It aims to modernize the wired and wireless Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router and Secure Internet Protocol Router Base Area Network at global Air Force bases.

 

Top Reasons Why the Air Force Outsources IT Services

Military surveillance team in a command center room
Photo by Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

Air Force Lieutenant General Robert Skinner is a strong advocate of outsourcing IT services to commercial vendors to lower expenditures.

“I’m a big proponent of commercial IT as a service,” Skinner stated at the Rocky Mountain Cyberspace Symposium. “We have to be careful as we kind of move forward with this. … I think we really need to get after this in a more holistic look and a faster pace,” he added.

In line with Skinner’s perspective, outsourcing IT services offers numerous benefits that enhance operational efficiency and mission readiness. Here are the top reasons why the Air Force opts for IT outsourcing:

 

Cost-Effectiveness

Outsourcing IT support can lead to substantial cost savings for the Air Force in the long run. Partnering with a managed service provider avoids costly technology upgrades and the need to hire additional IT staff. 

With these savings, the Air Force can allocate its financial resources toward more vital areas. 

 

Access to Expertise and Advanced Technologies

The Air Force turns to outsourcing to acquire highly specialized skills and knowledge sets, which may not be available internally. Outsourcing guarantees that the DAF remains at pace, if not ahead of the curve, in technological advancements.

 

Focus on Core Missions

By entrusting IT responsibilities to contractors, the Air Force can focus on its primary mission areas for defense, surveillance and national security. Consequently, the Air Force can allocate its internal resources toward more mission-critical operations.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why Are IT Professionals Crucial for Supporting Air Force Operations?

IT professionals are among the most in-demand within the federal government, and understandably so. They provide advanced capabilities, systems, solutions and technologies critical for modernizing military functions. 

Below are the top reasons why IT professionals are crucial for Air Force operations:

  • IT professionals provide the Air Force with secure communication networks to coordinate missions and share intelligence.
  • IT experts protect the Air Force’s networks, platforms, systems and data from cyber threats.
  • They oversee network operations, troubleshoot problems and integrate new technologies within the Air Force’s infrastructure.
  • They regulate the next generation of AI, machine learning and advanced computing, allowing airmen to pinpoint threats autonomously.

 

What Are the Common IT Roles Within the Air Force?

Common IT roles within the Air Force include:

  • Cyber warfare operations personnel
  • Knowledge operations management personnel
  • IT security specialist
  • Systems software analyst
  • Client systems specialist
  • Cyber transport systems specialist
  • Cyber warfare operations officer
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Oak Ridge National Laboratory Appoints Craig Blue as Chief Manufacturing Officer
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Oak Ridge National Laboratory Appoints Craig Blue as Chief Manufacturing Officer

Craig Blue, defense manufacturing programs director at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has assumed additional responsibilities as chief manufacturing officer at ORNL.

He will help manage ORNL’s growing manufacturing portfolio and improve coordination of the laboratory’s capabilities and resources in support of manufacturing initiatives that seek to foster U.S. competitiveness and advance the country’s economic advantage, the national lab said Thursday.

Blue brings to his expanded role over 25 years of experience building teams and programs in the field of manufacturing science and materials.

“Craig’s technical expertise and proven leadership are evidence of how he guides big ideas to achieve real-world impact,” said ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer. “I look forward to working with him as we continue to drive ORNL’s manufacturing innovation.”

Blue led the establishment of the Department of Energy’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, or MDF, at the national lab and helped launch several national institutes, including the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, the Critical Materials Institute and DOE’s Carbon Fiber Technology Facility at ORNL.

He holds 32 patents and is a fellow of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the American Society of Metals International.

NSF Unveils Investment Program to Advance Privacy-Enhancing Technologies
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NSF Unveils Investment Program to Advance Privacy-Enhancing Technologies

The National Science Foundation has launched a new investment initiative that will fund research programs aimed at promoting the development and adoption of privacy-enhancing technologies across the federal government.

The Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing in Practice, or PDaSP, program is seeking proposals from researchers and multidisciplinary teams to conduct research in three tracks with budgets ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million, NSF said Thursday.

Track 1 will run for two years and focus on advancing key technologies to enable practical privacy-preserving data-sharing and analytics technology solutions.

Projects selected for Track 2 will be performed for up to three years to develop integrated and comprehensive tools to enable secure data-sharing in application settings.

Track 3 will also run for three years with the goal of creating usable tools and testbeds for the trustworthy sharing of confidential data.

“Through this program, NSF will prioritize use-inspired and translational research that empowers federal agencies and the private sector to adopt leading-edge PETs in their work,” said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for technology, innovation and partnerships.

US Government to Invest $75M in Entegris to Bolster Local Semiconductor R&D, Manufacturing
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US Government to Invest $75M in Entegris to Bolster Local Semiconductor R&D, Manufacturing

Entegris is set to receive up to $75 million in CHIPS and Science Act funding following the signing of a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms between the advanced materials company and the Department of Commerce.

Entegris will use the proposed investment to finance the construction of a manufacturing center in Colorado Springs and the expansion of its research and development capabilities in the U.S., the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

The move is expected to result in nearly 600 direct manufacturing jobs over several years and approximately 500 construction jobs by 2030. It is also expected to result in Front Opening Unified Pods, or FOUPs, being produced in the U.S. rather than abroad.

Invented by Entegris, FOUPs serve as internal transportation containers for semiconductor wafers during the manufacturing process. These pods are used by major global chipmakers, including TSMC and GlobalFoundries.

Commenting on the investment, Entegris President and CEO Bertrand Loy said, “This proposed federal support would help further position us to respond quickly to meet the needs of our customers, the leading chip manufacturers, while also re-establishing Colorado as a major technology hub.”

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian said, “Today’s announcement would create over 1,100 new jobs in Colorado that will help power America’s semiconductor industry and drive American competitiveness.”

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