/
NOAA Appoints Michael Kruk as Deputy Director of Technology Partnerships Office
Published on
NOAA Appoints Michael Kruk as Deputy Director of Technology Partnerships Office

Michael Kruk has been named deputy director of the Technology Partnerships Office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The NOAA TPO said Monday that in his new position, Kruk will work to ensure efficient operations while carrying out the execution of the office’s strategic direction.

Kruk is experienced in conducting research on climate variability and change indicators and has led efforts to address natural resource management challenges by developing drought and environmental-derived products.

Prior to his appointment, Kruk was chief of the Coastal Science Branch of the Coasts, Oceans and Geophysics Science division within the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

Kruk is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and holds a master’s degree in atmospheric sciences and meteorology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

/
Chris Kraft Named Deputy CTO for AI & Emerging Technology at DHS
Published on
Chris Kraft Named Deputy CTO for AI & Emerging Technology at DHS

Chris Kraft, formerly assistant administrator for financial systems at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has been named deputy chief technology officer for artificial intelligence and emerging technology at the Department of Homeland Security.

“This role presents a remarkable opportunity to further contribute to the public sector’s adoption and leveraging of AI and emerging technologies. I’m looking forward to working with the amazing team at DHS, all of the DHS components, and many of you,” Kraft wrote in a LinkedIn post published Tuesday.

Kraft’s appointment marks his return to DHS, having previously served as the department’s deputy program manager for financial systems modernization.

Before starting his first stint at FEMA in July 2018, Kraft served as project manager at the Department of the Interior’s business center.

He also served as assistant director for financial systems at the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for U.S Attorneys.

Kraft also held leadership roles within the industry, including vice president of corporate solutions at Sirius XM Radio, senior consultant at BearingPoint and senior director of business process and systems at K12.

POC - 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 21 to hear more about cutting-edge AI innovations from Kraft and other government and industry experts. Register here.

/
President Biden Requests $850B for FY25 Defense Budget; Kathleen Hicks Quoted
Published on
President Biden Requests $850B for FY25 Defense Budget; Kathleen Hicks Quoted

The Biden administration has requested a budget of $849.8 billion for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2025.

These funds are intended to support the implementation of the 2022 National Defense Strategy and are primarily centered around integrated deterrence, campaigning and building an enduring advantage, the DOD said Monday.

The FY25 budget request includes $167.5 billion for procurement and $143.2 billion for research, development, test and evaluation efforts.

Modernizing the nuclear triad is one goal of this budget, and the FY 25 request sets aside $9.9 billion for the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine; $5.3 billion for the B-21 strategic bomber program; and $3.7 billion for the ground-based Sentinel program.

The requested budget would also provide $9.8 billion for long-range fires; $33.7 billion for key space capabilities; and $14.5 billion for cyberspace activities.

Within the request, $17.2 billion is allocated to science and technology; $1.8 billion is reserved for artificial intelligence; $1.4 billion is set aside for Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control; $450 million is dedicated to the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve; and $144 million is saved for the Office of Strategic Capital.

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said the FY 2025 defense budget request would provide approximately $500 million for the Replicator initiative.

“One key focus in innovation is overcoming institutional challenges that inhibit our ability to accelerate delivery of critical capabilities to the warfighter at speed and scale. That’s the goal of Replicator, including its first focus area on all-domain attritable autonomous systems and many similar initiatives the department has underway,” saidHicks, a 2024 Wash100 awardee.

The proposed budget would also provide the DOD with $29.8 billion for munitions, $4 billion for the submarine industrial base and $2 billion for microelectronics.

“Since my first day as Secretary of Defense, I have focused on three priorities: defending the Nation, taking care of our people, and succeeding through teamwork. President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request advances each of these priorities,” said Lloyd Austin, secretary of DOD and a three-time Wash100 awardee.

Hicks noted that the proposed budget is capped by the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

“So even under the F.Y. ’25 cap, we continue to make investments in basic research, advanced technology, experimentation, artificial intelligence, and cyber and space capabilities, and we are committed to robust procurement, sending strong market signals to industry,” she added.

/
Influential CEOs Ramzi Musallam and Rachele Cooper Honored With 2024 Wash100 Awards
Published on
Influential CEOs Ramzi Musallam and Rachele Cooper Honored With 2024 Wash100 Awards

Veritas Capital CEO and Managing Partner Ramzi Musallam and Aptive Resources Founder and CEO Rachele Cooper were recognized by Executive Mosaic on Tuesday for their 2024 Wash100 Award wins.

The elite Wash100 Award is annually presented to the most impactful leaders in the government contracting industry. Recipients of the highly-selective award are chosen through a process that looks at the past achievements and anticipated future success of each nominee to determine the strongest individuals in the field.

Musallam has won the Wash100 Award nine times, and this year, he was honored for continuing to shape the GovCon market by leading Veritas Capital’s investments in key contractors. In 2023, the firm recapitalized its investment in the healthcare information technology-focused company Cotiviti and sold Guidehouse to Bain Capital for $5.3 billion. To read his full profile, click here.

Cooper entered the ranks of Wash100 for the first time this year. She was recognized for securing major contract wins, including a spot on a $23 billion Department of Veterans Affairs contract vehicle and awards from the Veterans Health Administration and Department of Homeland Security. She also transformed Aptive Resources’ leadership team through multiple executive appointments. Click here to read her full profile.

Don’t forget to vote in the annual Wash100 popular vote contest! To choose Musallam and Cooper as two of your favorite 2024 winners, visit Wash100.com.

Top Government Contracting Events for 2024
Published on
Top Government Contracting Events for 2024

Attending government contracting events is imperative in making a mark in the government contracting sector. These events provide many opportunities to promote a company’s products and services and network with major government contractors and influential figures within the federal government.

 

Keep reading to learn more about the top government contracting events in 2024.

 

What is Government Contracting?

 

Government contracting is the process by which the government buys goods and services from public and private organizations. These contracts can range from small purchases to multi-billion-dollar agreements.

 

Federal agencies, prime contractors, and small businesses are the key players in government contracting. It covers an array of industries, including defense, technology, construction, healthcare, and more.

 

Annually, the most influential executives in the GovCon sector are acknowledged through Executive Mosaic’s Wash100 Awards. The Wash100 celebrates the industry leaders who help drive forward the GovCon industry.

 

Government Contracting Events in 2024

 

A crowd of people seated at tables in a conference room for a government contracting event
Photo of the 4th Annual AI Summit/ Executive Mosaic

 

Listed below are the top government contracting events this 2024. Read on to find out which event best fits your business needs!

 

Achieving Transformative Cooperation for National Defense Forum

 

The government consistently adapts to technological advancements to remain aligned with best industry practices. One notable example is the Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJAD2), which focuses on connecting data-centric information from all service branches, partners, and allies.

 

The Achieving Transformative Cooperation for National Defense Forum unlocks the future of CJAD2 and its effects on international security. The forum centers around the US strategic approach and resilience in defense systems.

 

The forum brings together top military leaders, defense experts, and policymakers. Keynote speakers are set to discuss escalating global competition in the defense sector.

 

Register here to secure your spot.

 

Fireside Chat with Tiffany Hixson from the GSA

 

Government contractors can greatly benefit from OASIS and OASIS+ IDIQs. In fact, the recent OASIS IDIQ contracts have opened up major opportunities for businesses trying to tap into the GovCon industry. 

 

Fireside Chat with Tiffany Hixson from the GSA, organized by GovCon Wire, features Tiffany Hixson from the GSA, who is in charge of Oasis and OASIS+. Kim Koster, Unanet’s Vice President of Product Marketing, is joining Hixon in the fireside chat. 

 

Attendees get to hear firsthand the GSA’s four fundamental strategies over the coming year. Sign up and join the forum in just a few clicks.

 

5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit

 

Seeing how AI technology continues to make waves across various industries, it is no surprise that the federal government is keen on leveraging its potential, as outlined in the AI Executive Order. 

 

In the 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit hosted by the Potomac Officers Club, government leaders and industry experts gather to discuss the groundbreaking power of AI. It explores advanced AI developments, engages in dynamic discussions about AI/ML, and builds strategic partnerships with key players. 

 

Register here to save a seat at the Artificial Intelligence Summit.

 

Joint Coalition Operations in 2030 Forum

 

The Joint Coalition Operations in 2030 Forum, organized by the Potomac Officers Club, is geared toward solidifying joint military operations and coalition partnerships. To avert threats and conflict, the event discussions mainly address the practices and technologies needed for effective joint operations.

 

Attendees get to understand better data sharing and analytics, data weaponization, zero trust data-centric security, data sharing, and future technologies. Sign up here to reserve your spot.

 

2024 Cyber Summit

 

The federal government continually faces advanced cyber threats and challenges amid the rapid expansion of digitalization. However, it cannot be denied that cyberspace also presents an opportunity for the government.

 

To explore the cyber market, consider attending the 2024 Cyber Summit. Cyber experts, government leaders, and industry visionaries are set to discuss the current and future role of cyber in the public sector. 

 

Registering for this event offers exposure to a variety of executives and companies in cyberspace.

 

9th Annual Army Summit

 

As part of the Joint Force, the U.S. Army undergoes modernization efforts to advance its capabilities and efficiency.

 

To highlight Army modernization, the Potomac Officers Club brings together Army officials, government leaders, and industry executives at the 9th Annual Army Summit. Get an overview of the Army’s priorities, strategies, and challenges.

 

Make a name in the military industry and mark your calendar for the 9th Annual Army Summit. Sign up for the event here.

 

2024 Air Force Summit

 

The Potomac Officers Club hosts a series of military-focused events—one of these government contracting events is the 2024 Air Force Summit. This summit is an important assembly point for Department of the Air Force (DAF) leaders and decision-makers, along with industry experts. 

 

The 2024 Air Force Summit facilitates discussions about the future direction of the Air Force. Learn more about the strategies, technologies, and policies that shape the DAF’s operations and capabilities in the coming years. Sign up here.

 

2024 Annual Navy Summit

 

The 2024 Navy Summit is one of the most prestigious gatherings of top leaders, experts, and innovators from the federal and commercial sectors. Hosted by the Potomac Officers Club, the event centers around high-level discussions about naval operations and affairs.

 

Participating in the 2024 Annual Navy Summit allows you to hear different aspects of naval operations, such as enhancing maritime security and advancing technological capabilities. Join the event and get a chance to foster strategic partnerships with industry leaders.

 

10th Annual Intel Summit

 

The U.S. Intelligence Community continues to improve and adapt in response to new threats, technological advancements, global events, and adversarial capabilities. In line with these efforts, key stakeholders convene at the 10th Annual Intel Summit organized by the Potomac Officers Club.

 

At this summit, industry leaders are set to discuss the critical issues and developments influencing American Intelligence. Throughout the summit, expect to learn about the current challenges, opportunities, innovation initiatives, and technologies within the Intelligence Community. 

 

Register here to book your seat.

 

GovCon International Summit

 

International partnerships, coalition warfare, and technological innovation are the fundamental components ensuring the success and security of the United States and its allies.

 

The Potomac Officers Club hosts the GovCon International Summit, which unites government and industry leaders worldwide, along with the DOD and U.S. combatant commanders, to talk about these critical issues.

 

Be part of the GovCon International Summit and have the opportunity to connect with industry officials. It can be the perfect time to forge collaborations and access new markets. Save the date and register for this event.

 

2024 Homeland Security Summit

 

Global geopolitical changes and developments have affected homeland security’s defense strategies and priorities. To address these challenges, government leaders and security experts convene at the 2024 Homeland Security Summit. 

 

This summit, hosted by the Potomac Officers Club, focuses on critical security concerns and strategies for remaining competitive in the evolving defense sector.

 

Sign up for this event and understand the measures taken by the government to counter emerging security threats. Gain insights as to how to position your business for success in the defense market.

 

2024 Healthcare Summit

 

Industry experts and thought leaders assemble at the 2024 Healthcare Summit to tackle emergent healthcare-related challenges. The discussion mainly focuses on the transformative trends and advancements in the healthcare sector. 

 

Expect to hear the keynote addresses about navigating regulatory changes, harnessing data analytics, tackling workforce shortages, and advancing health equity. Get the chance to exchange ideas on issues such as the rise of artificial intelligence in healthcare, the future of telehealth, and more.

 

Grab this chance to expand your network and build partnerships for future healthcare ventures. Register here to secure your spot.

/
GovCon Index Demonstrated Strong Performance Last Week
Published on
GovCon Index Demonstrated Strong Performance Last Week

Executive Mosaic’s GovCon Index closed at $4,938.26 last week, a 1.91% increase from the week before.

GovCon Index is an aggregate index that tracks data from 30 key government contracting organizations in real time. This information allows users to assess the performance of each individual company while gaining insights into the broad financial trends shaping the industry today.

AeroVironment soared to the top of last week’s ranks with a 22.56% rise, and V2X experienced an increase of 13.85%. Tetra Tech grew by 5.39%, earning the company the third place slot, and Mercury Systems rose by 4.34%. Palantir (+4.26%) was close behind.

With an increase of 1.21%, Monday was GovCon Index’s highest growth day. These gains continued until Friday, when the GovCon Index dipped by 0.60%.

To get the full story on daily GovCon Index performance, check out last week’s market reports. To access the full list of tracked companies, click here.

/
GSA’s Eric Mill on Draft Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework
Published on
GSA’s Eric Mill on Draft Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework

Eric Mill, director of cloud strategy within the Technology Transformation Services at the General Services Administration, said the draft Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework from the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program seeks to ensure that government agencies gain access to the benefits of using secure artificial intelligence and large language models.

In late January, GSA published the draft framework in accordance with the AI executive order signed in October and sought public comments, which are due March 11.

The framework is focused on three emerging tech capabilities that use LLMs: chat interfaces, code-generation and debugging tools and prompt-based image generators.

According to Mill, the framework seeks to help prioritize when it comes to AI and LLMs.

“So part of what you see in the framework is the proposal that we stop at three. When we have three services that are based around chatbots, for example, using generative AI, and we’ve prioritized three of those things, we’re going to stop prioritizing that until we come back around and think again about what the priorities of FedRAMP should be,” the GSA official said.

FedRAMP is witnessing a lot of interest from agencies and vendors concerning AI and LLM services in the cloud and Mill noted that GSA is also aware of potential backlogs as companies begin to ask for their AI tools to go through the evaluation process.

According to the cloud strategy director, GSA is involved in short- and long-term structure changes to ensure that FedRAMP functions at the right pace.

“We very much are intent on making sure that the urgency that we see around accelerating the government’s use of emerging technologies doesn’t compete with those other things. That it doesn’t worsen the problem,” Mill said. “That is part of what we mean when we talk about the prioritization process and some of the limits associated. That’s how we’re ultimately going to make sure that the program stays responsive.”

POC - 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit

Register here to attend the Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 21 and hear federal leaders and industry experts discuss the latest developments in the field.

DARPA’s Additive Manufacturing of Microelectronic Systems Program Aims for Futuristic 3D Printing
Published on
DARPA’s Additive Manufacturing of Microelectronic Systems Program Aims for Futuristic 3D Printing

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency introduced a new program to enhance the capabilities and scale up production of defense-related microelectronics using additive manufacturing processes.

The Additive Manufacturing of Microelectronic Systems program, or AMME, will use complex geometries to discover new 3D manufacturing innovations in areas such as multi-material printing and high-speed, sub-micron resolution production.

One of AMME’s goals is to create a 500-nanometer resolution microsystem no bigger than a one-cent coin in three minutes. The project’s researchers are working toward geometries for integrating electrical, mechanical or biological microsystem subcomponents.

Such a technology would enable the Department of Defense to expedite mission requirement response and add features to commercial devices procured by the agency.

“AMME is inspired by new insights from selective material synthesis and volumetric additive manufacturing that would enable a new class of microsystems,” AMME Program Manager Michael Sangillo said. It will also “focus on the commercialization approach, so we can produce a manufacturing system that can be quickly adopted by the broader industrial community, including DOD and other U.S. government organizations.”

/
DIU, ODNI Forge Partnership to Advance Intelligence Technologies; Doug Beck Quoted
Published on
DIU, ODNI Forge Partnership to Advance Intelligence Technologies; Doug Beck Quoted

The Defense Innovation Unit and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have partnered to identify emerging technologies intended to enhance intelligence gathering, analysis and operational capabilities.

DIU said Sunday they will use their collective knowledge, resources and networks to simplify the coordination of industry demand signals and hasten the deployment of innovative technologies.

“Formalizing this relationship is in direct support of DIU’s 3.0 strategic plan –  which includes working with partners across the Department to take advantage of opportunities to generate impact through shared best practices and enhanced teamwork,” said Doug Beck, director of the DIU.

DIU 3.0 is a strategy being employed by the agency using its defense innovation experience and input from stakeholders to meet goals aligned with the Secretary of Defense’s priorities to defend the nation, support personnel and foster collaboration.

This formal agreement was signed during a live panel hosted at the Capital Factory as part of the ongoing South by Southwest 2024 programming in Austin, Texas.

Kelvin Moore Named Acting Deputy CIO at Small Business Administration
Published on
Kelvin Moore Named Acting Deputy CIO at Small Business Administration

Kelvin Moore, chief information security officer at the Small Business Administration since May 2023, has been named acting deputy chief information officer at SBA, according to his LinkedIn post.

In his previous role, Moore oversaw SBA’s information security policy and advised program offices on the development and maintenance of information technology security measures to protect the agency’s sensitive information.

Moore has more than three decades of military and government industry experience, including a 12-year service in the U.S. Marine Corps.

He previously served as a program manager at the State Department, chief of the Testbed Operations Division at the Defense Information Systems Agency and chief information officer of the Department of the Army.

Prior to joining SBA, Moore was deputy director of the National Cyber Range Complex at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic in Charleston, South Carolina.

POC - 5th Annual CIO Summit

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual CIO Summit on April 17 to hear about the latest modernization strategies from government and industry CIOs. Register here to save your seat at the highly anticipated event.

1 … 377 378 379 380 381 … 2,654