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Frank Kendall & Bill Nelson Awarded 2024 Wash100 for USAF & NASA Leadership
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Frank Kendall & Bill Nelson Awarded 2024 Wash100 for USAF & NASA Leadership

Executive Mosaic has coronated two U.S. government agency heads with the 2024 Wash100 Award in recognition of their leadership in the contracting arena.

Department of the Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson were singled out in EM’s publications for the achievements that led to their inclusion in the 2024 Wash100 class on Wednesday.

The Wash100 contains the 100 individuals who have made the biggest impact on the GovCon sector and who are poised to do so again in the year ahead. The list is whittled down from thousands of candidates to reflect the inarguable players the market would not be the same without, all of whom exemplify stellar vision and innovation.

Secretary Kendall clinched his fifth Wash100 through his emphasis on rapid acquisition and unyielding modernization. These focus areas drove the DAF to ramp up artificial intelligence activities and to continue executing his seven operational imperatives. Read about Secretary Kendall’s full qualifications here.

Throughout his career and especially in recent times, Nelson has demonstrated an admirable commitment to scientific discovery and technological advancement. A large part of 2023 was devoted to the Artemis mission at NASA, and the agency awarded Blue Origin and partners Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Astrobotic, Draper and Honeybee Robotics a multi-billion dollar contract to build a human landing system for the venture. Nelson’s full profile is available at ExecutiveBiz here.

Congratulations to Kendall and Nelson and their teams! Be sure to cast your votes in the Wash100 popular contest to have a say in who is crowned audience favorite at the end of April.

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POC’s Most Exciting Headliners of 2023
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POC’s Most Exciting Headliners of 2023

As GovCon’s premier events organization, the Potomac Officers Club brings its audience the most elite government decision makers and industry leaders with every event.

The Potomac Officers Club hosted 16 events last year, all of which presented key leaders from across the public and private sectors. Keep reading to learn more about five individuals who participated as keynote speakers at POC events in 2023.

Dr. William Streilein

Dr. William Streilein, chief technology officer of the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office within the Department of Defense, delivered the opening keynote address during the 4th Annual AI Summit in February, during which he highlighted CDAO’s five “big plays.” Streilein will return to speak at the 5th Annual AI Summit on March 21. Learn more about this year’s iteration of the event here, and click this link to register.

David McKeown

The 2024 Cyber Summit on June 6 will feature another returning speaker: David McKeown, deputy chief information officer for cybersecurity and senior information security officer for the DOD. At last year’s Cyber Summit, McKeown shared his insights on quantum and offered a peek into the technology’s place in DOD modernization efforts. Click here for more information on the 2024 Cyber Summit, and click here to register for the event.

Frank Kendall

Frank Kendall, a 2024 Wash100 Award winner, has served as secretary of the Air Force since July 2021. Since assuming the role, he has guided the Department of the Air Force in its transformation efforts, many of which are detailed in his recently published Wash100 profile. One area of focus for the DAF is contested logistics, and during the 2023 Air Force Summit in July, he discussed how the department is exploring contested logistics as a way to maintain an advantage against the nation’s near-peer adversaries. The 2024 Air Force Summit this July will feature many Air Force leaders. Register here.

Dr. Stacy Dixon

In September, the Potomac Officers Club hosted its 9th Annual Intel Summit. Dr. Stacey Dixon, principal deputy director of national intelligence and a 2024 Wash100 Award recipient, opened up the event with a keynote address in which she discussed “the intensifying strategic competition with China and Russia” and other national security issues such as emerging technologies, health security and more. The Intel Summit will return for its 10th year in September. To learn more and register to attend the 10th Annual Intel Summit, click here.

John Sherman

DOD Chief Information Officer John Sherman, a 2024 Wash100 awardee, delivered the opening keynote address at the 4th Annual CIO Summit in May. During his remarks, he defended the “highly controversial” Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, which opponents say can delay innovation and mission timelines. He also revealed that the DOD is developing a new version of the process. The 5th Annual CIO Summit will be held on April 17. Learn more about the event here, and click here to register.

The Potomac Officers Club has another exciting lineup for events, both new and returning, in 2024. Click here to view the full list.

New Personnel Vetting Questionnaire Gets OMB Clearance
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New Personnel Vetting Questionnaire Gets OMB Clearance

The Office of Management and Budget has approved the Personnel Vetting Questionnaire, or PVQ, to replace the Standard Form-86 used for federal jobs requiring security clearances and other legacy vetting questionnaires for non-sensitive and public trust positions, Federal News Network reported Friday.

The new form was cleared by OMB in November, according to a quarterly progress report on the Trusted Workforce 2.0 initiative.

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency has initiated efforts to integrate PVQ into a web portal called “eApp” as part of DCSA’s efforts to develop an information technology system, dubbed National Background Investigation Services.

“The PVQ interface in NBIS eApp is still in development, and we anticipate working with the Trusted Workforce executive agents to share a deployment timeline,” a spokesman for DCSA told FNN.

According to the report, the Office of Personnel Management is responsible for the PVQ and made changes to questions regarding mental health, marijuana use, foreign connections and activities and gender-inclusive terminology.

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Space Force Leads Adoption of Commercial Satellite Imagery for Military Use
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Space Force Leads Adoption of Commercial Satellite Imagery for Military Use

Steven Butow, director of the space portfolio at the Defense Innovation Unit, said the U.S. Space Force is opening up new opportunities to commercial companies to offer their products and services to the defense market, SpaceNews reported Monday.

According to Butow, satellite imagery is one area where the Space Force sees an opportunity to procure services directly from providers.

“We’ve been fighting really hard for the Space Force to be an executive agent to be able to go out and procure commercial remote sensing information that would be used by all the military services,” he said.

Butow explained that the Department of Defense traditionally works with the National Reconnaissance Office and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to fulfill the military’s satellite imagery needs.

However, this process takes too long and could disproportionately decrease the value of data. To address this, Space Force is looking for faster options to procure satellite imagery.

“The earlier you know something, the more time you have to make decisions, especially if you want to have diplomatic options or have other ways of mitigating a disaster,” Butow said.

POC - 2024 Space Summit

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Space Summit on March 5 to learn how new technologies, commercial investments and adversarial threats are shaping the future of space. Butow will be featured in a panel discussion. Click here to register!

GSA Awards Fearless Digital Contract to Support Enterprise Data Exchange; Alka Bhave Quoted
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GSA Awards Fearless Digital Contract to Support Enterprise Data Exchange; Alka Bhave Quoted

Fearless Digital secured an 18-month, $10 million contract to develop and deploy an automated data exchange for the General Services Administration’s Centers of Excellence.

The company announced Thursday that it will integrate existing data feeds and install next-generation authentication technologies to support the Enterprise Data Exchange.

The project, which was awarded through GSA’s Technology Transformation Services vehicle, will entail the installation of scalable, maintainable and enterprise-grade validation pipelines as well as an application programming interface focused on Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources.

“We are excited to leverage our capability as a digital services integrator, combining the scalability of traditional systems integrators with modern digital services capabilities, to support one of the government’s data modernization initiatives,” Fearless Digital President Alka Bhave remarked.

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Dwight Deneal Named New Head of NASA Small Business Programs
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Dwight Deneal Named New Head of NASA Small Business Programs

Dwight Deneal, formerly director of the Defense Logistics Agency’s Office of Small Business Programs, has been appointed assistant administrator for the Office of Small Business Programs at NASA headquarters in Washington.

He will succeed Glenn Delgado, who retired in December after 17 years of service at NASA, and will provide policy direction, management and oversight of programs that aim to promote the integration of small businesses into the space industrial base, NASA said Monday.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed confidence that Deneal’s experience and leadership will help the agency “promote and integrate America’s small businesses into every aspect of our missions.”

At DLA, Deneal provided executive leadership for all aspects of the agency’s small business programs and oversaw strategic partnerships that attract small businesses into the defense market.

He also implemented the small business program at the DLA’s contracting activities equating to $45 billion in annual contract spending and $18 billion in small business spending.

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MARCORSYSCOM & PEO Land Systems Reorganize, Aim for More Responsive Acquisition Enterprise
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MARCORSYSCOM & PEO Land Systems Reorganize, Aim for More Responsive Acquisition Enterprise

Marine Corps Systems Command, the acquisition command of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Program Executive Office Land Systems, which handles the acquisition and sustainment of Marine Corps ground systems, are undergoing a structural reorganization to address the challenges posed by an era of renewed great power competition.

MARCORSYSCOM said Monday the reorganization covers the streamlining of decision-making processes, the harmonization of organizational structures and the strategic alignment of programs, all with the aim of hastening the delivery of capabilities needed in order to ensure victory in future conflicts.

MCSC commander Brig. Gen. David Walsh noted the need to “pick up the pace of capability delivery,” adding, “We will provide the Marines with the right equipment at the right time.”

For its part, PEO LS will undergo “targeted realignments and deliberate consolidation” of programs to allow the organization “to better meet the evolving demands of modern warfare and operational efficiency.”

Land Systems Program Executive Officer Stephen Bowdren described the moves as “key first steps on a path to a more rapid and responsive Marine Corps acquisition enterprise.”

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OSTP Issues Updated List of Critical & Emerging Technologies; Stephen Welby Quoted
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OSTP Issues Updated List of Critical & Emerging Technologies; Stephen Welby Quoted

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has unveiled an updated list of critical and emerging technologies — dubbed CET — that are important to U.S. national security.

OSTP led an interagency deliberative process to develop the updated CET list through the National Science and Technology Council and in coordination with the National Security Council.

“This list supports our ongoing efforts to grow and strengthen U.S. technological leadership,” said Stephen Welby, deputy director for national security at OSTP.

“It will also be a useful resource as we continue to engage allies and partners to ensure that CETs yield tangible benefits for society and are aligned with our democratic values,” added Welby.

OSTP’s revised 18 technology areas:

  • Advanced computing
  • Advanced engineering materials
  • Advanced gas turbine engine technologies
  • Advanced and networked sensing and signature management
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Biotechnologies
  • Clean energy generation and storage
  • Data privacy, data security and cybersecurity technologies
  • Directed energy
  • Highly automated, autonomous and uncrewed systems and robotics
  • Human-machine interfaces
  • Hypersonics
  • Integrated communication and networking technologies
  • Positioning, navigation and timing technologies
  • Quantum information and enabling technologies
  • Semiconductors and microelectronics
  • Space technologies and systems

Each CET area includes a set of subfields. Under cybersecurity technologies, distributed ledger technologies, communications and network security and privacy technologies in augmented and virtual reality are some of the subfields.

For the space tech area, technologies include in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing, space propulsion, novel space vehicle thermal management and crewed spaceflight enablers.

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CISA Vows Greater Critical Infrastructure Protection in 2024 Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative Strategy
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CISA Vows Greater Critical Infrastructure Protection in 2024 Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative Strategy

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has set three focus areas and six priorities for the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative in 2024.

CISA on Monday published its 2024 objectives for JCDC, which includes raising its cybersecurity baseline, combating advanced persistent threats — or APTs — and anticipating the risks faced by emerging technologies.

JCDC will prioritize defense against APT actors supported by China to disrupt U.S. critical infrastructure. The public-private alliance will work with private sector partners and other agencies to detect and respond to malicious APT activity, such as living off the land techniques.

Other main objectives for this year are updating the National Cyber Incident Response Plan to reflect changes in the cyber operations and policy and to maximize resources and partnerships to reduce the impact of ransomware and data extortion on critical infrastructure.

NAVSUP, Army Contracting Command Partner to Enhance Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract
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NAVSUP, Army Contracting Command Partner to Enhance Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract

Naval Supply Systems Command and Army Contracting Command have agreed to enhance NAVSUP’s multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that provides support services to expeditionary forces deployed in austere locations, DVIDS reported Monday.

Under the partnership, ACC and NAVSUP will expand the Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract, or WEXMAC, by strengthening the performance work statement, adding places of performance within the U.S. and outlying territories and establishing a WEXMAC Joint Acquisition Team.

“A WEXMAC Joint Acquisition Team approach will support mutual contractor capability-building by establishing a shared vendor pool and processes,” said Mark Bennington, assistant commander for contracting at NAVSUP.

Established in 2021, the WEXMAC procurement vehicle provides agile contracting support to help naval expeditionary forces carry out missions in austere and remote locations worldwide.

NAVSUP will host industry days in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, on March 27 and 28 to discuss with industry partners the acquisition plan for the follow-on WEXMAC contract.

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