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New CISA Office to Help Agencies Implement Supply Chain Risk Management
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New CISA Office to Help Agencies Implement Supply Chain Risk Management

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has stood up a new office aimed at helping government and industry partners implement policies for managing supply chain risks within their organizations, Federal News Network reported Monday.

Shon Lyublanovits, a former information technology official at the General Services Administration, oversees the project management office for cyber supply chain risk management that operates within CISA’s cybersecurity division.

Lyublanovits, who previously served as IT security subcategory manager and director of the security services division at GSA, said that some federal agencies are still facing challenges with the basics of C-SCRM.

To address this gap, CISA will hold a series of roundtables to guide agencies on how to operationalize C-SCRM,  according to Lyublanovits.

The discussions will be geared toward government employees and industry leaders, as well as state, local, tribal and territorial governments.

“We want to make sure that we’re collectively looking at all of this because again, it isn’t a government problem. It isn’t industry problem. It is a nation problem,” Lyublanovits said.

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Jane Rathbun Named DON Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer
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Jane Rathbun Named DON Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer

Jane Rathbun, formerly chief technology officer at the Department of the Navy, has been appointed to serve as DON’s principal deputy chief information officer, according to a LinkedIn post published Monday.

As CTO, Rathbun helped develop a design concept outlining an integrated framework to achieve digital modernization goals across the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and implement the reorganization of Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems.

Under Rathbun’s leadership, PEO EIS was divided into an office for digital and business technology enterprise services and another for manpower, logistics and business solutions.

Rathbun previously served as deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for information warfare and enterprise services and advised officials on matters related to command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, information operations and Space programs and policy.

Launched in October 2022, the Capstone Design Concept for Information Superiority outlines DON’s vision to optimize DON’s information environment for cloud, adopt enterprise services and implement a zero trust architecture to achieve operational resilience and improve customer experience.

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Rep. Mike McCaul Launches Review of Commerce Agency Over Export Control Licenses
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Rep. Mike McCaul Launches Review of Commerce Agency Over Export Control Licenses

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul, R-Texas, has initiated a three-month review of the Bureau of Industry and Security within the U.S. Department of Commerce as he seeks a complete accounting of export control licenses that the bureau has granted to China, C4ISRNET reported Monday.

McCaul noted in his Jan. 20 letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo that the agency has provided Congress with a snapshot of China export control approvals and denials over a six-month period.

“It showed that less than 1 percent [of licenses] were declined and $60 billion went into Huawei and $40 billion went to SMIC,” the lawmaker said.

“We do want a reporting requirement because they never report to the public on export licenses,” stated McCaul. “We want a full accounting of that.”

Findings from the review are expected to inform potential reforms to the export control process of the bureau that oversees the sale of sensitive and dual-use equipment.

The Wall Street Journal reported that since 2020, China’s nuclear weapons research institute has managed to buy semiconductors produced by Intel and Nvidia from resellers despite its inclusion in a U.S. export blacklist stretching back to 1997.

WSJ examined procurement documents and found that the state-owned China Academy of Engineering Physics’ laboratory focused on studying computational fluid dynamics—which involves modeling nuclear blasts—purchased many of those chips.

Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security said U.S. and foreign entities should conduct due diligence to prevent software and other technologies from ending up into the hands of institutions included in the entity list.

“As mass-market products move through multiple parties in global supply chains, full visibility on ultimate end users is a large undertaking,” the agency commented.

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Lockheed Martin Completes Entirely Digital Production of LM 400 Satellite Bus & Prepares for Testing; Matt Mahlman Quoted
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Lockheed Martin Completes Entirely Digital Production of LM 400 Satellite Bus & Prepares for Testing; Matt Mahlman Quoted

Lockheed Martin has completed an important phase in the development of its first LM 400, a flexible, mid-sized satellite designed to be modified to fit the specialized needs of military, civil or commercial users.

In a step toward the satellite bus’ launch, the digital factory production of the LM 400 has concluded, which moves the initiative toward a planned series of self-funded on-orbit LM 400 technology demonstration missions, the company announced from Denver, Colorado on Tuesday.

Matt Mahlman, director of strategy and capture at Lockheed Martin Space’s Satellite Bus Center of Excellence, enumerated the benefits of the satellite’s completely digital production process, which he said allows the enterprise to produce LM 400s more quickly and cost-effectively for its customers.

To answer the call for more proliferated systems, high-rate production and affordable offerings, Lockheed Martin invested in common satellite designs.

The spacecraft’s agile structure allows a single platform to support a variety of missions, such as remote sensing, communications, imaging, radar and persistent surveillance. Beginning at the size of a home refrigerator, the LM 400 can be scaled to support higher power and larger payloads and prepared to carry multiple satellites in one launch.

Lockheed Martin’s SmartSat, a software-designed satellite architecture, will be included in each LM 400. The technology can conduct onboard “Edge” data processing, which reduces the time it takes to provide actionable data to mission operators and decision-makers on the ground for increased mission adaptability.

Unlike other buses in the same class, the LM400 is able to function in low, medium or geosynchronous earth orbits. It is compatible with a range of launch vehicles in a single, ride-share or multi-launch arrangement.

The satellite is compliant with Modular Open Systems Architecture requirements for interoperability with other platforms across all military branches, which supports the Department of Defense’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control strategy.

In the first LM 400 launch, which is planned for this year, the satellite will host a Lockheed Martin-built narrowband communications Electronically Steered Array payload. The next LM 400 satellite, which is set to launch in 2024, will test synthetic aperture radar-capable ESA on orbit using the LM 400 platform.

“Our end goal is to accelerate the technical maturity of our satellites and advanced payloads, as well as showcase how new capabilities can be delivered quickly to customers,” said Mahlman.

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NGA Harnesses Commercial Capabilities to Advance National Security Via EIM Contract; Shelby Pierson Quoted
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NGA Harnesses Commercial Capabilities to Advance National Security Via EIM Contract; Shelby Pierson Quoted

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Economic Indicator Monitoring contract is evidence of NGA’s integration of commercial GEOINT, analytics and other platforms and services into its workflows to further advance national security missions and capabilities.

“EIM demonstrates how we can strengthen our national security and global partnerships when we harmonize our government capabilities with those of the commercial sector,” Shelby Pierson, deputy director of NGA’s source management and operations component, said in a statement published Monday.

Under EIM, NGA has broadened its collection and analysis capabilities, enabling the agency to provide situational awareness to GEOINT analysts.

“This type of holistic approach, which was jointly developed by Source and Analysis, uses the full spectrum of tools and diverse sources available to us as a GEOINT community … helping ensure we get the right data to the right users at the right time,’’ Pierson noted.

NGA said it plans to continue procuring unclassified commercial GEOINT using analytical methods, computer vision detections, nontraditional sources and artificial intelligence and machine learning models through EIM.

In November, NGA increased the ceiling value of the EIM contract — which was originally awarded to five vendors in August 2021 — to $60 million.

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DOD Unveils Microelectronics Commons Project Through CHIPS and Science Act
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DOD Unveils Microelectronics Commons Project Through CHIPS and Science Act

The Department of Defense’s office of the undersecretary for research and engineering has launched a project that seeks to establish a network of local facilities across the U.S. to advance the development of microelectronics prototypes as part of efforts to reduce dependence on other countries for such technology components.

The five-year Microelectronics Commons project will pursue the development of prototypes in six technological fields: secure edge computing and internet of things; quantum technology; 5G/6G technology; electromagnetic warfare; artificial intelligence hardware; and commercial leap ahead technologies, the National Security Technology Accelerator said Monday.

The CHIPS and Science Act-funded project aims to encourage lab-to-fab transition of microelectronics technologies and support semiconductor workforce training initiatives.

“We want to expedite the lab-to-fab prototyping as well as closely couple the R&D innovation with the manufacturing,” said Dev Shenoy, principal director for microelectronics within OUSD(R&E).

A request for solutions for the Microelectronics Commons project has been issued through the NSTXL-managed Strategic and Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems other transaction authority vehicle calling for industry stakeholders to develop prototypes and demonstrate their capabilities in those tech areas.

Proposed platforms for the project are due Feb. 28.

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Lou Von Thaer, Battelle CEO Talks Bolstering US STEM Pipeline in New Video Interview
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Lou Von Thaer, Battelle CEO Talks Bolstering US STEM Pipeline in New Video Interview

The United States currently does not have enough highly-qualified graduates to keep pace with the exponentially rising demand for jobs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. Without the trained workforce to fill these jobs, the country risks falling behind in key areas and losing ground in the global power competition.

Battelle, an independent, non-profit research and development organization, aims to change that narrative. Lou Von Thaer, CEO and president of Battelle, spoke about the scope of the STEM graduate shortage — and the broader talent shortages across the government contracting ecosystem — in a video interview with Executive Mosaic. 

“If I look across our portfolio today, including the national laboratories we manage, we are probably 3,500 to 4,000 engineers and scientists short that we have job openings for today,” the 2023 Wash100 Award winner said in conversation with Executive Mosaic’s Summer Myatt.

“I do think we have a fundamental problem in this country that we’re just not educating kids in these STEM subjects fast enough at the high enough volume,” he added.

To remedy this lack of education, Battelle has been prioritizing giving back to its community through STEM. In 2022, Battelle raised $27 million — a new high — for building STEM programs across the country. Just five years ago, Battelle’s STEM outreach impacted 100,000 students per year; last year, the organization surpassed its goal and reached 1.4 million students. 

Battelle has also been running the first early college STEM school in Ohio, the Metro School, for 16 years thus far, and the non-profit now has plans to build a new, similar facility. Battelle raised $30 million and is breaking ground on a new STEM school that is set to open in 2024.

Learn more about Battelle’s STEM outreach and how Lou Von Thaer is updating the traditional R&D model by watching the full video interview here. 

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C3 AI Debuts New AI Product Suite with Release of C3 Generative AI for Enterprise Search Program; Thomas Siebel Quoted
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C3 AI Debuts New AI Product Suite with Release of C3 Generative AI for Enterprise Search Program; Thomas Siebel Quoted

C3 AI has unveiled its C3 Generative AI for Enterprise Search software, which uses a natural language interface to quickly locate, retrieve and display relevant data across all facets of an organization’s information systems.

The product’s release marks the beginning of the company’s new C3 Generative AI Product Suite, which is designed to streamline novel artificial intelligence capabilities from multiple organizations, including Open AI, Google and various academic institutions, C3 AI announced from Redwood City, California.

“C3 Generative AI fundamentally changes the human computer interaction model of enterprise application software. Combining the full potential of natural language, generative pre-trained transformers, enterprise AI, and predictive analytics will change everything about enterprise computing,” said Thomas Siebel, CEO of C3 AI.

To make AI applications more accessible to its users, the C3 Generative AI Product Suite integrates advanced transformer models with the company’s existing AI softwares. It is able to host novel AI programs, such as ChatGPT and GPT-3.

The suite is intended to support the modernization of business functions and industries spanning supply chain, aerospace, oil and gas, healthcare, financial services and defense and intelligence, among others.

“This is game changing for the DOD, game changing for the U.S. intelligence community, and game changing for ubiquitous information access and insight,” emphasized retired Lt. Gen. Ed Cardon, former commanding general of the U.S. Army Cyber Command.

“This technology breakthrough can help dissolve the biggest barrier that we have to effective action, which is access to timely, accurate information and insight at all levels of the organization,” he added.

C3 Generative AI’s general release is set for March 2023. It will be showcased at the C3 Transform international users’ group conference on March 7.

Recently, C3 AI has expanded its efforts to support the federal government through the delivery of AI tools. In December 2022, the company formed an alliance with Booz Allen Hamilton to combine the firm’s industry presence with C3 AI’s applications focused on mission readiness, supply chain logistics and intelligence analysis to further support the public sector.

Earlier last year, the company was awarded a five-year, $90 million blank purchase agreement from the Department of Health and Human Services, under which C3 AI is expected to provide its AI platform for data collection, analysis with machine learning and predictive AI capabilities to the department alongside fellow awardee CITI.

C3 AI Debuts New AI Product Suite with Release of C3 Generative AI for Enterprise Search Program; Thomas Siebel Quoted

The Potomac Officers Club will be hosting its 4th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit at the Hilton McLean on February 16, which will bring together GovCon leaders for a deep dive into the role of AI in the evolving federal landscape.

To learn more about the event and register to attend, please visit the Potomac Officers Club events page.

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Chuck Prow and Lloyd Austin Honored With 2023 Wash100 Awards
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Chuck Prow and Lloyd Austin Honored With 2023 Wash100 Awards

Executive Mosaic is pleased to highlight the accomplishments of V2X CEO and President Chuck Prow and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, which earned the private sector exec and Pentagon leader, respectively, spots in the 2023 Wash100 class.

The award, which is the most highly-regarded in the expansive government contracting industry, annually recognizes esteemed executives in the community. This year’s competition marks the 10th anniversary of Wash100 as well as Prow’s ninth consecutive win.

With Prow at the helm, V2X was created through a successful merger between Vectrus and Vertex. Having served as CEO and president of Vectrus before the integration, his role carried over into the new enterprise, which, under his leadership, grew its revenue to $958 million during quarter three. Click here to read Prow’s full profile.

Austin’s recognition represents his third Wash100 award and the continuation of a winning streak that began in 2021. As secretary of defense, he led the Department of Defense in releasing three key strategies late last year: the National Defense Strategy, Nuclear Posture Review and Missile Defense review.

To further these initiatives, Austin has spearheaded efforts to connect all DOD organizations to ensure that the joint force progresses together. To read his full profile, click here.

Chuck Prow and Lloyd Austin Honored With 2023 Wash100 Awards

Alongside the winners’ announcements, the anticipated Wash100 Award popular vote contest has commenced. To cast your vote for Chuck Prow and Lloyd Austin, please visit Wash100.com.

Top 6 Moderna Government Contracts Award
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Top 6 Moderna Government Contracts Award

Photo by Tada Images from Shutterstock.com

Moderna is one of the US government’s top pharmaceutical and biotechnology contractors. It quickly became a leader in creating novel mRNA technology and therapies for treating diseases and became successful in federal contracts. Since the COVID-19 epidemic, the company has taken the lead and won several significant contracts. Find more about the best Moderna government contracts here!

1. Moderna Clinched a Vaccine Development Contract for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)

Vaccine Development Contract of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority

Photo by PKStockphoto from Shutterstock.com

  • Contracting Activity: Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
  • Value: $483 million
  • Contract type: Modification contract
  • Contract Date: April 2020

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) awarded Moderna a $483 million contract in April 2020 to expedite the development of the mRNA-1273 vaccine for COVID-19. The vaccine was developed clinically, advanced, and manufactured with BARDA funding from 2020 until the phase I clinical study and FDA licensure. Moderna hires roughly 150 new employees to speed up its production capabilities, control its scale-up procedure, and support its entire clinical development. BARDA’s total funding is recorded to be at about $955 million.

2. Moderna to Produce 100 Million Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine

Production of 100 Million Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine by Moderna

Photo by oasisamuel from Shutterstock.com

  • Contracting Activity: Health and Human Services Department
  • Value: $1.53 Billion
  • Contract type: Firm-fixed-price
  • Contract Date: August 2020

A deal for the production of 100 million doses of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine was obtained by Moderna. Work began in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was completed on March 31, 2022. Moderna was granted $1.53 billion in funding at the time of the award.

The Army Contracting Command requested an additional 100 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccination by July 31, 2021. The total worth of this additional contract is $1.65 million. Moderna was given a $3.3 billion contract to produce an additional 200 million dosages of the COVID-19 vaccine by March 31, 2022.

3. Moderna to Produce an Additional 100 Million Doses of COVID-19

Contract Amendment for an Additional 100 Million Doses of COVID-19

Photo by tunasalmon from Shutterstock.com

  • Contracting Activity: National Institutes of Health and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority
  • Value: $1.97 Billion
  • Contract type: Contract modification
  • Contract Date: December 2020

ModernaUS Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, received a $1.97 billion modification to purchase 100 million filled drug manufacturing doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 vaccine using Option 1 and acetate work on the base and option. The company’s mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 will be produced under a six-month contract extension.

4. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 vaccines for the US Army 

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 vaccines

Photo by Aleksandar Malivuk from Shutterstock.com

  • Contracting Activity: United States Army Contracting Command
  • Value: $1.65 Billion
  • Contract type: Modification contract
  • Contract Date: February 2021

Moderna received a $1.65 billion modifications contract award from the United States in February 2021. The company commits 300 million SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 dosages, in addition to 100 million doses. The subsequent delivery batch, initially due in September to achieve the supply target, was set for July 2021.

5. COVID-19 Vaccine Production Contract with the United States Army

Vaccine Production Contract for Covid-19 Prevention

Photo from U.S. Army Official Website

  • Contracting Activity: United States Army Contracting Command
  • Value: $3.3 Billion
  • Contract type: Contract modification
  • Contract Date: June 2021

Moderna received a $3.3 billion contract award from the United States in June 2021.  As per the contract, Moderna needs to have produced 200 million doses of the double-shot SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 vaccine by March 2022. The grant covered research, development, and testing for the vaccine.

The Biden administration’s objective to get at least 70% of American adults partly immunized by the first week of July was replaced with this campaign department.

6. Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Supply

COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Supply of the United States Government

Photo by Wetzkaz Graphics from Shutterstock.com

  • Contracting Activity: United States Army Contracting Command
  • Value: $1.74 Billion
  • Contract type: Firm-fixed-price
  • Contract Date: July 2022

Moderna’s most recent deal with the U.S. government is a $1.74 billion contract awarded in July 2022 to develop and deliver 66 million doses of bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine, getting supply ready for the upcoming winter.

The bivalent vaccination booster, known as mRNA-1273.222, contains the mRNA of the Omicron BA.4/5 strain as well as Spikevax. It targets the viral variety known as omicron, which has dominated the nation throughout December of the previous year. Future delivery to the government agreement is permitted up to 234 million doses under the contract details.

About Moderna Inc.

Moderna Inc. is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical company led by a team of dedicated Moderna leaders and executives whose expertise provides the groundwork for breakthroughs in mRNA science. Stéphane Bancel, CEO since October 2011, founded the company in 2010. With a reported revenue of $3.4 billion in the third quarter of 2022, Moderna is ranked 195th among the Fortune 500 businesses in 2022.

 

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