88 Projects Receive $136M in Funding to Increase Coastal Resilience
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88 Projects Receive $136M in Funding to Increase Coastal Resilience

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s National Coastal Resilience Fund has awarded a total of more than $136 million to 88 projects in 29 states and U.S. territories to help restore and expand natural infrastructure.

The awards were administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NFWF to restore and create more than 16,000 acres of coastal habitats, including living shorelines to protect military facilities in Florida and Mississippi and coastal dunes in Texas and California, NOAA said Tuesday.

This year’s funding includes $93.7 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and an additional budget from NOAA and the Department of Defense.

Private funding consists of contributions from Shell USA, TransRe and Oxy.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law unleashes a historic opportunity for NOAA and our partners to make sure our coasts, and the communities and economies that depend on them, are ready and resilient in a changing climate,” said Gina Raimondo, secretary of the Department of Commerce.

Rick Spinrad, administrator of NOAA, said the funding “allows communities to invest in keeping their coasts healthy for generations to come and helps build a Climate-Ready Nation.”

Of the 88 grants, 60 will focus on planning, engineering and design projects to increase coastal resilience, while 28 will fund construction activities.

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AWS Partners with Sumo Logic to Provide Cloud-Based Support for Amazon Security Lake
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AWS Partners with Sumo Logic to Provide Cloud-Based Support for Amazon Security Lake

Amazon Web Services tapped Sumo Logic to lend its information technology protection and observability capabilities to Amazon Security Lake, a new security data centralization service for organizations.

Sumo Logic announced that its Cloud SIEM and Cloud SOAR platforms will provide additional analytics of cloud and on-premises information that are logged into Security Lake.

The partnership aims to help security teams modernize their operations through cloud-native detection, investigation and response.

Cloud SIEM ranks by urgency and correlates threat alerts from multiple environments. Cloud SOAR gathers data from SIEM and other sources, and uses machine learning to eliminate false positives and duplicates from the reported threats.

“Our early support of AWS Security Lake is another milestone in our partnership to accelerate cloud and digital transformation. It showcases our commitment to incorporate new models in pursuit of customer scale and flexibility,” said Dave Frampton, senior vice president and general manager of Sumo Logic’s security business unit.

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OMB Memo Outlines CDM Automated Reporting Requirements for Agencies
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OMB Memo Outlines CDM Automated Reporting Requirements for Agencies

The Office of Management and Budget has issued a memorandum requiring agencies to report at least 80 percent of their government-furnished equipment through the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program by the end of fiscal year 2023.

CDM is a Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency-managed program that seeks to help agencies detect, monitor and counter cyber vulnerabilities using commercial off-the-shelf tools.

According to the memo, CISA should provide agencies with a list of software categories that meet the “critical software” definition no later than Jan. 15.

CISA should also provide OMB with information on scanning cadence and other performance data beginning in the third quarter of FY 2023 and work with OMB and the CISO Council FISMA Metrics Subcommittee to “identify future metrics for automation in FY 2024.”

The document directs agencies to submit information on assets in an automated manner starting in the current fiscal year’s first quarter and meet all reporting requirements of the CDM Federal Dashboard.

“Agencies are encouraged to provide the CDM PMO with feedback on existing tools and input on additional tools that may prove valuable for current or future CDM acquisition vehicles,” the memo states.

The OMB memo seeks to provide agencies with FY 2023 reporting guidance and deadlines in compliance with the Federal Information Security Modernization Act.

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SIPRI Study Shows Continued Global Arms Sales Growth Despite Supply Chain Issues
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SIPRI Study Shows Continued Global Arms Sales Growth Despite Supply Chain Issues

The top 100 arms and military services providers raked in $592 billion in sales in 2021, despite global supply chain disruptions, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute revealed.

The latest SIPRI Arms Industry Database released on Monday showed a 1.9 percent increase in global arms sales, rising for the seventh year in a row.

The 40 U.S. companies in the list accounted for $299 billion in sales, while 27 firms in Europe recorded a combined total of $123 billion. 

Of the 100 largest companies, 21 were from Asia and Oceania, whose share totaled $136 billion. Eight businesses from China reported $109 billion in sales last year.

The report also mentioned regional financial results from Russia, the Middle East, South Korea and Taiwan. Six Russian companies grossed $17.8 billion, while five enterprises from the Middle East shared $15 billion. Four firms based in South Korea generated $7.2 billion, while a Taiwanese company grossed $2 billion in its first time to be included in the SIPRI top 100.

SIPRI experts cited the Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic as two of the biggest obstacles to global supply chain. They said that sales growth in the past year would have been higher if not for these events, and that they will likely cause more shortages.

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Jen Easterly Leads Discussions at CISA Cybersecurity Advisory Committee’s 5th Meeting
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Jen Easterly Leads Discussions at CISA Cybersecurity Advisory Committee’s 5th Meeting

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Advisory Committee held its fifth meeting to discuss its 2023 strategic priorities to defend the nation against emerging cyberthreats. 

CISA said Tuesday Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and a 2022 Wash100 awardee, led the discussion with members of CSAC, which comprises industry and government leaders who advise the agency on policies and programs related to cybersecurity.

“I look forward to working with the Committee in the new year to ensure we are continuing to build a more cyber resilient nation to confront the challenges we face in cyber space,” Easterly said. 

Established in 2021, CSAC is chaired by Tom Fanning, president and CEO of Southern Company, and is tasked with supporting the development and implementation of recommendations, policies and programs related to CISA’s cybersecurity mission.

“The Committee members and I look forward to providing strategic recommendations to CISA’s Director Jen Easterly in the coming year to advance CISA’s mission, as they continue to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of the United States,” Fanning said.

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Raj Iyer: Army Completes Migration to Office 365, Google Workspace
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Raj Iyer: Army Completes Migration to Office 365, Google Workspace

Raj Iyer, chief information officer of the U.S. Army, said the military branch has completed its transition from the Defense Enterprise Email system to Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace.

Iyer, a two-time Wash100 awardee, said in a LinkedIn post that the migration enabled the Defense Information Systems Agency to decommission DEE.

In July, Google Workspace received a Department of Defense authorization to handle controlled unclassified information at Impact Level 4.

He announced that the service has moved to discontinue use of Army Knowledge Online and started the process of moving to SharePoint Online by sunsetting hundreds of SharePoint sites.

According to Iyer, the Army has stopped using Unclassified Video Tele Conference worldwide following its move to Microsoft Teams and plans to do the same for Secret VTC in fiscal year 2023.

The military branch has begun divesting more than 70 percent of its desktop hardwired phones and legacy systems as it implements soft phones.

“Each of these divestments is resulting in tens of millions of dollars of savings for the Army that we are pumping back in for further modernization efforts,” Iyer said.

He also mentioned plans for whiteboarding capability and intent to adopt smart collaboration tools.

“We will be replacing all of the legacy display screens with smart collaboration devices with one-touch joining for Teams meetings,” Iyer noted.

Dynetics Joins Forces With Northrop Grumman to Compete for NASA HLS Contract; Steve Cook Quoted
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Dynetics Joins Forces With Northrop Grumman to Compete for NASA HLS Contract; Steve Cook Quoted

Dynetics, a subsidiary of Leidos, has submitted a bid on NASA’s Human Landing System Sustaining Lunar Development contract for the agency’s Artemis Mission.

The Huntsville, Alabama-based organization said Wednesday that it will pursue the award in collaboration with Northrop Grumman.

Commenting on the collaborative bid, Steve Cook, president of Leidos’ Dynetics Group, emphasized Northrop Grumman’s history of working in the space field, which includes being the sole company to have successfully built a crewed lunar lander.

“We will leverage their expertise and legacy of human space exploration, including their ongoing contracts to build the Habitation and Logistics Outpost for NASA’s lunar Gateway and to provide commercial resupply services to the International Space Station, significantly bolstering our pursuit,” Cook said.

Dynetics has been a prime contractor for HLS for over three years. In 2019, the company was selected as one of eleven organizations to work under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration partnership Appendix E task order. It was also selected for the NextSTEP-2 Appendix H contract in 2020 with SpaceX and Blue Origin.

In 2021, the enterprise was one of five companies chosen under Appendix N, a program enabling industry organizations to work with NASA in maturing lander designs and performing risk reduction activities to aid in sustainable lander development.

Northrop Grumman also has a history of serving HLS and has been awarded prime contracts under Appendix E and Appendix H.

More recently, Northrop launched its seventh cargo flight as part of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 2 contract, an endeavor to deliver over 8,000 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station.

“Our capabilities and experience in pioneering human exploration and space logistics will help provide a lunar transportation system that our nation can rely on for years to come,” said Steve Krein, vice president of civil and commercial space at Northrop Grumman.

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Report: Congressional Negotiators Agree to Increase FY23 NDAA Topline to $858B
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Report: Congressional Negotiators Agree to Increase FY23 NDAA Topline to $858B

The compromise version of the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act unveiled Tuesday reflects a $45 billion increase to the Biden administration’s defense budget request, setting the topline at $857.9 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The NDAA includes a 4.6 percent salary increase for service personnel and the Department of Defense’s civilian workforce and revocation of the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the military.

The compromise annual defense policy bill would authorize $1 billion for the procurement of critical metals and minerals for the U.S. defense stockpile, up to $10 billion over five years to fund sales of military equipment and weapons to Taiwan and $800 million for security assistance to Ukraine.

The measure would designate budget for new aircraft, vehicles, hypersonics and microelectronics and funding for intelligence agencies and the State Department.

The bill should clear both the House and Senate before moving to the White House for President Jode Biden’s signature. Congressional negotiators should also reach a deal on an omnibus bill to fund government operations before the existing continuing resolution expires on Dec. 16. 

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Chuck Prow Discusses Future of V2X Post-Merger in Video Interview with Executive Mosaic
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Chuck Prow Discusses Future of V2X Post-Merger in Video Interview with Executive Mosaic

Earlier this year, V2X emerged in the GovCon landscape as a key player in the growing operational segment of the broader federal services marketplace. V2X was formed by the combination of Vectrus and the Vertex Company in July 2022, and at the helm is President and CEO Chuck Prow.

Prow, an eight-time Wash100 Award winner, spoke with Executive Mosaic in a new video interview about the status of the business combination, the new opportunities it opens up for the enterprise and what’s in store for V2X in the new year.

In addition to the merger, Prow discussed the major GovCon landscape trends moving the market more broadly as customers’ missions and needs change.

One particularly impactful shift Prow has noticed is the convergence of physical and digital infrastructures and environments, especially as strategic and tactical networks become more connected.

“It is essential that as our clients’ physical and digital infrastructures converge, we, as providers to that mission, help drive that innovation,” he said in conversation with Executive Mosaic’s Summer Myatt.

Prow also highlighted the strides made by the people and employees who meaningfully contribute to V2X’s current and future success. “What’s most exciting to me is to see the people and the combined cultures come together so quickly,” he said in regards to the merger.

Watch the full video interview with V2X’s Chuck Prow to learn more about V2X and to hear the advice he has for those pursuing executive-level positions in today’s competitive market. 

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IBM Acquires Octo from Arlington Capital Partners in Baird-Advised Deal
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IBM Acquires Octo from Arlington Capital Partners in Baird-Advised Deal

IBM has agreed to acquire information technology modernization and digital transformation services provider, Octo, from Arlington Capital Partners in a deal advised by Baird.

The acquisition, which marks IBM’s eighth this year, is anticipated to augment the organization’s digital transformation capabilities in defense, health and civilian markets and complement its existing IT modernization services, IBM said Wednesday.

John Song, managing director of Baird and Wash100 Award winner, told Executive Mosaic that the transaction “demonstrates the increasing interest in the federal market from diversified commercial companies.” 

As part of the transaction, Octo’s 1,500 employees will join IBM Consulting’s U.S.-based federal market organization, bringing the enterprise’s talent base to 4,200. 

“The combination of Octo’s highly qualified and respected team with IBM’s consulting expertise, technical capabilities and strategic partner ecosystem will enable federal clients to transform faster and better serve citizens,” commented John Granger, senior vice president of IBM Consulting.

Octo CEO Mehul Sanghani expressed his excitement about the deal and said the acquisition will allow the combined enterprise to deliver digital transformation services with “greater reach and scale.”

The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year, pending customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

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