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Derrick Duke Named Chief Executive Officer of Magellan Health
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Derrick Duke Named Chief Executive Officer of Magellan Health

Longtime healthcare industry executive Derrick Duke has been elevated to the role of chief executive officer at Magellan Health.

Formerly the company’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer, Duke will now lead Magellan’s strategic efforts and market expansion, the Phoenix, Arizona-based organization said July 7.

Expressing his pride to be trusted with the company’s leadership, Duke remarked that he is grateful to help steer a company that is concentrated on bettering communities’ health and wellbeing.

The executive’s first notable health industry role was as executive vice president and chief investment officer of National Health Insurance, which has since become a subsidiary of Allstate Insurance.

Subsequently, Duke spent 15 years at health insurance agency and notable ancillary insurance product underwriting operation HealthMarkets. At the latter company, he occupied positions such as chief investment officer, chief financial officer and chief operating officer, working as CFO and COO leading up to the company’s acquisition by UnitedHealth Group.

At HealthMarkets, Duke refined his skills with demanding financial, actuarial, customer services, information technology and underwriting responsibilities, experience he is expected to channel into his new role overseeing the formulation and implementation of Magellan’s business strategy.

Duke is succeeding previous CEO Ken Fasola in his new role. Fasola was CEO for two and a half years and like Duke, also served at HealthMarkets.

“Derrick is a tremendous executive who will provide exemplary leadership to Magellan as it continues on its growth journey,” assured Fasola.

The change in leadership is partially the result of Magellan’s sale to Centene in January. Fasola will now act as executive vice president of Health Care Enterprises at Centene.

As part of the organization’s wave of shifts in its executive team, Anna Sever was appointed interim CEO of Magellan’s federal arm in April.

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Verizon Business Tapped for 5G Private Network Services by Virginia Seaport; Sowmyanarayan Sampath Quoted
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Verizon Business Tapped for 5G Private Network Services by Virginia Seaport; Sowmyanarayan Sampath Quoted

Verizon’s business arm has entered a deal to install a private 5G network at a major marine terminal at the Port of Virginia.

Once in place, the 5G Ultra Wideband network is aimed to enable Virginia International Terminals to test and workshop new autonomous over-the-road truck technologies as well as utilize the network for heavy equipment in need of connectivity, the New York City-based telecommunications company said Thursday.

Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Business, commented that On Site 5G is a perfect fit for the terminal because seaports’ diverse array of machinery and tools require a private, reliable network.

Sampath additionally noted that On Site 5G will satisfy a range of the port’s network requirements, “from data-intensive, high-bandwidth industrial needs to secure, reliable broadband for everyday business.”

The formation of the 5G network by Verizon Business will replace a WiFi system at the 275 acre container terminal. The experimental autonomous trucks — which are being developed under a U.S. Department of Transportation grant given to VIT — will be heavily dependent on the network, utilizing it to make contact with the terminal for the delivery and receipt of shipping containers.

In 2021, VIT boasted a fiscal year report of two million containers trafficked and $47 billion in gross product for Virginia. Their deal with Verizon Business marks the first U.S. terminal and second large-scale international seaport the company has serviced with a network.

The network that will be deployed at the port, On Site 5G, functions by synthesizing 5G Ultra Wideband small cells with an LTE packet core and sustaining radio signals to create a secure, non-standalone private network. On Site 5G has been introduced to particularly accommodate up-and-coming technologies like Internet-of-Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning and real-time edge compute, among others.

The private network product was first introduced to market in June 2021.

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FCC’s Jessica Rosenworcel Asks 15 Mobile Providers for Info on Data Privacy, Retention
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FCC’s Jessica Rosenworcel Asks 15 Mobile Providers for Info on Data Privacy, Retention

Jessica Rosenworcel, chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission, has asked the top executives at 15 mobile carriers to provide the agency information on how their businesses retain and handle sensitive consumer data.

Rosenworcel sent out letters of inquiry asking the vendors to list their procedures for sharing subscriber-related geographic information with authorities and third parties outside the law enforcement community, the FCC said Tuesday.

She also called on the companies to explain how subscribers are notified when their geolocation data is shared with external parties.

“Given the highly sensitive nature of this data—especially when location data is combined with other types of data, the ways in which this data is stored and shared with third parties is of utmost importance to consumer safety and privacy,” the chairwoman wrote in her letter.

The mobile carriers that received the request for information on data retention and privacy guidelines from the FCC are as follows:

  • AT&T
  • Best Buy Health
  • Charter Communications
  • Comcast
  • Consumer Cellular
  • C-Spire
  • DISH Network
  • Google
  • H2O Wireless
  • Lycamobile
  • Mint Mobile
  • Red Pocket
  • T-Mobile
  • U.S. Cellular
  • Verizon

The agency told the companies to submit responses by Aug. 3.

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Northrop Fires Solid Rocket Booster for NASA Space Launch System
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Northrop Fires Solid Rocket Booster for NASA Space Launch System

Northrop Grumman has fired a five-segment solid rocket booster for NASA’s Space Launch System during a two-minute full-scale static fire test at the company’s facility in Promontory, Utah. 

The Flight Support Booster-2 test was conducted to evaluate new materials and examine a new motor ignition system and an electronic thrust vector control system to guide the development of the next-generation Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension system.

In December 2021, Northrop secured a potential 10-year, $3.19 billion contract to develop the large solid rocket boosters that will provide more than 75 percent of the SLS heavy lift rocket’s initial thrust during lift-off.

The contract includes boosters and flight tests for Artemis IV through VIII and the BOLE boosters for Artemis IX.

“This opportunity for early learning on next-generation systems will help us develop an enhanced booster that is ready to support the greater payload demands of the SLS rocket through 2031,” said Wendy Williams, vice president of Propulsion Systems at Northrop.

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AECOM Exec Shailen Bhatt Nominated to Lead DOT’s Federal Highway Administration
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AECOM Exec Shailen Bhatt Nominated to Lead DOT’s Federal Highway Administration

Shailen Bhatt, senior vice president of global transportation innovation and alternative delivery at AECOM, has received a nomination from President Joe Biden to serve as administrator of the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

Bhatt has almost two decades of experience holding senior government and industry leadership positions, including as head of the Colorado and Delaware departments of transportation and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, the White House said Thursday.

He also served as chairman of the National Operations Center of Excellence’s board of directors and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Future of Automotive and Personal Transport.

If confirmed by the Senate, Bhatt’s appointment would mark his return to the Federal Highway Administration, where he previously served as an associate administrator for policy and government affairs during the Obama administration.

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Leonardo Lands $72M Contract to Develop Uncrewed Helicopter for UK Navy
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Leonardo Lands $72M Contract to Develop Uncrewed Helicopter for UK Navy

Leonardo has secured a four-year, $72 million contract to help the British navy design, build and test an uncrewed helicopter.

The Italian aerospace and defense company will aim to produce a three-tonne demonstrator and test the system’s viability as a potential alternative to current Royal Navy aircraft intended for anti-submarine warfare operations.

The ministry expects the maiden flight of the unmanned platform to happen sometime in 2025 and estimates the development project will support 100 jobs at the contractor’s facility in Yeovil, England.

Future demonstrator trials will look at the possibility of deploying sonobuoys from the aircraft to perform underwater vessel tracking and communications with a crewed helicopter.

The project will also explore the potential applications of Leonardo’s uncrewed aircraft in cargo resupply between ships and evacuation of casualties.

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FAA, National Renewable Energy Lab Assessing Needs of Electrified Aircraft for Future Airport Integration
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FAA, National Renewable Energy Lab Assessing Needs of Electrified Aircraft for Future Airport Integration

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are collaborating on the latter’s initiative to implement electrical infrastructure at airports to accommodate future electrified flights.

NREL said Wednesday it will evaluate select airports to help the FAA develop safety standards for designing airport infrastructure on the ground, such as landing areas and charging stations, while ensuring energy efficiency and resiliency.

“We are now digging into that component so the FAA can provide the guidance airports need if they choose to be an early adopter,” explained Scott Cary, NREL’s lead for various sustainable aviation initiatives.

The partnership also seeks to study greenhouse gas emission reduction, advanced air mobility job opportunities and other associated factors.

“The Federal Aviation Administration is researching the infrastructure needs of these unique aircraft. NREL’s analysis of airport infrastructure is a critical component in this strategy,” said Wesley Major, airport research specialist at FAA.

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Chris Inglis Hosts National Cyber Workforce and Education Summit
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Chris Inglis Hosts National Cyber Workforce and Education Summit

National Cyber Director Chris Inglis, a 2022 Wash100 Award winner, hosted a summit on Tuesday with senior U.S. government officials, industry executives and thought leaders to discuss ways to build up the country’s cyber workforce and advance education to equip citizens with the skills they need to engage in the digital society.

The National Cyber Workforce and Education Summit held at the White House also explored ways to improve skills-based pathways to cyber jobs and promote diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the cyber field, the White House said Thursday.

Government leaders that participated in the event include Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; Anne Neuberger, deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology on the National Security Council; Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo; Labor Secretary Martin Walsh; and Ambassador Susan Rice, White House domestic policy adviser. 

Mayorkas, Easterly and Neuberger are all previous Wash100 Award recipients.

During the summit, Inglis announced plans to develop a national strategy to explore opportunities and address challenges in cyber workforce and education, improve collaboration across governmentwide initiatives and implement the current administration’s workforce development and education priorities.

Some of the companies that have made commitments to advancing cyber workforce and education initiatives are Accenture, Cisco, Fortinet, IBM, NightDragon, NPower and Trellix.

Top 10 Government Contracting News Sources
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Top 10 Government Contracting News Sources

Federal government contracting is a highly-competitive industry. In the last fiscal year, 2021, the U.S. spent $629 billion on government contracts alone, and it is projected to rise even higher in the succeeding years. Brimming with opportunities, it is no wonder why countless government contractors are taking their shot in this field.

One of the best ways you can stay ahead of the pack is to be informed. Successful government contractors are constantly keeping abreast with the latest industry trends, insights, and news so they can strategize their next move. And to be like them, here are the top government contracting news sites that you should tune in to!

Who Are The Top 10 Government Contracting News Websites?

The ExecutiveGov is one of the leading GovCon news agency in the industry, covering stories from the most significant federal contracts awarded to breaking news about GovCon.

  1. ExecutiveGov

The ExecutiveGov, or EGov, is a government contracting news publication under Executive Mosaic, a cross-media platform designed for top-tier executives in the GovCon industry.

EGov covers a wide range of topics and issues that move the federal government contracting industry, such as cybersecurity policy, Gov 2.0, green IT, health IT, and national security. Furthermore, the Virginia-based publication also spotlights notable federal government employees and key decision-makers whose impact made waves across the GovCon industry.

Aside from bookmarking their website, you can also follow ExecutiveGov on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Department of Defense (DoD)
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  1. Department of Defense (DoD)

The Department of Defense is one of the biggest federal departments of the United States government. As the federal department in charge of defending the nation against threats from all domains, they work with government contractors to ensure that America’s defense systems and technologies remain superior above all else.

Although they are not a conventional news website, the DoD is a treasure trove of information that federal contractors can use. The defense department regularly publishes its contract awards, including information about the award, the contract task, the duration, and the contract value. Federal contractors who want to do business with the Department of Defense can keep tabs on their website.

GovCon Wire is one of the leading source of breaking news regarding the GovCon industry and its players.

  1. GovCon Wire

Another publication under Executive Mosaic, GovCon Wire is the premier source of fresh-off-the-presses news about the government contracting industry.

GCW publishes breaking stories about significant government contract awards, high-profile executive moves, mergers and acquisitions activities, and federal tech developments. GCW also covers news about the financial results of the industry’s key players.

For the latest news delivered straight to you, you can subscribe to their newsletter, join their LinkedIn group, and follow them on Twitter.

The ExecutiveBiz is one of the trusted GovCon news site of executives from all around the country. Comprised of superior writer and research teams, ExecutiveBiz delivers relevant news across its channels.

  1. Executive Biz

Executive Biz delivers catered news to the executive players of the government contracting industry by following business and political trends that will impact the key decision-makers. Made up of an expert team of writers and researchers, the Virginia-based news source is dedicated to giving an insider perspective on different industries, such as defense, health care, and technology.

A publishing arm under Executive Mosaic, the Executive Biz is a widely regarded news source read by thousands.

The Potomac Officers Club is news and media agency that connects federal and business executives together. They host networking events for businesses and publish content that is relevant to them.

  1. Potomac Officers Club

The Potomac Officers Club has been in the industry for more than 20 years, connecting executive players in the government contracting field through its cross-platform media and executive networking programs.

Owned and operated by Executive Mosaic, the Potomac Officers Club is also delivering the freshest news about people, policies, trends, and events that move the GovCon industry. And if you want more, you can join the Potomac Officers Club by signing up as a member.

More than just an online news agency, the Federal News Network broadcasts the latest federal news in their daily radio broadcast as well.
Logo from Federal News Network

 

  1. Federal News Network

The Federal News Network is an online news and radio broadcasting company headquartered in Maryland. Its mission is to assist federal managers, policymakers, and federal contractors in navigating the industry by breaking the latest stories and insights in the field.

As a non-partisan and non-political company, the Federal News Network helps paint a clearer picture of the issues that the federal government faces—and what can the key players do about it.

The Federal News Network delivers stories through its website and its 1500 AM radio broadcast in the Greater Metropolitan Washington area.

Logo from U.S. News
Logo from U.S. News

  1. US News

For over 90 years, the US News has been delivering news and insights that support the decisions of business leaders and policy officials. Boasting its wide readership across the globe, the Washington-based company specializes in breaking stories on these platforms: cars, education, health, money, travel, and 360 reviews.

A multifaceted digital media company, the US News boasts a wide readership across the globe. Launched originally as a weekly magazine in the 1940s, the US News is one of the first legacy brands to transform into a digital business model successfully.

 

The Associated Press
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  1. Associated Press 

The Associated Press is an American non-profit news agency that is world-renowned for its fast and unbiased reporting on issues that affect the public. Established in 1846, AP has remained one of the most trusted news sources by people from all around the globe. The New York-based news agency giant has won countless recognitions, including 56 Pulitzer Prizes.

Furthermore, AP distributes media across all channels, covering important sectors that affect society—U.S. and international news; politics, including the GovCon; technology, sports, entertainment, health, science, and business.

 

JD Supra
Logo from JD Supra

  1. JD Supra

Operating as a law firm, JD Supra is one of the leading publishers of legal intelligence on various sectors, such as GovCon, business, news, and commentary from reputed lawyers and law professionals. They produce and distribute news to the legal communities such as law firms, media, and general readers daily on different channels.

JD Supra is headquartered in California and primarily caters to its audience in the U.S.

Federal Times
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  1. Federal Times

With more than 60 years of experience under its belt, the Federal Times has served countless senior federal managers. By covering news regarding the federal workforce, acquisition, IT adoption, management issues, and policy changes, the Federal Times has helped government workers make informed decisions.

 

How to become a federal contractor?

If you are reading this, you have taken a step in the right direction.

It is undeniable how intimidating and complicated the GovCon industry is. But, the opportunity that comes with it can outweigh the struggle. Here is a beginner’s guide on how to become a government contractor, and here are the key takeaways:

  • Research about your industry and target market.

    Aside from reading guides like this, you can also visit government-related websites, such as the Government Accountability Office (GAO). As a non-partisan organization that investigates the government, it publishes insights about the government processes, the issues they face, and what they can do about it.

  • Learn about FAR

    The Federal Acquisition Regulation or FAR is the federal procurement industry’s guidebook. It contains all the rules and regulations governing federal contractors and government departments. Being familiar with FAR can help you grasp the procurement process better.

  • Explore small business assistance programs

    The government contracting industry is dominated by giants, which creates an uneven field for disadvantaged small businesses. The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a number of assistance programs for qualified businesses.

  • Register business at SAM.gov.

    The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website is the place where businesses register as government contractors, bid for federal contracts, apply for loans and grants, and more! Here are the steps for registering a business at SAM.gov.

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PSC Asks DOD to Broaden Scope of Contract Financing Study; CEO David Berteau Quoted
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PSC Asks DOD to Broaden Scope of Contract Financing Study; CEO David Berteau Quoted

The Professional Services Council has called on the Department of Defense to expand the scope of its contract financing study and create a mechanism to facilitate engagement and dialogue with industry as the study advances.

DOD issued a request for information in June to solicit industry feedback to help inform the study and PSC said Thursday it submitted comments, including the need for the study to take into account the state of the global financial marketplace, ways to support the growth of small businesses, workforce retention and financing of government contracts for products, weapons systems and services.

“DoD needs to ask questions that are dramatically different that the ones in this RFI, if it hopes to adjust policies and practices so they can address future challenges and maintain a robust defense industrial base,” said David Berteau, president and CEO of PSC.

“PSC’s comments provide input on the specific topics mentioned in the RFI, but we also outline for DoD the larger issues of how contract financing policies and practices affect contractors and impact the financial marketplace on which the industry depends to operate effectively,” noted Berteau, a two-time Wash100 Award.

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