/
GSA Cites Cybersecurity, Digital Services Projects Backed by ARP Investments; Robin Carnahan Quoted
Published on
GSA Cites Cybersecurity, Digital Services Projects Backed by ARP Investments; Robin Carnahan Quoted

The General Services Administration highlighted several cybersecurity and digital modernization initiatives that were funded through the American Rescue Plan signed in March 2021.

GSA said Thursday ARP provided $1 billion for the Technology Modernization Fund, which has invested about $320 million in nine projects, including efforts at the Office of Personnel Management, GSA, Department of Education, Selective Service System and other agencies to protect citizens’ personal data.

TMF also invested in initiatives to improve public-facing digital services, including the authentication and identity verification features in Login.gov and the Southwest Border Technology Integration Program.

The law allocated $150 million for the Federal Citizen Services Fund and GSA said investments include the launch of the U.S. Digital Corps to help diversify and strengthen the federal technology workforce.

Other investments are updating the website USA.gov to improve its function as a centralized resource of government services and information and providing resources to facilitate access of families to the child tax credit.

“A simple, streamlined and secure digital infrastructure is critical to delivering the services and benefits Americans need, and the American Rescue Plan took major strides toward that goal,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “We look forward to building on this progress with reliable, secure, and intuitive digital services that improve the lives of all Americans.”

/
MDA Uses Lockheed-Built THAAD System to Launch PAC-3 MSE Missile
Published on
MDA Uses Lockheed-Built THAAD System to Launch PAC-3 MSE Missile

A Lockheed Martin official said the Missile Defense Agency used a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system to fire an advanced variant of the Patriot missile against a simulated target during a Feb. 24 test held at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Defense News reported Thursday.

Scott Arnold, vice president of integrated air and missile defense at Lockheed’s missiles and fire control, said the test demonstrated that the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhanced or PAC-3 MSE missile can be integrated with the THAAD system, enabling warfighters to separately launch such missiles from a Patriot fire unit.

Arnold noted the demonstration shows that Patriot M903 launching stations and PAC-3 MSE interceptors can be fielded with the THAAD system using only the THAAD fire control and communications or TFCC and THAAD radar for support, giving U.S. forces a “critical multi-tier missile defense capability” to counter emerging and current threats.

Lockheed is the manufacturer of the THAAD system and PAC-3 MSEs.

/
Kim Waiyaboon Named SDV International Chairman and CEO; President Jason Roys Quoted
Published on
Kim Waiyaboon Named SDV International Chairman and CEO; President Jason Roys Quoted

Kim Waiyaboon has been promoted to chairman and chief executive officer from her prior role as chief operating officer at SDV INTERNATIONAL.

The Alexandria, Virginia-based information technology company said Thursday that Waiyaboon will helm a push to evolve and grow SDV’s technical capability strategies for its public and commercial sector customers.

“[Waiyaboon’s] leadership has enabled SDV INTERNATIONAL to expand into new markets to deliver science and technology solutions, including health IT and national security solutions that leverage artificial intelligence, cloud, and blockchain technologies,” remarked Jason Roys, president of SDV.

Waiyaboon was director of operations for SDV from 2017 to 2020 and chief operating officer since 2020. In the latter position, she spearheaded the certifications and compliance task forces and dealt directly with the regulatory compliance for the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

The executive has extensive experience as a consultant on topics of international commerce policy and international trade. She has acted as a counselor to large firms with global reach as well as to governments in the United Kingdom due to her land-use research accomplishments at Oxford University.

Before her time at SDV, Waiyaboon was director of operations at XMStart, where she oversaw contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, Department of Energy and the National Reconaissance Office. She has been a member of the National Contract Management Association since 2010, where she examines federal acquisition regulations.

The current leadership at SDV views Waiyaboon’s elevated status as a benefit to the company’s growth and future transformations and believes it will only expand the impacts of her skills in workforce optimization and talent engagement.

/
USMC Redesignates Cyber Occupational Field to Consolidate Information Workforce
Published on
USMC Redesignates Cyber Occupational Field to Consolidate Information Workforce

The U.S. Marine Corps has redesignated an operations occupational field with a renewed focus on integrating and operationalizing information.

The 17XX Cyberspace Operations OCCFLD has been redesignated as the 17XX Information Maneuver OCCFLD, which offers USMC a workforce for information-related needs, the service branch said Wednesday.

The 17XX IM OCCFLD will manage the careers of Marines specializing in cyber warfare, the electromagnetic spectrum, civil affairs, space and psychological operations.

USMC’s deputy commandant for information ordered the consolidation of military occupational resources for operations in the information environment. 

“Marines interested in future IM OCCFLD opportunities are invited to attend upcoming roadshow briefs,” said Maj. Audrey Callanan, IM OCCFLD manager.

/
DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory Commercializes Carbon Capture Tech
Published on
DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory Commercializes Carbon Capture Tech

The Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory is commercializing a range of carbon capture technologies as the government seeks to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the energy sector by 2035.

NETL said Wednesday its Carbon Capture Program portfolio features technologies that are being licensed for commercial use in power and industrial plants.

One example is the Cryogenic Carbon Capture method, which cools down a plant’s waste stream then desublimates carbon dioxide into dry ice.

Sustainable Energy Solutions and other partners are investing $10.5 million in the technology under a cost-share agreement with DOE, which announced almost $5 million for CCC’s implementation at a Sugar Creek, Missouri-based cement plant. NETL will manage this cost-shared project, which explores how CCC can reduce CO2 emissions in cement production.

“With NETL oversight and guidance, projects can advance from the conceptual stage to pilot studies and eventually to the point where they are ready for licensing and commercial application,” said Krista Hill, a federal project manager at NETL.

DOD Creates Cross-Functional Team to Accelerate 5G, Future Generation Network Adoption
Published on
DOD Creates Cross-Functional Team to Accelerate 5G, Future Generation Network Adoption

The Department of Defense has formed a cross-functional team to speed up the adoption of 5G and future generation wireless networks to enable military communications in contested environments.

Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering and a 2022 Wash100 Award recipient, will chair the 5G and FutureG cross-functional team, which will carry out DOD’s responsibilities for policy, acquisition and research and development regarding the next-generation wireless technology, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021 mandates the development of the cross-functional team to boost collaboration between the U.S. military and the private sector.

The 5G and FutureG team is comprised of senior officials from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, military services and combatant commands.

Future generation wireless network is among the critical technology areas that DOD considers key to addressing national security challenges.

//
CISA’s Mara Winn to Co-Chair Supply-Chain Risk Management Task Force
Published on
CISA’s Mara Winn to Co-Chair Supply-Chain Risk Management Task Force

Mara Winn, associate director for planning and coordination at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s National Risk Management Center, will succeed Bob Kolasky as the co-chair of CISA’s Supply-Chain Risk Management Task Force, Nextgov reported Wednesday.

Winn will represent the U.S. government in the task force, where she shares chairmanship with an executive from the U.S. telecommunications industry and a member of the Information Technology Industry Council.

She has been an NRMC associate director since July 2021 and prior to that, held various roles within the Department of Homeland Security. Her DHS career includes work with the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, where she was a lead program manager for the Innovation Task Force.

Kolasky, who is also NRMC’s outgoing director, leaves CISA to become the senior vice president for critical infrastructure at Exiger, a company focused on supply chain risk management.

Mona Harrington, assistant deputy director at NRMC, will serve as acting associate director for the center after the conclusion of Kolasky’s CISA tenure.

/
DIU to Release New Cleared List of Commercial Small UAS for Defense Missions
Published on
DIU to Release New Cleared List of Commercial Small UAS for Defense Missions

The Defense Innovation Unit and the Department of Defense’s acquisition and sustainment office are set to announce the first batch of small unmanned aerial systems that passed a new vetting process for commercial-off-the-shelf drones.

SenseFly‘s eBee Tac drone and other systems underwent a cybersecurity evaluation and a defense funding compliance check to be included in the Blue UAS Cleared List, DIU said Monday.

The list enables the Pentagon and other military organizations to procure or operate cleared sUAS for various missions such as infrastructure inspection and reconnaissance tasks even without securing an DOD exception.

“The Blue UAS Cleared List will provide a common approval standard that can save the Services time and money, inform acquisition policy updates, and make it easier for troops to gain access to previously inaccessible commercial tech,” explained Capt. Shelby Ochs, DIU’s program manager for Blue UAS.

Blue UAS Cleared List systems will be added to an earlier roster of Blue sUAS 1.0 platforms that include commercial ground control stations.

/
Bipartisan Bill Allows Government Contracts With Internet Providers to Support Conflict Zones
Published on
Bipartisan Bill Allows Government Contracts With Internet Providers to Support Conflict Zones

Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., have introduced a new bill that would allow the federal government to provide commercial internet connectivity in conflict zones around the world.

Under the Safely Accessing Telecommunications Act, the Department of Defense and the State Department can contract with U.S. satellite cellular and internet providers in support of U.S. allies, according to a Tuesday post on Cornyn’s website.

The commercial services, which include end-point infrastructure such as satellite phones, could be used by affected governments to wage an information war and by civilians, first responders and essential services to remain connected with each other.

“Winning the war of public perception is a crucial part of armed conflict today, and as we’ve seen in Ukraine, the internet is the best way to gain support for your country’s cause globally,” explained Cornyn.

The legislation would will also “enable the U.S. government to collaborate with the private sector to help people living in conflict zones remain connected and protected against cyber-aggression,” explained Klobuchar.

Despite the authorization, the act would prohibit the agencies from forcing service providers to deliver connectivity against their will and from contracting with adversary-related entities on the Commerce Entity List.

//
Maximus Names Liz Anthony as VP, Federal Market & Competition Strategy; Teresa Weipert Quoted
Published on
Maximus Names Liz Anthony as VP, Federal Market & Competition Strategy; Teresa Weipert Quoted

Liz Anthony, two-decade marketing executive, has been named the vice president for Federal Market and Competition Strategy with Maximus, the government services provider announced on Thursday. 

“Maximus has grown exponentially in recent years, and we are thrilled to add Liz to our leadership team to help us reach that next level,” said Teresa Weipert, general manager for U.S. Federal Services with Maximus and a 2022 Wash100 Award recipient. 

“With her years of leadership experience, particularly in developing brand position and go-to-market strategies, Liz will be a valuable asset to further improve our standing as a federal technology and consulting leader,” Weipert added.

Anthony will be responsible for bolstering Maximus’ current growth initiatives and trajectory through its continued integration in their depth of expertise, technology and consulting. She will also lead the evolution of the Maximus brand to further expand Maximus offerings to federal agencies.

“Over the years, Maximus has established itself as a premier thought leader and innovator in the federal market,” Anthony explained. “With technology services and consulting to support our government and citizen relationships and a focus on ensuring the best customer experience, there is no limit to what we can achieve together in 2022 and beyond.”

Previously, Anthony has held a variety of marketing leadership positions over the course of her two decades of experience in the federal sector. Most recently, she was the senior vice president with ViON Corporation from April 2014 until her new role with Maximus. 

In addition, Anthony was the senior manager for the Global Public Sector with NetApp between Oct. 2011 and March 2014. She was the Public Sector Partner Marketing Manager for Cisco Systems for seven years as well. 

Liz Anthony is also currently a Board member with The Women’s Center and previously served as a Board member for Women in Defense (WID) DC.

“I am excited to join Maximus during this growth period, as the company expands its capabilities and reach with the addition of new technologies and new partnerships while leveraging its’ depth of agency expertise across the federal government,” Anthony explained. 

1 … 882 883 884 885 886 … 2,636