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VA Releases Online Geographic Data, Mapping Tool Subscription Solicitation
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VA Releases Online Geographic Data, Mapping Tool Subscription Solicitation

The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking for a commercial off-the-shelf subscription to an online geographic information system data and mapping tool to support its central office employees.

VA plans to award a potential five-year contract for analytics services that could help develop targeted and geographic interventions to address veterans’ health problems, according to a solicitation published on SAM.gov Monday.

Service must provide neighborhood-level data in maps, tables and reports; produce results for self-defined and pre-defined areas; and allow for the download of results in the Common Separated Values file format.

By relying on just one subscription, the department said its personnel would only need to access a single system for evaluating trends, gathering benchmarks and targeting interventions.

Interested companies can submit their responses to the solicitation on or before Jan. 19th.

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Former Senate Staffer Arun Seraphin Now NDIA Emerging Tech Institute’s Deputy Director
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Former Senate Staffer Arun Seraphin Now NDIA Emerging Tech Institute’s Deputy Director

Arun Seraphin, former Senate Armed Services Committee professional staff member, has moved to the National Defense Industrial Association‘s Emerging Technologies Institute to serve as deputy director.

Seraphin will have responsibility for the strategic direction, research priorities and studies and policy projects of the institute that produces analyses related to U.S. national defense technologies, NDIA said Tuesday.

He brings to the institute experience supporting lawmakers in their Department of Defense oversight responsibilities, which include looking over Pentagon budgets, civilian nominations and defense legislative initiatives.

He also worked at the White House Office of Science and Technology, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Institute of Defense Analysis and the House of Representatives.

“Arun helped shape many elements of the Defense Department’s science and technology enterprise,” pointed out Mark Lewis, executive director of ETI.

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Intelsat Acquires Software-Defined Thales Alenia Space Satellites in Pursuit of 5G Global Network; CEO Stephen Spengler Quoted
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Intelsat Acquires Software-Defined Thales Alenia Space Satellites in Pursuit of 5G Global Network; CEO Stephen Spengler Quoted

Intelsat has inked a deal with Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture of Thales and Leonardo, to construct two software-defined satellites, scheduled to be up and running in 2025.

The operator of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network said on Wednesday that the two new satellites, named Intelsat 41 (IS-41) and Intelsat 44 (IS-44), are intended to grow Intelsat’s global fabric of software-defined GEO connectivity as a function of its 5G software-defined network.

“With the addition of Intelsat 41 and Intelsat 44, in partnership with Thales Alenia Space, Intelsat will blanket the earth with software-defined satellites, progressing the world’s first global 5G software-defined network, designed to unify the global telecoms ecosystem,” said Intelsat CEO Stephen Spengler.

The satellites will offer features such as seamless telecommunications mission and services reconfiguration, as well as instant in-orbit adjustment to broadband connectivity demand and superior video broadcast performance. They will be based on the Space Inspire product line, conceived by Thales Alenia Space themselves.

Hervé Derrey, Thales Alenia CEO, commented that the knowledge that the Space Inspire software-defined solution will play a major role in realizing Intelsat’s global 5G unified network was exciting.

“We are proud that our advanced satellite technology will play a significant role in Intelsat’s vision to reimagine the global telecoms ecosystem,” Derrey said.

The companies’ agreement aims to add high-speed dynamically-allocated connectivity across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia for commercial and government mobility services and cellular backhaul.

With the addition of the two Thales Alenia Space satellites, Intelsat now has a total of four software-defined satellites in production.

Spengler announced his impending retirement from Intelsat in October 2021 upon the company’s completion of a financial restructuring process and the naming of a successor.

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CISA, NSA, FBI Release Joint Advisory on Russian Cyber Threats
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CISA, NSA, FBI Release Joint Advisory on Russian Cyber Threats

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA) and FBI have jointly authored an advisory to alert organizations about state-sponsored cyber threats from Russia. 

The joint cybersecurity advisory tackles the tactics, techniques, and procedures commonly observed in Russian cyber operations, CISA said Tuesday.

Cyber vulnerabilities known to be exploited by Russia include those related to FortiGate VPNs, Cisco routers, Oracle WebLogic servers, Zimbra software and Microsoft Exchange.

The advisory also includes guidance on how to detect, mitigate and respond to these threats. The agencies advise cyber defenders to proactively hunt for threats, confirm reporting processes, implement a cyber incident response plan, bolster situational awareness on the matter and reduce personnel gaps in security coverage of information and operational technology.

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Managing Director John Song Highlights Record Shattering Year for Baird
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Managing Director John Song Highlights Record Shattering Year for Baird

John Song, managing director for Baird and a 2021 Wash100 Award recipient, recently posted a full breakdown of the company’s accomplishments in 2021, which includes its Government & Defense M&A team closing 21 transactions totaling more than $7.5 billion in aggregate value.

“By any measure, 2021 was a record-breaking year for the Government & Defense sector – transaction volume, M&A valuation, and capital inflows across private equity, corporates, venture capital, SPACs, and lenders,” said John Song.

“We saw an acceleration of highly strategic deals at “super premium” valuations and a continuation of preemptive buyer interest. It was also a year for investments in disruptive technologies, including space, autonomy, electronic warfare, and AI / ML,” Song added.

Managing Director John Song Highlights Record Shattering Year for Baird

In addition, Song also celebrated the accomplishments of Baird’s clients in 2021, which includes their expansion into top federal priorities such as C4ISR, data analytics, digital transformation, healthcare and more technologies across DoD, Intel, and civilian agencies.

“It was also a record year for Baird’s Equity Capital Markets practice, which priced 47 IPOs and 57 follow-on offerings,” Song explained. “We are proud of our award-winning Equity Research team, covering notable names in the sector across the defense primes, defense technology, and government services companies.”

John Song also mentioned the 1,200 industry executives and investor registrants who attended Baird’s 4th Annual Government & Defense Conference back in November.

Visit LinkedIn to read the full feature from 2021 Wash100 Award winner John Song.

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GDIT’s Defense SVP Leigh Palmer Talks Adaptability, IT Foundations & Leadership With Potomac Officers Club
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GDIT’s Defense SVP Leigh Palmer Talks Adaptability, IT Foundations & Leadership With Potomac Officers Club

Leigh Palmer, senior vice president of defense for General Dynamics Information Technology, was recently featured in an Executive Spotlight interview with the Potomac Officers Club. Palmer remarked on what she’s learned as a leader through the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of diversity in company cultures and how to remain agile and adaptable in the face of uncertainty.

In this excerpt from the interview, Palmer discusses how bringing in multiple perspectives and better connecting organizational ecosystems can drive collaboration and deliver more robust technological capabilities to customers.

“We must do a better job of leveraging existing capabilities. We have access to so much technology in the federal landscape, but we are not making optimal use of all that is available to us. We have to start with the mindset that warfighter needs come first, and work from there to identify and bring proven solutions to the mission. 

Above all, we can’t fight our wars without a strong IT foundation. Technology is fundamental to the warfighter, and the speed of information exchange, secure collaboration, and getting intelligence to the edge are strategic differentiators on the battlefield. We’ve seen the significance of IT during COVID, and we can’t lose sight of its importance.”

Visit PotomacOfficersClub.com to read the full Executive Spotlight interview with GDIT’s Leigh Palmer and learn more about the platform’s membership options and benefits.

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White House Guidance Directs Federal Agencies to Set Up COVID-19 Testing Programs by February
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White House Guidance Directs Federal Agencies to Set Up COVID-19 Testing Programs by February

The White House has issued new guidance directing federal agencies to establish testing programs by Feb. 15, to facilitate COVID-19 screening of certain unvaccinated federal personnel and onsite contractor employees, Nextgov reported Tuesday.

An updated guidance from the Biden administration’s Safer Federal Workforce Task Force states that agencies should subject to weekly testing unvaccinated employees who go to a federal facility or interact with the members of the public.

“For certain roles, functions, or work environments, an agency may determine that it is necessary that certain onsite contractor employees, certain employees regardless of their vaccination status, or certain employees and certain onsite contractor employees regardless of their vaccination status must participate in screening testing, given operational or administrative considerations associated with conducting screening testing for those roles, functions, or work environments,” the notice reads. 

The task force said agencies may use antigen tests and other Food and Drug Administration-authorized viral tests and may opt to do the screening through drive-through or in-store testing, swab-testing capabilities and over-the-counter tests.

“Agencies should establish a means of verifying the date and result of a test—the test should not be both self-administered and self-read by the employee unless observed by the agency or an authorized onsite or telehealth provider,” the notice states.

An agency may impose disciplinary action if a federal employee enrolled in the testing program declines to take a COVID-19 test.

The task force also noted that the screening protocols will not apply to unvaccinated employees who are working remotely or those on maximum telework. However, if they need to go to an agency facility, they should be screened in advance and present proof of a negative test result.

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NASAA: Securities Regulators Consider Investments Tied to Crypto as Top Investor Threat
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NASAA: Securities Regulators Consider Investments Tied to Crypto as Top Investor Threat

An annual survey of state and provincial securities regulators conducted by the North American Securities Administrators Association shows that investments linked to cryptocurrencies and digital assets topped the list of investor threats.

“Stories of ‘crypto millionaires’ attracted some investors to try their hand at investing in cryptocurrencies or crypto-related investments this year, and with them, many stories of those who bet big and lost big began appearing, and they will continue to appear in 2022,” Joseph Borg, director of the Alabama Securities Commission and co-chair of NASAA’s enforcement section committee, said in a statement published Monday.

NASAA said promoters of digital assets may easily deceive the public since such products “do not fall neatly into the existing investor regulatory framework” and that investors should practice caution before buying “volatile unregulated investments.”

“Before you jump into the crypto craze, be mindful that cryptocurrencies and related financial products may be nothing more than public facing fronts for Ponzi schemes and other frauds,” said Joseph Rotunda, director of the Texas State Securities Board Enforcement Division and vice chair of NASAA’ enforcement section committee.

The other investor threats on NASAA’s annual list were fraud offerings associated with promissory notes; money scams offered via social media and internet investment schemes; and financial schemes linked to self-directed individual retirement accounts.

POC - Digital Currency and National Security Forum

On Jan. 27, the Potomac Officers Club will bring together distinguished government and industry leaders to discuss the national security aspect of digital currencies. National Cyber Director Chris Inglis will deliver the keynote speech at POC’s Digital Currency and National Security Forum. 

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ICT Supply Chain Task Force Adds 3 Members, Forms New Working Group; Bob Kolasky Quoted
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ICT Supply Chain Task Force Adds 3 Members, Forms New Working Group; Bob Kolasky Quoted

The Information and Communications Technology Supply Chain Risk Management Task Force (ICT SCRM) has announced the Small Business Administration (SBA), National Association of State Chief Information Officers and the National Association of State Procurement Officials as its new members.

The new members “will bring a fresh perspective to our work and help connect efforts with a broader community,” Bob Kolasky, an assistant director at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and an ICT SCRM Task Force co-chair, said in a statement published Tuesday.

SBA and the two national organizations will help come up with actionable measures to improve the resilience of the ICT supply chain.

The task force, which was extended to July 31, 2023, voted to continue the efforts of the small and medium-sized businesses and product marketing groups and approve the formation of the hardware bill of materials working group, which will collect data to inform the development of a template for the hardware bill of materials that organizations can use to buy or field ICT products.

Other plans include promoting the use of software bill of materials and software assurance across the ICT supply chain and expansion of partnerships with other sectors and international organizations.

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Amentum Receives $462M Navy Contract to Provide Atlantic Undersea Range Services; CEO John Vollmer Quoted
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Amentum Receives $462M Navy Contract to Provide Atlantic Undersea Range Services; CEO John Vollmer Quoted

Amentum has been awarded a 10-year, potential $462 million contract by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center for range operations and maintenance support services.

The contract will fund work with the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC), a large-area, deep-water range owned by the Navy, the Germantown, Maryland-based defense contractor reported Tuesday.

John Vollmer, CEO of Amentum and a five-time Wash100 award winner, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to partner with the Navy in support of AUTEC, citing the range as “unique,” and looking ahead to a successful test and training mission.

Amentum’s responsibilities will include providing AUTEC with program management and business operations services, security, and program documentation. They will also offer safety and environmental support, public works and base services, and logistics support.

In addition, Amentum will perform air and marine services and data acquisition, processing and analysis at the range.

The AUTEC checkpoints where the work will take place are Andros Island, Commonwealth of the Bahamas and West Palm Beach, Florida. Among the activities typically carried out at AUTEC are underwater research, testing and evaluation of anti-submarine weapons and sonar tracking and communications.

Amentum’s AUTEC contract was first announced in Dec. 2021. It recently won a potential $147 million contract from the U.S. Air Forces in Europe to implement global prepositioned material services.

Under the latter contract, Amentum is expected to help store, maintain, reconstitute and outload equipment and execute contingency logistics support work.

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