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Commerce Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Connected Software Application Evaluation
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Commerce Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Connected Software Application Evaluation

The Department of Commerce (DOC) is seeking public comments on a proposed amendment to the list of criteria for determining whether transactions involving information and communications technology and services present risks to national security.

The department proposed adding a lack of reliable third-party for evaluating the security of connected software applications as a potential indicator of risk when determining whether to approve the acquisition, importation and transfer of foreign information and communications products and services, according to a notice published in the Federal Register Friday.  

The proposed amendment is in response to an executive order President Biden issued in June ordering the federal government to review the security of connected software applications developed, manufactured and supplied by persons supported by a foreign adversary.

The department is seeking feedback from the industry on whether the additional criteria should be applied to all ICTS transaction reviews or just those that involve connected software applications.

Commerce also wants to determine whether to revise the definition of connected software applications to include other means of transmission and communication devices.

Comments to the proposed rule are welcomed until Dec. 27th.

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Lumen Launches TIC 3.0 Compliant Managed Security Service for Remote Workforces; Zain Ahmed Quoted
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Lumen Launches TIC 3.0 Compliant Managed Security Service for Remote Workforces; Zain Ahmed Quoted

Lumen Technologies has launched a new managed security service for branch offices and remote workforces that meets strict new requirements outlined by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Trusted Internet Connection 3.0 guidelines.

Lumen’s TIC 3.0 compliant service, powered by Palo Alto Networks’ Prisma Access, is currently available to government customers through its General Services Administration Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract, the company said Tuesday.

“Our new managed security solution seamlessly connects branch offices and helps government employees work securely from anywhere,” said Zain Ahmed, senior vice president of Lumen’s public sector business.

Ahmed added that Lumen’s managed security service is built on an edge computing platform and adopts zero-trust networking protections as called for in the White House’s executive order on improving national cybersecurity.

Wash100 Award winner Dana Barnes, senior vice president of public sector at Palo Alto Networks, expressed his enthusiasm for partnering with Lumen and noted that the company’s managed security solution will help government agencies to adopt cybersecurity tools at a pace that matches the rapid rate of evolving threats.

Lumen’s new security service builds upon the company’s experience as a provider of TIC-compliant Managed Trusted Internet Protocol Services to federal agencies.

This announcement marks a continuation of Lumen’s work in the public sector, following the company’s $196 million contract win earlier this year to operate and maintain dark fiber infrastructure for the Defense Information Systems Agency.

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Dr. Rod Fontecilla Named Chief Innovation Officer for Guidehouse; CEO Scott McIntyre Quoted
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Dr. Rod Fontecilla Named Chief Innovation Officer for Guidehouse; CEO Scott McIntyre Quoted

Guidehouse announced on Tuesday that the company has announced Dr. Rod Fontecilla, formerly of Dovel Technologies, has been named the chief innovation officer for the company to oversee the strategic innovation framework and drive innovation initiatives as a part of the organization’s overall growth strategy. 

“I am thrilled to lead Guidehouse’s next chapter of innovation to support the delivery of advanced solutions that outwit its clients’ complex challenges in the public and private sector,” said Dr. Fontecilla. “I look forward to working with our segment leaders across the organization on emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing to accelerate modernization efforts.”

Following the completion of Guidehouse’s acquisition of Dovel Technologies back in Oct, Dr. Fontecilla has transitioned into his new role with the company to lead the expansion of its Innovation Agenda to new areas that align with the firm’s vision and its clients’ mission. 

Previously, Fontecilla acted as the chief innovation officer and chief data scientist for Dovel and led all aspects of technology development in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics for the company, which included software engineering, application modernization, and cloud computing. 

In his new role, Dr. Fontecilla will combine his nearly 30 years of professional experience in implementing large and complex mission-critical IT solutions along with Guidehouse’s existing innovation programming. 

“I’m confident that his background, expertise, and passion for innovation will both push Guidehouse to be more innovative and have an immediate impact on our overall business,” said Scott McIntyre, CEO of Guidehouse and a five-time Wash100 Award recipient. 

Following last year’s record-shattering participation from the GovCon community and the most competitive Wash100 voting season in the award’s history, the 2022 Wash100 Award winners are expected to be the most esteemed list of elite federal leaders who demonstrate the high level of commitment, innovation, vision, reliability and achievement in our industry and community.

Please ensure your choices for the highest honor in all of GovCon are included for consideration. Visit Wash100.com to submit your nominations for the 2022 Wash100 Award before Dec. 31st, 2021.

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Defense IT Leader Patrick Fitzgerald Joins Sev1Tech to Lead Navy Programs; CEO Bob Lohfeld Quoted
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Defense IT Leader Patrick Fitzgerald Joins Sev1Tech to Lead Navy Programs; CEO Bob Lohfeld Quoted

Sev1Tech announced on Tuesday that Patrick Fitzgerald, former Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic Enterprise Systems Department head, has joined the company as the senior vice president of Navy Missions to lead its U.S. Navy programs and drive innovative solutions supporting the service branch’s mission goals.

“The Sev1Tech team’s commitment to balancing practical, timely and fit-for-purpose solutions with a bold vision for the future aligns well with my approach to leadership,” said Fitzgerald. “I look forward to working with the team to drive growth across the U.S. Navy business unit and provide our customers with the innovative solutions they need to confront increasingly fluid threats and challenges.”

In his previous role, Fitzgerald has overseen a diverse workforce of more than 500 civilian and military personnel and led a broad portfolio worth approximately $200 million a year in revenue.

He’s also an experienced Department of Defense (DOD) professional who has dedicated his career to identifying and implementing affordable IT solutions for sailors, the Navy and across the DOD.

“Patrick is an innovative spirit and proven leader who understands the Naval landscape and shares our deep commitment to their mission,” said

Bob Lohfeld, CEO of Sev1Tech. “His experience and perspective will add key value to the team, and I look forward to working with him closely as we continue to elevate Sev1Tech’s high standard of support for U.S. Navy sailors and warfighters across the Armed Forces.”

MetTel Expands Digital Transformation Services to Government Clients With SAIC Partnership; Rob Dapkiewicz Quoted
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MetTel Expands Digital Transformation Services to Government Clients With SAIC Partnership; Rob Dapkiewicz Quoted

MetTel is partnering with Science Applications International Corp to provide enhanced digital transformation services to U.S. government customers.

The Washington, D.C.-based telecommunications service provider is currently working with a federal agency to convert its legacy technologies into an SD-WAN and IP voice architecture, and the newly announced SAIC partnership will allow the company to expand its growing federal practice, MetTel said Tuesday.

Rob Dapkiewicz, senior vice president and general manager of MetTel’s federal arm, said, “We have already proven the value of our partnership with a major federal agency and have identified further opportunities for government transformation.”

In July 2021, MetTel secured an Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract to provide the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission with Internet Protocol services.

MetTel’s portfolio of digital transformation services, including its fully managed Mobility-as-a-Service offering, has been recognized for two consecutive years as a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed Network Services.

The company utilizes cost-effective access technologies, including 4G, 5G and satellite, depending on the individual needs of government sites. Additionally, MetTel’s network connects services from major telecommunication and cable companies to lower costs to government customers.

In a recent Executive Spotlight interview with ExecutiveBiz, Dapkiewicz highlighted the company’s leading-edge digital transformation offerings, and commented, “MetTel partners with all of the major telecom providers and has an extensive partner ecosystem, giving us best-of-breed solutions across the spectrum of telecom, broadband, networking equipment and software.”

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Report: Pentagon Eyes Reorganization of 3 Offices Dealing With AI, Data
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Report: Pentagon Eyes Reorganization of 3 Offices Dealing With AI, Data

The Department of Defense is considering a reorganization of DOD and the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), Defense Digital Service and the office of the chief data officer to help streamline processes and establish a cohesive approach with regard to the use of data and AI, Breaking Defense reported Monday.

The publication cited sources that say the three offices would still operate independently but would report to a new leader that will be called chief data and AI officer.

According to the report, Kathleen Hicks, deputy secretary of defense and a 2021 Wash100 Award recipient, has enabled her office to focus on data and AI.

“Hicks is right to focus on this topic and to make sure the department has an effective method to rapidly implement effective software and data practices at all levels,” said a former DOD official. “It’s the right problem and needs senior leadership focus.”

TSA Eyes Info Sharing, Analysis Center for Public Transport Situational Awareness
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TSA Eyes Info Sharing, Analysis Center for Public Transport Situational Awareness

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is looking to establish an information sharing and analysis center that will provide situational awareness data on public transportation assets.

TSA posted a request for information on SAM.gov with the intent to explore potential industry partners that can help the agency form and maintain a public transit ISAC.

The agency expects the proposed center to conduct analyses of security incidents, cyber-related events and counterterrorism efforts associated with modes of transport such as over-the-road buses, subway and waterborne platforms, and high-speed passenger, light and commuter rails.

A possible contractor for the data-sharing hub would develop recommendations, white papers and guidelines to protect mass transit and passenger rail services from terrorism and cybersecurity threats, according to the RFI notice.

Interested parties can submit capability statements until Dec. 6th.

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FY 2022 NDAA Falls Short of Votes Needed to Advance in Senate
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FY 2022 NDAA Falls Short of Votes Needed to Advance in Senate

An effort to end debate on the Senate version of the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization (NDAA) Act led to a 45-51 vote, falling short of the 60 votes needed to pass the defense policy bill in the upper chamber, Politico reported Monday.

The latest setback facing the FY 2022 NDAA stemmed from a dispute over amendments, including a measure that would impose sanctions over the Russian-backed Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline.

The lawmakers should address the dispute to approve the defense policy bill as Congress needs to pass another continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. The government is operating under a stopgap measure that is set to expire on Dec. 3.

Reuters reported the NDAA would authorize approximately $770 billion in defense funding.

“I’m still very supportive of this bill and hope we will pass it soon,” said Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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DOD’s Global Posture Review Calls for More Cooperation With Allies to Advance Stability in Indo-Pacific Region
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DOD’s Global Posture Review Calls for More Cooperation With Allies to Advance Stability in Indo-Pacific Region

The Department of Defense’s Global Posture Review calls for the U.S. to strengthen cooperation with allies and partners to pursue initiatives in the Indo-Pacific to help advance regional stability and deter potential military aggression from China and threats from North Korea.

The initiatives cited in the review include improvement of infrastructure in Australia and the Pacific Islands, rotational aircraft deployments in Australia and regional access for military partnership activities, DOD said Monday.

A senior DOD official said the guidance’s impact will be evident through routine posture-related decisions in the next two to three years, Defense One reported.

“Direction from the GPR will strengthen the department’s focus on China by reducing posture requirements in other theaters to enable improved warfighting readiness and increase activities in the Indo Pacific,” the official said. 

The review also assessed the Pentagon’s posture in other regions, including Europe, Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. In Europe, the GPR further builds up U.S. deterrence against Russian aggression and strengthens NATO forces.

DOD noted that it expects the GPR to inform the forthcoming National Defense Strategy and help enhance the department’s response capability and posture decision-making processes.

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Air Force Demos Palletized Cruise Missile Launch From Lockheed-Built Aircraft
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Air Force Demos Palletized Cruise Missile Launch From Lockheed-Built Aircraft

The U.S. Air Force released a long-range cruise missile test article from a Lockheed Martin-built transport and special operations tanker aircraft using a palletized weapons deployment system as part of the service branch’s Rapid Dragon experimentation program.

The flight test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico sought to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting standoff munition delivery operations through airdrop approach and using a transport plane as a lethal strike platform, the Air Force Research Laboratory said Monday.

AFRL noted that the cruise missile separation test vehicle was able to perform aerodynamic control and pull-up maneuvers while moving toward its target, just seconds after the system launched from the four-cell deployer unit via Air Force Special Operations Command’s MC-130J aircraft.

The event saw the first time the missile’s onboard battle management system received and uploaded targeting data from a beyond-line-of-sight command and control node, moving away from previous practices of using an emulator.

Lockheed’s missiles and fire control business, Systima Technologies, Safran Electronics & Defense and Parachutes USA participated in the demo.

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