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GAO: DOD Should Fill Gaps in Small Business Strategy
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GAO: DOD Should Fill Gaps in Small Business Strategy

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) advises the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop an implementation plan, policy and a formal monitoring process for the DOD Small Business Strategy.

Congress, in 2019, tasked DOD to create a strategy that will guide how the department handles small business programs, GAO said Thursday.

The accountability office found that DOD witnessed boosted obligation values, but also reductions in the number of small business contractors between 2011 and 2020. DOD awarded over $80 billion to small businesses in FY 2020.

GAO discovered that DOD lacked the mechanisms necessary to improve the coordination of small business programs. DOD has agreed with the government watchdog's recommendations to address this gap.

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Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson Presents Maxar Technologies’ Tony Frazier His Fifth Wash100 Award
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Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson Presents Maxar Technologies’ Tony Frazier His Fifth Wash100 Award

Tony Frazier, executive vice president of Global Field Operations for Maxar Technologies, was presented his 2021 Wash100 Award, the most prestigious award in all of government contracting (GovCon), by Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic and founder of the Wash100 Award on Wednesday.

Executive Mosaic recognized Frazier with his fifth Wash100 Award, and third consecutive, for his vision and leadership in helping defense and intelligence customers with Maxar’s commercial space technology as well as driving satellite constellation advancement.

Most recently, Tony Frazier said that Maxar has developed 3D maps of the Earth for government and military customers and plans to address the demand for the maps in commercial markets. He explained that there has been an increasing demand from the auto industry to develop these high-fidelity maps to enable autonomous vehicles to have the navigation capabilities they need.

In addition, Maxar Technologies invested $600 million in the continued development of a constellation of Worldview Legion imaging satellites, as a range of commercial satellite imagery products are being prepared for launch by the National Reconnaissance (NRO).

Frazier said the Legion satellite constellation will boost the company’s capacity to help meet the imagery requirements of NRO, international and commercial clients.

“Legion is intended both to ensure continuity incapacity for all of our customers as well as to expand capacity, particularly in those parts of the world where there is high demand,” Frazier explained.

Executive Mosaic congratulates both Maxar Technologies and Tony Frazier for the fifth Wash100 Award win of his career. Frazier’s drive for excellence and innovation in the tech field continues to push Maxar as one of the most significant companies in the GovCon sector and elevates Frazier as one of the most influential leaders of consequence in the federal landscape.

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Leidos Wins $65M IT Modernization Contract for ONI’s Hopper Information Services Center; Mike Rickels Quoted
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Leidos Wins $65M IT Modernization Contract for ONI’s Hopper Information Services Center; Mike Rickels Quoted

Leidos has secured an approximate $65 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) prime contract to provide IT services and support for the Office of Naval Intelligence’s (ONI) Hopper Information Services Center.

The contract covers operations management, software development, cloud migration, cybersecurity and information assurance services, Leidos said Friday. 

"ONI has a critical role in ensuring that U.S. naval forces maintain a decisive information advantage," said Mike Rickels, senior vice president of C4ISR solutions for Leidos. "We look forward to continuing our decades-long support to ONI while providing timely and accurate maritime domain information to the warfighter," he added.

Recently, Leidos was awarded a spot on a $93 million IDIQ to provide the Navy with tactical threat support systems services to improve naval aircrew lethality and survivability.

Additionally, the Navy selected Leidos for IT services support on the Marine Corps’ multi-domain radar for a contested environment last month. 

Under the new IDIQ contract, Leidos will assist ONI in advancing its modernization efforts and continue the company's established history of collaboration with the U.S. Navy. Contract work will be performed primarily in Suitland, Maryland. 

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ACT I Names Claudio Monticelli, John Dillon, Randy Mahr to Executive Leadership Roles; Michael Niggel Quoted
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ACT I Names Claudio Monticelli, John Dillon, Randy Mahr to Executive Leadership Roles; Michael Niggel Quoted

Advanced Concepts and Technologies International (ACT I) has named Claudio Monticelli, John Dillon and Randy Mahr as the newest senior vice presidents on the company’s executive leadership team.

The newly appointed SVPs will drive portfolio expansion initiatives and report directly to Michael Niggel, ACT I’s chief executive officer, the company said Friday.

Claudio Monticelli, the company’s former chief operating officer, will now lead the aviation portfolio at ACT I. In his new role, Monticelli will oversee a range of F-35, DoD and DHS aviation contracts covering engineering, logistics, business, financial management and security services. Additionally, he will be responsible for driving the company’s acquisition strategy and expanding the aviation business’ core offerings.

Monticelli’s 30 years of military and commercial aviation experience, coupled with deep contract management expertise, will position the new SVP to scale ACT I’s processes, systems and personnel in the company’s next phase of growth.

ACT I has tapped John Dillon, who previously served as the company’s vice president of business development, to lead and expand ACT I’s space, intel and cyber portfolio. Dillon will manage DoD, U.S. Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office, National Security Administration and Intelligence Community programs, among others in his new position.

CEO Michael Niggel said Dillon has already “submitted $300 million in bids and developed a solid growth pipeline in his portfolio,” positioning the new leader of the portfolio to achieve the company’s expansion goals.

Prior to joining ACT I two years ago, Dillon served in multiple executive leadership roles at CACI, Booz Allen Hamilton and Obsidian Solutions Group, among others. Dillon also served in the military for 32 years and brings deep intelligence community expertise to his new role.

Randy Mahr joins ACT I as senior vice president of the acquisition management and security cooperation portfolio. 

Mahr will leverage his 34 years of U.S. Navy and industry expertise and knowledge in key areas of management, aerospace and defense to push ACT I’s internal growth and acquisition strategies.

His prior experience notably includes managing international programs for E-2 Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, as well as founding and leading his own company, which offers technical and business consulting services.

Niggel expressed his excitement in promoting Monticelli and Dillon, as well as hiring Mahr, and said each will help scale the company and drive new growth strategies in their respective portfolio areas.

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VA Outlines 4 Objectives of AI Strategy; Gil Alterovitz Quoted
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VA Outlines 4 Objectives of AI Strategy; Gil Alterovitz Quoted

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has adopted a strategy to harness the potential of artificial intelligence technology to modernize the delivery of health care services and benefits to former military personnel. 

VA said Thursday that it looks to AI to manage veterans' health outcomes, expand technical capabilities, build trust in the emerging technology and grow partnerships with the business sector. 

The department vowed to ensure the ethical use of the technology across its enterprise and the security of data on veterans. 

“To this end, VA leadership, practitioners and relevant end-users will be trained to ensure all AI-related activities and processes are ethical, legal and meet or exceed standards,” said Gil Alterovitz, director of the VA National AI Institute.

Alterovitz previously said that the department was working with other federal agencies to compile AI use cases.

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Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Replaces Aging Machinery for Aircraft Tech Measurement
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Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Replaces Aging Machinery for Aircraft Tech Measurement

A U.S. Navy aviation depot in North Carolina has purchased equipment designed to help technical personnel obtain more detailed and accurate measurements of individual aircraft components. 

The Fleet Readiness Center East's Precision Measurement Center has a new optical comparator and laser tracking system that mechanical engineering technicians use to assess aircraft parts and support fixtures, Naval Air Systems Command said Thursday.

The comparator is built to generate two-dimensional images of small hardware and allows users to conduct inspections without making contact with the object.

Meanwhile, the laser tracker works to emit beams to an object's mounted reflector for calculating dimensions to perform tasks such as fixture calibration and weapon system alignment.

NAVAIR noted that new machines at the center require only one operator compared with legacy equipment.

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Former FAA Official Ravi Chaudhary Nominated to Lead Air Force Installations Office
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Former FAA Official Ravi Chaudhary Nominated to Lead Air Force Installations Office

Ravi Chaudhary, former director of advanced programs and innovation at the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) commercial space office, has been nominated to serve as assistant secretary for energy, installations and the environment at the Department of the Air Force, the White House announced Thursday. 

He will replace Jennie Miller, who has led the SAF/IE organization on an acting basis since January, if the Senate confirms his nomination. Chaudhary previously served as a commissioner for the White House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from 2014 to 2019. 

His 22-year Air Force career included senior staff, operational and engineering positions. He supported the service branch's global flight operations as a C-17 transport aircraft pilot. 

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Sen. Gary Peters Requests Info on DHS’ Efforts to Address Domestic Extremist Content on Social Media
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Sen. Gary Peters Requests Info on DHS’ Efforts to Address Domestic Extremist Content on Social Media

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has asked the Department of Homeland Security to provide policies, strategies and guidance for countering domestic extremism and domestic extremist threats on social media platforms. 

Peters wrote a letter to DHS Tuesday asking the department to submit information on its coordination efforts with social media companies to detect and prevent such threats on online platforms and strategies and actions taken to avoid extremist violence online. 

The letter addressed to DHS Secretary and 2021 Wash100 Award winner Alejandro Mayorkas is requesting the department to provide documents related to HSI and I&A investigations involving domestic extremist threats on social media platforms; I&A products related to domestic extremist threats online, and information on DHS offices responsible for receiving notifications from social media companies. 

DHS should submit the documents and information to the Senate panel no later than Oct. 27th.

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Report: Department of the Air Force to Realign Space Policy Development
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Report: Department of the Air Force to Realign Space Policy Development

The Department of the Air Force will shift responsibility for initial space policy development from civilian officials to the military chain of command within the office of the Space Force chief as part of a realignment effort, Breaking Defense reported Thursday.

A spokesperson for the department said Brig. Gen. Steve Whitney, who oversees the realignment, is set to announce Friday details about the structure of the space acquisition and integration office, now known as SAF/SQ, and changes at the international affairs office, now designated SAF/IA. 

“Brig. Gen. Whitney is presenting to the SAF/SQ team on 15 Oct the organizational structure of SAF/SQ and personnel alignment which will take effect on 18 Oct. There is not a plan for a formal announcement,” the spokesperson told the publication in an email.

“Regarding space policy, space acquisition policy remains in SAF/SQ while broader policy discussions will occur across the USSF. The shift of the international affairs efforts to SAF/IA is in progress and involves the shift of a handful of specifically skilled individuals. The remaining members of SAF/SQ will be assigned to positions inside of SAF/SQ to accomplish the SAF/SQ mission set of Space System Acquisition and Integration,” the spokesperson added.

Lt. Gen. Bill Liquori, chief strategy and resourcing officer at the Space Force, will be responsible for space policy development, according to the report.

Air Force officials told the publication that the civilian chain of command will continue to have decision-making authority over space policy.

Space Acquisition Forum

GovCon Wire will hold its Space Acquisition Forum on Jan. 19. Click here to register for the virtual forum to hear from defense officials as they share their insights on military acquisition reform and modernization efforts.

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White House Details 4 Lines of Effort to Fight Ransomware
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White House Details 4 Lines of Effort to Fight Ransomware

The Biden administration has outlined several initiatives aimed at countering ransomware incidents. 

The initiatives are classified into four lines of effort: disrupting ransomware actors and infrastructure; bolstering resilience to withstand ransomware attacks; addressing the abuse of virtual currency to launder ransom payments, and leveraging international cooperation to disrupt the ransomware ecosystem and address safe harbors for ransomware criminals, the White House said Wednesday.

For the first line of effort, the Department of Justice (DOJ) formed a task force to improve coordination of law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts to fight ransomware, while the Department of the Treasury released an updated sanctions advisory to encourage reporting of ransomware payments and incidents to authorities.

Some of the initiatives launched to improve resilience against ransomware include the introduction of an Industrial Control System Cybersecurity Initiative in April and the creation of a website by DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to help public and private entities reduce ransomware risk.

The White House also cited an international event hosted by the National Security Council (NSC) to speed up cooperation on network resilience improvement as part of efforts to fight ransomware.

Supply Chain Cybersecurity: Revelations and Innovations

ExecutiveBiz, sister site of GovConDaily and part of the Executive Mosaic digital media umbrella, will host a virtual event about securing the supply chain on Oct. 26. Visit ExecutiveBiz.com to sign up for the “Supply Chain Cybersecurity: Revelations and Innovations” event.

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