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Washington Technology - All Contenthttps://washingtontechnology.com/Latest news and information on the business of delivering technology and services to government including government contractors, the integrator community, technology case studies, and mergers and acquisitions.en-usTue, 13 Aug 2024 14:00:00 -0400Protests hit OASIS+ general small business trackhttps://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/protests-hit-oasis-general-small-business-track/398767/A total of 10 companies so far are challenging their exclusion from an award on the governmentwide professional services vehicle.Ross WilkersTue, 13 Aug 2024 14:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/protests-hit-oasis-general-small-business-track/398767/ContractsJust shy of a dozen companies are taking issue with how the General Services Administration evaluated their bids for OASIS+, the recompete of a massive governmentwide contract vehicle for professional services. In July, GSA <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/07/oasis-award-process-starts-roll/398463/">unveiled its list of 1,383 apparent winners</a> for the general small business set-aside track of OASIS+. GSA planned to have formal award notifications out by Tuesday (Aug. 12), following the window for protests over whether the selected companies are in fact small businesses. But ahead of that date, a total of 10 companies so far have filed protests to challenge their exclusion from an award. The general theme of the complaints centers on how they were eliminated from the competition during GSA's acceptability review of the bids. The protests were filed between Aug. 5 and Tuesday. Decisions from the Government Accountability Office are scheduled for Nov. 13 through Nov. 20. In light of those protests, GSA <a href="https://sam.gov/opp/2fc6f775d14e46269ecdea4795c6baef/view">said in a Tuesday Sam.gov notice</a> that it will delay the issuance of the formal award notifications and notices to proceed until the protests are resolved. The companies currently protesting are: <ul> <li>Athena Technology Group</li> <li>AtVentures</li> <li>Compel joint venture</li> <li>Explore Digits</li> <li>Jefferson Consulting Group</li> <li>Johnson Technology Systems</li> <li>Mission Solaiya joint venture</li> <li>Q2 Impact</li> <li>SOFtact Solutions</li> <li>Venergy Group</li> </ul> Awards remain pending for OASIS+' unrestricted pool and the four small business tracks in 8(a), HUBZone, women-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned. GSA decided to have multiple blocks of small business awards for OASIS+ as opposed to the current iteration of OASIS that has one. The current OASIS Small Business vehicle is slated to expire on Dec. 19 and roughly $30.9 billion in obligations have gone through it since being opened for business in 2014, according to Deltek data. Gettyimages.com / David TalukdarWest 4th acquires IT modernization specialisthttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/west-4th-acquires-it-modernization-specialist/398764/West 4th is doubling in size through this transaction approximately two years after the company itself got a new owner and leader.Ross WilkersTue, 13 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/west-4th-acquires-it-modernization-specialist/398764/CompaniesWest 4th Strategy, a provider of technology and professional services to federal agencies, has acquired an IT modernization specialist that predominantly works with civilian clients that touch the financial sector. Integrated Systems Inc., also known as ISI, was founded in 2000 by its chief executive Indrani Seetharam to provide agencies a rapid modernization model for their IT environments. West 4th started in 2016 and is led by CEO Robert Dowling, a former Enlightenment Capital executive who acquired the company in 2022 from founder Michael Sohal. “Our focus has been on utilizing organic growth to be selective in pursuing acquisitions that would expand customer access, broaden capabilities, and access strategic contract vehicles,” Dowling said in a release Tuesday. “The addition of ISI more than doubles the company and accomplishes all three of these objectives." For each of the past three years, West 4th has qualified for <a href="https://washingtontechnology.com/rankings/company/668/fast-50/2023/">our annual Fast 50 rankings</a> of the government market's fastest-growing small businesses. GovTribe data indicates that West 4th <a href="https://govtribe.com/vendors/west-4th-strategy-llc-7na31">has received approximately $8.5 million</a> in unclassified prime obligations over the trailing 12 months. The Navy is West 4th's largest customer, followed by the departments of Health and Human Services and Justice. Substantially all of ISI's <a href="https://govtribe.com/vendors/integrated-systems-inc-dot-i-s-i-1sua8">$21.5 million in prime obligations</a> over the trailing 12 months are with the Securities and Exchange Commission and IRS. West 4th's combined prime contract vehicle portfolio now includes the General Services Administration <a href="https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2023/06/gsa-launches-recompete-oasis-professional-services-vehicle/387621/">OASIS</a>, National Institutes of Health <a href="https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/07/cio-sp3-now-stretches-2025-amid-recompetes-holding-pattern/398118/">CIO-SP3</a>, IRS <a href="https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/irs-makes-awards-19b-it-services-recompete/398624/">EPPIS</a>, SEC <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/2018/10/sec-awards-small-business-piece-of-25b-it-contract/348411/">One IT</a>, FBI <a href="https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/06/fbi-reveals-95-itsss-2-winners/397142/">ITSSS-2</a> and Defense Information Systems Agency <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/2019/07/disa-makes-small-business-awards-on-75b-seti-contract/326218/">SETI</a>. ISI is now a part of West 4th's mission support division that provides IT and transformation services to defense and civilian agencies. FVCbank worked with West 4th to make the transaction happen. Gettyimages.com / Yuichiro ChinoHow small businesses can navigate the markethttps://washingtontechnology.com/opinion/2024/08/how-small-businesses-can-navigate-market/398681/There are tools available that can help small businesses clear the hurdles ahead of them, ClassWallet CEO Jamie Rosenberg writes.Jamie RossenbergTue, 13 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/opinion/2024/08/how-small-businesses-can-navigate-market/398681/OpinionIn April 2024, the Small Business Administration unveiled the <a href="https://www.sba.gov/article/2024/04/29/biden-harris-administration-awards-record-breaking-178-billion-federal-procurement-opportunities">results</a> of its annual scorecard, a crucial measure of small business contracting success. SBA's scorecard revealed the U.S. government awarded only 28.4% of federal contract dollars to small organizations in 2023. While progress was made since the year prior, that means the vast majority of federal, state and local funding went to large businesses. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) <a href="https://www.gao.gov/blog/communities-rely-federal-grants-may-have-challenges-accessing-them">has been forthright</a> about organizations’ inability to easily and quickly access these funds, showing that the highest levels of the U.S. government recognize a need for change when accessing public dollars. Hurdles in Accessing Funds Often, small businesses find it challenging to compete with large businesses due to roadblocks in securing government grants and contracts. These roadblocks can be due to compliance or regulatory challenges, as well as being forced to work with limited resources as a small business. For example, complex procurement processes and strict regulations pose significant challenges for small businesses in their quest to access and utilize grants. As is, the existing process typically requires businesses to front costs and then be reimbursed, a task many small businesses can’t afford to do without taking on debt. Beyond that, organizations receiving government dollars are subject to audits, which add another layer of challenges to the federal contracting process. While this has long been accepted as a norm by major contractors, the complicated process is a roadblock for many small businesses. Let’s Get Digital Organizations are turning to digital wallet platforms – a tool for rules-based purchases and payments through a tailored marketplace – to ease some of the burdens of decentralized fund management and navigate the various challenges. As of 2024, 33% of NAICS-recognized businesses <a href="https://classwallet.com/why-joining-classwallet-as-a-vendor-is-a-smart-business-move/">are selling</a> their goods or services on digital wallet platforms. Digital wallets are revolutionizing how small businesses manage funds by ensuring funding reaches them faster and more efficiently. By enabling direct pay to vendors, small businesses can make flexible and efficient purchases within the guidelines set by the awarding agency or organization. In addition to making payments easier for vendors, digital fund management allows vendors to be vetted ahead of time. By streamlining record-keeping and auditing processes, digital wallets provide transparency and traceability for all financial transactions. This “pre-approval” allows organizations to uphold necessary compliance and fiscal accountability requirements without constantly exchanging snail mail approvals and provides an added layer of security, reducing the risk of fraud and theft associated with traditional payment methods. Collectively, these benefits contribute to greater efficiency, cost savings and improved financial management. Driving Small Business Success As federal, state and local governments continue investing more in small businesses to support growth and new jobs in key industries, technology will be vital to ensure the funding is accessible and managed properly. This will create more lucrative opportunities for small businesses – businesses located in states that utilize direct pay through a digital wallet platform receive 26 times <a href="https://classwallet.com/why-joining-classwallet-as-a-vendor-is-a-smart-business-move/">more revenue</a> than businesses in states that do not. By leveraging digital wallets, organizations can quickly cut through the delays caused by administrative requirements and automate compliance efforts for quick access to public funds and help level the playing field for small businesses seeking government grant funding. <hr /> Jamie Rosenberg is the CEO of ClassWallet. Gettyimages.com/ Oscar WongWhat should agencies consider for their remote work plans?https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/what-should-agencies-consider-their-remote-work-plans/398760/A new memo from the Office of Personnel Management's acting director details specific factors agency leaders should consider when designing their remote work strategy for the federal workforce.Carten CordellTue, 13 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/what-should-agencies-consider-their-remote-work-plans/398760/ContractsWith remote work continuing to play a role in the future of work, the Office of Personnel Management offered federal agency leaders a checklist of criteria to consider when setting up their policies for the practice.  Acting director OPM Robert Shriver said <a href="https://chcoc.gov/content/guiding-factors-designing-remote-work-policies-and-programs">in an Aug. 7 memo</a> that because remote work has become a more conventional business practice following the pandemic, the federal government’s HR agency has sought to identify best practices to help agency leaders capitalize on its potential advantages.  “When thoughtfully and intentionally implemented, remote work can be a significant benefit to employers for certain types of roles in certain circumstances. Further, remote work has the potential to broaden access to remote-appropriate federal roles for some workers,” he said. “At the same time, remote work is not suitable for all types of roles. Striking the right balance of in-person work and use of workplace flexibilities such as remote work is critical to support the long-term organizational health of federal agencies.” OPM defines remote work as an arrangement where an employee works at an alternative worksite on a regular and recurring basis without the expectation of performing work at an agency location, whereas telework is defined as an agreement that the employee may work from a site other than the location they would normally work.  Shriver added that the builds on policies OPM laid out three years ago in <a href="https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2021/11/opm-encourages-agencies-expand-telework-remote-work-permanently-new-guidance/186812/">its updated guidance for remote work and telework</a>, emphasizing the need for agencies to develop current and clear policies that outline their specific use of remote work, supervisors’ roles in ensuring accountability and performance measures to track productivity. To that end, the memo calls on agencies to consider factors like what remote work arrangements look like for senior executives, how to balance new employee development with remote work, defining local commuting areas in which employees should be able to reach a workplace, determining when to form teams that are largely or fully remote and what equitable determinations should be made in establishing remote work policies.  Other factors Shriver said that agency leaders should address should include developing a formal cost-benefit analysis of the remote work policy, including potential recruitment and retention benefits; reasonable accommodations for employees; how agencies will deploy data collection for performance measures; and how they develop mobile work policies for employees at alternative worksites not covered by remote work agreements.   “Certain flexible work arrangements may not make sense for every agency, function or team, or be appropriate for every position or individual,” Shriver said. “Agencies need to ensure that all work arrangements, including remote work arrangements, facilitate, rather than impede, the accomplishment of work and long-term success of an agency’s mission. This memo provides agencies with additional considerations for evaluating and determining their current and future remote work postures.” <div class="related-articles-placeholder">[[Related Posts]]</div> A new memo from acting OPM director Robert Shriver lays out what factors agencies should weigh in designing their own remote work policies. Kent Nishimura / Getty ImagesArmy lets one protester back in for $10B IT product competitionhttps://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/army-lets-one-protester-back-10b-it-product-competition/398749/A separate set of six protests remains active at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims over their elimination from a place on the IT Enterprise Solutions 4 Hardware vehicle.Ross WilkersMon, 12 Aug 2024 15:19:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/army-lets-one-protester-back-10b-it-product-competition/398749/ContractsOne protester that raised complaints about how the Army is managing the potential $10 billion recompete of its main commercial IT product contract is now back in the running. In March, CACI International's ID Technologies subsidiary <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/03/protests-over-10b-army-it-hardware-contract-head-court/395151/">filed a lawsuit against the Army's exclusion</a> of its proposal for the multiple-award IT Enterprise Solutions 4 Hardware contract. ID Technologies' protest at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims remained on its own, while six others have since been consolidated into a single case under the challenge raised by the GovWave joint venture. But in a Wednesday filing, the Army told the court it has taken a corrective action on the matter of IDTec's protest and said that bid is no longer excluded. IDTec is now back in the running for one of 17 awards on the potential 10-year ITES-4H vehicle. On Thursday, the court dismissed IDTec's protest with prejudice to mark that case's permanent end. IDTec can no longer make the same claim that shaped its lawsuit. The protests consolidated under GovWave however remain active and oral arguments in that matter took place on July 28, followed by a series of other supplemental filings since. Proposals were due in October 2022 for the ITES-4H vehicle and its three-step process for evaluating bids. Step one is determining if proposals met strict compliance requirements and that is where the unresolved set of six protests focus on. The Army can continue to evaluate bids but cannot make awards until the judge makes a ruling or the service branch decides to take corrective action on the unresolved protests. GovWave is owned by Govplace, Intelligent Waves and V3Gate. The protests consolidated under GovWave's challenge are from Advanced Computer Concepts, DH Technologies, Enterprise Technology Solutions, Government Acquisitions Inc. and Unicom Government. A bulk of the filings there remain sealed, but the redacted version of GovWave's complaint alleges the Army incorrectly eliminated the joint venture's bid. GovWave claims it does not have adverse past performance, but the Army says GovWave's bid was not specific enough in saying so. Gettyimages.com / Sean GladwellLumen hires Finke to lead public sector unithttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/lumen-hires-finke-lead-public-sector-unit/398741/Josh Finke now oversees all aspects of the telecom company's work with government agencies and educational institutions, plus health care and public safety entities.Ross WilkersMon, 12 Aug 2024 14:07:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/lumen-hires-finke-lead-public-sector-unit/398741/CompaniesLumen has hired a new leader for its public sector business unit in Josh Finke, a 25-year technology industry veteran and most recently a C-level executive at IT managed services provider Compucom. He will join Lumen's group of senior vice presidents and oversee all aspects of the telecommunications company's work with government agencies at all levels and educational institutions, the company said Monday. Lumen's public sector unit also includes the health care and public safety verticals. Finke's direct reports at Lumen are Jason Schulman, national vice president of federal; Michelle Watson, national VP of state, local and education; and Dan Klein, VP of program management. Finke will report to Ashley Haynes-Gaspar, Lumen's chief revenue officer and an executive VP. Schulman spoke to us for our WT 360 podcast series on the 2024 Top 100 rankings, for which Lumen is Company No. 38. <a href="https://washingtontechnology.com/podcasts/2024/07/wt-360-lumens-top-100-strategy-builds-its-network-core/397750/">Click here to listen</a> to that episode, where Schulman overviews Lumen's strategy for the federal landscape and connects it to the company's overall vision. At Compucom, Finke worked as chief solutions officer with responsibility over its go-to-market strategy and work to develop new offerings. He also led efforts to grow and apply partnerships across Compucom's sales and delivery channel. He also held the same title at Zones and is a former vice president from Iron Bow Technologies. Josh Finke, Lumen Technologies' newly-hired senior vice president for public sector.Courtesy of Lumen.How tech investments spur M&A activity across the federal markethttps://washingtontechnology.com/opinion/2024/08/how-tech-investments-spur-m-activity-across-federal-market/398683/Bill Farmer, managing director at Brown Gibbons Lang & Co., explains how national security challenges and the rapid influx of new technologies are helping drive the activity.Bill FarmerMon, 12 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/opinion/2024/08/how-tech-investments-spur-m-activity-across-federal-market/398683/OpinionToday’s evolving global security environment is headlined by crises like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war between Israel and Hamas and the pacing threat posed by China that are all reshaping geopolitics. The U.S. is responding by increasingly pouring resources into defense technology. The focus on advanced technologies and next-generation capabilities persists, with the merger-and-acquisition landscape increasingly favoring providers with greater exposure to the defense sector as geopolitical tensions drive increases in defense budgets. Recent Deals Highlight the Appetite of Companies Expanding Technology Capabilities Companies across the defense and government technology sectors are using add-ons to expand their capabilities to help drive long-term growth and further diversify revenue streams. Several recent acquisitions support this trend. Honeywell is positioning itself to capture more aerospace market share through its agreement to acquire CAES Systems from private equity firm Advent International for approximately $1.9 billion. The acquisition will enhance Honeywell’s defense technology solutions across its current portfolio in land, sea, air, and space. Ultimately, the combined company will upgrade Honeywell’s position on critical platforms from an advanced technology standpoint. Earlier in June, <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/06/tyto-athene-builds-managed-cyber-service-offerings-acquisition/397067/">Tyto Athene</a> expanded its presence across the federal market’s civilian segment by acquiring the MindPoint Group, a provider of cybersecurity services to government organizations. <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dzyne-technologies-announces-the-acquisition-of-high-point-aerotechnologies-strengthening-an-autonomous-technology-platform-built-for-the-future-of-defense-302183717.html">DZYNE Technologies</a>, a leading developer and manufacturer of autonomous technologies, is increasing its portfolio of high-tech counter-autonomous system capabilities by combining with High Point Aerotechnologies. How AI’s Role Will Revolutionize Military & Space Operations The Defense Department approaches new technologies like artificial intelligence cautiously. But DOD has still seen the power of AI, particularly in combat situations, give them a strategic advantage, so I think they will begin pursuing investment in AI more aggressively. In its fiscal year 2024 budget, the DOD requested $1.8 billion for AI/ML but didn’t provide specifics. Numerous DOD programs do include the use of embedded AI, such as Marine Corps Communications Systems, Advanced Battle Management Systems and Technology Maturation Initiatives. Doing more with less is something that the DOD is absolutely looking at right now. Manpower is tight, so to the extent that you can have technology such as AI being the lion's share of the work, you’re less dependent on manpower. Additionally, it removes the potential risk of putting someone in harm’s way. A good case example is the U.S. military’s <a href="https://spacenews.com/u-s-military-to-award-3-billion-contract-for-ai-driven-intelligence/">recent announcement</a> to award an estimated $3 billion multi-year contract for commercial data and analytics services to monitor potential threats across the Indo-Pacific region, a focal point of global geopolitics and a priority for the DOD. Private equity-owned businesses in the space are looking to continue making acquisitions and from a technology standpoint, for a couple of reasons. One is to continue scaling, the second is to fill the void in their solutions portfolio, and the third is to follow the money like everybody else. The Top Segments Likely to Drive Growth in the Global Space Sector Space capabilities are considered vital for national security, with more and more funding going toward maintaining space dominance in an era of increasing competition and sophisticated threats. Systems provide critical functions such as intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, communication, and missile warning. Among some of the emerging space technologies receiving significant investments are small satellites, CubeSats, reusable launch vehicles, and satellite constellations. Companies operating in this arena could unlock growth by focusing on a number of key areas that have the potential for disruptive growth. Those include robotics in space, additive manufacturing, in-space manufacturing (using the unique environment of outer space for industrial production), space data-as-a-service and national security space. How Technology Investment is Impacting M&A The large industrial industry players are looking to come up the value chain because they’re following the budgets, the money, and the path where they see growth, so they are looking to acquire capabilities, IP, and solution set via acquisition. Federal agencies are embracing big data cloud solutions, big data, network modernization, and mobility/5G. In late July, <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/07/cgi-federal-acquire-aeyon/398447/">CGI Federal</a> acquired Aeyon, a provider of data management, analytics and intelligent automation technologies for the U.S. federal government. That acquisition expanded CGI’s footprint with national security clients such as the Office of Secretary of Defense, multiple branches of the U.S. military, the Federal Aviation Administration, and NASA. The government services sector remains highly fragmented, with private equity and specialized contractors like CGI Federal leading the consolidation and seeking acquisitions that tap into high-growth markets and advanced technological capabilities.  Secular tailwinds are supporting M&A activity as investors look to capitalize on technology innovation underpinned by intellectual property as global threats continue to escalate. M&A activity stabilized in 2023, supported by a 24% year-over-year uptick in the fourth quarter with both defense and government services registering strong deal volume. This momentum has continued into 2024 evidenced by a 33% year-over-year increase in transaction volume in the first quarter of 2024. The growing focus on emerging technologies will likely influence future deal activity with a leaning toward smaller transactions which can be accelerated through acquisitions by larger, more dominant players. Mid-size enterprise value transactions will be the focus for corporations and financial investors against a backdrop of geopolitical challenges, supply chain headwinds and competition for talent.   Looking ahead towards later in the year and at the beginning of 2025, we don’t see a slowdown in M&A like we’ve seen in previous election years. Continued supply chain issues and global conflicts will continue to create tailwinds for the defense sector. <hr /> William (Bill) Farmer is a managing director at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company and leads the firm’s investment banking activities within the <a href="https://www.bglco.com/industry-coverage/industrials-investment-banking/aerospace-defense-and-government-services/">aerospace, defense and government services</a> sector. Gettyimages.com/ gremlinNearly 200 firms have signed pledge to build more secure software, top cyber official sayshttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/nearly-200-firms-have-signed-pledge-built-more-secure-software-top-cyber-official-says/398732/The initial tally began at around 70 companies when the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency first headlined the initiative at the RSA Conference in San Francisco.David DiMolfettaMon, 12 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/nearly-200-firms-have-signed-pledge-built-more-secure-software-top-cyber-official-says/398732/CompaniesLAS VEGAS — Nearly 200 tech and cybersecurity companies have signed onto a U.S.-led pledge to bake more default secure features in their products when sold to enterprise customers or when they come off the shelf at retailers, a top American cybersecurity official said Thursday, The Secure by Design pledge, led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, was first headlined at the RSA Conference in May, with some 70 firms pledging to manage vulnerability disclosure programs, track hackers’ attempts to breach their products and reduce default passwords used to log in to devices or applications during first-time setup, among other areas. “We have a software quality problem,” said CISA head Jen Easterly, presenting to a large audience at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference, where she provided the update on the signatories. “We don’t need more security products, we need more secure products.” CISA has been pushing secure product design since the agency’s inception in 2018. Multiple high-profile cyber incidents impacting the public and private sectors over the past year have galvanized interest in the concept, which encourages companies to design their offerings with built-in security features that come pre-installed at point-of-sale. As of publication time, 189 companies have signed the pledge, according to CISA’s <a href="https://www.cisa.gov/securebydesign/pledge/secure-design-pledge-signers">website</a>. Proponents of secure software standards have made comparisons akin to food or automobile safety laws, arguing that legal directives for software manufacturing would benefit all of society. Some software defects have <a href="https://www.owasptopten.org/">existed for years</a> but have not been entirely addressed. Legal experts argue that the software market isn’t incentivizing secure development, with major manufacturers weaving clauses into contracts that make users <a href="https://www.termsfeed.com/blog/as-is-as-available-legal-agreements/">accept the software “as is”</a> upon purchase and installation, which forces customers to bear the entire risk of a product, including defects that could enable cyber exploitation. BlackJack3D/Getty ImagesWT 360: Raft's big decision and vision for the digital battlefieldhttps://washingtontechnology.com/podcasts/2024/08/wt-360-rafts-big-decision-and-vision-digital-battlefield/398705/Shubhi Mishra, co-founder and chief executive of Raft, describes her decision to find an investor to support the software engineering startup and where they go from here with Washington Harbour Partners' backing.Ross WilkersMon, 12 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/podcasts/2024/08/wt-360-rafts-big-decision-and-vision-digital-battlefield/398705/Podcasts<iframe frameborder="no" height="200px" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/1f25aaef-edbb-4220-92dd-777b9d0af709?dark=true" width="100%"></iframe> Raft's first six years of being in business are a lot like what many startups encounter, in that much of the growth has been bootstrapped and in very select corners of the market landscape it works in. Now Raft is in a place where Shubhi Mishra, who started the software engineering company in 2018, believes there is much more greenfield in front of it. That led her to start looking for an investor in the company. In this episode, Mishra tells our Ross Wilkers all about how she went against the advice of many other founders that told her to not go down that path and why she <a href="https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/04/washington-harbour-invests-software-engineering-startup/395619/">chose Washington Harbour Partners to back this phase</a> of Raft's strategy. Also on their agenda: the so-called "digital battlefield" concept and a significant paradigm shift Mishra wants to see in the prime-subcontractor relationship in the interest of advancing innovation. <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wt-360-the-market-from-all-angles/id1449676413?mt=2"><img alt="Listen on Apple Podcasts" height="40" src="/media/apple_podcasts.png" style="width: 165px; height: 40px;" width="165" /></a> Gettyimages.com / Maria KorneevaNASA presses pause on SEWP VIhttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/nasa-presses-pause-sewp-vi/398704/Industry will have a new deadline to get their bids in for the governmentwide IT vehicle after NASA completes a review of the procurement.Ross WilkersFri, 09 Aug 2024 11:30:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/nasa-presses-pause-sewp-vi/398704/CompaniesNASA has apparently been inundated with questions over certain aspects of the recompete of its massive IT products and services contract vehicle that the agency wants more time to consider them. With that in mind, NASA <a href="https://sam.gov/opp/b0f888a0b4bb4f06a828b0832a0e4839/view">announced Thursday that it is implementing</a> a "strategic pause" on the Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement VI vehicle until further notice. The due date for proposals was previously pushed out to Aug. 28 <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/05/nasa-reveals-final-sewp-vi-solicitation/396850/">from the original July 11 date</a>, but that deadline will be extended following the completion of the review. NASA expects that review to take "a few weeks," but the new notice does not provide much detail on what the agency is looking at. The agency did say it will review both the final solicitation and questions from industry to determine if it has to make "substantive clarifications or changes." An industry day will also take place to discuss those changes with industry. A new deadline for proposals will be set and announced after the review and industry day takes place, NASA added. Gettyimages.com / Cagkansayin3 CFO hires and more leadership moves across the markethttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/3-cfo-hires-and-more-leadership-moves-across-market/398703/Appointments focused on overall corporate strategy and leadership over a civilian portfolio also feature.Ross WilkersFri, 09 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/3-cfo-hires-and-more-leadership-moves-across-market/398703/CompaniesAmida Technology Solutions Mark Forman has joined as chief strategy officer with the responsibility of integrating data management and artificial intelligence into the overall strategic plan. Forman is known across the market as the U.S.' first administrator for E-Government and information technology, a role now called the federal chief information officer. His private sector career includes leadership roles at IBM, KPMG, Science Applications International Corp., Unisys and several startups. Battelle Dr. Juan Alvarez has joined the nonprofit as executive vice president of laboratory operations following 19 years at the Idaho National Laboratory as its deputy director for management and operations. Alvarez has served in that position at INL since 2005, when Battelle was first awarded the contract to manage the nuclear research lab. Prior to INL, he served as director of facility operations for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Clarity Innovations Heeun Gardner has joined as chief financial officer following the technology integrator's combination with another company like it, which they announced in June. Clarity Innovations and Chameleon Consulting Group <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/06/clarity-innovations-chameleon-complete-their-merger/397274/">joined forces to create a larger company</a> focused on defense and intelligence agencies. Clarity is backed by the private investment firm Capitol Meridian Partners. Gardner is a former CFO from Vistant and before that was a senior finance executive at Salient CRGT and GovCIO, both before and <a href="https://washingtontechnology.com/2021/07/governmentcio-hits-700m-mark-with-salient-crgt-acquisition/342745/">after their combination in 2021</a>. Defcon AI Vivek Upadhyaya has joined the two-year-old defense technology startup as chief financial officer following two years at Mercury Systems. His most recent role at Mercury was CFO and vice president for its mission systems unit. Upadhyaya is also a former CFO for Leonardo Electronics US and CEO for IAI North America, among other roles in his almost 25-year career. DEFCON AI is backed by Red Cell Partners, the <a href="https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2022/10/former-northrop-ceo-joins-tech-investor-incubator/378506/">technology incubator behind several other startups</a> such as the defense tech specialist Epirus. Peraton Amy Rall has joined as president of Peraton's citizen security and public services sector, which houses a bulk of the company's work with civilian agencies. The two-decade market veteran most recently led DMI's public sector team as its president and oversaw technology, engineering and mission solutions delivery efforts. Rall career prior to DMI includes a one-year stint as chief executive at Linkware Group and other leadership roles before that at Science Applications International Corp., Unisys and QinetiQ's U.S. subsidiary. Unissant Robert "Bob" Deegan is reuniting with his former coworker Sumeet Shrivastava, who led Array as chief executive through its growth and sale to CGI Federal in 2021. Deegan was Array's chief financial officer and now takes up the same role at Unissant, following <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/07/unissant-hires-former-array-ceo-lead-its-next-phase/398257/">its July hire of Shrivastava as CEO</a>. A 38-year industry veteran, Deegan is also a former CFO for Multimax and supported that company's sale and integration into Netco Government Services. Gettyimages.com / ImaginimaThe coming cyber reckoning for federal contractorshttps://washingtontechnology.com/opinion/2024/08/coming-cyber-reckoning-federal-contractors/398689/Contractors face a 90-day deadline to prove their cybersecurity compliance as awards for the OASIS+ vehicle start to fall and that is a precursor to broader industry-wide requirements, DTS CEO Edward Tuorinsky writes.Edward TuorinskyFri, 09 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/opinion/2024/08/coming-cyber-reckoning-federal-contractors/398689/OpinionAll signs point to contractor cybersecurity this fall as <a href="https://www.gsa.gov/oasis-plus/">OASIS+</a> contracts are awarded and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification moves toward a final rule. OASIS+ will set the pace as it is the General Services Administration's government-wide, multi-agency, multiple-award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for non-IT services. The awards started <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/07/oasis-award-process-starts-roll/398463/?oref=wt-homepage-top-story">rolling out on July 30</a>, giving awarded contractors 90 days to produce proof of their cybersecurity compliance. Cybersecurity requirements for OASIS+ Submissions for OASIS+ included a pre-award security evaluation covering 15 safeguards. Filling out those checkboxes was the easy part. By doing so, company leaders attested that their companies were compliant. Now comes the harder part. Companies must complete another checklist, uploading documentation for each standard of NIST 800-53 (Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organization) and NIST 800-161 (Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Practices for Systems and Organizations). Required documentation Documenting compliance should not be too taxing for contractors who are well into preparing for a CMMC audit. It's a cut-and-paste job using their System Security Plan or other “proof” that their systems meet or exceed requirements. But for companies that have yet to mature their cybersecurity posture, the OASIS+ spreadsheet may prove difficult and costly. Implementing OASIS+'s required policies and procedures is equivalent to several NIST standards. The work is doable for those with a good understanding of cybersecurity concepts and a few weeks of time. There are even courses and “cyber schools” that teach the basics. However, many businesses may not have cybersecurity expertise on staff or are too busy to handle a cybersecurity standup. Having the work done by an outside cybersecurity firm is an option. For the basics, expect to pay $15,000 to $35,000 in labor, education and professional help (and rush fees if you need things done ASAP). The process will still require time and attention from company leaders and IT staff. Outsourcing is a good option if the company also hopes to get CMMC Level 2 certification or implement other cybersecurity practices. To be clear, cybersecurity is an unavoidable investment for U.S. companies. The requirements for OASIS+ are part of a larger movement by the government, commercial companies, and even customers to avoid preventable hacks and breaches. What’s at risk All the time, money and effort put into winning OASIS+ will be wasted if your company doesn’t meet the cybersecurity requirements. Contract money will almost certainly go to compliant companies because they represent the lowest risk to the government. But that’s not all. Because cybersecurity risk spreads to others within a supply chain, partners will take note of any company that “checked the boxes” but cannot provide documentation. We hope some may even be motivated to help their smallest subcontractors meet requirements. For its part, OASIS+ says the government can assess awarded contractors: “The Government may perform a cyber-supply chain risk assessment of the awarded Contractor at any time during the period of performance. The Government may review any information provided by the Contractor to the Government as part of this contract action, along with any other information available to the Government from any other source, to assess the cyber-supply chain risk associated with the Contractor.” The next 90 days As the clock ticks on OASIS+ requirements, expect to hear much more about contractor cybersecurity this fall. CMMC and NASA SEWP are expected to join other agency and contract-driven efforts to adopt security standards to lower supply chain risk and protect people, data, and trade secrets. OASIS+ cybersecurity requirements may be the first to test contractors, but it won’t be the last. In fact, the time crunch may be the catalyst needed for contractors to get serious about cyber. <hr /> Edward Tuorinsky is CEO and president of DTS, a government and commercial consulting business that brings more than two decades of experience in compliance and management consulting, IT and cybersecurity services. Gettyimages.com/ Just_SuperMicrosoft, Palantir partner to expand AI offerings to defense and intelligence agencieshttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/microsoft-palantir-partner-expand-ai-offerings-defense-and-intelligence-agencies/398699/The new suite of offerings will be available on Microsoft’s Azure Government and Azure Government Secret and Top Secret clouds.Alexandra KelleyFri, 09 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/microsoft-palantir-partner-expand-ai-offerings-defense-and-intelligence-agencies/398699/CompaniesMicrosoft and Palantir are expanding their ongoing partnership to incorporate more cloud-enabled AI and data analytics capabilities to their clients in the U.S. defense and intelligence communities.  Manifesting as an integrated suite of Palantir and Microsoft systems, the partnership will marry large language models created by Microsoft via Azure OpenAI within Palantir’s Foundry, Gotham, Apollo and AI Platform products, available on government and classified cloud environments. “Palantir and Microsoft have a long history operating in secure and accredited environments to deliver leading technology for the most critical U.S. Defense and Intelligence missions,” a press release announcing the partnership reads. Unveiled Thursday, Palantir will also adopt Microsoft’s capabilities with OpenAI technology in its Secret and Top Secret environments. The key benefit will be allowing select federal customers to leverage AI and machine learning capabilities across their operations, including logistics, contracting and action planning, among other workflows.  “This expanded partnership between Microsoft and Palantir will help accelerate the safe, secure, and responsible deployment of advanced AI capabilities for the US government,” Deb Cupp, the president of Microsoft Americas, said in the news release. “Palantir, a leader in delivering actionable insights to government, will now leverage the power of Microsoft’s government and classified clouds and robust Azure OpenAI models to further develop AI innovations for national security missions.” “Bringing Palantir and Microsoft capabilities to our national security apparatus is a step change in how we can support the defense and intelligence communities," said Shyam Sankar, Palantir’s chief technology officer, in the press release. "Palantir AIP has pioneered the approach to operationalizing AI value – beyond chat — across the enterprise. It's our mission to deliver this software advantage and we're thrilled to be the first industry partner to deploy Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service in classified environments.” Microsoft and Palantir’s expanded contract offerings follow <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/sponsors/2024/03/federal-agencies-harness-ais-potential/394715/">ongoing agency efforts</a> to incorporate robust AI solutions into federal operations. Last week, officials at the National Security Agency confirmed that over <a href="https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2024/07/more-7000-nsa-workers-are-using-generative-ai-tools/398480/">7,000 NSA analysts</a> are utilizing generative AI tools in their work, noting that while some are pilot programs, the agency looks to focus on a select few for further development and deployment. Leylaynr/Getty ImagesHow CACI puts together teams for its tech programshttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/how-caci-puts-together-teams-its-tech-programs/398673/The company primarily leans on software to develop and deliver its solutions, which means that others more focused on hardware can make for key partners.Ross WilkersThu, 08 Aug 2024 15:35:04 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/how-caci-puts-together-teams-its-tech-programs/398673/CompaniesCACI International's long-standing push into more product content was never about building the kind of platforms and systems made by the blue chip defense hardware companies. The potential seven-year, $1.2 billion Navy contract <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2023/06/caci-touts-12b-navy-software-development-award/387717/">CACI booked in June called Spectral</a> is another key signpost in how the company approaches technology in a software-centric way and especially when it starts to touch hardware. During CACI's fourth quarter and fiscal year end earnings call with investors Thursday, chief executive John Mengucci described Spectral as primarily about "software processing below the deck plate" so operators can take in threats and signals. Spectral will most likely enter the low-rate initial production phase during the third quarter of CACI's new fiscal year that started July 1, Mengucci said. CACI is working with the Navy to develop and roll out new systems for shipboard signals intelligence, electronic warfare and information operations. The Navy also is taking an open architecture and continuous software update approach for this program, and this is where the government market's constant conversation around teaming comes into play. CACI's <a href="https://www.caci.com/trending/software-driven-battlefield-ew-sigint-cyber-ai-and-future-conflict">teammates for Spectral are</a> Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, BAE Systems, Sierra Nevada Corporation and Dell Technologies. That's three blue chip defense hardware makers, followed by one of the largest privately-held space companies and a global commercial tech player. Like in any teaming arrangement, CACI set up the Spectral partnership in a way that lets it focus on its core offering and brings in others who have something different to offer. "When we looked at software and the teaming, we partnered with Northrop and Raytheon, an outstanding team, they sweetly augment our Spectral delivery because they have expertise in areas that we don't," Mengucci told analysts. "That's what our customers want us to go to go do: lead with software, lead with agility, connect with partners who can provide the other pieces that we don't provide, and then give them an experience and a set of outcomes that are absolutely eye-watering." Leading with software means being able to make changes swiftly and stay on schedule for the program's upcoming LRIP phase, Mengucci said. LRIP typically is the first step in transitioning from initial prototypes to the final mass-produced end product, which is made under different contracts. How could Reston, Virginia-headquartered CACI look at opportunities to win larger programs that would typically go to the group of companies known as "the primes?" "They're phenomenal companies. They all build eye-watering platforms, and we should be proud of everything that those companies do," Mengucci told analysts. "We just believe here that there's a level of mission that we can deliver more agilely, and in a manner that allows customers to address threats at the speed of the fight." Fiscal fourth quarter revenue of $2 billion was up 19.7% from the prior year period and the organic growth rate was 18.5%, while profit of $234.9 million showed a 26.5% year-over-year increase in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). Full fiscal year revenue of $7.6 billion was up 14.3% from the prior year period and the organic growth rate was 13.7%, while EBITDA of $798 million showed an 11.5% year-over-year increase. CACI's initial outlook for its 2025 fiscal year that started July 1 has revenue in the range of $7.9 billion-to-$8.1 billion on an EBITDA margin in the "high-10% range." Total backlog as of June 30, 2024 was $31.6 billion to show a year-over-year increase of 22%. Funded backlog as of that same date was $3.8 billion to show an increase of 3%. CACI International's logo on a building in Annapolis Junction, Maryland.Photo by Jim Watson / AFP via Getty ImagesGSA to take second look at $582M military family support awardhttps://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/gsa-take-second-look-582m-military-family-support-award/398664/The General Services Administration's corrective action follows Leidos' protest that claimed GSA did not fully evaluate the impact of Accenture Federal's acquisition of Cognosante.Nick WakemanThu, 08 Aug 2024 14:08:23 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/gsa-take-second-look-582m-military-family-support-award/398664/ContractsLeidos was quick to file a protest objecting to the pick after a Cognosante proposal won a $582.8 million to support military families. But Leidos' about the evaluation of its technical proposal did not resonate with the General Services Administration. Neither did Leidos' claim that Cognosante’s proposal should have been rejected and that past performance was not properly evaluated. But it seems Leidos’ complaint that GSA did not fully consider the impact of <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/05/accenture-federal-closes-cognosante-deal/396710/">Accenture Federal’s acquisition</a> of Cognosante in May did strike a chord. GSA has pulled back the OneSource award to Cognosante/Accenture Federal so the agency can look at what the acquisition may mean. If necessary, the agency will re-evaluate proposals and then issue a new award. Proposals for the contract were due in October, seven months before Accenture Federal acquired Cognosante. As that is taking place, Carelon Health Federal has filed a fresh protest of its own that objects to how GSA is conducting the procurement. The claims there include how oral presentations were evaluated, a failure to conduct meaningful discussions, the evaluation of Cognosante’s proposal and the evaluation of Carelon’s technical proposal. Carelon Health Federal filed its protest Aug. 5 and a Government Accountability Office decision is expected by Nov. 13. The OneSource program connects service members and their families to resources on handling military life. GSA runs the contract for the Defense Department. OneSource provides 4.7 million people access to information, resources and counseling support through the internet, telephone, email, artificial intelligence chatbots and other communication channels. Some of the new contract's task areas will include program management, call center operations and support, information technology operations management, counseling, coaching, and strategic outreach. Gettyimages.com/SDI ProductionsAnduril's hyperscale blueprint is all about its alternative business modelhttps://washingtontechnology.com/opinion/2024/08/andurils-hyperscale-blueprint-all-about-its-alternative-business-model/398658/The amount of new investment and a higher valuation for the seven-year-old defense tech startup are important, but far from everything.Ross WilkersThu, 08 Aug 2024 13:09:31 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/opinion/2024/08/andurils-hyperscale-blueprint-all-about-its-alternative-business-model/398658/OpinionHyperscale is the word that will shape Anduril's next phase of its strategy following the defense technology startup's capture of $1.5 billion in new venture capital funding. The newly-touted valuation of $14 billion is not what we're talking about here, though it is an important barometer that helps show what investors think of the seven-year-old company and industry it is in. Neither are Anduril's financial and other goals, although they are obviously important for the company and its investors as they are for any business. Sands Capital and existing investor Founders Fund led the Series F round announced Thursday. Baillie Gifford, Fidelity and Morgan Stanley's Counterpoint Global division are new investors in Anduril. Altimeter and Franklin Venture Partners are existing investors that also participated in the round. <div class="related-articles-placeholder">[[Related Posts]]</div> Anduril will put "hundreds of millions" of dollars from the Series F round toward the development and construction of a future manufacturing facility currently dubbed Arsenal-1, which it will be somewhere in the U.S. More could be stood up around the world. The company sees Arsenal-1 and future other hubs like it as being able to make “tens of thousands of autonomous weapons systems addressing the urgent needs of the United States and our allies." Hyperscale for many Washington Technology audience members is looked at through the prism of IT and cloud computing, where an architecture can scale appropriately as increased demand is added to the system. The way Anduril explains its vision of hyperscale manufacturing should sound familiar when <a href="https://www.anduril.com/article/anduril-raises-usd1-5-billion-to-rebuild-the-arsenal-of-democracy/">reading its announcement</a> of the Series F round, especially considering the fact that Anduril makes software-centric products. It makes sense then that software will define so much of Anduril's ramp-up of its manufacturing posture, given how the right kind of tools can help in scaling. Anduril believes demand for the kind of products it makes will go up and that the U.S. and its allies are not making enough of them, therefore it is adding load to be prepared and ahead of the game. Ramped up hiring, process enhancements, tool upgrades, supply chain resiliency and infrastructure expansion are also key priorities for Anduril with this new investment. No company in any industry can meet its growth and profitability goals without having that internal muscle in place, as many small business government contractors looking to move up in size will say. All of that is happening on Anduril's own dime as it looks to "hyperscale weapons manufacturing using the same agile, rapid, and scalable processes found in the commercial manufacturing sector," the company said in its Series F release. "Nearly 90 percent of Anduril’s products can be developed and manufactured at hyperscale using commercially available components and materials. Access to this diverse and reliable pool of components reduces lead times and production costs," Anduril added. Of course, that presents a major alternative production and business model to the handful of blue chip defense hardware companies that hold a lion's share of the market. That was a major talking point that Bloomberg TV's Emily Chang brought up when she interviewed Anduril's founder Palmer Luckey for an interview aired in May. The full program is worth watching, and the portion of Anduril versus the blue chips is also worth reading below the video. <div class="embed-wrapper big"> <div class="embed-container embed-youtube"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="embedded" data-embed-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ItLFpYha6Wc?wmode=transparent" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ItLFpYha6Wc?wmode=transparent"></iframe></div> </div> EMILY CHANG: You're trying to run a defense company like a startup. How does that compare to like, Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and how do you get Washington to accept that? PALMER LUCKEY: Most new R&D is done on a cost-plus basis, meaning the contractor gets paid for their time, their materials and then a fixed percentage on top. Of course, that incentivizes you to come up with expensive solutions and to drag it out as long as you can. At Anduril, we're the opposite because we're a defense products company that makes things that work and sell(s) them, rather than getting paid to do work. It means that when we do something faster, it helps our profit margins. CHANG: You're building products that the government doesn't even know it needs yet, right? LUCKEY: Very often. It's pretty rare that we work on something that is consensus in the government, where there's widespread belief that what we're doing is the right solution to the problem. Often, we're building things that they've written off as not feasible or not viable. There was a lot of skepticism about applying artificial intelligence to defense, a lot of skepticism about artificial intelligence in general. Chat GPT was one of the most helpful technologies to us because it helped convince people that AI can do things they didn't believe computers could do. An artist's rendering of Anduril's future Arsenal-1 production facility.Courtesy of Anduril.Major tech companies pledge efforts to monitor AI-based content ahead of 2024 electionhttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/major-tech-companies-pledge-efforts-monitor-ai-based-content-ahead-2024-election/398668/Senate Intel Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., received responses from 19 tech companies pledging actions like content moderation, airtight watermarking and strict licensing practices.Alexandra KelleyThu, 08 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/major-tech-companies-pledge-efforts-monitor-ai-based-content-ahead-2024-election/398668/CompaniesLeading tech companies have pledged to implement various practices to protect against the influence of artificial intelligence-generated content ahead of election season. A total of nineteen leading tech firms sent response letters to a <a href="https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=D0F6A2C6-087D-4BF9-A557-432A3B1D36F9">call for replies</a> Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., issued back in May, where companies including X, Google, Anthropic, Meta, Microsoft and McAfee provided details about their internal commitments to monitoring their online platforms for AI-augmented content related to the forthcoming 2024 presidential elections. That’s out of the 24 total companies Warner sent letters to as signatories of the AI Elections Accord established in February at the Munich Tech Conference.  “I appreciate the thoughtful engagement from the signatories of the Munich Tech Accord,” Warner said in <a href="https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E4C382BD-E6B4-4330-84A5-5382791B8FC8">a press release</a>. “Their responses indicated promising avenues for collaboration, information-sharing, and standards development, but also illuminated areas for significant improvement.” The content of each company’s letter varied. Leadership from social media site X, formerly Twitter, said that its internal Safety Teams are continuing to monitor the validity of content published on its platform.   “In times of elections and at all times, we believe that it is critical to maintain the authenticity of the conversation on X,” Wifredo Fernández, X’s head of U.S. and Canada global government affairs, wrote. “Our Safety teams remain alert to any attempt to manipulate the platform by bad actors and networks. We have a robust policy in place to prevent platform spam and manipulation, and we routinely take down accounts engaged in this type of behavior.” Meta, the parent company of platforms like Facebook and Instagram, referenced the company’s new approaches to identifying and labeling AI generated content, as well as requiring third-party advertisers to disclose when they leverage AI technology in their image generation.  “We remain focused on providing people reliable election information while combating misinformation across languages,” the letter, signed by Meta’s Vice President of North America Policy Kevin Martin wrote. “We know this work is bigger than any one company and will require a huge effort across industry, government, and civil society. We will continue to work collaboratively with others to develop common standards and guardrails.” Martin also noted that the company is employing strict licensing regimes for its proprietary Llama 2 and 3 large language AI models, notably requiring that Meta retain auditing authorities.  Michael Beckerman, the vice president and head of public policy of Americas at TikTok, also sent a letter noting that his company does not allow paid political ads on the video platform, and that TikTok focuses on actively removing “harmful” content, including AI-generated material. The platform will also label AI-generated content which contains specific, realistic imagery. Companies building AI and large language models, like Anthropic and OpenAI, also issued letters to Warner. Anthropic Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei said that the company both warns end users about misusing its AI models, such as the generative interface Claude, but is taking stronger steps to route user inputs to factual information. “In the United States, we are implementing an approach where we use our classifier and rules engine to identify election-related queries and redirect users to accurate, up-to-date authoritative voting information,” Amodei wrote. “While generative AI systems have a broad range of positive uses, our own research has shown that they can still be prone to hallucinations, where they produce incorrect information in response to some prompts.” Given that Anthropic’s models are not trained in a timely manner to validate every election-related question, the company is guiding users away from entering queries where errors or hallucinations would be “unacceptable” and toward official websites.  Similarly, OpenAI is redirecting users to “authoritative sources of information” when a potentially sensitive search query is detected, and also said it is developing new tools within its AI model offerings to effectively label AI-generated content. “OpenAI is also developing a detection image classifier — a tool that uses artificial intelligence to assess the likelihood that an image was created using DALLE 3,” Anna Makanju, the vice president of global affairs at OpenAI, wrote, along with tamper-resistant watermarking.  Despite the detail offered by the responding entities, Warner said that he was “disappointed” in the lack of information the letters offered on specific company reporting structures to counter digital impersonation of election and political officials.  “Lastly — and perhaps most relevant ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election — I am deeply concerned by the lack of robust and standardized information-sharing mechanisms within the ecosystem,” Warner said in the press release. “With the election less than 100 days away, we must prioritize real action and robust communication to systematically catalogue harmful AI-generated content.” A common issue mentioned by responding companies was that the AI landscape is rapidly changing and innovating, making rapid responses to fraudulent content, online impersonation and other misinformation, particularly challenging.  “The history of AI development has been characterized by rapid advancements and novel applications,” Amodei wrote on behalf of Anthropic. “We expect that 2024 will bring forth new uses of AI systems, which is why we are proactively building methods to identify and monitor novel uses of our systems as they emerge. We will communicate openly and frankly about what we discover.” As the U.S.’s 2024 Presidential election looms, <a href="https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2024/05/cyber-intel-chiefs-confident-election-security-ai-manipulated-content-poses-challenges/396617/">multiple experts</a>, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, have cited synthetic AI-generated content as a notable threat to election security operations.  Speaking before a Senate hearing in May, CISA Director Jen Easterly said that, against a complex threat landscape, her agency is partnering with private tech companies to establish misinformation mitigation tactics.  In Las Vegas, Easterly told a group of reporters at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference on Wednesday that she has not yet viewed the responses from the companies, but that a meeting with them is expected in the coming weeks. Nextgov/FCW reporter David DiMolfetta contributed to this report. U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) leaves the U.S. Capitol on July 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. Warner received commitments of AI monitoring practices from several major tech companies ahead of the 2024 electon.Tierney L. Cross/Getty ImagesChenega builds out defense business with SecuriGence acquisitionhttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/chenega-builds-out-defense-business-securigence-acquisition/398657/The Alaska Native Corporation is adding new work in advanced systems, cybersecurity, and cloud and virtualization management.Nick WakemanThu, 08 Aug 2024 11:30:38 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/chenega-builds-out-defense-business-securigence-acquisition/398657/CompaniesChenega Corp. has acquired another small business in SecuriGence in a push to add new capabilities to the buyer's defense portfolio. SecuriGence brings expertise in advanced systems engineering, software engineering, cybersecurity, and cloud/virtualization management. Chenega is an Alaska Native Corporation and SecuriGence is a minority and veteran-owned small business. SecuriGence will be a part of Chenega’s military, intelligence and operations support business unit. Terms of the transaction announced Wednesday were not disclosed. “The addition of SecuriGence to the Chenega MIOS portfolio is a game-changer,” said John Campagna, president of Chenega MIOS. “SecuriGence brings well over a decade of exceptional service and support to the defense and intel communities.” “We will have access to the resources needed to continue our growth in the federal space," added SecuriGence President Michael Barnhart. Gettyimages.com/Nora Carol PhotographyFast 50 nomination deadline remains Aug. 30https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/fast-50-nomination-deadline-remains-aug-30/398656/Don't miss this chance to showcase your small business' impressive government market growth.Nick WakemanThu, 08 Aug 2024 11:26:55 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/fast-50-nomination-deadline-remains-aug-30/398656/CompaniesThe nomination period for the 2024 Washington Technology Fast 50 is still open with the deadline approaching on Aug. 30. This is an opportunity for small businesses in the government market to highlight their accomplishments and the growth trajectory they are on. Click <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WT2024Fast50" target="_blank">here to see and complete the nomination form</a>. The due date for nominations is Aug. 30 and we will publish the Fast 50 rankings on Oct. 11. Our annual Fast 50 program ranks small businesses according to their compound annual growth rates over the prior five years. The 2024 rankings will look at government revenue numbers from 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Companies need a minimum of $100,000 in government revenue for 2019 to qualify. If your company has a strong growth story to tell for that five-year period, then <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WT2024Fast50" target="_blank">follow the link to nominate</a> your firm. Don’t be shy. Government revenue includes both prime and subcontract dollars in the federal, state and local markets. Work in the education field also qualifies. Companies submit revenue data for the five-year period starting with 2019. We then calculate the CAGRs and rank the companies accordingly. It is important to note that when we publish the rankings, the revenue data is included and available for public view. Here are <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/rankings/fast-50/2023/" target="_blank">last year’s rankings</a> as an example. All entries should include information on your business such as capabilities, lines of business, major customers and major contracts. That information will also be published in the package. The Fast 50 package will include the rankings and our analysis of this year's ranking. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions -- nwakemanATwashingtontechnology.com. Gettyimages.com/Henrik5000Enlightenment Capital backs cyber, electronic warfare outfithttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/enlightenment-capital-backs-cyber-electronic-warfare-outfit/398630/Cryptic Vector opened for business in 2018 and also specializes in making radio frequency products that are low in size, weight and power.Ross WilkersThu, 08 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/enlightenment-capital-backs-cyber-electronic-warfare-outfit/398630/CompaniesGovernment market investment firm Enlightenment Capital has backed Cryptic Vector, a provider of cybersecurity and electronic warfare technology solutions to U.S. government agencies. Cryptic Vector opened for business in 2018 and also describes itself as a designer and developer of radio frequency products that are low in size, weight and power. So-called SWaP systems are made with reduced overall dimensions but also intended to increase efficiency and lower overall footprints. Cryptic Vector intends to use this added financial backing to further scale up its operations and fulfill demand of its national security customers in the Defense Department and intelligence communities. “This partnership strengthens Cryptic Vector’s ability to continue to scale operations, invest in our capabilities, and successfully execute upcoming opportunities," Cryptic Vector CEO Sean Olding said in a release Wednesday. “We are excited to partner with the Cryptic Vector leadership team and will continue to invest in the company to drive growth both organically and through M&A," added Devin Talbott, founder and managing partner of Enlightenment Capital. In July, Cryptic Vector was <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2023/07/air-force-grows-pool-companies-900m-prototyping-vehicle/388962/">one of 66 companies selected</a> to join a potential $900 million contract vehicle with the Air Force that focuses on broad technology prototyping and development for multi-domain systems. G Squared Capital Partners worked as the exclusive financial adviser to Cryptic Vector, whose legal counsel was Holland & Knight. Moore & Van Allen acted as legal adviser to Enlightenment Capital and Morrison & Foerster provided government contracting legal advisory services. Gettyimages.com / PirankaGDIT's protest partially dismissed in $865M Air Force contract disputehttps://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/gdits-protest-partially-dismissed-865m-air-force-contract-dispute/398637/General Dynamics IT has to await the outcome of a corrective action and new award decision in this long-running saga.Nick WakemanWed, 07 Aug 2024 16:01:21 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/gdits-protest-partially-dismissed-865m-air-force-contract-dispute/398637/ContractsGeneral Dynamics IT may have lost its latest protest involving a $865 million Air Force contract, but is not out of the game yet. Back in February, the service branch <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/02/govcio-wins-865m-centcom-communications-contract/394286/">awarded the seven-year contract to GovCIO</a> for technical support to aid in Air Force Central Command’s communications functions. GDIT and a pair of companies quickly filed protests regarding the Communications Technical Support Services V contract. In April, the Air Force <a href="https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/04/protesters-take-issue-air-forces-plan-redo-865m-award/395596/">took a corrective action to address how</a> pricing was evaluated and the cost realism determination. The Government Accountability Office subsequently dismissed the protests. But the corrective action was not enough for GDIT, which filed another protest to challenge the corrective action and seek an entire re-evaluation of proposals.. GDIT claimed that the pricing and cost determinations that the Air Force said it was going to do did not follow the solicitation. GDIT also argued that the Air Force treated it and GovCIO differently. But in a <a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/880/870420.pdf">ruling unsealed Wednesday</a>, GAO dismissed most of GDIT’s complaints as premature. GAO denied the company’s complaint that the Air Force’s plans for a cost realism analysis were flawed. The dismissed complaints could come back if the Air Force again awards the contract to GovCIO. But for now, GAO has told GDIT that its complaints about how the Air Force will evaluate pricing are speculative because the corrective action is still underway. That means GDIT must wait. The CTSS V contract has a long history of troubles, dating back to at least 2021 when the Defense Information Systems Agency tried to field the contract for the Air Force. After several protests, DISA turned the contract back to the Air Force. In March 2023, the Air Force kicked off the latest competition. The contract supports the communications needs of the Air Force Central Command, which oversees operations in the Southwest Asia region. CTSS manages the communications infrastructure used by 90,000 Air Force and civilian personnel. The contract covers integration, installation, operations and maintenance and sustainment work. Gettyimages.com/boonchai wedmakawandV2X now leans on optimization to carry out its strategyhttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/v2x-now-leans-optimization-carry-out-its-strategy/398623/In his first conversation with Wall Street, V2X's new CEO Jeremy Wensinger describes what the company's current chapter looks like after a whole lot of integration work.Ross WilkersWed, 07 Aug 2024 12:27:51 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/v2x-now-leans-optimization-carry-out-its-strategy/398623/CompaniesThe merger that created V2X in the summer of 2022 and subsequent work to put both of the big pieces together will always be how and where this government services company's origin story begins. But all integration processes have to end at some point in order for those newer and larger companies to move forward and reach its full potential. During V2X's second quarter earnings call with investors Tuesday, newly-installed chief executive Jeremy Wensinger said the company's current chapter is now all about optimization and performance. Wensinger started the CEO role on June 17 and this call represents his first public appearance as leader of V2X since taking the position. <a href="/media/general/2024/8/jeremy_wensinger_v2x_earnings_call_observations_remarks_20240806.pdf">Attached here is a portion of Wensinger's opening remarks</a> to analysts, which contain his observations so far and a glimpse at how he sees V2X's future. McLean, Virginia-headquartered V2X can tout one key avenue for future growth and point to its origin story as key to making that happen. In July, V2X won a potential $3.7 billion task order to deliver readiness solutions and other support for multiple defense agencies. The five-year <a href="https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_47QFCA24F0033_4732_47QFCA22D0344_4732">Warfighter Training Readiness Solutions order</a> also involves a technology insertion component to it. Pursuits of that size, specs and scope are more of what V2X is focusing on in this new chapter of optimization and performance. "Any time you come out of integration and you really have a chance to look at what is now the company, we see the opportunity to take the broader portfolio to the fight, and I think you see that with the most recent award for readiness," Wensinger told analysts. "I think you will see us take more of that and move forward, and it will start manifesting itself in the pipeline as we think about the total capabilities of the company and dragging them into these new opportunities." In talking about optimization, Wensinger cited processes and procedures that extend horizontally across the company as underpinning the transition away from integration. New tools to help employees make sense out of information on their job are one facet of that push, including the talent and supply chain aspects of V2X. As is how program managers at V2X operate their programs consistently, Wensinger said. "Optimization to me is about giving the local teams the things they need to execute their program successfully without having to worry about systems, or a lot of things you bump into during an integration," Wensinger said. "Now you're starting to really focus on giving them everything they need to be successful at the program level that takes the program to the next level." A second major item on V2X's agenda is its push to further advance the Gateway Mission Router, which one of the company's heritage businesses originally designed to give helicopter pilots more situational awareness. Back in the spring, V2X <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/03/v2x-details-its-product-push-and-modernization-approach/394835/">had a proposal into the Army</a> for a sole-source contract to build 3,000 more of those routers. Earlier in the summer, V2X secured that $49 million award to produce the routers can be used on aviation and ground vehicle platforms. Wensinger told analysts the new award essentially marks the start of low-rate initial production and the goal now is to make GMR a program of record. V2X views the router as part of the Defense Department's broad network connectivity vision called JADC2. "As it moves to a program of record, it then unleashes the fact that you have hundreds of thousands of these vehicles and aircraft that will benefit from this capability," Wensinger said. Second quarter revenue of $1.07 billion was approximately 10% higher than the prior year period, while profit of $72.3 million represented a 6.5% year-over-year decrease in adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). V2X lifted its full-year revenue guidance to a new range of $4.17 billion-to-$4.275 billion, up from the prior $4.1 billion-to-$4.2 billion range. Adjusted EBITDA expectations remain unchanged at $300 million-to-$315 million. V2X's new CEO Jeremy Wensinger started the role on June 17.Courtesy of V2X.IRS makes awards on $1.9B IT services recompetehttps://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/irs-makes-awards-19b-it-services-recompete/398624/This pact known as EPPIS supports the IRS office responsible for monitoring and managing its IT budget.Ross WilkersWed, 07 Aug 2024 12:23:38 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/irs-makes-awards-19b-it-services-recompete/398624/ContractsThe Internal Revenue Service has made awards on a potential seven-year, $1.9 billion blanket purchase agreement for IT and program management support services. Awardees will vie for task orders to work with the IRS' Enterprise Program Management Office, which is responsible for monitoring and managing how the tax collection agency spends its IT budget and delivers those capabilities to users. Centennial Technologies, Deloitte, ETelligent Group, Integrated Systems and Noblis are listed as winners in Federal Procurement Data System records as of this story's publication. More awards could be in the works given the nature of BPAs, so we will update this article as the pool of winners grows. The IRS made awards for the Enterprise Program Project Integration Services BPA on Monday and Tuesday. A total of 27 quotes were submitted, according to FPDS information. EPPIS is the successor to the current iteration known as “IT-EMPSS,” or Information Technology Enterprise Program Management Support Services. The IRS chose <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/2019/06/irs-makes-9-awards-on-1b-it-program-support-contract/327051/">nine companies for IT-EMPSS in 2019</a> at a $1.1 billion ceiling over five years. Deloitte is the most notable incumbent that will continue onto the new iteration. The firm has taken in approximately 62% of the total $308.9 million that the IRS has obligated on IT-EMPSS, according to GovTribe data. ETelligent and Integrated Systems are the other major incumbents that will keep the work, having respectively received 22.4% and 5.4% of the total obligations to-date. Centennial Technologies and Noblis are newcomers to the effort. Solicitation documents on <a href="https://sam.gov/opp/b986e706bb1a498b8b4e6a584943dc05/view">EPPIS outline its 20 task areas</a> that encompass program technical and management approaches, organizational resources and management controls for a variety of program, project and integration tasks. EPPIS' scope also ties into the IRS' overall modernization agenda that now has approximately $80 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funds to support it. <div class="related-articles-placeholder">[[Related Posts]]</div> (EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to add ETelligent Group as an awardee) Gettyimages.com / Douglas SachaAir Force seeks secure cloud app to manage flights for govt VIPshttps://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/air-force-seeks-secure-cloud-app-manage-flights-govt-vips/398645/The new tool is critical “due to significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified in the existing scheduling system,” the branch says in a notice for industry.Edward GrahamWed, 07 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/contracts/2024/08/air-force-seeks-secure-cloud-app-manage-flights-govt-vips/398645/ContractsThe U.S. Air Force is looking for a cloud-based application that meets more rigorous cybersecurity standards to manage flights for top government officials, according to a <a href="https://sam.gov/opp/7d484e1b926d45a1916c2a9944daba07/view">sources sought notice</a> posted on SAM.gov.  The military branch’s AF/A3M office “specializes in managing Very Important Person Special Air Missions,” including validating, overseeing and handling these flights.  Recent directives from the Pentagon and other agencies have pushed the office to adopt “a more secure, efficient and compliant management system” that meets the enhanced security and operational requirements outlined in this guidance. The Air Force’s notice — first published on Aug. 5 — said it is looking for an “airlift scheduling management cloud application” that can, in part, handle “66 active Department of Defense aircraft, totaling around 20,000 flight hours yearly, and accommodate an extra 70 notional DoD aircraft or utilize a forecasting scheduling tool.”  The branch said this tool, in part, should support scheduling requests and mission operations, maintain crew and traveler contact information, manage certifications and securely store data. The Air Force said that enhanced cyber protocols, however, remain its top concern when it comes to adopting the cloud-based application.  “This new system is essential due to significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified in the existing scheduling system,” the notice said. “The current system not only falls short but is categorically inadequate in meeting the rigorous cybersecurity posture required by the DOD and USAF standards.” The branch said it is looking for a system that includes robust monitoring capabilities, conducts frequent risk assessments, includes strong password policies and access control measures and utilizes “encryption technologies for data protection.” The contract is for a 12-month period, with four additional one-year optional licensing periods. Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace/U.S. Air ForceSixGen expands automation portfolio with Boldend acquisitionhttps://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/sixgen-expands-automation-portfolio-boldend-acquisition/398600/This is the second purchase SixGen has announced in less than one month and also brings in more electronic warfare offerings.Nick WakemanTue, 06 Aug 2024 12:31:30 -0400https://washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/08/sixgen-expands-automation-portfolio-boldend-acquisition/398600/CompaniesSixGen has disclosed its second acquisition in just over a month with Boldend, a transaction that brings more cyber and electronic warfare capabilities to the buyer. This is also SixGen's second purchase since <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/companies/2023/12/how-washington-harbour-approaches-relationships-acquisition/392608/">it was acquired in November</a> by Washington Harbour Partners. Transaction number one <a href="https://www.washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/07/sixgen-uses-acquisition-grow-cyber-software-data-product-lineup/397809/">added Secure Enterprise Engineering</a>, which brought in more cybersecurity solutions. “Boldend brings a dynamic team of individuals possessing exceptional mission experience and an unrivaled portfolio of solutions that are integral to SixGen's growth objectives,” SixGen CEO Jack Wilmer said in a release Tuesday. “Boldend’s curated and highly mission-centric [intellectual property] strengthens our ability to address the needs of our partners and customers.” Boldend brings an automation approach to cybersecurity. The company designs its software products to scale cyber capabilities to offset operational demands. Their products also bring responsive delivery and address resource gaps. The company blends electronic warfare components with cyber operations. Its sole customer is the U.S. government. Bolden's CEO Mike Barry will become a senior executive with SixGen. The rest of the Boldend management team also are transitioning to SixGen. “We are excited to join SixGen to augment our resources and capabilities to create even greater impact,” Barry said. Washington Harbour was advised by Morrison & Foerster on legal matters. Cooley served as legal adviser to Boldend. Gettyimages.com/ metamorworks