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Jim Bridenstine: First Human Mission to Mars Possible by 2033
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Jim Bridenstine: First Human Mission to Mars Possible by 2033


Jim Bridenstine: First Human Mission to Mars Possible by 2033
Jim Bridenstine

Jim Bridenstine, NASA’s administrator and 2019 Wash100 Award winner, said that he is “not willing to rule out” a human mission to Mars by 2033 during a press briefing, Space News reported Tuesday. Bridenstine noted that there are alternative ways of conducting the first human mission to Mars by 2033.

This is in contrast with the Science and Technology Policy Institute’s report stating that a Mars mission by that time “cannot be realistically scheduled under NASA’s current and notional plan.” The report was delivered to Congress in early 2019 in line with the 2017 NASA authorization act.

“We are working right now, in fact, to put together a comprehensive plan on how we would conduct a Mars mission using the technologies that we will be proving at the moon,” he said.

Lisa Gordon-Hagerty: Hiring Efforts, Security Clearance Reforms Key to Addressing NNSA’s Staffing Issues
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Lisa Gordon-Hagerty: Hiring Efforts, Security Clearance Reforms Key to Addressing NNSA’s Staffing Issues


Lisa Gordon-Hagerty: Hiring Efforts, Security Clearance Reforms Key to Addressing NNSA's Staffing Issues
Lisa Gordon-Hagerty

Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, said at the agency’s recent job fair outside Washington, D.C. that new hiring efforts may help NNSA address staff shortages, Federal Times reported Wednesday.

Gordon-Hagerty noted that NNSA is looking to hire more than 100 people to help the agency fill positions that will soon be vacant within five years after 40 percent of its workforce reach retirement age. She noted that NNSA’s efforts to help transition the Office of Personnel Management’s security backlog processing responsibilities to the Department of Defense may simplify hiring procedures.

“We are actually putting OPM investigators at our labs, plants and sites, and at our headquarters so we can expedite those processes,” said Gordon-Hagerty.

NNSA offers fellowship programs for recent college graduates and is aiming to hire more than 2,000 personnel by the end of 2019.

GAO: CBP Improvement Plan Lacks Some Important Details
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GAO: CBP Improvement Plan Lacks Some Important Details


Jeff Brody

The Government Accountability Office has assessed the Customs and Border Protection’s efforts to plan personnel, fencing and technology programs in support of the larger border security mission. GAO said Tuesday that it found CBP’s 2018 Border Security Improvement Plan didn’t contain all information required under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act.

The border protection agency did not include the complete cost and life cycle information for efforts through fiscal 2027. The plan is also missing feature reviews on infrastructure deployment effects across communities and ways for the projects to support high priority border security missions. The accountability office recommends the secretary of homeland security to make sure the fiscal year 2019 plan contains required details and, if necessary, explain why absent elements are not included.

Rep. Brian Babin Introduces Cybersecurity Bill for Research Projects
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Rep. Brian Babin Introduces Cybersecurity Bill for Research Projects


Jeff Brody

Rep. Brian Babin new legislation to secure research efforts from potential cyberattacks. Co-authored by Reps. Roger Marshall, Randy Weber, Ralph Norman, Jim Baird and Anthony Gonzalez, the Securing American Research from Cyber Theft Act seeks to build computing environments to house sensitive projects to mitigate theft from foreign actors, the Committee on Science, Space and Technology said Monday.

The bill also intends to develop a framework for universities to secure taxpayer-funded projects and intellectual property. “This pilot program gives researchers the tools needed to conduct sensitive research in a secure environment, and it safeguards taxpayers’ investments in emerging technologies,” said Babin.

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GSA Awards Contracts to Support Federal Air Travel
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GSA Awards Contracts to Support Federal Air Travel


Jeff Brody

The General Services Administration has awarded contracts for a fiscal 2020 program to reduce the federal government’s air travel costs. GSA said Tuesday that its City Pair Program would apply 51 percent discounts to the federal government’s airfare costs via pre-negotiated, firm-fixed-price agreements.

The agency selected eight U.S. airlines as contractors based on criteria such as non-stop service availability, average elapsed flight time and pricing. Federal agencies may access the fiscal 2020 CPP rates starting October 1 this year.

GSA predicts the program would save $2.7 billion in government funds next fiscal year. The program uses a data-driven analytical approach for management and negotiation functions.

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QTS Publishes Open Source Library for Data Center Management; Jon Greaves Quoted
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QTS Publishes Open Source Library for Data Center Management; Jon Greaves Quoted


Jeff Brody

QTS Realty Trust announced on Wednesday that the company has published its RESTful application programming interface (API) library as Open Source on Github under the BSD-3 license to provide maximum transparency and serve as an open standard for the entire industry.

QTS’ APIs support real-time access to all aspects of data center management including physical security, power, cooling, sensors, provisioning and many other key metrics. This allows customers to embed the API into their own systems allowing increased control and visibility of their data center footprint.

“By publishing the APIs, documentation and sample code, QTS enables customers and partners to embed the physical data center into their own software applications and opens opportunities for partners to create new software-defined services on top of QTS’ infrastructure,” said Jon Greaves, chief technology officer for QTS.

“The open source approach allows interoperability with other providers who adopt the standard, as well as customers who implement for their own corporate data center. Developers and the open source community can now collaborate to further increase transparency and we expect it will be embraced by the industry,” Greaves added.

About QTS Realty Trust

QTS Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: QTS) is a leading provider of data center solutions across a diverse footprint spanning more than 6 million square feet of owned mega scale data center space within North America and Europe.

Through its software-defined technology platform, QTS is able to deliver secure, compliant infrastructure solutions, robust connectivity and premium customer service to leading hyperscale technology companies, enterprises, and government entities.

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Tom Nixon Joins By Light as SVP of Homeland Security and Law Enforcement; Bob Donahue Quoted
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Tom Nixon Joins By Light as SVP of Homeland Security and Law Enforcement; Bob Donahue Quoted


Tom Nixon Joins By Light as SVP of Homeland Security and Law Enforcement; Bob Donahue Quoted
Bob Donahue

By Light Professional IT Services announced on Wednesday that Tom Nixon has joined the firm as senior vice president of Homeland Security and Law Enforcement.

“Tom is a proven winner and has a track record of both growing and successfully executing business with the most demanding customers in the federal space,” said Bob Donahue, By Light’s founder and chief executive officer.

In his role, Nixon will oversee the acceleration of By Light’s business growth and execution for DHS, its component agencies, as well as Federal Law Enforcement clients. He’ll also drive By Light capabilities into this valuable customer segment, and will expand the company’s offerings as needed to support the mission of those customers.

Nixon brings over 30 years of leadership experience in the federal marketplace. Prior to joining By Light, Nixon served as the chief growth officer for MetroStar Systems. Nixon also served SRA International as executive vice president and chief growth officer and led the merger and successful spinoff of CSRA.

About By Light Professional IT Services

By Light Professional IT Services LLC, headquartered in Mclean, VA is an ISO 9001, 20000-1, and 27001 registered and CMMI Level 3 certified systems integrator that provides secure, turn-key systems by incorporating exceptional engineering, project management, telecommunications, and cyber capabilities to safeguard mission success.

Founded by industry professionals with extensive knowledge in the DoD, DISA and other US Government Agencies, By Light successfully implements technical solutions that integrate the best commercial practices to meet all government requirements.

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James Ballard Joins A-TEK Board of Directors; Kathryn Freeland Quoted
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James Ballard Joins A-TEK Board of Directors; Kathryn Freeland Quoted


James Ballard Joins A-TEK Board of Directors; Kathryn Freeland Quoted
James Ballard

A-TEK announced on Wednesday that James “Jim” Ballard has joined the company’s Board of Directors effective immediately.

“On behalf of A-TEK, our subsidiary, Mackson Consulting, and our Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Jim to the Board,” stated Kathryn Freeland, president and chief executive officer of A-TEK, Inc. “Jim has an impressive track record of success and a wealth of experience expanding revenue through both organic growth and multiple acquisitions which will serve us well in achieving A-TEK’s growth initiatives.”

Ballard brings more than 45 years of experience to A-TEK. He currently serves as the chairman of Preferred Systems Solutions (PSS). Previously, Ballard served as the CEO and president of the company overseeing and supporting all facets of the organization. He also served as president of PSS’ Federal Services Group after the company he founded and led, Global Services & Solutions, Inc. (GSS) was acquired by PSS.

Prior to founding GSS, Ballard was the president of Perot Systems Government Services (PSGS) and was responsible for strategy, management, operations and business development. Under his leadership, PSGS grew from $57 million to $650 million in annual revenues.

Ballard had a successful Naval career as an engineering duty officer. He managed a diverse workforce of civilian and military personnel. He’s held leadership and command roles in Naval shipyards, the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Program Executive Office (PEO) Submarines. He retired at the rank of Captain, USN.

“I am honored to be joining A-TEK’s Board and I look forward to working with an exceptional company known for providing critical technology innovations to U.S. federal civilian and national security agencies,” said Ballard.

About A-TEK, Inc.

Headquartered in McLean, VA, A-TEK is comprised of a team of experts in managing the data that drives federal missions. A woman-owned small business with employees located in 12 states and 19 cities nationwide, A-TEK is a 23-year partner to U.S. government agencies including the NIH National Library of Medicine, and the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and Commerce.

A-TEK delivers science and IT services and solutions across a myriad of government mission areas including public health, law enforcement, national security, environmental, and science.

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Keith Nakasone, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Acquisition Management, within the Office of Information Technology Category for GSA, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th
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Keith Nakasone, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Acquisition Management, within the Office of Information Technology Category for GSA, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th


Keith Nakasone, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Acquisition Management, within the Office of Information Technology Category for GSA, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th
Keith Nakasone

Keith Nakasone, deputy assistant commissioner, acquisition management, within the Office of Information Technology Category for GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), will be featured as a panelist during Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th. Register now for the forum right here.

During the forum, GovCon and industry leaders from the public and private sectors will discuss how federal agencies protect, defend and secure supply chains from susceptible threats and the challenges that arise as technology becomes more fundamental to supply chains.

Nakasone has served GSA in his current role since Jan. 2017. Prior to his tenure with GSA, he served as the senior procurement executive of SES for the Federal Communication Commission between May 2014 and Jan. 2017.

In addition, Nakasone served DISA as the deputy of DISA/DITCO-Pacific for 16 years. He’s also served in a variety of leadership roles for DISA, Department of Defense, Tripler Army Medical Center and others. Nakasone also graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management in 1996. He went on to earn a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University ICAF in 2012.

Keith Nakasone, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Acquisition Management, within the Office of Information Technology Category for GSA, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th

Cheri Caddy of the NSA, Tina Kuhn of CyberCore Technologies, Daniel Kroese of DHS’ NRMC and Don Davidson of Synopsys will be joining Nakasone as panelists during the forum with Jill Singer of AT&T, another 2019 Wash100 Award recipient, serving as the panel’s moderator. Kristen Baldwin of DoD will serve as the keynote speaker for the event as well.

Don’t miss out on Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th. Register now for the forum right here.

DoD Tranfers $282M to ISR Defense Programs
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DoD Tranfers $282M to ISR Defense Programs


Jeff Brody

The Department of Defense has allotted over $282 million for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts over the past two months, C4ISRnet reported Tuesday. Pentagon took $247 million from operation and maintenance allotments to fund the development of various ISR-applied technologies such as artificial intelligence and a data sharing network.

DoD also designated $22.5 million for U.S. Special Operations Command’s ISR projects. SOCOM’s ISR funds will cover signals intelligence sensors and a maritime ISR system. The remaining $12.25 million of transferred funds will cover classified programs and artificial intelligence projects.

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