NetCents protests grow to 14

More companies have filed protests against the Air Force and its troubled NetCents 2 Products contract. The total has now reached 14 protestors.

If my sources are correct, then all the losing bidders, except for two, have filed protests. The is round two for NetCents 2 Products, which last year was awarded to nine companies, but a flood of protests forced the Air Force back off and try again.

Exelis to add data tech into legacy command system

ITT Exelis has won a $6.1 million contract modification with the U.S. Air Force to insert a modern data storage and memory technology system into the Strategic Automated Command Control System.

The system provides orders and pass codes authentication for Air Force nuclear weapons platforms, bombers and support units, the company said in a release.

ITT Exelis will insert a modern data storage system that will improve retrieval and verification of critical data for decision makers, the company said.

SAIC picks GD exec to lead national security business

Science Applications International Corp. has named Lou Von Thaer president of the company’s National Security Sector, effective June 6.

The National Security Sector, along with the company’s current health and engineering businesses, will be part of the spin-off company, Leidos, the company said in a release.

Booz Allen, Coherent Technical Services win Navy command, control contracts

Booz Allen Hamilton and Coherent Technical Services have won three-year task order contracts with the U.S. Navy to support emerging navigation technologies for air and shipboard C4ISR system applications.

The contract values are:

Booz Allen Hamilton -- $30.9 million
Coherent Technical Services -- $29 million

Who won April's biggest contracts?

Looking at April’s contract round up, you’d hardly believe that contractors are beginning to be impacted by sequestration.

Just as with March, to make April’s list, you had to have a contract in the $150 million and above range.

Washington Technology covered 45 contract awards in April, a hefty increase over the 30 in March, and a significant increase over the 13 in February.

CGI wins $38.8M California contract for a voter database system

CGI Group has won a four-year, $38.8 million contract with California to implement a centralized, statewide voter registration database system.

The system, known as VoteCal, will provide a single, official source of voter registration information, and will connect to multiple state agencies as well as all 58 county election official offices to improve registration efficiency, CGI said in a release.

Joe Theismann's 5 lessons for life and business

Next week, former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann will be a keynote speaker at FOSE, the massive government technology trade show that my company produces each year.

It begs the question, what can a former professional football player, known during his playing days for being brash and cocky, teach government executives and federal contractors?

Soul searching for success

In this difficult fiscal climate, it’s more important than ever to be dedicated to your client.

Indigo IT, a women-owned, small disadvantaged business that provides IT services to the federal government, learned this lesson firsthand.

The company was founded in 2001 by Rob Craig and Shane Van Wyngaardt, and began focusing solely on the federal sector when Denise Van Wyngaardt joined the company as managing member.

NASA develops next simulation, training contract

NASA has kicked off development of the follow-on contract for a $132 million simulation and software pact now held by L-3 Communications.

The agency is looking at procurement approaches, small business requirements and organizational conflicts of interest as it developments the next iteration of its Simulation and Software Technology Contract.

Lockheed nabs support contract for Navy combat center

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training has won a $17.7 million services contract with the U.S. Navy to support the Center for Surface Combat Systems.

The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Norway and South Korea.

Lockheed Martin will provide training material, development and maintenance, instructor services, program management, administration and training systems services, the Defense Department said in a release.

Work will be performed in Dahlgren, Va., and in Moorestown, N.J., and is expected to be completed by December 2015.

Funds in the amount of $2 million will be obligated at the time of the award, and will not expire at the end of fiscal 2013.