The lifesaving imperative of adopting new technologies

The need for visual, real-time intelligence during battle has never been greater. Given the complexities of modern and often irregular warfare, many within America’s defense and intelligence communities recognize the vital role of geospatial intelligence.

Gen. James R. Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), once said that geospatial intelligence is the “foundation for all other intelligence disciplines.” It informs nearly every action from the command center to decision making by soldiers on the ground.

Market conditions drive changing corporate strategies

EDITOR'S NOTE: In part two of Jim Kane's analysis of current market conditions, he explores how today's environment is forcing new strategies onto government contractors. Click here for part one exploring risk .

NetCents redo focuses on Trade Agreements Act

The second round of the NetCents 2 Products contract debacle is officially over, and round three is about to begin.

The Air Force has sent me a statement that it will ask bidders on the troubled contract to submit revised proposals next month. Those proposals will be reviewed for compliance for the Trade Agreements Act, and awards will be made based on the lowest priced, technically acceptable vendors.

Lockheed wins $53M contract to integrate minehunting system

Lockheed Martin has won a $52.9 million contract with the U.S. Navy to perform maintenance, testing and integration of a minehunting system onto Littoral Combat Ship mission modules.

Under the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, the company will maintain, test and integrate the Remote Minehunting System with LCS mission modules and seaframe programs.

Cubic wins $21M FMS contract for virtual small arms training

Cubic Corp. has won a $21 million foreign military sales contract with the U.S. Army for the company’s Engagement Skills Trainer 2000, a virtual small arms training system.

The system was built by Cubic Simulation Systems, and uses digital video projectors, high-definition screens, game-based computer graphics and ballistically accurate weapons for marksmanship, collective and escalation of force training.

Three win $99M contract for anti-terrorism force protection

Three companies have won a $99 million contract with the U.S. Navy for physical security access control at Navy shore installations, including joint bases assigned to the Navy.

The winners are:

• Alutiiq Pacific
• Securityhunter Inc.
• Split Pine Technologies

A cautionary word about strategic sourcing

On May 15, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report on strategic sourcing. It's worth reading…carefully. For while it clearly endorses the greater use of strategic sourcing for government needs, it is important to pay close attention to the sometimes less than obvious messages it contains. Read More

Octo Consutling taps new business development VP

Octo Consulting Group has named Tracy Denny vice president of business development, where he will be responsible for establishing and leading all aspects of Octo’s business development function.

The firm’s business development function will include business development personnel oversight, capture and proposal management functions and leading strategies to achieve Octo’s strategic growth objectives, the company said in a release.

Lockheed, Northrop move toward commercial markets

In 1996, when I started my career with Washington Technology, the dotcom bubble was just starting to inflate.

Over the next couple years, I watched as several government contractors tried their hand at cracking commercial markets. They saw greener pastures in the commercial sector, which was growing rapidly, and had healthier margins compared to the slow and steady government market.

Three contractors win $200M VA contract for mobile technologies

Three companies have won a $200 million task order contract with the Veterans Affairs Department to provide mobile devices and cellular wireless services including voice, text and data services.

The winners of the contracts are:

• Cellco Partnership
• AT&T Mobility
• A&T Systems Inc.