Not playing games with process

Appian founder and CEO Matt Calkins has taken his love of strategic board games to build a winning business process management company that has been growing rapidly.

FedStore adds senior VP for sales and marketing strategy

FedStore Corp. continues to revamp its executive team, hiring Jay Jabbari, a 22-year industry veteran, as senior vice president of sales. Jabbari will report directly to President Skip Trahern, who joined the IT services provider in mid-March.

HP expands services with purchase of analytics provider

Hewlett-Packard Co., in another step to expand its services beyond hardware sales, has acquired Vertica Systems Inc., a provider of real-time analytics. Financial terms were not reported.

Small-biz trio to vie for $495M in DOD task orders

Three D.C.-area small-business IT contractors will vie for task order work under a Defense Department contract that has a maximum value of $495 million.

More controls placed on ANC contracts

Officials now must justify sole-source contracts, such as those awarded to Alaska Native Corporations, worth more than $20 million, according to a new interim rule.

FedStore hires industry veteran to run the shop

Skip Trahern, a 27-year industry veteran, is taking the reins as president of FedStore Corp.

Idaho contractor wins DOE contract to upgrade IT program

CRI Advantage Inc. will provide IT support services to the Energy Department Office of the Chief Financial Officer’s iManage Program under a five-year contract that could be worth as much as $36 million.

20 hot defense contracts for 2011 and beyond

Our annual roundup of defense contracts includes 20 contracts with ceilings that total $161 billion. Which ones will you pursue?

Accuvant creates federal unit to increase cyber sales

Accuvant Inc., an information security provider, has just launched Accuvant Federal Solutions, its cybersecurity business unit specifically for government clients. The Denver-based company currently protects more than 2.3 million government endpoints from malicious threats.

Government shutdown threatens small businesses

Because of their reliance on contracts and fewer cash reserves, small businesses face a high level of risk during a shutdown. What can they do to protect themselves?

Mobile computing creates big opportunity for small business

Since announcing the formation of a public-sector practice less than two years ago, BoxTone has seen a threefold increase in its government sales and has racked up key contract wins with several federal agencies.

HP changes partner program for marketing funds

Beginning May 1, partners will be required to log into HP's Business Planning Application, enter claims for each request, upload their proof-of-spend and submit claims, if they want to receive the requested market development funds.

Harris acquisition will expand its health care offerings

Harris Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Carefx Corp., a provider of interoperability health care workflow solutions based on its Fusionfx platform, for $155 million.

VA moves forward with $12B acquisition

The huge IT opportunity moves to the next round of competition as VA informs bidders who made the cut and who didn't.

2012 budget feeds tougher competition

The Obama administration's fiscal 2012 budget proposal trims $1.1 trillion over 10 years, creating a tougher competitive environment for contractors, but many of the details are still lacking.

ManTech buys small business for ENCORE II access

ManTech International Corp. has acquired TranTech Inc., an Alexandria, Va., provider of information technology, networking and cybersecurity services to the federal government. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

SBA to Alaska Native Corporations: Show us the money

Alaska Native Corporations soon will have to report to the Small Business Administration on how they have used their special set-aside government contract funds to help their communities back home.

English aerospace firm acquires Baltimore surveillance specialists

Cobham PLC of Dorset, England, a developer of advanced aerospace and defense systems, has crossed the pond to acquire Corp Ten International Inc., a small Baltimore-based surveillance technology company, for $11.5 million with an additional cash consideration is payable of up to $12.5 million between 2012 and 2014 contingent on future performance.

Alaska Native Corporations' contracting status under fire again

Four ANCs have been among the top 100 recipients of contract awards, and in 2009 six companies made Washington Technology's Top 100 List of IT contractors.

SBA expects first contracts in new woman-owned business program by summer

Contracting officers will now be able to set aside specific contracts for woman-owned small businesses for the first time through the program.