 From Jim Garrettson, Executive Mosaic President & Founder The federal government body responsible for helping build a nationwide public safety communications network has called for ideas on how to design and develop that system.  In that request for information, FirstNet asked for methods that would work to help operate and manage the network’s core infrastructure, as well as the devices and applications that emergency responders would use.
FirstNet also wants the public to help formulate strategies for acquiring equipment and services for the future interoperable network. This project is one example out of many that has seen public sector agencies and leaders look to their partners in the business community for help to adopt new technologies the commercial world already has. 
Drew Morin, SVP and CTO at TeleCommunication Systems, discussed how firms such as his collaborate with agencies to bring commercial tools into the government space as part of a May 2013 conversation with ExecutiveBiz. Morin overviewed TCS’ work with DHS to help the department’s state and local partners implement new tools such as Next Generation 911, which would use Internet Protocol networks to send first responders media such as pictures prior to their arrival on the scene of an incident. “These are the technologies that DHS is looking at to not only make first responders more effective, but also to enable other personnel within their agency to better respond to a natural disaster or even a terrorist incident,” Morin said.
Brian Bark, a senior vice president at Mission Critical Partners, offered his perspective to ExecutiveBiz in July 2013 on how government and business can remove obstacles to the adoption of new technologies. “The barrier to sharing an asset, technology, or approach that already exists is figuring out how to best govern the process, especially when another government program or agency is involved.” “How do you share it? What is the governance structure? Who gets what? Who manages what? Who pays for what?” |
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|  CACI Awarded DHS Call Center, Engineering BPA CACI International will perform desktop support services for the Department of Homeland Security under a five-year, $212 million blanket purchase agreement. The BPA includes one base year with four option periods and covers work such as call center services, engineering and end user support. Ken Asbury, CACI president and CEO, said DHS looked to CACI for help to give DHS workers “IT resources they need to perform their jobs as efficiently and effectively as possible.” Contract work will support DHS organizations such as the National Protection and Programs Directorate and the Science and Technology Directorate. |
| Nathan Houser Named Deloitte Nat’l Security Sector Head Nathan Houser has elevated to a new role as leader of Deloitte’s national security sector. The 15-year firm veteran has led projects for TSA and DHS and also has served on an executive committee for Deloitte’s contract vehicle project management office. “Nathan’s experience in delivering large complex programs for TSA and other DHS components is a tremendous asset for Deloitte’s national security clients as they look to develop new and innovative operating models for safeguarding our citizens,” said Janet Foutty, leader of Deloitte’s federal practice. Prior to his new role, Houser led a Deloitte program for DHS. |
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More headlines
from the week of
9/19/2014 – 9/24/2014 |
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| | Logen Thiran Heads to ARA as President, Chief Executive Logen Thiran has joined Beltsville, Maryland-based antenna and radio frequency technology maker ARA as president and CEO. The former DRS business unit president also joined the company’s board of directors as ARA aims to increase its footprint in international and domestic markets for RF products. “[These] are exciting times in the field of electromagnetics as the world is experiencing the proliferation of communications and information availability,” said Pradeep Wahi, ARA board chairman. Thiran succeeded Wahi in the president and CEO roles. |
| ASRC Federal Arm Adds NASA Flight Research Work A subsidiary of ASRC Federal will help a NASA hub run an aeronautical test range and research aircraft integration facility for up to $73 million over five years. InuTeq will also help the space agency’s California-based Armstrong Flight Research Center take in-flight pictures and produce videos. “We understand the importance of seamlessly supporting the center’s operations and IT infrastructure so that researchers and scientists can focus on mission priorities and objectives,” said Mark Gray, ASRC Federal president and CEO. The contract for the work covers one base year and four option years. |
| Boeing, Liquid Robotics Form Maritime Tech Team Boeing and unmanned ocean vehicle maker Liquid Robotics will collaborate to develop products for the maritime defense market. The teaming agreement calls on the companies to combine Boeing’s ISR tools and services with Liquid Robotics’ autonomous ocean technology. Chris Chadwick, president and CEO of Boeing’s defense, space and security business organization, said his company and Liquid Robotics will aim “to solve maritime security and surveillance challenges in entirely new and highly effective ways.” Development work will focus on anti-submarine warfare and maritime domain awareness applications, among other areas. |
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