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Nov. 19: GTSC Annual Member Meeting
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Nov. 19: GTSC Annual Member Meeting

Members of the Government Technology & Services Coalition for our third annual member meeting to learn about all the services of GTSC, provide your input on our letter to incoming DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson and share your feedback for our 2014-2015 priorities!

Emile Monette, the Senior Advisor for cyber security policy for the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), will join us to discuss the agency wide and interagency implementation of cyber security initiatives related to government facilities and acquisition. Linda Mathes, CEO of the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, will talk about the American Red Cross Ready Rating program and its importance to GTSC’s Designation of Leadership Excellence. Jose Arrieta, DHS Ombudsman, will discuss the year ahead at DHS.

Given sequestration, budget cuts and possible future government shutdowns, GTSC is committed to exploring every business opportunity possible for your success. From the Small Business Collaboration Group to forming vigorous Action Groups and developing the Contracting Officers workshop, we’ve accomplished a lot over the past year and we’re excited to keep moving!

Please note: this is a GTSC Member only meeting. Thank you!

Agenda

I. Welcome and overview of GTSC’s 2012-2013: Discussion of Lion’s Den, Mentor and Workgroup activity.

  • Kristina Tanasichuk, CEO, GTSC
  • Jon Ostrowski, COO, GTSC
  • Workgroup Chairs
    • Chair, International Initiative: RADM Donald P. Loren, CEO, Old Dominion Strategies
    • Chair, Human Capital and Learning: Dr. Sheri Dougherty, President & CEO, DAI
    • Co-Chair, DHS Engagement: Sara Kindsfater0-Yerkes, Managing Partner, The Big Brain Co.

II. A View of the Year Ahead

  • Jose Arrieta, Ombudsman, DHS

III. Meeting the Challenges

  • Emile Monette, Senior Advisor, Cyber Security Policy, GSA
  • Linda Mathes, CEO, American Red Cross in the National Capital Region
  • Bruce Davidson, Director, SAFETY Act Office, S&T, DHS

IV. Government Relations

  • Incoming Secretary Jeh Johnson
  • Hill Activity
    • Michelle Mrdeza, Partner, Cornerstone Government Affairs & GTSC Founding Strategic Advisor
    • Chani Wiggins, President & Founder, Winn Strategies & GTSC Strategic Advisor
  • Broadening our Base

V. Business Development

  • Overview of procurements and focus areas for business development
    • Bill Carroll, Senior Partner, Strike Force Consulting
    • Andrea McCarthy, Senior Director NTT Data
    • Tony Sacco, Former Vice President, SAIC

VI. What do you see as our top priorities for 2014-2015?

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DHS CPO Letter Regarding Contract Funding
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DHS CPO Letter Regarding Contract Funding

It was announced Thursday, September 26, 2013 that USM Rafael Borras will act as the Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary (S2). Chris Cummiskey (current DUSM) will act as the interim USM. The following industry partner letter was also issued on Thursday, September 26, 2013 by the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer at the Department of Homeland Security. Read the FedBizOpps annoucement here.

Dear Industry Partner,

This is to advise the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contractor community of the DHS plans regarding contract actions that may be necessary in the event contract funding is affected by a lapse in appropriations.
As you are aware, the budget for fiscal year 2014 has not been enacted and may result in a lapse in the funds designated to purchase certain supplies and services as well as reduction in the Government’s capacity to administer DHS contracts. As a consequence of the lapse, certain planned procurements may be cancelled and certain existing contracts may be stopped, reduced in scope, terminated or partially terminated.

Should DHS determine that any of these actions is necessary, the Contracting Officer for each of the affected contracts will provide prompt appropriate notice to the contractor in accordance with the terms and conditions of the affected contract. Notices will contain the direction necessary to comply.

If a contract will not be affected by the lapse in appropriations, DHS does not plan to provide any separate notifications or communications of that fact. Unless a contractor is provided a formal notification to the contrary, all DHS contractors must continue to comply with all terms, conditions, requirements and deliveries specified in their contract(s).
Thank you for your continued partnership with DHS, and for your cooperation as we work together to manage a potential lapse in appropriations.

Sincerely,
Nick Nayak
Chief Procurement Officer

GTSC Releases Survey on Cuts to Mission-Critical Areas
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GTSC Releases Survey on Cuts to Mission-Critical Areas

Washington, D.C. – June 27, 2013 – The Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC), the leading organization for small and mid-sized companies in homeland and national security, today released its survey on the impacts of government spending cuts on the homeland and national security missions. GTSC surveyed 224 respondents about actual and planned impacts to the contracting community engaged in mission-critical activities and found:

  • Nearly seventy-five percent of respondents are preparing for sequestration
  • Companies are preparing by reducing their marketing budgets (29.8%), laying off staff (26.7%), reducing public relations budgets (22.7%), cutting services (19.6%), leaving the Federal market (18.7%) and bringing services in-house (15.6%)
  • “Other” preparations include reducing salary and benefits, raising prices, decreasing recruiting and moving into commercial markets
  • Almost thirty percent of respondents – for the most part emerging and small companies – think they may not or definitely will not survive sequestration
  • Fifty-four percent of respondents believe sequestration will materially impact the ability of their federal clients to conduct their stated missions
  • Respondents believe the long-term effects include: weakening of national security and preparedness, uncertainty about the federal market, loss of skills and experience in vital missions, and increased efficiency
  • Respondents believe the short-term effects include: uncertainty, distraction from the mission, loss of jobs and decreased morale

“This survey shows that the risk of sequestration and budget cuts is two-fold: you have a number of companies that may not survive and you have numerous mission critical agencies that are at risk as well,” said Kristina Tanasichuk, CEO of GTSC. “Now more than ever we need the government and industry working together to assure mission success to find convergence points where we can make strategic cuts and still protect the nation.”

GTSC plans to survey members of the community annually to track and understand the changes to our homeland and national security mission and impacts to the contractor community. The survey was conducted in the late spring. The full report can be found here: Impacts of Reduction in Government Spending on Homeland & National Security.

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GTSC is a nonprofit, non-partisan association of companies that create, develop and implement solutions for the federal homeland and national security sector. Our mission is two-fold: first, to provide exceptional advocacy, capacity building, partnership opportunities and marketing in the Federal security space for small and mid-sized companies. Second, to support and assist our government partners achieve their critical missions with the highest integrity; best and most innovative technologies; and results-based, quality products and services to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from any terrorist attack or natural disaster.