April 19: Lion’s Den Meeting with Kevin Boshears, Director, OSDBU
Read More

April 19: Lion’s Den Meeting with Kevin Boshears, Director, OSDBU

Lion’s Den members ($15 million in revenue +) are invited to join the Government Technology & Services Coalition for its Lion’s Den Meeting with Mr. Kevin Boshears, the Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This meeting will address the needs of midsize firms within the Coalition, discuss current initiatives on behalf of a mid-tier set-aside and provide the opportunity for Lion’s Den Members to share additional opportunites for the Coalition.

Register nowAgenda

I. Introductions

II. GTSC Activities

a. Designation of Excellence

b. Survey

c. Collaboration group for mid-tier?

d. Insurance and benefits

e. Contracting/acquisition issue with EAGLE II

f. Discussion of new challenges, suggestions

III. Discussion: Mid-Tier Set-Aside efforts

Mr. Kevin Boshears will join our meeting for a discussion of his work on behalf of the mid-tier community. In addition to being a tireless advocate on behalf of the small business community, Mr. Boshears understands, and has focused on the challenges facing mid-tier companies.  His insights and efforts are outstanding, and we welcome him to share some of his work with us.

About Mr. Kevin Boshears

Mr. Boshears was named Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) in May, 2003. He is responsible for the overall implementation of the Department’s small business procurement program. Prior to this, Mr. Boshears was named Director of the Treasury Department’s OSDBU in February, 1999 where he had served as the Acting Director since August, 1998. He previously served in the same office as a Procurement Analyst since June, 1995 and was responsible for providing guidance to the Small Business Specialists located in Treasury’s twelve bureaus. He also worked on Treasury’s small business website and represented Treasury at various governmental, congressional, and trade association outreach activities.  Mr. Boshears brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the procurement field, having served as a Contracting Officer for the Justice Department prior to his small business duties at the Treasury Department. Mr. Boshears is a well known instructor in the federal small business procurement arena. On numerous occasions, he has conducted training courses, made presentations, and handled briefings on contracting with small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), women-owned small, HUBZone small, and service disabled veteran-owned small business concerns. Mr. Boshears currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Directors’ Interagency Council, originally elected to the position for FY 2001 and re-elected for both FY 2002 and FY 2003. On May 9 -10, 2002, Mr. Boshears was presented with the Frances Perkins Vanguard Award for Exemplary Utilization of Women-Owned Small Businesses by a Federal Procurement Official and the Gold Star Award for Excellence by the U. S. Small Business Administration.  He holds a BBA degree from the College of William and Mary, and earned his MBA from Liberty University.

April 18: Steering Committee Meeting
Read More

April 18: Steering Committee Meeting

The Steering Committee Meeting will address the direction of the Coalition, provide an update of the Coalition’s activities and provide an opportunity for input for the upcoming year. All Members of the Coalition are also invited to hear Dr. Daniel Gerstein, Deputy Under Secretary, and Pete Ladowicz, Industry Liasion and Deputy Chief Commercialization Officer, both of the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), speak at the Steering Committee Meeting.

Register now

daniel gersteinAbout Dr. Daniel Gerstein

Dr. Daniel M. Gerstein has served as the Deputy Under Secretary for Science & Technology in the Department of Homeland Security since August 2011. He is also an Adjunct Professor at American University in Washington, DC at the School of International Service (SIS) where he teaches graduate level courses on biological warfare and the evolution of military thought.Dr. Gerstein has extensive experience in the security and defense sectors in a variety of positions while serving as a Senior Executive Service (SES) government civilian, in uniform, and in industry. Before joining DHS, he served as the Principal Director for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Policy). He has served on four different continents participating in homeland security and counterterrorism, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and combat in addition to serving for over a decade in the Pentagon in various high level staff assignments. Following retirement from active duty, Dr. Gerstein joined L-3 Communications as Vice President for Homeland Security Services, leading an organization providing WMD preparedness and response, critical infrastructur

e security, emergency response capacity, and exercise support to U.S. and international customers.

Dr. Gerstein also has extensive experience in international negotiations having served on the Holbrooke Delegation that negotiated the peace settlement in Bosnia, developed and analyzed negotiating positions for the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) talks, and developed an initiative to improve cross border communications between Colombia and neighboring Andean Ridge nations. Additionally, Dr. Gerstein led an initiative to develop a comprehensive biosurveillance system for the Department of Defense (2010-2011), served on the leadership team for the Project for National Security Reform (PNSR) which was charged with developing a new national security act to reflect the changing security environment (2007-2008), co-led the Secretary of the Army’s Transition Team (2004-2005), and led the Army’s most comprehensive restructuring since World War II (2000-2001).

He has been awarded numerous military and civilian awards includ

ing an award from the Government of Colombia, the Department of State’s Distinguished Service Award, and the U.S. Army Soldiers Medal for heroism. He has published numerous books and articles on national security, biological warfare, and information technology including Bioterror in the 21st Century (Naval Institute Press, October 2009), ICMA Report: Planning for a Pandemic (ICMA Press, Volume 39/Number 3 2007), Securing America’s Future: National Strategy in the Information Age (Praeger Security International, September 2005); Leading at the Speed of Light (Potomac Books, November 2006); Assignment Pentagon (Potomac Books, May 2007). He has also served as a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and is a current member.

Dr. Gerstein graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and has masters degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology in Operations Research, the National Defense University in National Security & Strategic Studies and the Command & General Staff College in National Security Strategy & Policy, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from George Mason University in Biodefense. He resides in Alexandria, VA with his wife Kathy. They have two daughters. 

 

April 5: Insight Session with Beth Anne Killoran, Executive Director, PARM, DHS
Read More

April 5: Insight Session with Beth Anne Killoran, Executive Director, PARM, DHS

Join the GTSC for an Insight Session with Beth Anne Killoran, the Acting Executive Director of the Office of Program Accountability and Risk Management (PARM) at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She plans to give an overview of PARM and talk about some of its current initiatives.

About Ms. Killoran

Acting Executive Director, Office of Program Accountability and Risk Management

Mrs. Beth Anne Killoran became Acting Executive Director of the Office of Program Accountability and Risk Management (PARM) within the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Management Directorate on May 1, 2012. She had served as PARM’s Deputy Director of Risk Management prior to assuming the Acting Executive Director position. Mrs. Killoran joined PARM in December 2010 serving as the Risk Analysis Division Director where she was responsible for maturing acquisition risk management and business intelligence to improve accountability of DHS acquisition investments.

Prior to joining PARM, Mrs. Killoran served as the Director of the Program Management and Integration Division within the United States Citizenship and Immigration Serves (USCIS) Transformation Program. At USCIS, she established a program management office to oversee a DHS Level 1 program estimated to be $2 billion including oversight of the $500 million system integration contract. Mrs. Killoran brings over 18 years experience in a variety of programmatic disciplines including program management, budget, acquisition, contract management, and information technology. Mrs. Killoran has applied these skills through her leadership of several major Department of Homeland Security (DHS) major acquisition investments: USCIS Transformation, DHS Infrastructure Transformation Program, DHS Homeland Security Data Network, and US-VISIT.

Mrs. Killoran served in various management and technical positions within DHS Chief Information Office and Customs and Border Protection. Mrs. Killoran holds a Master of Science in Technology Management from University of Maryland. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a certificate in Personnel Management from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Register now

 

April 3: Insight Session with Claire Grady, Head of Contracting, USCG
Read More

April 3: Insight Session with Claire Grady, Head of Contracting, USCG

CANCELLED

Join the Government Technology & Services Coalition for an Insight Session with Claire Grady, the Head of Contracting Activitiy (HCA) and  Director of Contracting & Procurement for the United States Coast Guard Acquistion Directorate (CG-9) on Wednesday, April 3.

Claire GradyAbout Ms. Grady

Ms. Grady is the Senior Procurement Executive and Head of Contracting Activity for the U.S. Coast Guard, providing procurement operations and policy development leadership supporting the diverse portfolio of Coast Guard missions. She is the principal business advisor to Coast Guard senior leadership and is the community leader for the Coast Guard’s civilian and military procurement professionals. Prior to assuming this position in July 2007, Ms. Grady was the Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Office of Chief Procurement Officer for the Department of Homeland Security. In this position she provided strategic direction impacting DHS’ multi‐billion dollar contracting and financial assistance programs through a broad portfolio of acquisition initiatives, including Acquisition Policy, Grants Policy and Oversight, Strategic Sourcing, Competitive Sourcing, and Acquisition Systems.

Ms. Grady began her professional career with the Department of the Navy as a contracting career intern and progressed to a number of critical acquisition positions at the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), one of the Federal Government’s largest and most complex contracting organizations.  She has over 20 years experience in major systems acquisition, including serving as the contracting officer for the San Antonio Class Amphibious Assault Combat Ship and for the Standard Missile Program. Ms. Grady was program manager for the multi‐billion dollar Navy‐wide acquisition of contractor support services (SeaPort), Director of Strategic Initiatives for the NAVSEA Contracts Directorate and Deputy Division Director for Surface Weapon Systems.

Ms. Grady received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University, a Master in Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces.  She is a certified acquisition professional and holds Level III certifications in Contracting and Program Management.  In 2010, Ms. Grady was recognized with the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive.

Register now

March 27: Lunch & Learn Budget Briefing with Michelle Mrdeza
Read More

March 27: Lunch & Learn Budget Briefing with Michelle Mrdeza

Join the GTSC and Michelle Mrdeza to learn about the Federal budget and appropriations process. It is often a mystery to businesses yet it is one of the more critical pieces to getting Federal business—without a Federal appropriation, agencies will not have programs to fund!  President Obama is getting ready to submit his fiscal year 2014 budget to the Congress. The President “proposes” and Congress “disposes” and always remember:

“No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law…”

— U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 9, Clause 7

Come learn about how Congress looks at budget requests for DHS; who makes decisions about funding levels and why;  what trade offs are being made with tight fiscal constraints; and ultimately where we can expect Congress to focus these tight resources in fiscal year 2014 and beyond.

About Michelle Mrdeza

As a founding partner of the Government Technology and Services Coalition, Michelle Mrdeza brings more than twenty-three years of experience in public service to its members, working primarily in the Executive and Legislative branches .At Cornerstone, Michelle leads the firm’s homeland security practice group. In that capacity, Michelle represents a broad and diverse set of clients, helping them identify funding opportunities within the Department of Homeland Security, introducing them to decision makers and putting clients in an advantageous position to successfully bid on multi-year contracts.of government. In 2007, Ms. Mrdeza retired as the majority staff director of the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Homeland Security. She directed this subcommittee since its inception in February of 2003, gaining a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities within both the Department of Homeland Security and the homeland security space. Michelle is President and CEO of MXM Consulting LLC and a Senior Advisor to one of the top public relations and lobbying firms in Washington, D.C., Cornerstone Government Affairs. As President and CEO of MXM Consulting, Michelle serves as a subject matter expert on homeland security and appropriations issues for Georgetown University, the Brookings Institution, the Homeland Security Institute, the MITRE Corporation and the Homeland Security and Defense Business Council. She also serves as a senior advisor to several small start-up companies, helping them navigate the dynamic and diverse homeland security environment.

At the GTSC, Michelle helps members understand how actions by the legislative branch can fundamentally impact opportunities in the security space. In particular, she helps members understand and navigate the annual appropriations process—and how that process affects their bottom line.

Michelle received a Master’s of Public Administration from George Washington University, a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Virginia, and was a senior research fellow at the UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research. She was named to the Phi Alpha Alpha Honor Society and was the recipient of the 1998 George Washington University Department of Public Administration Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2006, Michelle received the US Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award.

Register now

The GTSC Joins DHS Cyber Awareness Coalition
Read More

The GTSC Joins DHS Cyber Awareness Coalition

The Government Technology & Services Coalition has joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Awareness Coalition, part of the Department’s Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign to raise national awareness of cyber threats.  At our Annual meeting last year, members of the Coalition voted to develop a Designation of Excellence for it members who “walk the walk” and not just “talk the talk.”  Part of that designation process includes assuring that companies with the Designation assume leadership roles in educating their own companies and employees on cyber security threats and awareness.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Stop.Think.Connect. initiative is a national public awareness campaign that seeks to empoer the American public to be safer and more secure online. Given that much of cybersecurity lies with individual users — awareness is a critical component of this campaign.

As a National Network Member of the DHS’ Cyber Awareness Coalition, the GTSC has included a cybersecurity component in its designation of excellence and devotes the month of October — Cybersecurity Awareness Month — to cyber  programming to educate the public, policy makers and our community’s private sector members.  For more tips, news and trends, sign up for the Stop.Think.Connect. monthly newsletter.  For more information on engaging with the GTSC’s efforts, contact Whitney Kazragis.

March 12: Writing Proposals for DHS & DOD
Read More

March 12: Writing Proposals for DHS & DOD

Join Tom Essig, former Chief Procurement Officer of DHS and GTSC Strategic Advisor, and Josh Kussman, President of Sentinel Business Advisory Services at The Sentinel HS Group, to gain an in-depth look at every stage in the proposal process — from the RFI to your response to an RFP. They will especially focus on proposal writing for DHS and DOD.

tom essigAbout Mr. Essig

As a senior acquisition professional with more than 30 years experience with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of the Navy (DON), Mr. Essig has expertise in contracting and program management and is certified by the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security at career level III in both the contracting and program management.

He currently advises government and commercial organizations on federal acquisition and procurement and contracting matters through his company TWE, LLC. He also currently serves as a Procurement Subject Matter Expert with Kearney & Company.

His most recent federal position was as the Chief Procurement Officer for DHS from 2006 to 2009 where he was responsible for the management, administration and oversight of the department’s acquisition, strategic sourcing program, competitive sourcing program and providing leadership over the department’s $17 Billion in annual acquisitions.

Mr. Essig reported to office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) in February 2004. As Director of the Program Analysis and Business Transformation Division, he was responsible for overseeing analysis and support of contracting and business aspects of DON acquisition and other procurement programs and for the development and support of business transformation initiatives within DON. His division reflected the merger of the former Program Analysis and Support Division with the DON Acquisition Reform Office, and he was responsible for functions previously performed by those organizations.

From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Essig served as the Executive Director of the U.S. Navy Office of Special Projects (OSP). The OSP is a second echelon command reporting to the Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command and provides logistics, transportation, finance and other business and supply-related support to the fleet and shore establishment of the Department of the Navy. OSP’s mission supports every facet of the Navy. While in this assignment, Mr. Essig also served as the Director of the Navy Engineering Logistics Office.

Mr. Essig was selected as a member of the Senior Executive Service in 1995 and served as the Director of the Surface Systems Contracts Division of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). In this position he led a major procurement organization that planned, negotiated, and administered approximately 2,000 procurement actions valued at greater than $3 billion dollars annually.

Mr. Essig earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in 1976 and graduated, with distinction, from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1991. In 2000, he graduated from the Advanced Program Management Course at the Defense Systems Management College. He is a member of the Department of the Navy Acquisition Professional Community.

Mr. Essig began his federal career in 1976 when he entered the Navy’s Contracting Intern Development Program and was assigned to NAVSEA as a contract specialist, supporting various Naval weapon systems programs. In 1985, he was selected as the contracting officer for the Aircraft Carrier and Battleship programs. While in that position, he successfully negotiated what was then the largest shipbuilding contract in U.S. Navy history: a $4.3 billion contract for construction of two NIMITZ-class aircraft carriers. During his tenure at NAVSEA, Mr. Essig also served as the contracting officer for Standard Missile production, head of the Major Combatant Shipbuilding Branch, and Assistant Director of the Shipbuilding and Undersea Systems Contracts Divisions. In 1997, he received Vice President Gore’s Hammer Award for his work as a member of the Joint Navy/Industry Submarine Combat System Integrated Development Plan Team. He was awarded the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award in 1999 and the Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 2004.

JoshKussmanHeadshot

About Mr. Kussman

Mr. Kussman served as Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert C. Bonner from Oct. 2003 to December 2005. In 2005, Commissioner Bonner named him Director of Policy for CBP. In that capacity, Mr. Kussman led the development and coordination of agency-wide policy for CBP.

Mr. Kussman has extensive experience on homeland security matters related to border security, terrorism, international trade & travel, customs, immigration, transportation and intelligence.

While serving as Senior Policy Advisor to Commissioner Bonner and Director of Policy for CBP, Mr. Kussman:

  • Advised Commissioner Bonner on a wide array of matters relating to CBP operations and policies, including the integration of CBP into one agency following the creation of CBP and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
  • Advised Commissioner Bonner and the Chief of the Border Patrol on policies and operations related to the transition of the Border Patrol into CBP and the establishment of a more nationally-directed, headquarters driven Border Patrol, including:
    • Drafting and implementing the new National Border Patrol Strategy.
    • Reorganizing and re-invigorating the Border Patrol’s new headquarters structure.
    • Developing the policies and strategies for the America’s Shield Initiative (ASI).
    • Developing strategies for the use by CBP and the Border Patrol of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
  • Coordinated CBP’s efforts, in conjunction with DHS, to develop and implement the Secure Border Initiative (SBI).
  • Led CBP’s process of creating CBP Air, which resulted from the merger of former Air and Marine Operations unit with the U.S. Border Patrol’s aviation division into a single integrated office within CBP. CBP Air is the largest civilian law enforcement air program in the world.
  • Directed CBP’s efforts to coordinate CBP policies and operations with the Detention and Removals Office (DRO) of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
  • Led CBP’s coordinated effort to expand the use of expedited removal procedures, for the first time, to Border Patrol Agents operating between ports of entry. This effort involved developing regulations, policies and procedures, providing training to thousands of Border Patrol Agents, and coordinating the implementation of this program with ICE and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS).
  • Served as CBP’s primary representative to the Interagency Incident Management Group (IIMG), which advises the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on important policy and operational issues during significant incidents and contingencies.
  • Developed international, multilateral, and bilateral strategies for increasing the security of our borders, including:
    • The Arizona Border Control Initiative (ABCI);
    • The Immigration Advisory Program (IAP);
    • Coordinated CBP’s participation in the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP);
    • Coordinated CBP policies related to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the National Security Entry Exit Registration System (NSEERS), and the biometric collection of information from travelers.
  • Worked closely with the Homeland Security Council, the State Department, the DHS Offices of the Secretary, the United States Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement on visa, immigration, maritime security, intelligence, and other homeland security matters.

Before serving in the Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Kussman was an attorney with the San Francisco office of O’Melveny and Myers, where he specialized in intellectual property litigation and white-collar criminal defense.
Mr. Kussman also served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Mr. Kussman is a 1998 graduate, with honors, of the University of Chicago Law School. He graduated cum laude from Williams College in 1994.

Register now

 

March 14: CEO to CEO Networking Breakfast with John Rothenberger of SE Solutions
Read More

March 14: CEO to CEO Networking Breakfast with John Rothenberger of SE Solutions

john rothenbergerJohn Rothenberger
Founder & CEO, SE Solutions

Thursday, March 14, 2012 | 9:00 – 11:00 AM REGISTER NOW

John Rothenberger is the founder of Strategic Enterprise Solutions, Inc. (SE Solutions). He is a successful entrepreneur and seasoned business executive with over 18 years of executive leadership, strategic business planning, business development, and management experience.
John graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He is currently a member of the JMU Executive Advisory Council, serves as the Entrepreneur In-Residence for the College of Business and is a regular judge for the annual business plan competition. John is also a University of Pennsylvania Wharton School Business Fellow.
“I watched the smoke coming out of the Pentagon and felt moved to help our nation fight back in someway.” — John Rothenberger, CEO, SE Solutions


About SE Solutions — a mission-oriented company working at DHS, was founded shortly after 9/11 with a specific mission of helping the public sector respond to the attacks.. John will discuss the decision to start SE Solutions, some of the components that were essential to his success and how the company has navigated the evolving landscape at the Department.
Strategic Enterprise Solutions, Inc. (SE Solutions) is a go-to management and information technology services firm for federal agencies that focus on protecting and defending our nation’s security. In a rapidly changing threat landscape, we have the organizational agility, deep homeland security experience, cultural insight and multidisciplinary expertise to help our customers accomplish today’s mission and anticipate tomorrow’s demands, efficiently and cost-effectively.Our people live and breathe homeland security. We apply a unique hybrid approach that fuses technology with program management, strategy with implementation, and deep homeland security experience with private sector innovation to help our customers support their missions and overcome their most complex challenges.