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Harris IT, L3 NSS Assume Leadership of GTSC Mentor Forum

Wayne Lucernoni, President, Harris IT and Les Rose, President of L3 National Security Solutions (NSS) assumed leadership of the Government Technology & Services Coalition’s Mentor Forum — a group of large companies devoted to the homeland and national security mission.  Harris was one of the founding mentors of the Coalition, and L3 NSS is both a founding member and was awarded GTSC Mentor of the Year in 2013.

“Harris immediately saw the value and need for an organization devoted to the mission of homeland and national security. With increasing budget challenges, rapid technological change and complex procurements, we want to help our Federal partners find ways to work smarter and better and to leverage the best technologies available to do that,” said Wayne Lucernoni, President, Harris IT.

“We are proud to work so closely with colleagues across the industry to grapple with difficult challenges in national security,” said Les Rose, President of L-3 National Security Solutions. “Supporting the growth of smaller companies is an important strategic step in preserving our industrial base,” Rose added. “Small businesses fuel the U.S. economy and help to bring innovation to the federal government and public sector.”

The GTSC Mentors are companies with over a billion dollars in annual revenue that work on behalf of the Federal homeland and national security mission. In GTSC, companies in the Mentor Forum collaborate to bring the innovation, ideas and agility of small business to the experience, infrastructure and resources of large companies, in addition to sharing the best practices of the private sector with our Federal partners.

Read the press release here.

See all of GTSC’s Mentors here.

GTSC & Government Contracting Weekly Launch “The Mentors”

Washington, D.C. – December 4, 2013 – Government Contracting Weekly, the only television program devoted to winning government contracts, and the Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC) today launched, “The Mentors,” a Special Award Program and Strategic Partnership to recognize companies that mentor and contribute to the success of small businesses.

“Since our inception, the members of GTSC have wanted to recognize and encourage those who are improving the environment, expertise and effectiveness of the private and public sectors to assure that collectively we achieve our mission of protecting the nation,” said Kristina Tanasichuk, CEO and founder of GTSC, “we believe that this award program is long-overdue and highlights that there are many tremendous people and companies working in partnership to provide the latest innovation, professionalism and expertise to our Federal partners.”

The awards program will recognize and salute government contractors for their leadership and concrete actions in assisting small government contracting firms through mentoring, training, inspiration, teaming and cooperation.  “We believe that mentoring is critical to the contracting community.  Large firms that mentor small companies play a critical role in saving their Federal clients money and time, commit to putting action behind the mantra of bringing “innovation and creativity” to the Federal mission and bring a higher level of professionalism to the contracting community.  We are proud to recognize their contributions,” said Richard Nathan, CEO, AOC Key Solutions, owner of the Government Contracting Weekly television program.

Government Contracting Weekly premiered in September, 2013, and has received widespread critical acclaim from the government contracting community. Over 125 senior executives from government and industry have made appearances to provide unique domain knowledge and expertise regarding the keys to winning government contracts. “The alliance between GTSC and Government Contracting Weekly will provided heightened visibility to all of the support provided by large businesses to their small business counterparts,” said Jim McCarthy, owner and technical director of AOC Key Solutions and host/moderator of the program.

The award nominations process will open December 5th and accept nominations from both GTSC members and the broader small business contracting community.  Awardees will be announced weekly starting in early 2014 and recognized at a special awards celebration in the spring.  For more information on the awards, visit:  www.GTSCoalition.com/mentorawards

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The Chertoff Group, Dickstein Shapiro, GSIS 360 and the International Association for Contract and Commercial Management (IACCM), Linden Resources and the Security Industry Association are GTSC’s other strategic partners. More information on each is available at www.GTSCoalition.com.

 

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The Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC) is a nonprofit, non-partisan 501(c)(6) 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. For more information on these mentors and the Government Technology & Services Coalition, please visit www.GTSCoalition.com.

Government Contracting Weekly is a TV show devoted to winning government contracts, produced and brought to you by AOC Key Solutions, Inc.. The show airs every Sunday at 7am on the DC Metro CBS affiliate WUSA9.  Learn more about GCW atwww.governmentcontractingweekly.com.  AOC Key Solutions, Inc. (KSI) KSI provides proposal and business development consulting services to federal contractors. Since 1983, KSI has helped its clients win or retain over $122 billion in Government contracts by providing the Key to Winning. KSI employs in-house consulting professionals supplemented by more than 275 associates and subject matter experts. KSI consulting services include marketing assessment, strategic advisory, third party performance assessments, proposal development and technical writing services.  Learn more about their services atwww.aockeysolutions.com.

Oct. 16: Mentor Session with Harris IT Services

Join the Government Technology & Services Coalition for a Mentor Session with Mr. Keith Bryars, the Client Executive for National Security and Federal Law Enforcement at Harris Harris IT Services on Wednesday, October 16.

About Harris IT Services

A leading provider of end-to-end solutions in mission-critical IT transformation, managed solutions, and information assurance for defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil and commercial customers. With over 3,300 professionals worldwide, Harris IT Services offers demonstrated past performance, proven technical expertise and innovative solutions in supporting large-scale IT programs that encompass the full technology lifecycle.

About Keith Bryars, Client Executive

Keith Bryars is a client executive with Harris IT Services. Harris IT Services designs, deploys, and operates secure communications systems and information networks with optimal reliability and affordability for high-profile customers in government and commercial markets, delivering expertise in cloud services, cyber security/information assurance, enterprise managed services, mobility, and systems integration worldwide.

Mr. Bryars joined Harris Corporation in April 2012 following a 25-year career as a senior executive special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Throughout his FBI career, Mr. Bryars was involved in a number of significant highprofile investigations involving counterterrorism, cybersecurity, counterintelligence, public corruption, and violent crimes. He is considered a subject matter expert in Federal Law Enforcement and National Security matters.

At the FBI, Mr. Bryars led and managed field operations across the country and served in the FBI’s Kansas City, Miami, Nashville, Birmingham, and Washington field offices, and at FBI headquarters in Washington, DC. As an FBI senior executive, Mr. Bryars helped lead the FBI’s strategic transformation, post-9/11, to an intelligence-led, threat-driven organization.

He also served as a senior executive at the FBI’s Engineering Research Facility at the Operational Technology Division at Quantico, Virginia, where he oversaw all of the FBI’s technical programs supporting FBI field operations and intelligence collection, and directed a variety of technical capabilities and operational technology support to the FBI and other Federal Law Enforcement and National Security partners.

Before his FBI career, Mr. Bryars worked as a mechanical engineer in the nuclear power industry.

Mr. Bryars holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University.

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 125 countries. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services.

About GTSC’s Mentor Companies

The Government Technology & Services Coalition’s (GTSC) Mentor companies understand how critical a robust, successful homeland and national security market is to our nation’s security.  Together with our members, these firms are committed to bringing the innovation, ideas and agility of small business to the experience, infrastructure and resources of large companies.  GTSC mentors join us to provide advice and counsel to small and mid-sized companies, find new and innovative teaming partners, address challenges in the prime/subcontractor relationship in a neutral environment and improve mentor/protégé communication and success.  Both our large and small companies recognize that the best security for our citizens – both physically and economically — is derived from the ability of our markets to meet the challenges posed by terrorism, natural disasters, and criminal activity.

 

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BDO & IBM Join Distinguished List of GTSC Mentors

Washington, D.C. – July 18, 2013 – The Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC), the premier organization for small and mid-sized companies in the federal homeland and national security market, announced today the addition of BDO and IBM to its list of mentor companies.

“We are excited by the caliber of thought leadership and community engagement exhibited by these leaders in the homeland and national security community,” said Kristina Tanasichuk, CEO of GTSC. “Their commitment to innovation, partnership and working to help our government partners achieve their mission while adjusting to increasing budgetary pressures further builds our community of industry devoted to protecting the homeland.”

Courtney Bromley, IBM Vice President for Homeland Security and Law Enforcement also commented, “IBM is committed to assuring the best services and outcomes for our clients and believes that partnerships with innovative organizations and firms is critical to ensuring collaboration, best practices and innovation, and delivering results for our customers.”

“BDO is very happy to join GTSC because of their commitment to their government partners. BDO has a strong reputation of excellence in the commercial market, and we look forward to sharing those best practices with government clients and mentoring GTSC members. BDO’s Center of Excellence for Government Contracting is a unique resource providing guidance and thought leadership on technical, regulatory and business matters important to government contractors nationwide,” said Chuck Wolverton, Director in BDO’s Public Sector practice.

Mentor companies provide advice and counsel to small and mid-sized companies, find new and innovative teaming partners, address challenges in the prime-subcontractor relationship in a neutral environment, and improve mentor-protégé communication and success. Current mentors include: the Battelle Memorial Institute, Engility, Harris, L-3 Security & Detection Systems, L-3 STRATIS, SAIC and TASC. These firms are committed to working together to assure that our federal government receives the best products, services and solutions possible to combat threats and secure our nation.

“GTSC has proven to be a critical link for the continued growth and development of American business capabilities in national and homeland security mission arenas,” added Mike Kelly, Vice President at TASC. “We are honored to support robust partnerships that enhance the contractor community’s ability to help our customers keep our country safe and secure.”

For more information on GTSC’s mentors, please click here.

July 16: Mentor-Protege Programs: The Who, What, Why’s & How’s

The Government Technology & Services Coalition invites you to join us for a detailed look at mentor-protege programs. Government officials from several Mentor Protege programs will discuss their success and challenges; several large mentor firms will discuss their experiences, what they look for in a protege and why they are engaged in the program; a number of proteges will also discuss their experiences and offer advice to those interested in forming mentor protege relationships. Companies interested or looking for a mentor protege — whether a large or small firm — are welcome to contact us for matchmaking at the event.

Confirmed Government Speakers:

Kevin Boshears, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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.

Peggy Butler-MasonPeggy Butler-Mason, Deputy Director, Subcontracting and Mentor Protege Program Manager, U.S. Army, Office of Small Business Programs, Office of the Secretary of the Army

As Army OSBP Deputy Director and Subcontracting and Mentor Protégé Program Manager in the U.S. Army, Office of Small Business Programs, Ms. Butler-Mason is responsible for assisting the Director in the establishment of policies and procedures and performing oversight to ensure implementation of statutory requirements.  She also implements processes to increase industry awareness of the department’s small business subcontracting and Mentor Protégé program initiatives.   She influences new policy updates to existing Subcontracting and Mentor Protégé acquisition regulations and solicits innovative Mentor Protégé technology transfer agreements from industry to support the real time needs of the war fighter.  She actively participates on the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) working group panel and manages the Army Summary Subcontracting Report acknowledgement process.  In addition, she manages twenty-one (21) active Mentor Protégé contracts, ensures broad participation of small businesses in new DoD acquisitions valued over $500 million and validates the annual soundness of subcontracting targets.  Ms Butler-Mason also participates on Army Strategic Sourcing panel reviews.

Prior to accepting her current position, Ms. Butler-Mason was a senior Procurement Analyst at Headquarters, U.S. Army Contracting Agency (ACA) and Contracting Officer at the Information Technology E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center.

Ms. Butler-Mason is an acquisition professional with over 30 years of experience in contracting.   Ms. Butler-Mason is Level III certified in acquisitions and is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps.  She has received numerous civilian awards for exceptional performance through out her acquisition career.

Sharon Davis, Mentor-Protege Program Manager/WOSB Advocate, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Ms. Davis is a Small Business Advocate in the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization.  In this capacity, Ms. Davis coordinates the DHS Annual Small Business Awards Ceremony, serves as the Woman-Owned Small Business Advocate, and Mentor-Protégé Program Manager providing guidance to large and small businesses interested in developing a Mentor-Protégé relationship with the Department of Homeland Security.  The purpose of the Mentor-Protégé Program is to foster the establishment of long-term business relationships between DHS large prime contractors and small business subcontractors which strengthens subcontracting opportunities and accomplishments at DHS.

She also counsels small businesses interested in doing business with DHS, participates in conferences and outreach activities sponsored by government agencies, congressional members, and trade associations.  Ms. Davis came to work for DHS in late 2009 from the Department of Treasury where she held a dual position as a Small Business Specialist and Contracting Officer.  Prior to working at Treasury, Ms. Davis worked for Federal Emergency Management Agency as a Contract Specialist.  Ms. Davis has over thirteen years of federal government procurement experience and twenty-four years of federal government service.  She is a strong believer in promoting opportunities for small businesses.

Tabisa Tepfer, Program Manager, Office of Small Business Programs, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Confirmed GTSC Mentor Company Speakers:

Wayne Pizer, Vice President, Small Business Programs,

L-3 Communications, L-3 STRATIS

Wayne Pizer is the Vice President for Small Business Programs at L-3 National Security Solutions (NSS), a Group of L-3 Communications. As Vice President for Small Business Programs, he is responsible for developing and executing the small business strategy for NSS. His responsibilities include: identifying go-to-market small business partners, promoting small businesses and ensuring Small Business Compliancy throughout the NSS organization. The mission of his office is to grow NSS revenue through partnerships with small businesses. Mr. Pizer has been with L-3 for over 4 years. Prior to joining L-3, Mr. Pizer had multiple positions during a 9 year career at IBM. Mr. Pizer holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from American University in 1991 and his Master in Business Administration from American University in 1996. He is also certified Project Management Professional and has an SAP certification in Production Planning.

Tony Sacco, Vice President, SAIC

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pending Membership

Celebrate Small Business Week with GTSC’s Pending Membership!

It’s National Small Business Week (June 16 – June 22) – GTSC thought there would be no better way to celebrate small business week than by offering “pending memberships” to our community of small businesses!

In Italy, café customers can pay for a “caffe sospeso” – a pending coffee that can later be claimed for free by those who can’t afford one.  The legend is:

“Right after the war, many gentlemen had lost everything they had, and couldn’t even afford coffee.  Now, being that black hot liquid pleasure was not considered a treat, but rather a basic human right in the life of any Neapolitan, those gentlemen who could still afford to have one, took a habit of paying for two: one they drank, the other was credited, to be had by the first peer who would walk in the bar.  The bartender would then say  “Would you like a coffee sir?  Which meant:  there is a coffee paid for you if you can’t afford one.”

What this means is that if your company has annual revenue under $2.5 million, your company can join for free when matched with a “pending membership.”  Our mentors and mid-sized companies are invited to pay for a “pending membership.”  

INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING SMALL COMPANIES WITH A PENDING MEMBERSHIP? CLICK HERE!

WANT TO APPLY FOR A PENDING MEMBERSHIP? CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

Thank you to our GTSC Members and Mentors who have already supported by purchasing a pending membership on behalf of our community!

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