Project 38: The Future Of Federal Contracting

The history of IT innovation can be divided into several eras (mainfraime, PC, the Web, etc.) and SAIC Chief Technology Officer Charles Onstott explains what era we are in now and what might be coming next. In our conversation we talk about the current era of MACC (you'll need to listen to learn what that is) and how there’s a possibility that IT might not be the primary driver of innovation going forward. It’ll still play a critical role but other technologies will drive change as well. The challenge is keeping up. Your success will depend on it.

General Dynamics IT Chief Technology Officer Yogesh Khanna talks about how cloud computing and the push for cybersecurity are fundamentally changing the market and what systems integrators delivering to customers. Senior Staff Writer Ross Wilkers conducts his third interview with a senior defense executive about how the sector is going through a period of great disruption. For Khanna, cloud and cyber are only the beginning. In fact, cloud doesn't really matter. It is what you deliver on the cloud. In other words, the mission and that is why cybersecurity is at the heart of what customers are demanding.

Senior Staff Writer Ross Wilkers speaks with Peder Jungck, BAE Systems Inc. vice president and general manager for intelligence solutions, about how technology is remaking the defense market and what it'll take to win the future. This is the second in a series of interviews by Wilkers with defense executives about how the market is changing and how their companies are adapting. Critical issues include the pressure to manage data and extract value from it, the evolving role of the systems integrator, and how to track emerging commercial technologies.

In this episode, Senior Staff Writer Ross Wilkers interviews Raytheon’s Dave Wajsgras about the transformation that is occurring across the defense market and how Raytheon is disrupting itself. Disruption and transformation are common themes across the defense sector and Wajsgras shares what it means to Raytheon, including the impact of the pending acquisition of United Technology Corp.’s defense and aerospace businesses. This is the first in a series of interviews with defense industry executives as they discuss the changes occurring across the market.

We talk to Mark Testoni, CEO of SAP NS2 , about how even without an award yet JEDI has been a force in the market and points the way to more disruption. Traditional government contractors and their customers are increasing their embrace of commercial technologies but there is still more to do. And all of this is laying the foundation for more disruption when 5G gains momentum and ushers in a new era of innovation and change in the market.

SOS International is celebrating its 30th birthday this week but has its sights set well beyond that milestone for the family-owned and family-run contractor. In this Project 38 episode, CEO Julian Setian tells us what he sees the company's next 30 years looking like as the market keeps changing. While the company looks back with pride on its first 30 years, there are no plans to slow down as the company continues to evolve and find new opportunities for growth.

In this episode of Project 38, Editor Nick Wakeman and Senior Staff Writer Ross Wilkers discuss some of the major stories they've been tracking, from JEDI to the M&A activity that has been reshaping the market. Wakeman and Wilkers offer their perspective what the major deals such as L3 and Harris Corp. and Raytheon and United Technologies. They also discuss JEDI, DEOS and what the annual fourth quarter spending spree is revealing about trends in the market.

Silicon Valley has long been seen as the bread basket of commercial technology but a new book by Margaret O'Mara traces the Valley's roots to major investments by the federal government following World War II. Listen to our conversation with O'Mara as she recounts some of the lessons learned and why the relationship may ebb and flow but it'll never fade away. While the amounts of money in research grants and contract spending was important, the greater impact was on how the government spent those funds that helped foster an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship. Her book explains how the companies and technologies developed but also the people and relationships that drove the tech world forward. Today, we face a different world but what the government needs from the Valley and what the Valley wants from the government have never been more critical to national security and economic growth.

Chuck Harrington, chairman and CEO of Parsons, shares the strategy behind their move to the public market after years as an employee-owned company. In our conversation, he talks about the IPO process but also why it was important to make that move for the company as it targets more growth in the federal market. The company has been active acquirer in recent years and the pubic offering only adds more fuel for Parsons to make deals. Harrington shares this and more in a conversation with Senior Staff Writer Ross Wilkers.

On the cusp of taking the reins as CEO of SAIC, Nazzic Keene sat down with us to talk about her new role and where she sees future opportunities for Science Applications International Corp. She replaces Tony Moraco, who retires on Aug. 1. She will lead a company that has seen significant changes in recent years, notably the acquisition of Engility and a bigger footprint in the intelligence market. She talks about how she worked with Moraco over the last two years as COO, how she'll lead the company as CEO, and where she sees their strengths and needs moving forward.

In part 2 of our interview with General Dynamics Chris Marzilli, we dive deeper into the strategic direction of the Mission Systems and Information Technology businesses, including the integration of CSRA and how Mission Systems and IT go to market together. Marzilli shares how the No. 2 company on the 2019 Washington Technology Top 100 sees the evolving opportunities in the federal market.

Listen in on our Top 100 interview with General Dynamics executive Chris Marzilli, who leads the company's MIssion Systems and Information Technology businesses, as he shares the company's strategy and outlook in Part 1 of a two part podcast. In this part, Marzilli talks about the changes that GD has been going through in recent years including acquisitions, divestitures and restructuring of the company. The goal is quality revenue and growth and as he explains that means picking what businesses the company wants to be in and what it doesn't. Marzilli also talks about how the market is changing and what the means to General Dynamics.

Listen to our Top 100 interview with Tom Romeo as he describes how the acquisition of General Dynamics call center business has positioned Maximius for a new era of growth. The deal with GD vaulted Maximus from No. 72 on the Top 100 to No. 25. But beyond its ranking Romero sees opportunities for more citizen engagement work as well as opportunities to its capabilities to deliver more "as a service" solutions to government customers. As it integrates the acquisition, Maximus is building its sales and business development organizations so that it can better compete with the "big boys" as Romeo calls them. He readily admits the company cannot sneak under the radar anymore.

Programs and projects often go off the rails because of a lack of communication between contractor and customer. Learning the skills you need identify and engage with your stakeholders is critical for your customer's success as well as your company's success. We talk with business development veteran Jim Allen about how program and project managers can engage with their stakeholders. Jim also is the lead instructor for a workshop we have produced on mastering stakeholder engagement. As he explains in our interview, the concept is pretty straightforward, but doing it effectively takes a lot of hard work.

Bob Lohfeld Jr. , founder and CEO of Sev1Tech, explains why he sold his mid-tier company to a private equity firm. The decision wasn't about cashing out -- he's not going anywhere -- but the infusion of resources from DFW Capital Partners will give Sev1Tech the ability to accelerate its growth. The acquisition of Sev1Tech is just one of many involving private equity firms buying mid-tier platforms. And Lohfeld's interview gives us unique insights into why more of these deals are happening in today's market.

Washington Technology Editor Nick Wakeman and Senior Staff Writer Ross Wilkers share their insights on the major happenings in the GovCon market during the first two months of 2019. From the end of the partial government shutdown to early M&A activity to the prospects of the return of sequestration and what's next for JEDI, Wakeman and Wilkers talk about some of the major factors driving the government market. These two veteran reporters have talked to some of the leading executives in the market who shared their strategic plans and what might come next in the GovCon space. Listen as Wakeman and Wilker share what they've learned and what they see coming in 2019.

We pay another visit with David Berteau, president and CEO of the Professional Services Council, to get his insights on how the GovCon industry is bouncing back from the partial government shutdown and what might come next. Berteau shares what he has been hearing from his member companies and he puts the recovery into three buckets: Immediate damage caused by lost revenue Lost opportunities because of the shutdown The long-term damage to recruiting and retaining workers There is a silver lining in that the government is fully funded now and there is time to win new work and recoup lost revenue before the end of fiscal 2019 on Sept. 30. But it is paramount for companies to talk to customers now and prepare for any future shutdown, Berteau says. Lay the ground work now for weathering the next shutdown. He also describes other efforts underway that might ease the pain of a future shutdown.

In part two of our interview with SAIC's Tony Moraco he shares his views on the extra value he looks for from merger and acquisition targets and how that creates opportunities for growth. In part one we focused on SAIC's Engility acquisition and in part two we take a broader look at the company's M&A strategy and how SAIC' is organized to pull capabilities from across the company to chase new opportunities. Moraco also explains how critical mass with a customer is defined and how that measure informs the company's strategy. Between parts 1 and 2 of our interview with Moraco, you can gain valuable insights into what SAIC is doing and how it reflects broader trends in the GovCon market.

Listen to our interview with SAIC CEO Tony Moraco as he shares how buying Engility accelerates SAIC's strategy, what its integration plan is, and where he sees opportunities for growth. Moraco shares about lessons learned from SAIC's acquisition of Scitor and how Engility brings SAIC critical mass in the intelligence and space markets. He also talks about what he sees as the key factors that will drive SAIC's success over the next several years. This is part 1 of a two-part podcast. In part 2, Moraco shares more about SAIC's goals and strategic approach to the market.

In part 2 of our two-part interview with former Rep. Tom Davis, the congressman shares his views on procurement, politics and what he would do if he were king. Davis sees some things in the contracting market going well but a lot of things not working. There is paralysis on Capitol Hill but he sees a light at the end of the tunnel -- the return of earmarks. He explains how earmarks can break the gridlock in Congress as well as be a tool for fostering more innovation. He also thinks contracting officers need more authority and the ability to make the best deals for the government and taxpayers. All of this would spell good news for contractors but they need to focus on their business case and the mission of their customer.