Government – The Consulting Report

Accenture Federal Services Secures $81 Million SSA Contract

jirehl — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 12:00:32 +0000

Accenture Federal Services has been awarded an $81 million contract by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to enhance its artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. This initiative aims to implement end-to-end intelligent automation services, revolutionizing the processing of approximately 250 million retiree and survivors' benefits documents each year, which are currently managed through various channels, including email and mail. The SSA has already made strides in modernization by deploying an enterprise hyperautomation platform that utilizes advanced deep learning and computer vision techniques to accurately identify and extract data from its electronic folders.

Under this new contract, Accenture will provide essential licenses to develop a comprehensive Infrastructure as a Software roadmap, facilitating intelligent automation installation, testing, and training. Laura Coon, a Managing Director at Accenture Federal Services, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting the SSA in achieving significant business value from its modernization efforts. The contract has a performance period of five years, during which Accenture aims to be a trusted partner as the agency addresses the evolving needs of retirees and survivors efficiently and cost-effectively.

CGI Federal to Acquire Aeyon, Enhancing Digital Transformation Offerings

jirehl — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 12:00:30 +0000

CGI Federal, a wholly-owned US subsidiary of CGI, a prominent global IT and business consulting firm, has disclosed its intention to acquire Aeyon, a company that specializes in AI technologies and digital transformation. The objective of this acquisition is to improve the service offerings of CGI Federal to critical national security clients, such as the Department of Defense and NASA. The transaction is anticipated to be finalized in the fourth quarter of CGI's fiscal year 2024, subject to regulatory approvals. CGI, which was established in 1976, offers a wide range of IT and consulting services to a variety of industries. In fiscal 2023, the company reported revenues of CA$14.30 billion.

Aeyon, recognized for its expertise in data management, analytics, and intelligent automation, is backed by Enlightenment Capital, a private investment firm focused on the aerospace, defense, government, and technology sectors. Aeyon’s President and CEO, Sunny Singh, expressed optimism about the acquisition, noting that it will provide clients with enhanced capabilities and offer significant career advancement opportunities for employees. The integration of Aeyon’s 725 employees into CGI is expected to bolster the combined firms' ability to deliver innovative solutions and drive mission impact for US Federal Government organizations.

Accenture Federal Services Appoints Ron Ash as CEO

jirehl — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 12:00:31 +0000

Ron Ash has been appointed as the CEO of Accenture Federal Services, effective September 1, 2024, succeeding John Goodman, who will retire after leading the company since 2017. Chief Operating Officer since 2022, Ash is recognized for his expertise in leveraging advanced technologies to address complex challenges faced by the US federal government. As CEO, he will also assume the role of Chair of the Accenture Federal Services Board of Managers, where he aims to enhance the organization's capacity to integrate generative AI and other innovative technologies into government operations.

As a subsidiary of Accenture LLP, Accenture Federal Services focuses on enabling the federal government to tackle significant challenges through digital transformation. The company boasts a workforce of 15,500 employees dedicated to advancing mission-critical priorities. Ash, who began his career at Accenture in 1996, is known for fostering a culture of inclusion and skill development. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead and emphasized the importance of teamwork in shaping the future of federal services.

Transatlantic Confidence Index 2024 Highlights Resilient US-UK Economic Ties

jirehl — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The 2024 Transatlantic Confidence Index, published by BritishAmerican Business and Bain and Company, reflects a stable outlook among British and American businesses regarding their economic ties, despite ongoing political uncertainties due to national elections in both countries. US investors' confidence in the UK increased marginally to 6.6, as evidenced by the index's score of 7.1 out of 10, which is up from 7.0 in 2023. The transatlantic economic corridor is characterized by a positive sentiment, as evidenced by the high level of confidence in the US among UK companies, which remains at 8.4. The survey also indicates that businesses are planning to maintain or increase their investment levels in both markets, citing the need for stable policies and stronger economic collaboration as critical priorities.

Concerns surrounding tax competitiveness emerged prominently in the findings, with over 70% of US companies identifying the UK tax environment as a top concern, reflecting anxiety over recent corporate tax increases. Additionally, a majority of respondents expressed support for a full free-trade agreement between the US and UK, emphasizing the need for greater economic partnership. As businesses navigate a landscape of geopolitical and technological disruptions, the results of the index highlight the enduring strength of US-UK economic relations and the importance of policy stability to foster future growth.

LMI Awarded Contract to Enhance Air Force Firefighter Training

jirehl — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 12:00:24 +0000

The United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command has selected LMI to implement a Human Performance Program aimed at enhancing training for fire emergency services across the Department of Defense. This nearly $3 million contract will allow LMI to establish and sustain a program that is dedicated to enhancing firefighter training and decreasing injuries and failure rates. The initiative includes diagnostic analysis, physical performance monitoring, health education, and effectiveness evaluation.

LMI will optimize students' physical performance by applying biometric data and insights from functional fitness, nutrition, and kinesiology. The company’s approach aligns with its capabilities in performance optimization, enhancing government operations through advanced analytics and data-driven decision-making. LMI, a prime contractor supporting various defense training initiatives, leverages over 60 years of federal expertise to improve military readiness and operational efficiency, underscoring its commitment to supporting the US Air Force’s training objectives.

David Schiff Joins FTI Consulting as Senior Managing Director

jirehl — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 12:00:01 +0000

On July 22, 2024, FTI Consulting announced the appointment of David Schiff as a Senior Managing Director in the corporate finance and restructuring segment of its financial services practice. Based in Los Angeles, Schiff has over two decades of experience in leading transformational initiatives in the financial services sector. In his new role, he will focus on collaborating with regional and super-regional bank leadership to enhance performance through growth optimization and improved customer and enterprise value.

Before joining FTI Consulting, Schiff was a Senior Partner and National Head of Retail and Consumer Banking at West Monroe Partners. As such, he was responsible for leading critical initiatives to improve regulatory readiness and enhance balance sheets. He also held the position of Principal at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he was responsible for banking experience transformation. Schiff emphasized the need for financial institutions to adapt their operations amid ongoing economic and regulatory challenges, stating his commitment to leveraging FTI Consulting’s diverse industry expertise to assist clients in navigating these transformations. FTI Consulting is a global advisory firm that supports organizations in managing change, mitigating risk, and resolving complex business challenges, with more than 8,000 employees across 33 countries.

Lockheed Martin Secures $4.6 Million DARPA Contract for AI Development

jirehl — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 12:00:46 +0000

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Lockheed Martin a $4.6 million contract as part of its Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) program. This initiative aims to create sophisticated artificial intelligence tools that will improve the dynamic performance of airborne missions. To advance national security technologies and address the changing requirements of defense, the project will entail the development of advanced AI agents and modeling and simulation approaches for live, multi-ship, beyond visual range missions.

Over 18 months, Lockheed Martin will utilize AI and machine learning (ML) techniques to develop surrogate models of aircraft, sensors, electronic warfare, and weapons within realistic operational environments. DARPA’s AIR program aims to improve government-provided models' speed and predictive performance, aligning them more closely with real-world Defense Department systems. This collaboration will leverage Lockheed Martin’s ARISE infrastructure and ML technology to provide valuable data for decision-making, offering potential cost savings and reinforcing the US and its allies' competitive edge.

Accenture Federal Services Secures $250 Million DOI Contract

jirehl — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 12:00:41 +0000

The US Department of the Interior has awarded Accenture Federal Services a $250 million contract to assist the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the operation and maintenance of a Mission Services Platform that is future-ready. The contract, which extends over ten years, involves developing and implementing agile application services designed to enhance data quality, boost employee productivity, and transform citizen services. Accenture will utilize its expertise in portal development, geospatial tools, case management, and agile delivery to assist BLM in modernizing its IT infrastructure.

The Mission Services Platform aims to streamline the management of over 245 million acres of federal land and 700 million acres of subsurface minerals. Accenture Federal Services, a subsidiary of Accenture LLP, specializes in providing federal solutions that drive innovation and improve operational efficiency. With its extensive global resources and industry experience, Accenture is well-positioned to support BLM's modernization efforts, ensuring effective management and sustainable use of federal lands for future generations.

CGI to Modernize FBI IT Systems

jirehl — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:00:46 +0000

CGI Federal, the US subsidiary of CGI, has been chosen as a technology partner by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to modernize its IT systems, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. This selection enables CGI to compete for task orders under the FBI Information Technology Supplies and Support Services 2nd Generation (ITSSS-2) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), valued at up to $8 billion and awarded under the General Services Administration Multiple Award Schedule.

CGI plans to deliver business consulting, systems integration, and managed IT services aligned with the FBI’s strategic objectives. Clay Goldwein, CGI’s Senior Vice President for National Security and Justice, emphasized their commitment to accelerating the FBI’s digital transformation. CGI, with a strong presence in FBI locations like the National Capital Region and Huntsville, Alabama, aims to support the Bureau’s initiatives with local talent and cutting-edge technologies. Founded in 1976, CGI is a leading global IT and business consulting firm, with a substantial workforce and a track record of delivering comprehensive IT solutions across various sectors.

Clint Woofter Joins BRG as Director

jirehl — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:00:10 +0000

Clint Woofter has been appointed as a Director in the Washington, DC office of BRG's Government Contracts practice. Woofter has over 25 years of industry leadership experience and specializes in financial compliance advisory services for federal government contractors in regulated sectors, including defense, aerospace, and civilian government. His expertise lies in cost structure integration, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, external restructuring, and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Prior to his employment with BRG, Woofter served in substantial capacities, including Vice President of Government Contracts Compliance for a top-ten government contractor and government contracts Partner at a national accounting firm.

BRG’s Government Contracts practice leader, Mary Karen Wills, highlighted Woofter’s ability to maximize cost recovery for clients while adhering to regulations. Woofter is also noted for his modern approach, integrating tools and standard business processes to navigate the complex government contracting landscape. In addition to his new role at BRG, Woofter chairs the Professional Services Council’s Contract Finance and Cash Flow Committee and is an active member of the Council of Defense and Space Industry Associations (CODSIA). He holds an MBA from Marymount University, a bachelor’s degree from American University, and an associate’s degree in accounting from Montgomery College.