Glen Ives Named President, Sabre Systems, Inc.

Glen Ives, long-time St. Mary’s resident and involved leader in military and industry relationship building, community development and higher education in the region, was recently tapped as President, Sabre Systems, Inc.  

Sabre Systems, Inc., a leading provider of specialized technology services and mission expertise announced the organizational changes Friday. Philip P. Jaurigue, currently the president and chief executive officer (CEO), is relinquishing his role as president and assuming the board chairmanship; Jaurigue will maintain his CEO title. Jaurigue, who founded the company in 1989, will take leadership of the company’s recently launched commercial business as well as oversight of strategic business partnerships. His deep relationships and understanding of the business, customers and partners will enable him to play a key role in the expansion of the business into a higher return for the company.

Ives, the current chief operating officer (COO), will assume the position of president in addition to his COO responsibilities. Ives has steered strategic transformations for the company and has responsibility for the management and execution of day-to-day operations.

The company also announced the promotion of senior executive director Dennis DePriest to vice president, Mid-Atlantic region. DePriest joined the company in 2013 and has been managing the company’s support to the Software Engineering and Acquisition Management Division, Naval Air Systems Command/Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. He will expand his current role and assume responsibility for overall management and growth for the region that serves all Navy programs.

“Dennis has demonstrated the leadership skills, focus and judgment required to take our Navy business to the levels called for in the company’s 2020 Strategic Plan,” noted Ives. “I am excited by Sabre’s future within the region under Dennis’s leadership.”

Remarking on the announcements, Jaurigue said, "These actions are a logical next step in the plans we are implementing to become a more focused, higher growth company. The business reorganization clearly aligns our leadership to the organizational structure to drive growth in the right areas for the company.”

He continued, “Glen is a very talented and successful leader, and he has made a real difference to Sabre during his years with the company.”

Ives, a retired Navy Captain, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Army College and served as a naval officer and pilot all over the world. His last military assignment was as commanding officer of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He sits on the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and the Board of Governors for the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center. He also served on the Metropolitan Commission Task Force, Workforce Investment Board, chaired the Catholic Schools Task Force and co-chaired the River Concert Series Task Force. He is a past honorary chairman of the United Way, Christmas in April, Special Olympics and leader of the Catholic Schools task force. He is a proud Rotarian, a 2009 graduate of Leadership Maryland and serves on the boards of Southern Maryland Navy Alliance, College of Southern Maryland Foundation, St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce, The Patuxent Partnership, and Annemarie Gardens. Ives and his wife, Barbara, Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships for the College of Southern Maryland, live in California, Maryland.

Please join Iona Moon in congratulating Glen and Sabre on their continued success. 

Navy: Last chance for new primes on SeaPort-e

2016 will be final rolling admissions for this version of the contract

Dahlgren, VA, November 9, 2015– In a special announcement released Sunday on the SeaPort-e website, the Navy was brief and to the point. There are no plans to add new contractors to the current program after Rolling Admissions 2016. That solicitation is expected today, with proposals due to the Government on January 21, 2016. Awards are expected in June, 2016.

The notice reads:

Rolling Admission Special Notice:

This is a special notice to inform vendors that after this Rolling Admission period, there are no plans to add new vendors to the current SeaPort-e program.

At a recent NAVAIR Small Business Roundtable event in Lexington Park, Maryland, the SeaPort-e Contracting Officer presented possible scenarios for the future of SeaPort-e. The spectrum of options ranged from a follow-on program to a return to a decentralized contracting model for services. She invited feedback from industry and the Navy contracting community on these and other alternatives.

The contracting office did confirm existing primes will still be able to add team members at any time during their award term. 

Lee Griffo, President of Iona Moon said: “SeaPort-e was well-architected, but not optimally executed across Navy. We are optimistic the next iteration will address inconsistencies across commands and provide better guidance and training to vendors and the Government, while maintaining the commitment to small business utilization that has been its hallmark. There are still many opportunities between now and 2019 for prime contractors to win up-to five-year task orders, reaching well into 2024 on the current contract. I expect this to be a banner year for new primes.”

Dr. Jim Hiles, the original architect of the contract and Senior Associate with Iona Moon had this to say about the news. “SeaPort-e has been a huge success, in part because it has been as much about sensible, intuitive process and information transparency as it has been about a contract vehicle. Second generation transitions are difficult and the current multiple-award landscape is full of “flagship” contract suites that are a process mess in comparison. No doubt the time is now to take action, commit to a bid decision and get in the game on Seaport-e.”

Dr. Hiles is the author of “Winning with Past Performance: Strategies for Industry and Government,” and “Federal Contracting: 13 Steps to Increase Your CPARS Ratings.” He is working with Iona Moon to make available their combined expertise in the form of accessible educational resources and practical, effective processes to improve win performance for firms targeting the Federal sector.

Existing SeaPort-e Primes, Add Zones Now

Introducing ReadyWin™ for Zones: everything you need to fill the geographic gaps in your SeaPort-e pipeline. This may be your last chance to add Zones to your existing SeaPort-e contract. The Navy has announced this will be the last rolling admission for this version of the contract. 

If you don't have the Zone coverage you need, you could be leaving money on the table with expiring task orders over the next three years. TO's under SeaPort-e can be awarded for up-to five years. Work will continue well into 2024. Will you be competitive where your customers are?

Iona Moon has clients nationwide, and offers free matchmaking to all our ReadyWin™ customers. The time is now to maximize the reach of your SeaPort-e contract. ReadyWin™  for Zones has everything you need:

• Complete, step-by-step instructions (what the Government didn't tell you)
• Zone Gap Worksheet (where your customers are and where you need to be)
• Complete Subcontractor Data Calls, with instructions
• Sample Teaming Agreements and NDAs
• Access to our team member matchmaking database
• Fully-formatted templates, including cover letter and mailing label
• Unlimited email support

ReadyWin™ for Zones meets the high standards we set for all our products and client services. Let us help you increase your Navy and Marine Corps footprint on SeaPort-e. 

Celebrating 10 Years and SeaPort-e 2014!

Iona Moon is thrilled to be turning 10! We have some exciting news to share, including the announcement yesterday of the SeaPort-e Rolling Admission!  

Certainly late this year, but always welcome, the SeaPort-e RFP is slated to be released September 17th, with proposals due October 23th. We are expecting a lot of changes to this year's solicitation. We will have the page-by-page list of updates exclusively for our clients. 

This year we are also launching our ReadyWin™ product line with the inaugural ReadyWin™ for SeaPort-e. This is the next evolution of the SeaPort-e Toolkit©--our best seller with over 350 SeaPort-e prime contract wins! 

More products, tools and resources will be coming in the months ahead under the ReadyWin™ brand, from your most-trusted resource in the industry.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to the next 10 years!

Lee Moon-Griffo, President 

MCSC SeaPort-e Industry Day Raises Questions

ACSS Briefing to Industry Falls Short of Attendee Expectations

Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has shelved its in-house CEOss acquisition vehicle for services in favor of the Navy-wide SeaPort-e contract. Attendees of the industry day held June 18th in Quantico may have come away with more questions than answers about the impact of the change, and USMC’s plans for the transition.

Nearly 20% of the attendees (by show of hands) were not SeaPort-e prime contract holders. The announcement came on April 27th, just days before the proposal deadline for SeaPort-e Rolling Admission for 2012, locking out those vendors without contracts until at least Spring 2013.

Acquisition Center for Support Services (ACSS) director, Mr. Paul Ortiz, briefed the 100+ attendees on some of the changes they could expect. Key changes touched on include:

• Task orders will be Firm-Fixed-Price
• MCSC will adopt the SeaPort-e functional-area structure in place of the CEOss domain model
• Solicitations will adhere to Navy guidance for formatting, and MCSC will utilize SeaPort-e templates
• Base contract awards will be made by NAVSEA using their process
• Task order award decisions will be made locally, by the ACSS staff
• “Due diligence” will be incorporated into the task order Q&A process within the 30-day open period for solicitations
• More emphasis will be placed on meeting small business participation goals
• Engineering waiver determinations must be conducted for task orders with any engineering element

Still, a great deal was left unanswered, and it is evident this is unfamiliar territory for the command. ACSS is unable to forecast specific new or follow-on work that will be competed under SeaPort-e, though they cite historically annual CEOss figures of 1,600 task order actions, with a value of $450M.

Most concerning is the information left out of last week’s 1.5-hour brief, though Mr. Ortiz did say the communication plan for the transition is an internal document.  We can only hope more information is available to industry in the very near future.

There was no guidance provided for current prime and subcontractors that are not SeaPort-e participants; no mention of SeaPort-e‘s 51% work requirement for small business set-asides; and no discussion of the new prime contract awards expected next month.

Alarmingly, there was no nod to the impact on long-time CEOss primes who would be unable to re-compete for work they are currently performing, or the programs that will no longer have access to the expertise of these contractors. Perhaps MCSC does not view this as their problem.

SeaPort-e is an agile vehicle that can provide MCSC with efficient and powerful tools to meet their requirements. It is also a complex, peculiar and competitive contract. To make the most of it, both government and industry need to understand what it can and cannot do.

MCSC seems to be expecting a more robust suite of services than SeaPort-e delivers. For example, SeaPort-e can’t improve a poor requirements process, and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that the marriage of Marine Corps’ requirements and acquisition process has not always gone smoothly.

Another stumbling point is the plan to have the question and answer process in the SeaPort-e portal serve as due diligence within a 30-day open period of a solicitation. This is a recipe for protests. A material amendment to an RFP must include an extension to give fair opportunities to competitors.

The industry day did little to instill confidence MCSC is making a deliberate, planned move to SeaPort-e with enthusiastic support of the ACSS.  One thing is very clear:  this is the future to which MCSC is marching smartly and ACSS is tapped to lead the charge.

For SeaPort-e primes who have been locked out of the USMC’s services business due to the insular nature of CEOss, this major change opens new competitive opportunities. With Navy-wide emphasis on affordability, even long-time incumbents may be unseated with the right win approach. Current CEOss primes and subs no longer have a captive market and will have to up their game to stay competitive.

From an industry perspective, my advice is to stay better-informed than your customer, and that means getting your advice from the experts.

Did you attend the Industry Day? What are your unanswered questions about the change? Leave us your thoughts in a comment.

Zekiah Promotes Eric Mahaffey to Vice President

Zekiah is pleased to announce the promotion of Eric Mahaffey to the position of Vice President.  Mr. Mahaffey will be managing Zekiah’s new contract at the Department of Homeland Security in Arlington, VA.

Eric joined Zekiah in 2003 and has been integral in expanding Zekiah’s geospatial services.  A graduate of Coastal Carolina University, Mr. Mahaffey has continued his geospatial education with Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI).  Bill Dollins, Zekiah’s Sr. Vice President of Geospatial Services, expressed, “Eric has been a key member of Zekiah’s staff for years, providing outstanding geospatial solutions to many of our core customers. We are very happy to have Eric join our executive team and establish an important new relationship with DHS."

View the original article here.

Spalding Consulting wins SBIR

Spalding Consulting, Inc., announced today that it has been awarded a six-month, $79k, Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract. Spalding will work to develop a framework solution for an Automated Logistics Environment (ALE).  The project: Advanced Common Integrative, Intelligent, Customizable, and Scalable ALE Framework, will support NAVAIR logistics and aviation readiness efforts.  Under this contract, Spalding will research the development of integrated logistics tools to support and sustain increasing-global military operations. Spalding Consulting, Inc., (www.scipax.com) is a leading small business professional services firm specializing in the areas of Program Management, Information Technology (IT), Government Financial Management and SAP Integration Solutions. Founded in Hollywood, MD in 2001, the company has built a reputation on superior customer service and consistent delivery of innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies.

Imagine One Makes Management Moves

Steve is a Leadership Southern Maryland classmate of our founder, Lee Moon. Iona Moon congratulates Steve and Patricia on their exciting new roles!

Imagine One Technology and Management, Ltd. announces two executive promotions in their Lexington Park Operations. Ms. Patricia Trossbach has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Lexington Park Operations. Ms. Trossbach was promoted to Vice President in October 2009 after serving seven years as Regional Manager. She joined Imagine One as a Program Manager in February 2002 and has over 25 years of professional experience. Ms. Trossbach is responsible for supporting program management and technical efforts for multi-million dollar contracts with Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).

Mr. Steven Daczkowski has been promoted from Senior Manager to Vice President of NAVAIR Operations. Mr. Daczkowski joined Imagine One as a Program Manager in April 2005 and was promoted to Senior Manager in January 2010. Mr. Daczkowski is responsible for providing NAVAIR contract and program management oversight. A 1994 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Mr. Daczkowski has over 18 years of combined management consulting and Naval experience, with eight years as a Flight Officer. Most recently Mr. Daczkowski completed the Leadership Southern Maryland Program, Class of 2011.

Source: Imagine One Technology and Management, Ltd.

Sabre taps Bob Roof as Senior Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Region

Congratulations to Sabre and to Bob! A great company, doing great things with great people! The following press release is provided by Sabre.

Sabre is pleased to announce the addition of Captain Bob Roof, U.S. Navy (ret) as Senior Executive Director, Sabre Mid-Atlantic (MA) Region Group Operations.

Bob, who joined Sabre MA’s senior management staff Sept. 14, 2011, reports directly to the region’s Group Vice President, Glen Ives, and supports the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program (PMA 290) at the Naval Air Systems Command. He will help lead Sabre MA’s operational and strategic initiatives across the company’s aviation and maritime sectors.

Prior to joining Sabre, Bob served in the United States Navy as a Naval Officer and Naval Aviator for more than 26 years. His distinguished career included numerous senior executive leadership and management positions across a wide range of operational and acquisition tours. Most recently, Bob served as Program Manager, Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications (PMA 271). Bob is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and the Naval Postgraduate School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Financial Management as a Conrad Scholar, respectively.

According to Glen Ives, “I’m thrilled and excited to have Bob aboard as a key senior leader for our Sabre team. He brings a wealth of experience in acquisition, program management, finance and engineering. More importantly, he is a proven, extraordinarily successful leader with a sterling reputation of integrity and professionalism. His strong core values and work ethic demonstrated during his many years of Naval service are a perfect match with our Sabre team.”

Welcome Barbara Moffatt, Senior Associate

Please join me in welcoming Barbara Moffatt, Iona Moon's newest Senior Associate. Barbara will provide business development consulting and services to our ever-growing family of clients. With her appointment, Iona Moon adds to our capabilities and service offerings to extend our clients’ reach into government markets. In her new role, Barbara will provide business development strategy, customer relationship management, industry partnering, legislative  strategy, marketing, communications, strategic planning, competitive analysis, pipeline development and capture planning and execution services, consulting and tools.

Barbara served at the VP-level of CSC Civilian Federal Sector from 1998 to 2005, a $1.6 Billion business area. As such, she led a team of 14 senior sales associates to a consistent 98% win rate. From 2006 through 2009,  she served as Vice President of SM&A, managing the engagement and delivery of EVMS, Program Architecture, Performance-based logistics, Program Management, and full-team competition management solutions. Through these roles she has supported programs across federal markets including: DHS, NGA, FBI, DIA SITE, Army CENTCOM, Warfighter FOCUS, NETCENTS, U.S. Air Force DCGS, DLA eConvergence, and Navy FIP. Most recently, she served as Managing Partner of New Directions, LLC, a defense industry consultancy focused on business development solutions for high technology companies.

Barbara brings significant strategic and tactical experience to the team. She is an expert in leading methodologies, and takes a focused approach to helping clients maximize their business development resources. Her success speaks for itself: a history of bidding over $1 billion dollars per year and achieving a 98% win rate. I am thrilled to have her on board and I am excited to be able to offer such stellar skills to our clients!

-- Lee Moon, President

NAVAIR Small Business Aviation Technology Conference

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Small Business Aviation Technology Conference will be held on November 16-17, 2010, in California, Maryland. This year’s conference theme is: "Fulfilling NAVAIR’s Mission through Small Business Innovation." This is a great opportunity to learn how Navy S&T develops and delivers technology innovation to the fleet and how your small business can participate in next generation technology solutions through programs like SBIR.

Details about the conference, hotel info, and registration instructions can be found at: http://www.sbatc.com/

I am told there are limited seats available and registration is closing soon, so don't wait to secure your attendance.

Please leave a comment, or drop us an e-mail if you plan to attend. Iona Moon consultants will be on hand all week to talk with you about helping your business achieve your goals in the DoD market space.

Thanks to all who helped me “get out of jail!”

I want to thank everyone who donated to the MDA to help me raise my "bail" for the St. Mary's County Lockup. The event was  lot of fun, and I am happy to say I didn't spend too much time behind bars.

Special thanks to my clients who made corporate donations, including:

The Arcanum Group, Inc.

This is a great cause, and I'm grateful to have been able to participate.

I’m going to jail for good! Please help make my bail to help MDA!

WANTED!

(Preferably alive.)

CAUTION: Heavily Armed With Kindness…This Could Be Contagious! PRIOR CONVICTION: Thoughtfulness and Generosity. DESCRIPTION: Usually Wears a Smile (or a smirk).

Please Help Me!!!  I have been arrested and will be put in jail for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Lock-Up.  Don’t bother asking what crime I have committed – it’s not really that important (and you probably already suspect).  I must raise my bail of $3,000 before the Lock-Up and they will go easy on me, but I need your assistance to post my bond.  Please lend your support during the:

St. Mary’s Lock-Up Event held at Outback Steakhouse in St. Mary’s County

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Your 100% tax-deductible donation will help MDA continue research into the cause and the possible cure of the 43 neuromuscular diseases they cover. Your support of the MDA Lock-Up will also help MDA provide medical equipment, clinic visits, support groups and a magical week of MDA Summer Camp for the families served by the Association in our local area.

Your donation of any amount will help MDA and help me meet my bail. 

$800 (Camp Sponsorship) $100 (Support Group Sponsorship) $74 (One Minute of Research Sponsorship) Any other amount will help and will be appreciated!

Click here to make your donation to my bail online, or send me your mailing address to have MDA send you a pledge form.

   I MUST TURN IN ALL MY BAIL MONEY ON August 25th, 2010, SO PLEASE HELP NOW!!!

Thanks for all your support!

Congratulations to SEAI!

Congratulations to SEAI!

Iona Moon congratulates Solution Engineering Associates, Inc. on their first SeaPort-e task order win, announced today. Iona Moon helped SEAI win a SeaPort-e prime contract in the Spring 2008 rolling admissions. Iona Moon also assisted in the preparation of the task order proposal that resulted in this awesome $5.5M win.

Lexington Park, MD, April 05, 2010. Solution Engineering Associates, Inc. (SEAI) announced today it has won a SeaPort-e task order to support the Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division's (NAWC-AD) Air 4.3.2.4 & Air 4.3.2.6, Flight Controls and Flight Dynamics Branches.

The 5-year task order has a value $5.5M, and includes a wide range of program management, engineering and technical services, software and hardware development, prototype development, flight test and analysis across a wide variety of aircraft platforms.

SEAI personnel have been and are key contributors alongside Navy personnel on Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) for the following platforms: the F/A-18A-F Hornet, E/A-18G Growler, F-14, X-29 (Forward Swept Wing) technology demonstrator, Super Hornet and Growler, the V-22 Osprey, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the A6-E, EA-6B Increase Capacity (ICAP) II and III Prowler, C-2A, E-2, H-1, C-2A, VSTOL, Tilt Wing, ASW, the CH-53K helicopter, the E-2 Advanced Hawkeye Programs, X-31 EFM and VECTOR programs. SEAI growth plans include applying this expertise and to providing the same level and quality of support in the ever-emerging technology of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) such as, Navy-Unmanned Combat Air System (NUCAS), Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) and Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Air Vehicle (VTUAV). Work will be performed at Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

SEAI's President, Susan Smith, said of the win: "We are very excited. SEAI personnel are some of the best minds and top performers in the field, and provide the best technical solution to requirements. We look forward to many more years of supporting these precision systems for the fleet."

SEAI is a Woman-Owned Small Business headquartered in Lexington Park, Maryland, and has provided highly-skilled and experienced engineering services to NAVAIR for six years. For more information, contact Lee Moon at 240-298-3334, or visit SEAI on the web at: www.seaincusa.com.

Congratulations to Precise Systems!

Precise Wins PMA-234 Work 

Lexington Park, MD, September 21, 2009. Precise Systems, Inc. (Precise) announced today it has won a Seaport-e task order to support the Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division’s (NAWC-AD) PMA-234. The 5-year task order is valued at $8.7M, and includes acquisition management, information assurance, and administrative support for the EA-6B, (Prowler), EA-18G (Growler), and Next Generation Jammer programs. The Precise Team includes Atkinson Aeronautics & Technology, Inc. (AtAero) and Camber Corporation. 

Vice President, Pete Williams (RDML, USN, Ret.), said of the win:  “Team Precise looks forward to our role in helping shape the future of Naval Electronic Warfare and to another opportunity to serve our Sailors and Marines.”

Precise is a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business headquartered in Lexington Park, Maryland. Precise has provided high quality Program Management, Engineering, Information Technology, and Logistics solutions to Federal Government agencies since its founding in 1990.

Visit Precise Systems at www.goprecise.com.

ATG Awarded $28M USAF Contract

Iona Moon congratulates ATG!

ATG Wins $28M USAF Contract

Lexington Park, MD, Warner-Robins, GA, September 16, 2009:  Assurance Technology Group, LLC (ATG) announced today it has been awarded a seven-year, $28-million prime contract by the United States Air Force to provide Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory services supporting the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center (WR-ALC), other U.S. Air Force installations, and United States Air Forces Europe, including the Azores. Work will be performed at Robins Air Force Base, GA.

ATG, founded in 2000, is a Veteran-owned, measurement science-focused small business providing test and evaluation, engineering, calibration, metrology, and logistics services to the military and commercial industry.

ATG is teamed on the USAF work with Kay and Associates, Inc (KAI), Chicago, IL. KAI is a proven provider of exceptional quality and cost effective technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Frank Griffo, President and CEO of ATG said, “We are very pleased to be joining the community of 'Team Robins.' We look forward to working with the Air Force to ensure fleet safety through precision measurement science, as we have for the Navy over the past nine years. Likewise, we are delighted to be partnered with KAI, an outstanding performer for over 50 years. We couldn’t be happier.”

For more information, visit www.atgpax.com

[Your business] here

Iona Moon makes headlines.

We use this space to brag about our clients. You can too! Get the word out about your business and increase awareness of your company and its achievements among your customers, your industry, and the community.

Iona Moon puts its clients in the headlines, both by increasing news-worthy performance and by the strategic editorial positioning of announcements, press releases, and professional articles over the by-line of corporate leaders.

Iona Moon can put your company in the news and highlight your note-worthy accomplishments, new product news, contract awards, and professional accolades in industry publications, government journals, and leading periodicals.

Contact us to learn how Iona Moon can help place your company name “above the fold.”

What clients are saying.

"Lee is a focused and driven professional who is excellent in business development, identifying and forming strategic relationships, and keeping my clients best interests in mind. She is well respected in her field and has delivered time and time again. I'm highly confident in her strategic and business development capabilities. Lee Moon is my partner of choice in helping my clients grow their business."  Molly Chen, President POCmarketing   

“I have hired Lee several times to perform a variety of services. I will continue to use her at every opportunity - which is probably the best testament to anyone's services. She has the professional integrity, required knowledge and experience, and consistently produces the desired results on time and within budget. Feel free to contact me anytime regarding a personal recommendation for Lee." Scott A. Bruce, President Avericon, LLC