In the beginning of the year, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued its Software Acquisition Pathway to establish direction, responsibilities and procedures for software procurement under National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2020.
The department has also restricted acquisition processes and procedures of all programs containing IT to a separate, functional acquisition policy that adheres to the Adaptive Acquisition Framework.
During GovConWire’s Defense Digital Acquisition and Modernization Forum, notable federal and industry leaders will discuss the DoD’s Software Acquisition Strategy, Defense Acquisition Workforce Development and the future of data and IT modernization across federal agencies.
The event will feature two keynote speakers, a fireside chat and an expert panel discussion.
The panel will host William Cohen of the U.S. Army, Frank Konieczny of the U.S. Air Force and William Scherlis of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA). Dana Oliver of Accenture Federal Services (AFS) will moderate the panel.
To register for GovConWire’s Defense Digital Acquisition and Modernization Forum, as well as view upcoming opportunities, visit GovConWire’s Event Page.
Opening Keynote Speaker: Hon Kevin Fahey
Hon. Kevin Fahey, assistant secretary of Defense for Acquisition (ASD(A)) with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), will be featured as a keynote speaker during GovConWire’s Defense Digital Acquisition and Modernization Forum.. Vince Vlasho, Managing Director, Defense & Intelligence with Accenture Federal Services (AFS), will moderate Fahey’s address.
As ASD(A), Fahey advises the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)), the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Defense on matters relating to the Department of Defense Acquisition System, acquisition program management and the development of strategic, space, intelligence, tactical warfare, command and control and business systems.
Fireside Chat and Q&A: Lauren Knausenberger
Lauren Knausenberger, deputy chief information officer at the U.S. Air Force, will participate in a fireside chat during GovConWire’s Defense Digital Acquisition and Modernization Forum. Susan Lawrence, Managing Director, Armed Services Lead with Accenture Federal Services (AFS) will moderate Knausenberger’s discussion.
She provides oversight of the Air Force’s Information Technology portfolio including the Information Technology investment strategy from networks to cloud computing, Enterprise policies, information resources management, IT innovation initiatives, information assurance, and related matters for the Department of the Air Force.
Panel Moderator: Dana Oliver
Oliver is a managing director with AFS and serves as the Army account lead. She has spent her career focused on improving talent and performance and operational efficiency. Oliver has been supporting major transformation efforts for over 22 years.
Over her career, she has supported a broad set of clients including the Army, Air Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Energy Information Administration, Wal-Mart and Vanguard.
She offers a broad set of strategic problem-solving skills, including business transformation with a focus on human resources and procurement, program and project management, business process design, organizational design and development, learning design and delivery and change management.
Panelist: William Cohen
Cohen serves as the chief technology officer and senior technology advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)).
He is responsible for devising and overseeing execution of strategies that enhance the quality, operational effectiveness, and capability of developing, current, emerging and future technologies.
Cohen develops technology solutions that strategically integrate within the ASA(ALT)’s mission to advance Army capabilities. He advises on all aspects of emerging technologies, from applied research and technology development programs to prototyping and operational deployment.
Panelist: Frank Konieczny
Konieczny is the Air Force chief technology officer. He has primary responsibility to advance the Information Technology landscape of the Air Force.
His current focus areas include developing the future technical target baseline, mobility enterprise solutions, data management, Identity, Credential and Access Management access/claims management, mesh networks, artificial intelligence/quantum capabilities, cyber and technology innovation pathfinders and advancing the Joint Information Environment.
Panelist: William Scherlis
Scherlis assumed the role of office director for DARPA’s Information Innovation Office (I2O) in Sept. 2019. In this role, he leads program managers in the development of programs, technologies, and capabilities to ensure information advantage for the United States and its allies, and coordinates this work across the Department of Defense and U.S. government.
Scherlis joined DARPA from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where he is a professor of computer science.
He served for 12 years as director of CMU's Institute for Software Research (ISR), overseeing research and educational programs related to software development, cybersecurity, privacy engineering, Internet of Things, network analysis, mobility, systems assurance, and other topics.
Closing Keynote: Gen. David D. Thompson
Gen. David Thompson, vice chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force, will serve as a keynote speaker during GovConWire’s Defense Digital Acquisition and Modernization Forum on December 1st. Joe Becker, VP of Customer Success with Uptake will moderate Thompson’s address.
As vice chief, Thompson is responsible for assisting the chief of Space Operations in organizing, training and equipping space forces in the United States and overseas, integrating space policy and guidance, and coordinating space-related activities for the U.S. Space Force and Department of the Air Force.
Join us for the Defense Digital Acquisition and Modernization Forum. Hon. Kevin Fahey, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, will serve as the keynote speaker during the forum. This event will address online education reform and cybersecurity threats and performance, as well as how the industry can progress the latest initiatives in federal acquisition and modernization.
To register for GovConWire’s Defense Digital Acquisition and Modernization Forum, as well as view upcoming opportunities, visit GovConWire’s Event Page.
