Just yesterday, the White House made it clear that a COVID-19 vaccine mandate was not just for the military anymore. The White House added a ruling mandating vaccines in the next 75 days for federal employees and contractors. Additionally, organizations with more than 100 employees will also need to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine or commit to weekly testing for employees. While the Pentagon has adjusted back to a Health Protection Condition Bravo Plus status, some offices are now trying to implement maximum telework options again, after operating at a more normal capacity over the summer. Regardless of vaccine status, everyone on site (service members, federal employees, and contractors) need to practice social distancing and wear masks. While the offices are not closed, management does need to maintain 40% of normal occupancy. Depending on the staffing levels of some DoD offices, these measures can have varying effects on office plans for the fall. For some, remote work is an easy choice, but for others in classified environments, it requires a few more hurdles to have the right people on site at all times.
Contract Opportunities to Watch
| ManTech |
ManTech has been awarded a $476 million contract by U.S. Space Force to provide systems engineering solutions for the agency’s Space and Missile Center – now redesignated as Space Systems Command (SSC). With this 10-year prime contract award, ManTech continues its support for a wide array of mission critical space launch programs with launch service integration, fleet surveillance and certification for space and missile systems at Space Force facilities at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Vandenberg Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. As part of this contract, ManTech is Bringing Digital to the MissionⓇ with its investment in Intelligent Systems Engineering solutions to support the Space Force goal of fielding a digital engineering ecosystem fostering both innovation and speed of delivery. “As the trusted partner of this prominent customer since 2010, we are proud and excited to take the next steps in advancing the missions of U.S. Space Force,” said Andrew Twomey, Executive Vice President and General Manager of ManTech’s Defense Sector. “Applying the world’s finest Intelligent Systems Engineering capabilities, we will meet the standard set by U.S. Space Force – ‘Way Above’ – to build on America’s dominance in space.” |
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Key Employer in the Cleared Industry
| CACI |
Interested in joining a company that values your career mobility as much as you do, and advancing national security while advancing your career? Invent Your Future with CACI. |
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Cleared Job of the Week
| Drone Pilot | As drone capabilities continue to increase, one way for engineers to carve out a niche in national security is by becoming a drone pilot. While FAA certification is necessary, drone pilots in national security do more than deliver packages for Amazon. Between showcasing their flight skills, drone operators with a background in engineering will also contribute to managing programs and pushing the technology capabilities. If you’ve ever wanted to increase put your remote controlled skills to use with your engineering or technology background, check out the cleared opportunities for drone operators. |
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Growth Opportunities
September was a big month for BlackSky, a technology platform providing real-time geospatial intelligence and global monitoring. A successful completion of a joint pilot program between BlackSky and Palantir, the investment by Palantir continues to strengthen the relationship.
“This collaboration further enables BlackSky to put the power of real-time intelligence in the hands of the user by allowing Palantir customers to directly task our satellites, reduce decision-making timelines and increase the delivery of on-demand insights,” said Brian E. O’Toole, CEO of BlackSky. “Our partnership with Palantir will accelerate our go-to-market plan, expanding our pipeline of commercial and government customers around the world.”
“BlackSky is a strong partner to Palantir and reinforces our shared goals around compressing decision-chains for operational users at the edge,” said Shyam Sankar, COO of Palantir Technologies. “Through the licensing agreement, customers will gain tailored insights from increasingly sophisticated orbital sensors and AI, integrated into their decision-making operating system. This partnership directly connects space sensors to action, accelerating operations across domains, from space to mud.”
This week, BlackSky completed its merge Osprey Technology Acquisition Corp (Osprey), with the combined company now renamed as “BlackSky Technology Inc.”
“The Osprey team is very excited for Brian O’Toole and the BlackSky organization. We look forward to watching them execute on BlackSky’s strategic growth plan as a public company,” said Osprey Co-Executive Chairman Jonathan Z. Cohen.
To memorialize the completion of the business combination, BlackSky will be ringing the opening bell at the NYSE at 9:30 a.m. ET on September 13, 2021.
