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byline: Sydney Lake

Montgomery County, Blacksburg, Christiansburg launch small business relief grants

and the towns of and on Wednesday launched a grant fund to support recovery in response to . Eligible businesses can receive one-time of up to $27,500.

The Small Business Recovery grant program is funded by the federal Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and funding will be administered by all three localities in partnership with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Blacksburg Inc., Downtown Christiansburg Inc. and the Blacksburg Partnership.

Funding may be used for expenses including payroll, lease and mortgage payments, utilities, insurance and equipment purchases. Eligible businesses are those that have been in operation for at least one year prior to March 1, can demonstrate impacts due to COVID-19 and must have at least a half-time employee, but no more than 50 full-time employees. 

Banks, financial services institutions, nonprofit organizations and franchise businesses are not eligible for funding, but funding for childcare centers and nonprofits may be available in the future.

Applications for funding are open through Sept. 20 and grant distribution is scheduled to begin in November.

 

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Chantilly company wins $76M Space Force contract modification

The U.S. Space Force has awarded -based space systems company LinQuest Corp. a $76 million contract modification to support the special capabilities division at the branch’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), the company announced Wednesday.

“LinQuest traces its heritage of sophisticated satellite communications back to 1977,” Chris Beres, general manager of LinQuest’s space and air solutions group, said in a statement. “As a mission partner, we are excited to continue these efforts to help the Space Force shape the future of military satellite communications and deliver critical capability to the warfighter.”

Under the contract modification, LinQuest will provide systems engineering and integration support services to the SATCOM (satellite communications) enterprise at the SMC. 

In April, the agency awarded LinQuest a $14 million contract to ensure the company continues to provide support for the U.S. Space Command, and the contract extension allows for LinQuest’s support to the U.S. Space Command through April 21, 2021. Work will be performed in Colorado at Peterson Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force Base.

Founded in 2004, LinQuest provides integration, engineering, testing, operations and other services to U.S. defense, national security and intelligence community customers. The company also has another corporate office in Los Angeles and operates in 10 states, including Virginia.

 

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LA-based tech company moves headquarters to Reston

Infrascale Inc., a -based data protection company, announced Wednesday it has moved its headquarters from Los Angeles to — where its leadership team is based.

Infrascale’s C-suite leadership, including CEO Russell P. Reeder, Chief Financial Officer Rob Peterson, Chief Operating Officer Brian Kuhn and Chief Officer Carolyn Kress, is based in Reston and have started hiring for the company’s operational teams including finance and information . The entire C-suite started with the company in December 2019. In 2017, the team brought hyper-scale cloud provider OVH US to Reston.

“We set out for a year of transformation, staging for growth and scale in 2021 and beyond,” Reeder said in a statement. “I’m extremely proud of the progress we’ve made to date, particularly given the challenging global climate caused by . The formal transition to our new headquarters in Reston represents a significant milestone in our 2020 plan.”

Infrascale, which provides cloud-based backup and disaster recovery services, is backed by Alexandria-based Route 66 Ventures LLC and San Francisco-based Carrick Capital Partners LLC. It’s most recent funding round — a $38 million Series C — closed earlier this year. This investment “stewarded the change in leadership and [supported] the company’s strategic growth plans in the rapidly expanding business continuity technology sector,” according to Infrascale. 

Investors and C-suite executives credit the power of the tech industry in Northern Virginia for the move.

“Recognized as a top-two technology destination, Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area contain an impressive talent pool that will only grow with the continued expansion of technology innovation in the region,” Reeder said in a statement. “We are excited to build out the team here and across the US.”

The Virginia headquarters, starting with finance and human resources, will ultimately include professionals in administration, information technology, information security, marketing and sales. 

“[Infrascale’s] continued success is reflected in ongoing growth, and the company’s move to Reston – the home region for much of the nation’s tech talent – represents a positive and exciting development in the evolution of Infrascale as they grow into a key player in the enterprise market and continue to innovate,” Ryan Katz, Route 66 Ventures founding partner said in a statement.

Infrascale’s physical Los Angeles office will be shuttered, but the customer support, sales and marketing staff will remain as remote employees in the Los Angeles region. Founded in 2011, Infrascale provides cloud-based data protection services.

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Facebook opens Black business grant program

Starting Wednesday, any majority Black-owned business in the U.S. with up to 50 employees can apply for a grant through Inc.’s Grant.

In June, Facebook announced it had committed $100 million in this year to support U.S. Black-owned businesses, creators and nonprofits. The social media giant announced Wednesday that $40 million of this investment will be dedicated to help 10,000 Black-owned businesses. Businesses can receive grants of up to $4,000, including $2,500 in cash and $1,500 in optional advertising credits to use on the Facebook platform.

“The past few weeks have compelled us to confront the reality of violence and injustice which members of the Black community face on a daily basis,” Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said in the June statement. “We have shared words of support for our friends, colleagues and communities. We need to take action as well.”

Eligible businesses for the Facebook grant program must be a majority Black-owned for-profit business, be legally registered in the U.S. or Washington, D.C., have between one and 50 employees, have been in business for more than one year, have experienced challenges from and plans to use grant funds to support the business and community.

The application will be open through Aug. 31 and funds will be awarded “as quickly as possible,” according to Facebook. Facebook is partnering with Accenture to administer the program and AEO is offering strategic advisory services for serving diverse businesses.

“The last few months more have witnessed and processed the disparity and racial injustice that Black people in America have been facing every day. Thank goodness many have realized that we all must act if this is to ever end,” Facebook Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams said in a statement. “I am proud of the work we are doing at Facebook to help address these issues, and to support Black-led small businesses at the heart of our communities and local economies.”

 

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Leidos lands potential $292.3M FAA contract

The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded -based a potential 15-year, $292.3 million contract to provide an enterprise-wide display system to replace multiple information display platforms installed at more than 300 U.S. airport facilities, according to an Aug. 13 System for Award Management (SAM) notice.

Leidos will create the Enterprise Information Display System (E-IDS), which will support the agency’s efforts to deploy common hardware and software across several domains and system types at more than 4,000 workstations at the airports, according to the SAM notice. The Federal Aviation Administration operates under the U.S. Department of Transportation.

It is expected that the E-IDS will provide key information including weather data from airport sensors, runway status, visibility conditions and diagrams. The contract has a four-year base period and 11 one-year extension options.

With annual revenues of $11.09 billion last year and 37,000 employees, Leidos is a Fortune 500 company that specializes in and engineering services for federal defense agencies.

 

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Chesterfield County names deputy county administrator

Chesterfield County announced Tuesday that James D. Worsley has been promoted as deputy county administrator for human services. The Board of Supervisors is expected to confirm the appointment at its Aug. 26 meeting, and his role would be effective Oct. 1.

Worsley currently serves as the county’s parks and recreation director and is responsible for maintaining more than 180 parks, playgrounds and athletic facilities as well as leading the county’s sports tourism efforts. In his new role, he will oversee daily operations of county departments and programs including Citizen Information and Resources, Community Corrections Services, Drug Courts, Juvenile Justice Services, Mental Health Support Services and Social Services. Worsley is also a recipient of the National Recreation and Park Association’s National Distinguished Professional Award.

“James was my first hire in 2016, and over the years, I have worked closely with him on a variety of projects and programs serving our citizens,” County Administrator Joe Casey said in a statement. “He is already a recognized department leader and I know he will continue to excel in his new role.” 

Before his time with the county, Worsley served as parks and recreation director for Columbus, Georgia, for five years and was regional parks and recreation manager for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

The North Carolina native earned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in recreation management and parks, recreation and tourism, respectively, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He earned his doctoral degree in leadership studies from North Carolina A&T State University and is a certified park and recreation executive and certified therapeutic recreation specialist.

 

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Parsons Corp. to raise $350M through debt offering

-based contractor Parsons Corp. announced Monday plans to raise $350 million through a debt offering.

Proceeds from the debt offering would be used toward general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and working capital, according to Parsons. The initial conversion rate for the notes is 22.2913 shares of the company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes — or approximately $44.86 per share.

Parsons plans to use approximately $36 million of the net proceeds from debt offering to pay the net cost of the convertible note hedge transactions, with the remaining amount going to general corporate purposes including potential acquisitions and working capital.

The notes will bear an annual interest rate of 0.25%, which can be paid on Feb. 15 and Aug. 15 of each year, beginning on Feb. 15, 2021. Notes will mature on Aug. 15, 2025, unless they are repurchased, redeemed or converted.

Founded in 1944, Parsons provides technology services to defense, security and infrastructure customers. This year, the company ranked No. 648 on the list reporting nearly $4 billion in 2019 revenue.

 

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CACI International names president, national security

-based federal contractor CACI International Inc. announced Monday it has hired Todd Probert as president of the company’s National Security and Innovative Solutions (NSIS) sector.

With more than 20 years of experience, Probert most recently served as vice president of Raytheon’s Command and Control, Space and Intelligence business. In his new role, will oversee customer programs and company investments as well as direct research and development programs and market strategies.

“CACI has a long history of providing advanced technology solutions for our warfighters and supporting national security missions around the globe,” Probert said in a statement. “I am excited to join this team and expand the capability of these critical missions across all domains through innovation in technology, delivery, and operations. The future of mission support will be achieved by breaking down the barriers to capability.”

Probert also led Raytheon’s Mission Support and Modernization business and served as the vice president of engineering. Before his time with Raytheon, Probert held leadership roles with Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc. including vice president of strategy and business development.

Founded in 1962, CACI specializes in enterprise and mission technology. The company has approximately 23,000 employees and is on the Fortune 1000 list.

 

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SAIC names senior VP of strategy

-based Science Applications International Corp. () announced Tuesday it has hired Nyla Beth Gawel as senior vice president of strategy.

With more than two decades of experience, Gawel was most recently the director of public sector strategy with Verizon Business Group, where she led strategy and development for the company’s public sector business, with a focus on providing networks, products and services for federal, state, local, and education customers. In her new role, she will be responsible for developing the company’s strategy to drive growth by working with the organization’s leadership.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in foreign service and international politics from Georgetown University, Gawel began her career in 2000 as a contracted program analyst for the National Institute of Justice, before moving into a homeland security director position with G&H International Services LLC. Six years later, she was hired by Booz Allen Hamilton, where she eventually became vice president of the firm’s strategic innovation group.

“Nyla Beth’s experience and background as a strategy leader will be an enormous asset to SAIC as we drive organic growth and strengthen our capabilities to deliver digital transformation solutions to federal government customers,” Dee Dee Helfenstein, SAIC executive vice president and chief strategic growth officer, said in a statement.

SAIC employs more than 25,000 and has pro forma annual revenues of $7.1 billion.

 

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Northam proposes voter protection reform

Amid the and a national wave of mail delays, on Tuesday proposed a $2 million allocation for prepaid return postage on absentee ballots, drop-off boxes and drop-off locations for mail-in ballots, as well as a process through which voters can correct their ballots to expand access to voting for the Nov. 3 General Election.

During the past week, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has come under fire for new policies that have caused mail delays. On Tuesday, however, DeJoy announced that the U.S. Postal Service would halt these measures until after the November general election, saying the U.S. Postal Service is “ready today to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives this fall.” DeJoy has canceled service reductions, reinstated overtime hours for postal workers and stopped the removal of mail-sorting machines and public collection boxes, according to his Tuesday statement.

“As we continue to navigate this pandemic, we must take additional steps to make it easier to vote, not harder,” Northam said in a statement. “With these measures, we will protect public health and ensure Virginians can safely exercise their right to vote in the November election. Whether you put your ballot in the mail or vote in-person, voting will be safe and secure in our commonwealth.” 

Northam put forward the proposals during a virtual joint meeting of the House Appropriations, House Finance and Senate Finance committees. The proposals will be considered by legislators during the special General Assembly session, which began Tuesday.

Northam has proposed the following:

  • Prepaid postage: Northam’s proposed sets aside $2 million for prepaid return postage on all absentee ballots sent out for the Nov. 3 General Election.
  • Drop off boxes and drop off locations: Northam’s proposal includes language that permits localities to use drop boxes or create drop off locations for Virginians who choose to vote absentee. Security standards would be set by the Virginia Department of .
  • Absentee cure process:  This measure would allow Virginia voters to fix an error on their absentee ballot, which Virginians are not currently able to do. Ballots with mistakes are currently discarded. 

“Now, we need to help vote safely,” Northam said in a statement. “All you have to do is turn on the TV to see why this is so important, but please know this: The Department of Elections is already working to prepare to start mailing ballots in just four weeks. For these reforms to matter in November, we must make them now. … The stakes are high for our country. To be clear, voting will be safe and secure in Virginia. Your mailed-in ballots will be counted. Virginia will take every action necessary to protect the vote.”

 

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