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NIST Workshop on Controlled Unclassified Information

Cybersecurity

On October 18, 2018, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) hosted a day-long workshop to educate industry and government representatives about the security requirements applicable to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).  Hundreds of attendees, in person and via webcast, learned about the implementation and assessment of CUI.  Defense contractors are familiar with these security requirements through various DFARS clauses, which mandate protective measures for CUI and the ability to respond to a cyber incident involving this information.  Additionally, a heightened focus on supply chain vulnerability (reference MITRE’s August 2018 report, “Deliver Uncompromised”) has amplified the need for strict security controls on contractor IT systems, as well as a more robust oversight by DoD of these systems.

Because of this, we can expect, in the not-too-distant future, that contractor IT systems will be assessed for cybersecurity compliance by a responsible entity, yet to be determined.  The resultant “rating” may be relevant in the contract bidding process, and/or the ability to continue working on existing DoD contracts.

Protecting all contractual information remains a critical factor in protecting the warfighter.  As more and more emphasis is placed on supply chain vulnerability, maintaining strong cybersecurity practices is essential for all contractors that do business with DoD.

BGI Attends 2019 Weapons and Tactics Industry Trade Show at Nellis AFB, Nevada

News and Events

The Combat Air Forces (CAF) Weapons and Tactics Conference (WEPTAC) is an annual two week event that brings together hundreds of warfighters from the CAF to discuss current issues, to look at future issues, and to provide solutions for joint employment of forces.  New technology is the key area.  Attendance is primarily Air Force personnel, but there has been an increasing amount of participation from the Army, Navy and Marines.  This movement focuses on joint warfighting.  It is hosted by the United States Warfare Center and run by Air Combat Command Directorate of Operations. An independent Industry Trade Show runs concurrently during the second week of the CAF WEPTAC and is open to all defense industry organization including small bushiness who want to showcase their existing and future technologies and capabilities.  It presents an opportunity for the defense industry to meet with warfighters who currently use or potentially will use their products.  They are able to obtain direct feedback from the actual warfighters on what they like and don’t like about existing products technology and hear about products they would like to see in the future.  Industry representatives may participate if invited by the working group chairman.  BGI will be attending both the industry trade show and several of the sessions in the second week.  “Many of our existing relationships in industry and current contracts were the result of attending WEPTAC.  It is the best conference for warfighter integration and exposure,” says CEO Phil Dismukes.

Contract Award for EC-130H and A-10C Contract Aircrew Training and Courseware Development

News and Events

1 December 2018 – Headquarters, Air Combat Command, Acquisition Management & Integration Center (ACC AMIC) has awarded the above contract for the EC-130H and A-10C CAT/CWD to Avix-BGI Joint Venture, on 1 December 2018 in the amount of $45,200,000. The contract was awarded as a Commercial, Firm Fixed Price contract.  The EC-130H/A-10C CAT/CWD program provides formal and continuation training, courseware development and training support to EC-130H flight deck and mission aircrew and A-10C pilots at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ and Moody AFB, GA.  The period of performance includes a two-month phase-in beginning December 2018, a base year and four option years.  The Avix-BGI JV was organized in 2018 and approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the All Small Mentor-Protégé program.  It includes BGI and Avix, Inc. of Yorktown, VA, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business.

Contract Award for B-52 and B-1 Contract Aircrew Training and Courseware Development

News and Events

20 November 2018 – The Air Force Installation Contracting Agency (AFICA), Global Strike Command has awarded the first option year contract modification for B-52 and B-1 CAT/CWD to Spectre Pursuit Group, LLC on 20 November 2018 in the amount of $5,744,417.  This contract is a Commercial, Firm Fixed Price contract.  The B-52/B-1 CAT/CWD program provides formal training, courseware development and training support to B-52 aircrew at Barksdale AFB, LA and B-1 aircrew at Dyess AFB, TX.  This option year is to be completed on 30 November 2019, with three more option years to follow.  Spectre Pursuit Group is a Joint Venture which includes BGI and Devol Aviation, Inc., a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business.

BGI Attending I/ITSEC 2018

News and Events

BGI looks forward to attending the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) from November 26 – November 30 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. I/ITSEC is the world’s largest modeling, simulation, and training conference and is the catch all for Simulation and Training business. BGI has attended I/ITSEC for the past 21 years and again this year will be there in force with over a dozen employees supporting demonstrations, customers and our own existing program management and business development initiatives.

Each year there is a strong conference theme, this year’s is “Launching Innovations in Learning: Ready. Set. Disrupt.” This is directly in line with our BGI emphasis of meeting the needs of the customer by thinking outside of the box, inventing, and exploring to ensure that military and civilian personnel are comprehensively trained to face the many challenges posed by the continuously changing environments where they operate. This aggressive solution-oriented pursuit stems from the highest levels of DoD leadership and the history of BGI’s desire to be out in front supporting the warfighter.

BGI’s forward growth demands that we comprehensively understand the ever-evolving and dynamic environments faced by the warfighter, to help us position our core competencies and pipeline. Our ten year vision centers on all aspects of training and I/ITSEC is the ultimate environment to engage our customers and strategic partners and learn about the changing needs and requirements in the industry. The lessons learned from I/ITSEC will flow to the entire BGI team through each of our programs, projects and pursuits. “I also anticipate that all BGI attendees will leave this conference with an enhanced perspective and reenergized to continue with our mission to integrate operational, technical, and engineering expertise to enhance customer capability and add value to aviation, training, defense, and national security programs,” said Phil Dismukes, CEO and Founder.

For more information please refer this link: http://www.iitsec.org/about-iitsec

 

B-1 Training Systems Contract Award

News and Events

Tampa, Florida (October 2018) – Aero Simulation Inc. (ASI) is pleased to announce its latest contract award, the B-1 Training Systems Program. This effort involves the sustainment of 35 flight and maintenance training devices at Dyess Air Force Base (AFB), Abilene, TX, Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, SD, Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX, Sterling, VA, and Tampa, FL.  These devices are used to develop and maintain the proficiency level of aircrew and maintenance personnel on this vital asset of our U.S. Air Force. ASI team members for this important program include BGI, LLC and Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions.

The B-1 Lancer, nicknamed “The Bone” is a supersonic variable-sweep wing heavy bomber.  This critical component of the Air Force Global Strike Command, stationed at Dyess AFB and Ellsworth AFB can reach speeds of Mach 1.2 and, with in-flight refueling, reach anywhere on the planet.  It has a payload of 125,000 pounds and can reach altitudes of 40,000 feet.  It can also fly 200 feet off the ground at 700 mph!

“ASI is pleased to continue our support of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) with our third support contract. This program to provide Training System Support Center (TSSC) and Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) services, as well as perform major trainer modifications for the next 7 ½ years follows our successful T-1A GBTS and T-38C ATD contracts.” said Daniel Deschnow, Vice President of Programs. “We look forward to serving the B-1 community and supporting their important national security mission.”

 

 

 

Life-work Balance

Career Updates

Individuals combine their strong skills in a competency with their adoption of BGI’s Core Values – Leadership, Integrity, Commitment, Teamwork and Excellence.  BGI recognizes that professionals prioritize their commitment to their team.  We also recognize that our people often balance commitments to their family, volunteer organizations or other duties.  BGI adopts work practices that support of a positive life-work balance.  When allowed by the contracts, BGI offers a compressed work schedule that creates a three-day weekend every other week.  Flexible work schedules and hourly compensation give individuals an ability to fulfill their commitments early, meaning employees can generate free-time to support their causes without using paid time off.  Telecommuting can be an option once an individual is comfortable with the team.  BGI supports government and industry partners across the country.  We work with our customers at their locations, either on-premises or through our primary engineering office in Akron, OH.  Customer locations include Lexington Park, MD, Orlando, FL and Dallas/Fort Worth, TX.  Travel to these or other locations supported by our customers, and opportunities to experience first-hand the impact BGI products have on our customers’ lives, are available for the adventurous.

Simulation and Training

Career Updates

BGI creates training solutions for aviation.  Our Operational Analysts and Engineers join government and industry partners to develop a variety of advanced training solutions.  In the area of flight simulation, BGI software engineers and systems engineers provide technical expertise to real-time systems that simulate aircraft for manned devices and battlespace components for constructive entities.  These are Fifth-Generation flight simulation systems and are often highly technical and complex.  Providing simulation fidelity that mimics the real-world devices requires superior skill.  Our employees solve some of the most challenging problems in industry.  In the areas of in-flight training and maintenance training, Operational Analysts develop courseware and provide student instruction.  Engineers develop technical systems, such as databases and IT systems, that support the curriculum.

Data Science

Career Updates

BGI creates specialized data science solutions for aviation.  We help our government customers create enterprise data science systems that benefit the engineers, scientists, pilots and maintainers in the aviation community.  Accomplishing this requires teams composed of multiple competencies.  The types of systems and data that our engineers work with are unique; aircraft across the military fleet produce a highly fascinating data set with the most challenging problems to solve!

Our Engineers develop software components for enterprise systems that store and operate on the data.  It’s challenging to store the high-dimension, high-volume data sets in a way that makes it accessible and useful to the aviation community.  Operational Analysts on the team are often ex-military pilots or maintainers that have insight into vehicle operations and enterprise logistics.  Their knowledge is often in the data, but hidden.  Data scientists work to bridge this gap, using collected data to transform information into knowledge and to provide feedback on the usability and accessibility of the data.  As an individual with strength in one or more of these competencies, you’ll be a contributor on a team that seeks a higher goal, one that only an integrated team can achieve.

October – Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity

For about 15 years, the month of October has been designated Cybersecurity Awareness Month.  The initiative began as a concept to help all Americans stay safe online.  When it began, this meant updating your antivirus software twice per year.  Oh how cybersecurity has changed since then!  The amount of personal information that is housed on information systems these days is practically unfathomable.  We’ve heard so much about security breaches and the disclosure of personal information, that the numbers almost have no meaning anymore.  Many individuals accept the fact that their personal information has probably been compromised “somehow.”

We are all concerned about the security of our personal information, but this month emphasizes the entire cyber environment from cyber safety for children to cybersecurity for small businesses.  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) campaign, “Stop. Think. Connect.” is a national public awareness campaign aimed at increasing the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online.  Their toolkit webpage contains numerous resources that every family can use to be safer while online.  These resources can be found at: https://www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect-toolkit.

Cybersecurity safety is everyone’s responsibility, at home, in the workplace, and in our communities.