The finalists for this year’s Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards were announced in September and WashingtonExec is bringing you its annual series with the nominees.
The winners will be unveiled on November 7th at The Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (FCCC), the Professional Services Council (PSC) and Washington Technology magazine. With over 900 business and public sector leaders attending the event, our series will keep you up-to-date about all the finalists for this year–who they are, what they do, and why they are worthy of winning.
Today’s interview is with TeleCommunication Systems Inc. (TCS). TCS is nominated for “Contractor of the Year” in the greater than $300 million category.
WashingtonExec: As a leader in the community, how have you approached the government shutdown? What did you learn from the last government shutdown?
With government spending and the level of deployed troops in flux, TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) approaches this uncertainty with a continued emphasis on the technology innovations necessary for the U.S. military to do more with less.
Examples range from our SNAP Tactical Transportable TROPO (3T) system, which provides cost-effective, beyond-line-of-sight communications critical to missile defense, to our Low Cost Terminal (LCT), which offers protected communications. We stress the importance of providing superior, high-performance alternatives at a much lower cost point than expensive legacy systems.
“Our belief is that technology and procurement within the Department of Defense are going to continue to try to put communications – better communications, faster communications – in the hands of the soldier.”
WashingtonExec: What is your 2014 market outlook for the federal contracting community? Where are you seeing areas for growth?
2014 is undoubtedly going to be a challenging year for the federal contracting community. We believe that the military will continue to make C4ISR and cybersecurity priority areas, and these are both areas in which our company has strong levels of expertise.
At TCS, we see continued opportunities to apply technologies from different areas (such as from the commercial sector) to fit government needs. An example of this is our TotalCom® Mobility Management (TMM) solution, which utilizes technologies from both our government and commercial businesses to provide a comprehensive solution of device management, application management, security services, cost control, and infrastructure for enterprise mobility management, to ensure the mobile workforce remains as productive and secure while mobile as when they are within the traditional IT infrastructure of an organization.
Additionally, more and more technology is being pushed down further and further to the “boots on the ground,” where it belongs. Our belief is that technology and procurement within the Department of Defense are going to continue to try to put communications – better communications, faster communications – in the hands of the soldier. TCS’ technologies, such as our Secure the Edge™ portfolio, are designed to meet this new reality.
With the war in Iraq in the rearview mirror and with the war in Afghanistan winding down, another trend is the fact that there will be leftover equipment from these actions that can still be used by simply refurbishing, or “resetting”, instead of purchasing brand-new equipment. We have expanded our facilities in anticipation of this trend.
“We foster and reward innovative ideas by our team through programs like the TCS Idea Exchange, which allows employees to submit patent ideas and be compensated if a patent is issued.”
WashingtonExec: How does your company identify and then cultivate high-potential employees to become leaders in your organization?
We foster and reward innovative ideas by our team through programs like the TCS Idea Exchange, which allows employees to submit patent ideas and be compensated if a patent is issued. We also believe in encouraging employees to improve their professional skills through attendance at seminars and training related to their work skills, and similar retention-supporting strategies for personnel. For example, the company invests in training and education benefits that allow our team to maintain high levels of continuity in its programs.
WashingtonExec: How does your organization engage effectively with all levels of employees, on and off site?
Developing unique solutions to the world’s telecommunications challenges demands a team that draws on diverse backgrounds and distinct life experiences. TCS has the best elements of a large company, while still retaining the “family atmosphere” of a small company. The employees genuinely care about each other.
TCS also fosters and rewards innovative ideas by our team through programs like the TCS Idea Exchange, which allows employees to submit patent ideas and be compensated if a patent is issued. TCS also believes in encouraging employees to improve their professional skills through attendance at seminars and training related to their work skills and invests heavily in retention-supporting strategies for personnel. For example, TCS invests in training and education benefits that allow its team to maintain high levels of continuity in its programs.
“Cybersecurity will only continue to grow, given the threat environment. Through our innovative cybersecurity offerings, including our Art of ExploitationTM curriculum, we are helping to train our current and future cyber defenders.”
WashingtonExec: What trends are you seeing that are important to your customers?
One of the biggest trends is the transitioning of commercial offerings to government applications and clients, which we do every day. This utilization of commercial technologies creates cost savings for the government.
The military will continue to make C4ISR and cybersecurity priority areas, and these are both areas in which TCS has strong levels of expertise.
Technology and procurement efforts within the Department of Defense are going to continue to try to put better & faster communications in the hands of the soldier.
As stated earlier, new procurements are giving way to resetting (refurbishing) leftover communications equipment. For example, equipment from the Iraq and Afghanistan actions will still be used by simply resetting it, instead of purchasing brand-new equipment. We have expanded our facilities in anticipation of this trend.
And, cybersecurity will only continue to grow, given the threat environment. Through our innovative cybersecurity offerings, including our Art of ExploitationTM curriculum, we are helping to train our current and future cyber defenders.
WashingtonExec: What is your company’s biggest accomplishment in the last 12-18 months?
TCS is an awardee of the $2.6 billion Custom SATCOM Solutions (CS2) contract, as well as of the $10 billion Global Tactical Advanced Communication Systems and Services (GTACS). Both of these awards are testament to the fact that our end-to-end satellite communications solutions are providing the right level of technology and support at a competitive cost. This combination of cost and quality is a hallmark of our company.
WashingtonExec: How is your company involved in the community (corporate citizenship)?
Team TCS cultivates a spirit of giving back and providing resources to the community through technology. We get involved in where we live, work, and play. Examples in the D.C. region include:
- TCS Annapolis Running Classic
- TCS has been the Title Sponsor of this event, which was created to fund Anne Arundel County non-profit organizations. Since the race’s inception in 2011, over $90,000 in proceeds have been collected.
- Governor’s International Advisory Council
- TCS CEO and Chairman Maurice B. Tosé is a member of the board, which is comprised of 20 business and public executives from bioscience, manufacturing, finance, technology, education, agriculture, transportation and non-profit industries.
- Chesapeake Regional Tech Council
- TCS has been a Platinum Sponsor for over a decade.
- TCS Executives are active in the organization, including serving on its board, and the 2011-12 President is TCS Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Tim Lorello.
- CASA Anne Arundel
- TCS has been a Champion of Children Sponsor for the past three years, and one of our Vice Presidents, Celeste Ciecierski, is an active board member.
- YWCA of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
- For nearly 10 years, TCS has been an active sponsor of the TWIN Awards, which honors business women who make a difference in Anne Arundel County and celebrates employers who are committed to empowering women.
- Leadership Anne Arundel
- TCS is a Gold Leadership Partner.
