The finalists for WashingtonExec’s 2024 Pinnacle Awards were announced Sept. 20, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 21.
Next is Niki Lane, acquisition and budget branch chief of capacity building at CISA, and finalist in the Contracts Executive of the Year, Government, category. Here, she talks about recent achievements, shares career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2024?
I am part of a growing, and evolving Acquisition and Budget team that continues to blend acquisition, budget, and cybersecurity expertise to run the only specialized cybersecurity acquisition Center of Excellence in support of CISA’s mission. As a result of our efforts, AB successfully executed 99.96% of Capacity Building’s budget for FY24, representing almost 40% of the Cybersecurity Division’s budget. Through partnerships with contracting colleagues, the team significantly advanced CISA’s cybersecurity priorities by providing cost-effective and flexible solutions to customer agencies. Key achievements included advancing CISA’s mission through:
- Managing 47 contracts ($5.5B value) and executing 90+ actions on behalf of 58 Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies;
- Developing and awarding Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Data Services strategy to reduce development costs;
- Creating a Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) platform fostering strategic partnerships with industry to increase successful development and configuration of the CTI solution to meet the Government’s need through DHS’s historically underutilized Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs); and
- Processing 150 CDM license procurements valued at nearly $54M, achieving 96% cost savings, translating into a savings of $6.9B across the FCEB.
Additionally, consistently seeking to improve acquisition business operations, introducing tools (e.g., Contract Requirements Submission Tool, Contractor Workforce Management System) to streamline processes that are currently being adopted by CISA. Also continued proactive engagements empowering industry partnerships through enhanced communication (held 41 Vendor Capability Briefings for 1,119 federal & contractor attendees and engaged more than 50 vendors).
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
Continue to emphasize the importance of the Acquisition & Budget role within Government organizations. Within CISA’s Cybersecurity Division (CSD), AB serves a fundamental function, ensuring CB programs meet the mission by leading the strategic cybersecurity acquisition development and management, as well as budget formulation and execution and cost activities for all CB programs. The acquisition and budget functions are two impactful elements within the organization and, therefore, within CB they are elevated and highlighted and factored into everything we do. Simply put, CB cannot execute its mission without AB.
As such, the AB team is embedded throughout the CB organization where acquisition and budget are key aspects of each CB program and branch success. We are composed of a unique team of experts well-versed in acquisition, project management and cybersecurity subject matter expertise, which makes us well equipped to support our mission. We focus on implementing unique cybersecurity acquisition and budget services and providing expertise not offered by traditional acquisition organizations. We also provide federal and non-Federal entities with streamlined acquisition solutions to keep pace with emerging threats, and offer highly vetted cybersecurity services that are flexible, fast, with optimal pricing, and leverage the federal government’s buying power. The support we provide includes:
- Leading full lifecycle of acquisition and budget efforts establishing innovative acquisition solutions
- Focusing on pre-award and post-award management, industry engagement and communications, cybersecurity tool procurements, and all aspects of the budget (including cost, formulation, and execution)
- Continually fostering partnerships and collaboration with industry, which is key to our success.
Acquisition and budget execution activities are historically not at the forefront in the project planning process. However, Department and Agency (D/A) missions are executed via funding and contracts and these functions must be included at the onset of each initiative. Most of D/A funding goes toward acquisitions to buy services, tools and solutions, so what we buy and how we buy it is critical to the success of our mission. To be efficiently executed, D/A missions require a well thought out acquisition and budget strategy, which requires a seat at the table at the onset. This function cannot be accomplished effectively with just contract personnel, industry and technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). An intermediary is required to manage this process with what I refer to as Acquisition Project Management, a role often overlooked or not recognized in federal procurements.
Today, with our contracting colleagues under-resourced and overworked, and the emphasis on industry partnerships, cost reduction and being able to do more with less, it is imperative to have a group of acquisition SMEs with technical experience and understanding of acquisition rules and policy to assist in managing and executing the process as a key resource for success. Implementing these efforts requires a robust group of qualified, experienced, and strategic acquisition project manager leaders who understand the combined nuances of how federal acquisition works and the requirements of cybersecurity programs to protect and harden federal networks. A few factors are key to successful Acquisition project management, including:
- Being cross-functional with an ability to span different teams and cybersecurity subject areas.
- Being able to lead the execution of pre-award contract activities flawlessly.
- Applying innovative approaches to implementing mission requirements in a way that just doesn’t recycle old materials.
- Conducting robust market research.
- Providing thought leadership for the organization’s acquisition approach.
- Being able to evaluate existing and historical contracts for lessons learned, new desired objectives and priorities.
- Factoring in spend and formulation plans.
- Comparing to an organization’s strategic plans.
- Being able to develop an enterprise-wide acquisition strategy to plan for growth, scalability and mission success.
My goal is to continue to highlight the importance of the acquisition and budget execution function and bring it to the forefront to improve our delivery of sound solutions. I also want to highlight how we get there with a key role and function of Acquisition Program Managers, who are different than contracting professionals and are a hybrid of experts with SMEs in contracting, program management and technical expertise essential to acquisition success.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
- Build a team of professionals that has mutual trust. Build relationships that are long-lasting across your government career – strong enough that people will follow you to work together as a high-functioning team, no matter where you go.
- Make it fun! Continually think of new and innovative ideas to challenge yourself and your team. Come up with ideas they can get excited about, not the same monotony, to keep team motivated and excited.
- Things aren’t always greener somewhere else. Realize and appreciate the benefits provided. If you have a good boss who allows you the opportunity to lead and flourish, appreciate being embedded in a great team of colleagues who are supportive and dedicated to the success of the mission and team. Benefits include time off, flexible work schedules and awards and recognition.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know?
I was born and raised on the coast of Southern Maine. I love the beach and grew up on seven miles of white sandy beach, which I enjoy every summer. In the winter, I enjoy the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean, where I frequently vacation.