On Sept. 4, the finalists for this year’s Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards were announced and WashingtonExec is bringing you its annual series with the nominees.
The winners will be unveiled next week on Nov. 13 at The Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and the Professional Services Council. With more than 1,000 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.
Our next interview is with Accenture Federal Services‘ (AFS) Chief Executive David Moskovitz. AFS is nominated for “Contractor of the Year” in the greater than $300 million category.
WashingtonExec: How has your business been able to grow as the federal market contracts?
David Moskovitz: Despite economically difficult times and continued budgetary constraints, Accenture Federal Services continued to focus on delivering quality outcomes for our clients. It was this emphasis that allowed us to continue to grow our business as successfully as we have. We are experiencing a period of strong growth despite the more macro decline of the market. We are growing well ahead of the market and taking market share. Disciplined execution of our strategy (fit for federal/powered by Accenture) and continued track record of delivery. The hallmark of our federal practice is exceptional delivery and innovation on the most complex, mission critical assignments.
Our fiscal year financial achievements are marked by the award of several high-dollar and high-profile contracts, including the U.S. Transportation Security Administration for Identity Management and Credentialing System with a ceiling of $250 million and by the Internal Revenue Service for the development of three portals.
Additionally, in September 2013 Accenture Federal Services completed its acquisition of ASM Research, which supports business solutions to federal defense and military health agencies experiencing a once-in-a-generation modernization. This acquisition was named the “Best Healthcare Deal” by Washington Technology. This year the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded ASM Research $160 million to support a program to integrate inpatient and outpatient electronic health records to optimize quality medical care for veterans.
Our business also experienced more than 20 percent growth in the civilian and health sectors, including: U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Postal Service, and U.S. Department of Treasury, United Nations, U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
We focus our business on the large-scale, cross-enterprise programs and systems designed to increasing efficiency, to protect our country/homeland and/or deliver the mission of our client agencies.
What makes us different is our ability to bring the best of all of Accenture including:
- heritage/culture of delivery,
- deep industry expertise,
- technology independence/objectivity and
- deep knowledge/insight into how the federal government operates.
This has led to one of the best delivery records in the federal government.
WashingtonExec: What is the fastest growing component of your business?
David Moskovitz: We see tremendous opportunity to contribute in very important and significant ways in the growing area of military health. We are enthusiastic about supporting clients as they focus on the health needs of military personnel and veterans. And we hope to expand our work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and broaden the work we’re doing with Accenture that has supported the Office of the National Coordinator. We have been active there through various programs beginning in 2005 for the Nationwide Health Information Network (NwHIN), and since 2010 for the Standards & Interoperability Framework.
WashingtonExec: What was your organization’s largest accomplishment in the last 12-18 months?
David Moskovitz: Earlier this year Accenture Federal Services was hired by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to continue making improvements to the HealthCare.gov website. Accenture supports the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with technical improvements to the Health Insurance Marketplace website HealthCare.gov, as well as enhancements and additional functionality of the FFM, the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) and state-based exchange transitions. We provide services to support the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) to prepare for open enrollment in November 2014 including:
- 24/7 support of the Marketplace application
- Eligibility and enrollment functions
- Generation and transmission of enrollment forms
- Features related to special enrollment periods, among other services
- Accenture also will develop new capabilities required for future phases of program implementation.
In September 2013 the U.S. Army National Guard awarded AFS a contract to help with establishing and running a wellness resource program that connects guardsmen with resources in their communities for substance abuse, suicide prevention, and sexual harassment aid. By consolidating the program under a single contractor, the National Guard offers a comprehensive wellness resource program in EVERY state, using AFS as a liaison to resources in communities across the U.S.
AFS is now providing more consistent resource liaison support through personnel in across all states and U.S. territories using enhanced information technology—to help make a difference in the lives of those who have served.
AFS manages data collection, aided by the use of data analytics to help track patterns and manages program-wide metrics, communications, and information on high-risk situations. AFS also promotes reciprocity of information and resources, enabling appropriate wellness resources to be made more readily available to soldiers. National Guard leadership has gained greatly improved visibility of wellness needs and activity occurring across all states and U.S. territories.
WashingtonExec: Given the current state of the federal contracting market, how has your organization’s marketing approach to customers, employees and future customers changed?
David Moskovitz: We evolved our marketing program to make deliberate, purposeful investments that, when layered together, aim to tell the Accenture story of relentless delivery, enduring efficiency, and client-focused innovation. Our marketing approach is wholly focused on our clients: It starts with being top of mind and in the conversation on issues our clients care about—where and when our clients choose to be. In short, our approach is Content-led, Issue-based, and digitally-enabled. With clients at the core, we develop a portfolio of content—from primary research, perspectives, case studies, infographics, and “snackable” statistics—and deliver it across a network of channels (email, social media, events, paid search, web sites, among others). And, by carefully curating the content we share and deliver and monitoring the analytics of what resonates in the marketplace and with our clients, we continually refine our editorial and engagement strategies to deliver insights that not only meet the information needs of our clients but differentiate us in the marketplace.
WashingtonExec: What are the largest challenges that you predict your business will face in the next 5 years?
David Moskovitz: We believe the federal government is at a critical inflection point, entering a new normal in terms of lower budgets while at the same time facing increasing pressure to execute their missions and meet citizen expectations for new /better ways to interact. Smaller government is inevitable. Leaders who move beyond debating this to embracing new ways to deliver their missions in this “new normal” will be the winners. We are very excited to be working with our clients who need to be both bold and realistic. We will be forward thinking about helping the government navigate today’s cost pressures and expert in the range of services and support we provide.
WashingtonExec: How does your organization maintain engagement with all levels of employees?
David Moskovitz: We aspire to be the employer of choice in the federal space? Accenture Federal Services attracts, develops and retains the best people through a variety of programs designed to: identify top talent, offer competitive rewards, provide professional growth and career development, enhance collaboration, recognize employee contributions, foster a diverse and inclusive culture, and continue a history of corporate citizenship.
Some best practices that allow us to maintain and grow engagement with all levels of Accenture employees include hiring the very best talent, developing our leadership team, developing emerging leaders, encouraging and enabling continuous learning and development, assisting in career development, encouraging collaboration and knowledge management, managing performance, recognizing and rewarding accomplishments and achievements, and creating a diverse and inclusive work environment.
We also communicate regularly through a number of internal communications vehicles, including quarterly Town Hall meetings, employee newsletters that highlight achievement and accomplishments, and messages informing employees of changes to policy and business objectives and the reminders of the day-to-day activities and actions they may need to take.
One important element of our company-wide engagement is creating a diverse and inclusive company culture that welcomes all forms of differences in order to foster an innovative, collaborative and high-energy work environment. As part of this commitment we:
- Established a Global Inclusion & Diversity corporate function to provide strategic guidance and support for diversity programs
- Promote a discrimination-free and harassment-free work environment for all employees
- Build diversity perspective into talent management processes
- Provide opportunities for participation in employee resource groups
Because of that commitment, Accenture has recognized in a number of ways:
- Accenture ranked No. 2 on the 2013 LATINA Style 50 Report, which honors the top 50 US companies for Hispanic women.
- Accenture received the 2013 Disability Matters Award in the Workplace category for Asia Pacific.
- In 2013, Diversity MBA Magazine’s Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive Leaders list included Accenture Federal Services’ managing director Marty Rodgers
- Diversity MBA ranked Accenture No. 5 on its 2013 50 Out Front Best Places to Work list honoring the best companies for diverse managers, both for diversity representation, retention and accountability, as well as programs that benefit female and diverse employees. This marks Accenture’s fifth consecutive year on the list (2009-2013).
- Career Bliss ranked Accenture No. 14 on its Happiest Companies for Veterans list in 2013.
WashingtonExec: Have Millennials entering the workforce changed your corporate policies? If so, how?
David Moskovitz: At Accenture we are always excited to welcome new talent. In fact, for the past seven years Accenture as ranked among Universum’s Top 100 MBA Employers, and this year we were included in Experience.com’s 2013 Best Places to Work for Recent Grads list for the fifth year in a row. As a company we are always growing and adapting to not only deliver today, but to anticipate and meet the needs of the future. We continually seek to recruit, train and retain the best people and our best practices allow us to adapt as needed to ensure our employees are happy, healthy and fulfilled here at Accenture.
WashingtonExec: How is your business involved in the community?
David Moskovitz: Since 2011 Accenture has contributed more than $150 million to support our corporate citizenship efforts globally, including our Skills to Succeed program through which we have helped equipped more than half a million people with the skills to get a job or build a business.
This past year we supported the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) with a $3.3 million grant along with an additional $800,000 in pro bono work, to help young adults in underserved communities transition from secondary to higher education and employment.
In 2013, Accenture people, including AFS, contributed 6,000 hours in civic giving and Accenture representatives served on a number of nonprofit and civic boards, donated financially, and provided their time and expertise. Volunteers from AFS and Accenture also work with 501ctech to help nonprofits become IT proficient and train young adults.
Our leadership team and countless AFS employees serve on boards of nonprofit and non-governmental organizations, volunteer across a wide spectrum of issues challenging our community. We are also active on professional and peer groups, working on boards and commissions as well as leadership positions to help support the larger IT and federal contracting communities.
WashingtonExec: What would you say are the top one or two leadership qualities necessary to be a great leader?
David Moskovitz: 1.) The ability to engage and inspire clients and employees, and 2.) The ability to listen
WashingtonExec: If we were to speak directly to your leadership team, what would they say is your management style? How would your team describe your leadership qualities?
David Moskovitz: Passionate, engage, analytic, genuine, personal
WashingtonExec: What was a turning point or inflection point in your career?
David Moskovitz: Experiencing success in large-scale, highly visible projects NYC government (election reform) and at Accenture (NYC 311).
WashingtonExec: What advice do you have for aspiring leaders in the government contracting industry?
David Moskovitz: Focus on large-scale, long-term impact and follow your passion.
WashingtonExec: What was your first job? Overall, how did that experience shape your career?
David Moskovitz: Fitting boots in a ski shop – where I learned about how to excel in a people-oriented business.
WashingtonExec: What three pieces of advice would you give your kids?
David Moskovitz: Follow your passion, have absolute integrity, and have fun!!
WashingtonExec: How has your organization changed over the past year and what makes you optimistic about winning GovCon Awards in your category this year?
David Moskovitz: We have continued to follow our strategy to deliver for our clients on the largest, most complex challenges that government faces.
