Noteworthy News

Industry Leaders Discuss New Goals, Ongoing Challenges with Contracting

Defending the nation against cyber attacks and supporting the missions of the National Security Agency, Defense Information Systems Agency and U.S. Cyber Command have always been enormously challenging. But the last two years layered added challenges onto that task — a global pandemic, dramatic changes in work patterns, the great resignation (on top of a chronic talent shortage) and now a new war in Europe. 

So when members of the Fort Meade Alliance gathered earlier this month for the first in-person Industry Day in two years, much of the discussion focused on how to refine contracting practices to better tap the talent and fuel the growth of contractors, especially small businesses. 

The largest, recent change to the small business contracting strategy of the Maryland procurement office was the cancellation earlier this year of the next iteration of the NSA Set-Aside for Small Businesses (NSETS 4).

In Case You Missed It

Second in the Series

On March 22, FMA's Rising Stars Network (RSN) hosted the second Executive Speakers Series, a three-part program where seasoned executives from multiple industries speak candidly about their executive experiences as they support the growth of Fort Meade's future leaders.

Introduced by the series’ first speaker Roxanne Wood of Boeing Intelligence & Analytics, John McBeth of McBeth, Inc. spoke about the value of integrity in the workplace and its impact on leadership and high-performance teams, a very relevant topic that the audience embraced. 

Project SCOPE's Scope

"Being provided the knowledge of careers that require security clearance was eye opening." --Kelly Broyles, Wilde Lake High School Teacher

A hidden gem of FMA's Project SCOPE initiative is our Seminars for High School Students, an organized presentation that provides important details about security clearances. Delivered by professionals from different sectors of industry, topics include an overview of what a security clearance really is, who needs one and why.

More than 200 students from Wilde Lake High School, Howard High School and Long Reach High School schools attended this signature virtual event last week and were introduced to a multitude of meaningful career opportunities right here in the Fort Meade region. Other topics discussed were the unexpected behaviors that do and do not automatically disqualify an applicant and a salary comparison of jobs with and without security clearances, which could be as much as $25,000 a year!

If you're interested in helping teenagers prepare to understand, navigate and master the security clearance process, contact FMA's Education and Workforce Manager Cailin Broccoli ([email protected]).

From the FMA Foundation

Quarterly Newsletter

The newest edition of the FMA Foundation quarterly newsletter gives a robust snapshot of the activity and attention the Education and Resiliency Center at Kuhn Hall has been getting inside and outside its brick walls! 

Read more about site visits from Maryland Senator Pam Beidle, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and FOX 5 DC. Check out the donor spotlight on General Dynamics Information Technology.

Get caught up on other news you may have missed including three workshops created through Maryland University of Integrative Health, two news segments broadcasted by WBAL-TV11 | NBC and one podcast produced by U. S. Army Garrison Fort George G. Meade. 

Selected to Receive Proceeds

If you're a local golf fan planning to attend the 2022 Wells Fargo Championship at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm in Maryland this May, purchase tickets directly from a special link and the proceeds of your sale will go directly to the FMA Foundation!

Thank you Wells Fargo Championship for inviting us to participate in this generous opportunity.

For the FMA Foundation to receive this generosity, you must purchase your tickets through our special link.

Upcoming Events

SOLD OUT

April 9, Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

2022 Stars in Service Gala

We're celebrating those who serve our country and community with an extraordinary night of dinner, dancing and gratitude. Proceeds from this special night fund initiatives supporting military personnel and their families, education programs and workforce development efforts.

If you'd like to be added to the wait list, please email Donna De Marco ([email protected]).

April 20, 3:30 p.m.

MBC Monthly Meet-Up

Join us online for our monthly Meade Business Connect (MBC) Meet-Up titled For Small Businesses: How Strong Banking Relationships Enable Growth. This event is for FMA members only. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

April 25, 8 a.m.

DISA Business Match

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), in partnership with the Fort Meade Alliance, presents DISA Business Match, a full-day matchmaking event to connect small businesses with industry primes and DISA officials.

Welcome New Partner and Members

New Members

All-American Intelligent Solutions, Inc. 

AlphaBravo

Bluemont Technology & Research, Inc

Critical Functions, LLC 

D&O Security Solutions 

Forbes and Patterson Consulting Services, LLC 

GCC Solutions, LLC

Hilton Garden Inn Hanover Arundel Mills BWI Airport

Lumen Technologies

Maryland Jockey Club

Mindgrub Technologies

MSM Technology LLC 

Norseman

Omega Minds

Ops Tech Alliance, LLC 

Reflexive Concepts LLC

Ruddershift, Inc.

SME Solutions 

Thomas & Moore Strategic Ventures, LLC 

Our Mission Partners

Our 5-Star Partners

Amazon Web Services

Anne Arundel Community College

AAEDC

ASRC Federal

BAE Systems

BigBear.ai

Boeing Intelligence & Analytics

BrainTrust

CACI

Chugach Government Solutions

Corporate Office Properties Trust

Deloitte LLP

Denovo Solutions

HCEDA

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Innoplex, LLC

LG-TEK

ManTech International Corporation

M.C. Dean

Nominet

Oceaneering International, Inc.

Parsons

Praxis Engineering

SAIC

Tower Federal Credit Union

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Our Patriot Partners

Aronson, LLC

BlueHalo

Capitol Technology University

ClearEdge

Community College of Baltimore County

Crown Castle

Focal Point Data Risk 

Guidehouse

Howard Community College

IndraSoft

KatzAbosch

Peterson Technologies

Vision Technologies

Our Granting Sponsor