Governor McAuliffe Launches Inaugural Commonwealth Datathon

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 ~ Teams from Virginia’s agencies will compete over 48 hours to create new and innovative applications ~

RICHMOND– Governor Terry McAuliffe today launched the first ever Commonwealth Datathon Challenge, a competition pitting teams from Virginia agencies against one another as they create new applications that streamline government, better serve citizens, and jumpstart business opportunities.  From August 21^st to 22^nd, agency teams will assemble at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond  to build apps from scratch that make use of Commonwealth data that is publicly available throughData.Virginia.gov.

Speaking on the first of its kind event, Governor McAuliffe said: “Now, more than ever, it is critical that we work together to build a new Virginia economy. And we can’t have an innovative economy without an innovative government. That’s why I’m starting right here with my own administration. For the next 48 hours, I’m challenging our agencies to think outside the box and push both the technology we use and their own creativity to the limits. Getting all these folks in a room together and asking them to build something new will encourage better collaboration within our government, foster a culture of inventiveness, and prove that Virginia is the number one place for fresh ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.”

Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson took the opportunity to expand the challenge to the general public: “The data our agencies will be using to build their apps is open to the public through our siteData.Virginia.gov. So if you’re a developer or entrepreneur and think you can make something even better that uses our data, we want to hear about it!”

Virginia agencies participating in this week’s Datathon include Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control, Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia Information Technologies Agency, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

After completing the bulk of their work from August 21^st to August 22^nd, agency teams will deliver final project presentations during a special session held at the Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) on September 3^rd in Richmond. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to vote for a Crowd Favorite Award while a panel of judges from both state government and the private sector will deliver a Judges’ Choice Award to the most outstanding agency team.

More information can be accessed at the Commonwealth’s data portal Data.Virginia.gov.     

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Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order Expanding Opportunities for Small, Women-Owned, and Minority-Owned Businesses

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Governor McAuliffe visited Astyra Corporation in Richmond to sign Executive Order 20: Advancing Equity for Small, Women, and Minority Owned Businesses. The executive order is designed to expand contracting opportunities to small, women-owned and minority-owned (SWaM) businesses in the Commonwealth and set a higher bar for SWaM contracting in Virginia state government.

The full text of the executive order is below:

ADVANCING EQUITY FOR SMALL, WOMEN, AND

MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES

Executive Order Number  20 (2014)

Importance of the Issue

            It is imperative for the Commonwealth of Virginia to maximize the participation of small businesses in state contractual work. For Virginia to remain competitive and continue to advance its small business goals, significant work still must be done for a more transparent, equitable, and inclusive process. Therefore, I am establishing a micro business designation within the small business certification and vital new state procurement initiatives.

            For purposes of this Executive Order: 1) “executive branch agency” shall include all entities in the executive branch, including agencies, authorities, commissions, departments, and all institutions of higher education; 2) “small businesses” shall include, but not be limited to, small, women-owned or minority-owned businesses; and, 3) “micro businesses” shall be defined as those certified small businesses that have no more than twenty-five (25) employees and no more than $3 million in average annual revenue over the three-year period prior to their certification.

            I am directing the following executive branch agencies that have statutory authority for procurement, in conjunction with the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (DSBSD) as provided in Code of Virginia § 2.2-1605(A)(6), to implement the requirements herein within their respective areas of procurement authority: Department of General Services (DGS), Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA), Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), those institutions of higher education that have autonomy in procurement granted under the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act (Code of Virginia § 23-38.88, et seq.), and other executive branch agencies that have statutory authority for procurement. 

Initiatives

            With a continuing rational basis for small business enhancement, and pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, the Code of Virginia, including Code of Virginia § 2.2-4310(C), and applicable Memoranda of Understanding and Management Agreements entered into pursuant to Code of Virginia § 23-38.88, et seq., I hereby direct my Cabinet Secretaries and all executive branch agencies to continue and advance the following on a race-neutral and gender-neutral basis:

1.       Exceed a target goal of 42%, which is the highest percentage of expenditures spent since FY 2004 for executive branch agencies with small businesses certified by DSBSD. This percentage applies to discretionary spending in categories from which the Commonwealth derives procurement orders, prime contracts, and subcontracts. DSBSD, in consultation with executive branch entities and institutions with procurement responsibilities, shall advance race-neutral and gender-neutral goals via annual agency Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned (SWaM) procurement plans. Each executive branch agency shall review and update its benchmarks, policies, and procedures to conform with this Executive Order and the implementing regulations adopted pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-1605(A)(6) and thereby ensure that a greater percentage of purchases is made from certified small businesses, in goods and services categories from which the Commonwealth makes its purchases.

2.       Create the micro business designation, which shall include those certified small businesses that have no more than twenty-five (25) employees and no more than $3 million in average annual revenue over the three-year period prior to their certification. DSBSD shall develop a best practices method for identifying those small businesses that are eligible for the micro business designation. DSBSD shall also evaluate and offer recommendations for the implementation of the micro business designation by October 1, 2014.

3.       Expand the set-aside for competition among all certified small businesses to include purchases up to $100,000 for goods and nonprofessional services and up to $50,000 for professional services when the price quoted is fair and reasonable. In the procurement selection process for these set-asides, at least one of the proposals/bids shall be obtained from a micro business unless upon due diligence no micro business in a particular category exists or was willing to submit a proposal/bid. Purchases under $10,000, however, shall be set aside for micro businesses when the price quoted is fair and reasonable. Executive branch agencies that have statutory authority for procurement shall include these set-asides in their purchasing regulations, policies, and processes by no later than September 1, 2014. Current contracts will continue in accordance with their terms. The DSBSD will prepare a progress report describing executive branch agencies’ compliance with this requirement and deliver its report to the Governor’s Chief of Staff no later than October 1, 2014.

4.       Provide support to DSBSD in developing a uniform, statewide method for evaluating and monitoring small business (SWaM) procurement plans. Executive branch agencies shall require each prime contractor to include in its proposal(s)/bid(s) a SWaM procurement plan.

Before final payment is made, the purchasing agency shall confirm that the contractor has certified compliance with the contract’s SWaM procurement plan. If there are any variances between the contractor’s required SWaM procurement plan and the actual participation, the contractor shall provide a written explanation. The written explanation shall be kept with the contract file and made available upon request.

Contracts and renewals may include a provision allowing final payment to be withheld until the contractor is in compliance with its SWaM procurement plan. Prior to entering into a new contract or renewing a contract with a contractor, an agency shall review a contractor’s record of compliance with SWaM procurement plan requirements. A contractor’s failure to satisfactorily meet designated SWaM procurement plan requirements shall be considered in the prospective award or renewal of any future contracts with the contractor.

5.       Implement processes for producing SWaM subcontracting data as established by DSBSD in consultation with DGS and VITA. This subcontracting data must also include information on non-SWaM subcontractors performing on contracts over $200,000.

            These initiatives will spur creativity, promote economic justice and development, and encourage procurement participation by small businesses. In support of the initiatives set out above, I further direct the following actions to be taken by Cabinet Secretaries and executive branch agencies:

1.       DSBSD, in conjunction with DGS, VITA, VDOT, and higher education institutions with procurement autonomy, shall implement initiatives to enhance the development of small businesses in Virginia. Such initiatives shall include, but not be limited to:

·          Information on access to capital, including contract financing and bonding support and other opportunities for economic development;

·          Management and technical assistance programs;

·          Partnerships and outreach with local business groups, chambers of commerce, and other organizations to develop a diverse vendor base; and,

·          Statewide mentor/protégé and/or joint venture programs.

2.       DSBSD, with assistance from DGS, shall conduct a vendor outreach training program for each congressional district in the Commonwealth. Training shall include instructions on how to obtain certification, register with and research through the Commonwealth’s e-procurement system (eVA), respond to business opportunities with the Commonwealth, encourage SWaM participation, and overcome identified barriers.

3.       Executive branch agencies shall review the efficacy of implementing other small business enhancement tools and processes, such as:

·          Unbundling contracts;

·          Relaxing the requirement for mandatory attendance at pre-bid meetings;

·          Expanding time to respond to small purchase solicitations;

·          Alerting businesses to current and future procurement as well as subcontracting opportunities; and,

·          Streamlining the paperwork required of small businesses.

4.       The purchasing manuals, regulations and guidelines of all executive branch entities and institutions shall include updated SWaM purchasing regulations and/or guidelines to reflect the changes made in this Executive Order.

5.       Executive branch agencies shall actively recruit small businesses to seek certification from DSBSD, to register on eVA, and to compete for state procurement contracts. DGS and VITA shall develop guidelines that promote greater representation of SWaM businesses on such contracts.

6.       VDOT, for road and bridge construction, and DGS, for construction, shall develop guidelines to be used by executive branch agencies in making construction mobilization payments to businesses when reasonable and necessary to facilitate contract initiation.

7.       The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) shall send DSBSD its regular report to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade on new economic development announcements of business activity in the Commonwealth, inclusive of those announcements in which a VEDP administered economic incentive is provided. Such report will enable DSBSD to ascertain in a timely manner what opportunities the activity may bring for Virginia’s small businesses.

8.       Every executive branch agency shall utilize the Commonwealth’s central electronic procurement system (“eVA”) as its purchasing and/or posting system beginning at the point of requisitioning for all procurement actions, including but not limited to technology, transportation, and construction, for the purpose of identifying available small businesses, and for tracking purchase requisition details from those businesses. DGS, in consultation with VDOT, shall develop guidelines pertaining to the content of requisitions, in order for data to be captured in a timely, accurate, and consistent manner.

9.       Each executive branch agency shall designate a SWaM equity champion to ensure equity in the solicitation of procurement proposals/bids and awarding of contracts. 

10.   Agency heads, senior managers with procurement responsibility, procurement personnel, and end users with purchasing charge cards shall be evaluated on small business purchasing goals as part of their employee evaluations.

11. DSBSD shall coordinate with the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Municipal            League, and the Virginia Association of Governmental Purchasing to identify opportunities                                           for state and local government entities to collaborate in order to maximize procurement      equity for small businesses.

Reporting Requirements

1.       The Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall study the potential advantages of providing start-up incentives, including federally-funded grants, to certified small businesses. This shall include a review of the economic impact of providing the incentives and whether such incentives would promote the profitability and sustainability of such businesses. The Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall provide a report to the Governor’s Chief of Staff by no later than December 1, 2014.

2.       Cabinet Secretaries shall monitor their agencies’ spending with all certified small businesses, and report on the results quarterly. DSBSD shall develop a standard reporting format for such purposes. The report shall include information on purchases made from all certified small businesses. In addition, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade will assess overall state performance, and report quarterly to the Governor.

           

           Each Cabinet Secretary shall evaluate the performance of their agencies in implementing     these directives. DSBSD, in cooperation with each Cabinet Secretary, shall provide quarterly          reports to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade regarding the Commonwealth’s progress in    enhancing opportunities for SWaM businesses. The reports shall delineate the            Commonwealth’s spending in detail by SWaM category and agency.

3.       The Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall conduct a study on a new small business designation, with prospective set-aside opportunities, that would be between twenty-five (25) and one hundred (100) employees and between $3 and $10 million. The study shall be delivered to the Governor’s Chief of Staff no later than December 1, 2014.

4.       Executive branch entities and institutions with procurement responsibilities shall review practices, procedures, and proposal evaluations criteria to identify and remove barriers or limitations to SWaM participation. A section on “barriers or limitations” shall be included in annual agency SWaM plans. SWaM plans shall be developed and submitted to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade on September 1 of each fiscal year.

5.       The Secretary of Commerce and Trade will prepare and deliver a report to the Governor no later than October 1, 2015, detailing compliance with this Executive Order and providing spend performance metrics from the prior fiscal year.

          

Effective Date of this Order

            This Executive Order replaces Executive Order 33 (2006), issued by Governor Timothy M. Kaine, and shall be effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.

            Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 22nd day of July, 2014.

                       

________________________________

Terence R. McAuliffe, Governor

Attest: 

_______________________________

Levar M. Stoney, Secretary of the Commonwealth

Governor McAuliffe Names Members of Virginia Cyber Security Commission

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RICHMOND – Today, Governor McAuliffe announced the members of the Virginia Cyber Security Commission, a group established by executive order which will bring public and private sector experts together to make recommendations on how to make Virginia a leader in cyber security.

The Commission will be co-chaired by Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson and Richard Clarke, Chairman and CEO of Good Harbor Security Risk Management. The Commission includes industry leaders from across the Commonwealth as well as representatives from the McAuliffe Administration and will hold its inaugural meeting on June 11^th.

“This group of experts, industry leaders, and administration officials will work together to identify ways in which the public and private sector can work together to bolster Virginia’s cyber security industry so we can expand Virginia’s economic footprint in cyber technology and protect the Commonwealth from cyber threats,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The Commission will also explore opportunities to advance education in key STEM sectors that will support a workforce pipeline to prepare Virginia students for jobs in industries of the 21^st Century including cyber security.”

The Cyber Security Commission was established by Executive Order (EO8) in February 2014. 

Responsibilities of the Commission:

The Commission’s responsibilities shall include the following: 

1. Identify high risk cyber security issues facing the Commonwealth of Virginia. 
2. Provide advice and recommendations related to securing Virginia’s state networks, systems, and data, including interoperability, standardized plans and procedures, and evolving threats and best practices to prevent the unauthorized access, theft, alteration, and destruction of the Commonwealth’s data. 
3. Provide suggestions for the addition of cyber security to Virginia’s Emergency Management and Disaster Response capabilities, including testing cyber security incident response scenarios, recovery and restoration plans, and coordination with the federal government – in consultation with the Virginia Information Technologies Agency.
4. Offer suggestions for promoting awareness of cyber hygiene among the Commonwealth’s citizens, businesses and government entities;
5. Present recommendations for cutting edge science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational and training programs for all ages, including K-12, community colleges, universities, in order to foster an improved cyber security workforce pipeline and create cyber security professionals with a wide range of expertise. 
6. Offer strategies to advance private sector cyber security economic development opportunities, including innovative technologies, research and development, and start-up firms, and maximize public-private partnerships throughout the Commonwealth. 
7. Provide suggestions for coordinating the review of and assessing opportunities for cyber security private sector growth as it relates to military facilities and defense activities in Virginia.

Members of the Commission:

Commission to be co-chaired by Richard Clarke and Secretary of Technology, Karen Jackson.

Mr.  Richard A. Clarke – Chairman and CEO of Good Harbor Security Risk Management and an internationally recognized expert on cyber security, homeland security, national security, and counterterrorism.  Mr. Clarke served the last three Presidents as a senior White House Advisor, including as Special Advisor to the President for Cyber Security and National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism, and was a member of President Obama’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communication Technologies.

Ms. Rhonda Eldridge – Director of Engineering at Technica Corporation.  In her current role she leads six divisions within Technica and is responsible for internal research and development, visioning, and business development – focusing on cutting edge cyber security and IT projects for Federal customers including the Department of Defense.

Ms. Jennifer Bisceglie, President and CEO, Interos Solutions, Inc.  Ms. Bisceglie has more than 20 years of commercial technology and business operations experience in cyber security, business process re-engineering, and commercial technology implementation for diverse companies industries and governments.

Mr. Paul Kurtz is the Chief Strategy Officer at CyberPoint.  Mr. Kurtz leads the development and communication of CyberPoint’s strategic vision for managing cyber threats.  A recognized cyber security expert, he has held senior positions in both industry and government.  During his government service, Kurtz was Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Critical Infrastructure Protection on the White House’s Homeland Security Council (HSC).

Mr. Paul Tiao, Attorney and partner with the international law firm of Hunton and Williams, LLP where he is a leader in the firm’s global privacy and cyber security practice.  Prior to joining the firm Mr. Tiao served as Senior Counselor for cyber security and technology to FBI Director Robert S. Mueller.

Dr. Barry Horowitz, Munster Professor of Systems and Information Engineering and Chair of theSystems and Information Engineering Department  at the University of Virginia.  Dr. Horowitz’ research effort center on economic models and system technologies related to cyber security. He currently is leading a DoD sponsored research effort focused on embedding security solutions into systems, referred to as System Aware Cyber Security Dr. Horowitz serves as a member of the Naval Studies Board (NSB) of the National Academy of Science and recently led a Chief of Naval Operations sponsored study for the NSB on cyber security.

Mr. Andrew H. Turner, Vice President and Head of Global Security, VISA.  Mr. Turner developed, from the ground up, VISA’s Cyber Security organization, including the Attack Surface Management, Threat Intelligence, Incident Response and Digital Brand Protection Programs.  He also implemented a Cyber Fusion based program utilizing intelligence collection, analysis and overall sensor enrichment to actively monitor and defend against global threats to the VISA enterprise and ecosystem.  Prior to joining VISA, Mr. Turner served as Cyber Intelligence Practice Director for the Microsoft Corporation. 

Mr. Jeffrey C. “J.C.” Dodson, Global Chief Information Security Officer, BAE Systems.  Mr. Dodson is a global cyber security expert across government, defense, aerospace, law enforcement, and advanced technology sectors.  He is the chairman of the Aerospace Industries Association’s Industrial Security Committee and was appointed to serve as an Industry Representative to the U.S. Government’s National Industrial Security Program Policy Advisory Committee. 

Ms. Jandria Alexander, Principal Director of the Cyber Security Subdivision in the Engineering Technology Group at the Aerospace Company.  Ms. Alexander currently leads cyber and network security support to numerous customers and leads teams performing systems engineering for cyber operations, including architecture, requirements and concept of operations (CONOPS) support for integrating cyber operations into advanced ground and space segments.

Ms. Elizabeth “Betsy” Hight  - Retired US Navy rear admiral who served as the Vice Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DISA).  Most recently she served as Vice President of the Hewlett Packard’s Enterprise Services U.S. Public Sector Cybersecurity Practice.

Mr. John Wood is chief executive officer, chairman of the board and director for Telos Corporation. As CEO, he orchestrates the company's support of the federal government in the critical areas of cyber operations and defense, secure communications and collaboration, and identity assurance.

Anne Holton, Secretary of Education

John Harvey, Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs

Dr. Bill Hazel, Secretary of Health and Human Resources

Karen Jackson, Secretary of Technology

Maurice Jones, Secretary of Commerce and Trade

Brian Moran, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Virginia Adopts National Cybersecurity Framework

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Commonwealth is first to use new framework as part of efforts to reduce cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that the Commonwealth of Virginia will adopt the new National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework into the existing Commonwealth risk framework to help identify and communicate cybersecurity risks.

NIST today announced the framework, and Virginia immediately adopted it into existing cybersecurity efforts.

“Adding this framework to the existing efforts led by the Secretary of Technology, Chief Information Officer, Chief Information Security Officer and the Virginia Information Technologies Agency will strengthen the Commonwealth’s ability to fight cyber crime and further enhance Virginia’s position as a leader in cybersecurity,” Governor McAuliffe said. “Virginia has an award-winning cybersecurity program in place, but must continue to advance our ability to keep our families and businesses safe and make the Commonwealth the national hub for the cybersecurity industry and the jobs that come with it.”

The new framework will help to enhance the systematic process for identifying, assessing, prioritizing and communicating cybersecurity risks; efforts to address risks; and, steps needed to reduce risks as part of the state’s broader priorities.

NIST coordinated the development of the framework with a broad array of stakeholders from the public and private sectors as a result of a federal executive order to develop a way to address cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure. Input was provided by public and private infrastructure owners and operators, industry leaders and other stakeholders in workshops, meetings, webinars and other information sessions over the past year.

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