Software is part of almost everything the DoD buys, from cloud services and apps to weapons systems. This webinar explains some of the recent changes to acquisition law and policy, as DoD pivots to modernize its processes for the 21st century.

Panelist Nick Tsiopanas explains how contracts can be tailored to acquire and pay for consumption-based solutions (think cloud computing and everything as a service).

As researchers and authors of the Section 809 Panel's recommendation to revamp the way DoD buys consumption-based solutions, Larry Asch and Nick Tsiopanas were interviewed regarding the recommendation's role in spurring Congress to include a pilot authority in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). FCW reporter Lauren Williams covered the news, quoting Tsiopanas as saying "We're thrilled that there's something about this in the NDAA, but at the same time it's the same old dipping the toe in the water instead of moving out." Asch added "Maybe we need to start from the bottom up and listen to the people in the field, even if we do them as pilots that don't have to go to an NDAA." The two view this as generally positive news, while also recognizing DoD needs to move faster to make up ground already lost.

Nick Tsiopanas contributed to a report published by the National Security Institute and Duco Experts titled: "The U.S. Defense Industrial Base: Can It Compete In The Next Century?"

Over 100 national security, foreign policy, and intel experts provided their analysis of key provisions of the House- and Senate-passed versions of the FY 2021 NDAA, as well as on other critical national security topics in a survey.  This report summarizes the survey’s findings.

Supporting prime contractor Seneca Global Services, ZYGOS Consulting is key partner on the winning team for the $19M Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle to provide senior-level advisory services to the US Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI).

This five year contract advances the PEO’s vision to enable its program managers with support in strategic planning and acquisition support to ensure the success of their projects. Early task orders have assisted the PEO team in awarding a large system integrator contract supporting the Army’s test ranges, led analysis of hosting and cloud services and infrastructure for a DoD customer, and directed the restart of a major test software development program using the DoD’s recently published Adaptive Acquisition Pathways.

As researchers and authors of the Section 809 Panel's recommendation to revamp the way DoD buys consumption-based solutions, Larry Asch and Nick Tsiopanas presented their view of this buying method to a packed breakout room at GCMS 2019. The session included Tsiopanas providing a detailed explanation of the recommendation as well as its status in recent legislation, while Asch gave the attendees a step-by-step approach to get this done now instead of waiting for Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or legislative changes.

ZYGOS Consulting joined the program support team led by ECS to support the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS-A) in its efforts to develop and deploy Increment II of its human resources and pay capabilities. ZYGOS team members led by Josh Hackett are key leaders in the strategic programmatics and acquisition planning for the program’s acquisition lifecycle IAW DoD Instruction 5000.75. Through ZYGOS’ efforts, the IPPS-A program accomplished a major restructure and re-baseline of its capabilities and budget that enabled IPPS-A to regain control of the program’s cost, schedule, and
performance parameters and begin deploying its long delayed capabilities.

ZYGOS was awarded a subcontract under SRS, LLC to provide acquisition subject matter expertise and communications support to the NPS Acquisition Research Program (ARP). The award includes a one-year base period and a one-year option period. Founded in 2003, the ARP provides information and analytical capabilities needed by acquisition professionals and policymakers to deliver superior capabilities to America’s warfighters. As the demand for innovative acquisition approaches continues, ARP provides resources that inform and inspire acquisition professionals working on the front lines to acquire traditional and emerging technologies within regulatory guidelines.

ZYGOS was awarded a prime contract to provide Acquisition Strategic Advisor and Training Support to the Defense Health Agency J-6 (CIO). The award includes a one-year base period and two 6-month option periods. ZYGOS will advise and support DHA in its transformation of IT services for the Military Health System (MHS). ZYGOS will enable this critical initiative with its knowledge, experience, methodologies, sample deliverables, and lessons learned. Additionally, ZYGOS will help train the J-6 acquisition workforce on all aspects of acquisition, including innovative techniques and approaches.

Utilizing research garnered from his work on the IT acquisition team of the Section 809 Panel, Nick Tsiopanas proposes a series of recommendations to change the notoriously cumbersome and problematic acquisition process for Defense Business Systems (DBS). 

The Op-Ed addresses some of the most fundamental issues with the current process: “In the current system, requirements are defined upfront, locked down, and subsequently handed off to an acquisition organization that takes years to deploy the capability. It is reasonable to conclude that requirements will never accurately address a real-time problem when they are crafted years before the solution is developed and deployed, especially considering that IT solutions change at a dizzying pace.”

The Section 809 Panel was established by Congress to streamline and improve DoD acquisition. The FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) gave the 18-person panel of experts 2 years to develop recommendations for streamlining and improving the defense acquisition process.

NCMA’s premier event for contract management professionals, World Congress 2017 has selected ZYGOS’ thought leaders and acquisition professionals to provide an educational presentation at its flagship conference. The 2017 NCMA World Congress will be held July 23-26, 2017 at the Navy Pier Convention Center, Chicago, Illinois.

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Honored to be speaking at their 3rd NCMA World Congress, ZYGOS’ Lawrence Asch and Nick Tsiopanas will present...

The Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) awarded ZYGOS Consulting a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) and first Call Order to provide EOIR Court and Appeals Systems (ECAS) Support Services. Awarded under the General Services Administration's Professional Services Schedule, the BPA is a single award, meaning ZYGOS is the only prime contractor on the vehicle which has a one-year base period and four one-year option periods.

ZYGOS Consulting was awarded a subcontract under Engility Corporation to continue Acquisition Support to Project Manager Army Enterprise Systems Integration Program (PM AESIP) and the Logistics Modernization Program (LMP). The award includes an option for performance through December 2016, continuing the specialized services provided by ZYGOS to support acquisition milestone decisions for LMP and strategic contracting initiatives for PM AESIP. ZYGOS subject matter experts will continue to support critical Army Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) initiatives including LMP Increment 2, and the PM AESIP Enterprise Contract Management Group and Army ERP Services acquisition.

ZYGOS Consulting was privileged to have digital magazine C4ISR & Networks invite our Mr. Josh Hackett to provide insight into the content of the newly released DoD Instruction 5000.02 titled “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System.”
Mr. Hackett provided the type of detailed insights and feedback that organizations like C4ISR & Networks as well as our clients have grown to trust and admire from our consulting staff in the areas of Acquisition, Better Buying Power, and Contracting support.

ZYGOS Consulting LLC is pleased to announce it was recently awarded a Mission Oriented Business Integrated Services (MOBIS) schedule contract by the General Services Administration (GSA). The MOBIS schedule offers a full range of management and consulting services for improving agency performance and providing assistance with meeting mission goals.

To earn the MOBIS award, ZYGOS underwent a rigorous review of its products and services, management practices, customer satisfaction, and past performance; including quality...

ZYGOS Consulting was awarded a subcontract under Cask, LLC’s prime contract with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). ZYGOS will assist DSCA with Information Technology (IT) portfolio management services for the DSCA IT Directorate leadership team including the DSCA Chief Information Officer (CIO).
DSCA is a Department of Defense (DoD) agency reporting to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and has responsibility for directing...

On 29 July 2014 ZYGOS' Founder and President Nick Tsiopanas, sharing the stage with Army Contracting Command – Rock Island’s Jessica Dobbeleare, presented to over 100 National Contract Management Association (NCMA) World Congress attendees on Fair Opportunity task order competitions and how the process can create efficiencies when properly streamlined and executed. During their presentation, Mr. Tsiopanas and Ms. Dobbeleare explained the Fair Opportunity process, contrasted it with traditional Source Selection, and provided real world examples...

Mr. Asch has 35 years of proven leadership experience as a Government Civil Servant for the U.S. Army and as a Consultant. His career has included roles as a Contracting Officer, Program Business Office Chief, Project Manager’s Special Assistant, and Government Support Contractor. His experience and knowledge includes contracting, acquisition, and business including requirements definition, source selection, project management, and management of contract cost, schedule, and performance. Mr. Asch has experience...