Federal Networks 2023

September 27-28, 2023
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel - Virginia

We are pleased to announce that the 36th annual Federal Networks Conference will return to the Washington, DC area September 27-28, 2023 at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel.

Federal Networks 2023 brings together senior decision-makers from key agencies across government to share their latest plans for how they will design, purchase and operate their networks -- as well as the IT services that these networks enable and deliver.

Over the past 36 years, Federal Networks has become the most important government-wide forum focusing on net-centric solutions to the government’s top challenges. Each year the program attracts the top technology officials from the Defense Department and civil agencies where they give attendees an in-depth look at how enterprise-level initiatives including Cloud, ZTA, Wireless Mobility, and JADC2 will shape the government’s next generation infrastructure and service upgrade requirements.

The reason leading defense and civil agency decision-makers take their valuable time to prepare focused substantive presentations is that they know Federal Networks provides them a direct channel to the senior representatives from industry who can mobilize the innovation, technology and talent needed to ensure success in government’s transformation to next generation network infrastructure and services during turbulent times.

We look forward to joining you next Septmber 27-28, 2023 to help determine how the government, partnered with industry, will leverage the latest network and IT technologies to deliver tomorrow’s solutions. Please note that the program is structured such that day one covers “Civil Agency Network Requirements and Opportunities,” and day two focuses on “Defense Agency Network Requirements and Opportunities.” There is a registration option for either or both days.

If you have any questions, or are interested in speaking or sponsoring Federal Networks, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Sincerely,

Warren Suss – President, Suss Consulting and Federal Networks Program Chair
Dr. Matthew Lucas – TeleStrategies Inc. (mlucas@telestrategies.com)

For information about sponsoring Federal Networks 2023 please contact Sarah Salko by email at: sarah.salko@sussconsulting.com or call 215-884-5900.

Federal Networks 2023 Conference Agenda

Conference Program -- Day 1
Wednesday September 27, 2023

7:30 - 8:30 AM: Registration and Breakfast Sponsor:

8:30 - 9:00 AM: Keynote Address - Sponsored by:

Next Generation Federal Networks and Services: Opportunities and Challenges

The conference chairman will identify the latest government marketplace opportunities as agencies across federal government and Defense Department agencies design, acquire, and transition to their next generation networks and cloud services. The presentation will discuss how evolving network, mobile, cloud and cyber technologies, as well as changes in the customer environment will reshape the competitive landscape for carriers, integrators, system manufacturers and professional services companies.

Warren Suss – President, Suss Consulting Inc. and Conference Chairman

9:00 - 10:00 AM: GSA: Update on Network, Cloud, Mobility, and Cyber

GSA Introduction and Fireside Chat

GSA’s senior leaders will provide an overview of their federal customer requirements and GSA’s strategic direction for meeting next generation agency requirements for telecom, networks, and emerging technologies. This session will also cover how GSA manages its categories, their plans for managing telecom services, and the policies & technologies that will impact federal networks in the near future.

Laura Stanton - Assistant Commissioner, Office of Information Technology Category (ITC), Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), GSA
Jacob Marcellus - Executive Director (SES), Enterprise Technology Solutions, IT Category, GSA
Lawrence Hale - Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Category Management, ITC, FAS, GSA

10:00 - 10:45 AM: GSA: Update on Network, Cloud, Mobility, and Cyber

The EIS Future

The Executive Director (SES) of Enterprise Technology Solutions (ETS) and a panel of GSA network specialists will discuss the future the EIS contract.  The discussion will also cover how GSA will address Mobility and SATCOM Special Item Numbers (SINS) not under EIS.

Jacob Marcellus - Executive Director (SES), Enterprise Technology Solutions, IT Category, GSA
Rosa Underwood - IT Specialist, IT Security Subcategory, ITC, FAS, GSA
Loren Smith - Director, Solutions Development Branch, Office of Enterprise Network Solutions (ENS), ITC, FAS, GSA
Ward Fisher - Chief, Vendor Relations Branch, Enterprise Technology Solutions, ITC, FAS, GSA
Phillip Prestipino - Section Chief, Operations and Systems Management, ETS, ITC, FAS, GSA

10:45 – 11:15 AM: GSA Breakout Session/Networking Break

11:15 - 11:45 PM: DHS Session

DHS: Overview of Major Upcoming Requirements from Industry

The presentation will highlight high priority DHS requirements for industry cloud, network, and cyber technologies, solutions and services to support the effectiveness, efficiency and security of the DHS mission.

Paul Courtney - Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), DHS

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM: DHS Breakout Session/Networking Break

Lunch Sponsored By:

Update on CISA Next Generation Priorities for Federal Cyber Defense

The Associate Director for Capacity Building at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will highlight CISA’s high priority requirements for industry technologies, solutions, and services to improve defenses against cyber threats to federal networks and operations.

Michael Duffy - Associate Director for Capacity Building, CISA

1:45 – 2:00 PM: CISA Breakout Session/Networking Break

2:00 – 2:45 PM: VA Session

VA: End User Operations

The VA’s Executive Director of End User Operations will provide an update on VA’s strategies, priorities, and requirements from industry to provide an exceptional customer experience for the end users of VA products and services, as well as the Veterans and caregivers that VA serves. He will highlight technologies to enable VA to deliver self-service tools on par with top private sector companies and that will provide the best online experience in the Federal Government.

Jeff VanBemmel - Executive Director, End User Operations Office of Information and Technology, End User Services, Veterans Affairs

2:45 – 3:00 PM: VA Breakout Session/Networking Break

NASA SEWP Program Update

The NASA SEWP Program Director will provide an update on a key federal contract vehicle for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Audio Visual (AV) solutions and services. She will discuss the continued program enhancements and added value for both government and industry and provide a status update for the SEWP VI process.

Joanne Woytek - Program Director, NASA SEWP

3:45 – 4:00 PM: NASA Breakout Session/Networking Break

4:00 – 4:45 PM: State Department - Sponsored by:

State Department: IT Infrastructure Requirements Update

A senior State Department executive will provide an overview of his agency’s plans to provide a reliable and secure global network infrastructure vital to the conduct of diplomacy and international affairs for the Department of State. He will highlight his Department’s upcoming IT infrastructure requirements to support the nation’s diplomats with technology for innovative and collaborative processing and interaction, both internal and external, including zero trust architecture, cloud, messaging, text, voice, and video-conferencing initiatives.

Bruce Begnell - Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer, Bureau of Information Resource Management, U.S. Department of State

4:45 – 5:00 PM: State Breakout Session/Networking Break

Federal Networks 2023

Conference Program -- Day 2
Thursday September 28, 2023

7:00 - 8:15 AM: Registration and Breakfast Sponsor:

8:15 – 9:00 AM: DISA Keynote Address - Sponsored by:

DISA Keynote Address

An overview of DISA’s most important initiatives, including the latest developments related to network infrastructure and upgrades, cybersecurity, cloud computing, Unified Communications (UC), and secure mobility. The presentation will also include an update on organizational changes and DISA’s budget.

Christopher Barnhurst - Deputy Director, Defense Information Systems Agency

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: DISA Update - Sponsored by:

DISA Update

Top DISA executives will describe the latest strategies and plans for the Defense Department’s networks, network services, and capabilities with an emphasis on upcoming requirements from industry. The presentations will cover upcoming DISA requirements for network infrastructure, services, enhancements, and upgrades; enterprise services; cloud services and migration; and cybersecurity.

10:30-11:00 AM: DISA Breakout Session/Networks Break

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Space Force - Sponsored by:

COMSATCOM Update

The Chief of U.S. Space Force’s Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) Office will provide an update on how DoD plans to deliver COMSATCOM capabilities to support the joint warfighter, federal agencies and international partners.  She will cover requirements, challenges and innovative strategies for COMSATCOM solutions including Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) and EMSS Gateways.

Clare Hopper (Grason) - Chief, Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) Office, Space Force

11:45 – 12:15 PM: Space Force Breakout Session/Networks Break

12:30 - 2:00 PM: Luncheon Keynote Address

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON: DoD JSP Program Update

This luncheon keynote will provide an overview of JSP’s most important initiatives, including the latest requirements related to network infrastructure enhancements, enterprise services, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and the computing ecosystem. It will also highlight upcoming opportunities for industry to help JSP achieve its objectives.

Brig. Gen. Michael Cornell - JSP Director, Pentagon IT Director, DISA

2:00 – 2:45 PM: Office of the Secretary of Defense Session

OSD Information Management and Technology Modernization

The Director, Information Management and Technology, Director of Administration and Management in the Office of the Secretary of Defense will outline her office’s approach to the strategic modernization of the OSD IT enterprise to ensure the highest levels of DoD leadership have access to a modern, digital user experience to execute their mission. 

Danielle Metz - Director, Information Management and Technology, Director of Administration and Management in the Office of the Secretary of Defense

2:45 – 3:00 PM: OSD Breakout Session/Networks Break

3:00 – 3:45 PM: Defense Finance and Accounting Service Session

DFAS Information and Technology Modernization

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service’s Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Technology will outline his agency’s next generation initiatives for enabling the Department of Defense to uphold its fiscal responsibilities for all financial transactions, including payroll and accounting services, enterprise systems for financial transactions, and infrastructure support. He will also outline DFAS plans and requirements to ensure that all networks and transactions made through those networks are secure and cyber defended.

Don Means Jr. – Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Technology, Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS)

3:45 – 4:00 PM: DFAS Breakout Session/Networks Break

Conference sessions, times, and speakers are subject to change.
*Final Approvals Pending

Windstream Wholesale - Federal Networks Lead Sponsor

Windstream Wholesale Federal is leading the way in the market with our customer-centric approach, innovative technology, network expansion, and rapid service delivery. Our dedicated FedGov team is aligned with the growing needs of our government agencies for vendor diversity competitive fiber network bids and mission-critical bandwidth. We set the pace by embracing a “fast and flexible” culture and creating an exceptional customer experience.

About Comcast Government Services

Comcast Government Services, LLC is a government, technology-focused division of Comcast Business. Offering technology solutions, including a high-speed, high-capacity network, and white-glove managed services, Comcast Government Services, a GSA-approved provider, and an EIS Prime contract holder, is ready to prepare organizations in the Federal Government for what’s next.

About Quantum Xchange

Quantum Xchange protects data and communications networks from advances in computing and everyday cybersecurity risks. Its comprehensive cryptographic risk management platform empowers commercial enterprises, government agencies, and managed connectivity providers to bring existing IT infrastructure and SD-WAN environments into the post-quantum era easily, affordably, and through policy configuration and control.

About Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise, a part of Charter Communications, is a national provider of scalable, fiber technology solutions serving many state, local and federal government agencies. Our federal solutions portfolio includes internet connectivity, Ethernet and networking solutions, managed network services, Voice and Collaboration tools and TV solutions. For more information, visit enterprise.spectrum.com/federal.

For information about sponsoring Federal Networks, please contact Sarah Salko
sarah.salko@sussconsulting.com or by phone at (215) 884-5900