What's new at our company...
    SimVentions Helps with Special Olympics Virginia 2010 Basketball Championships!
    Special Olympics is a year-round international program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The program gives Virginia's athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. By using sport as a vehicle for social change, Special Olympics Virginia strives to create opportunities for meaningful interaction and self discovery for everyone. The organization’s goal is to open the heart and mind of every Virginian to the value and ability of persons with intellectual disabilities. The hearts and minds of SimVentions’ employees have been broadened and enlightened through their experiences helping with the annual Basketball Championships for the fourth straight year.

    Once a year, in March, Special Olympics Virginia holds their annual Basketball Championships in Stafford, VA. These games are comprised of Full Court Basketball, Half Court Basketball, and Individual Skills Competitions. The Individual Skills Competition, run by SimVentions, provided meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability levels. It is not intended for athletes who can already play basketball. Each athlete competed in three events: The Target Pass, The Ten Meter Dribble, and The Spot Shot. They performed each event twice and their scores were added together to determine the winners. Please visit the link below for additional information regarding Special Olympics of Virginia.
    http://www.specialolympicsva.org/




    SimVentions Named in the NSWCDD 2009 - Award of Merit for Group Achievement - Award given to the Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) Team!
    The 2009 Honorary Award presentations were held at the Naval Surface Warfare Center - Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Base Theater on Jan 19, 20010 in Dahlgren, Virginia. These awards were established by NSWCDD to recognize "...the accomplishments...and...results of exceptional dedication, ingenuity, and perseverance...that reflect the genius and professionalism that make NSWC Dahlgren such a very special asset of the Navy and the nation..." and is why, once a year, NSWCDD gathers to "...recognize those people who harness that creativity with business, engineering, and scientific rigor and deliver solutions critical to supporting America's joint, homeland, and national defense."

    As part of the award ceremony, NSWCDD Commander, Captain Sheila A. Patterson shared the following: "...We know that, many times, the jobs we ask our people to do seem impossible; the situations are demanding and resources are limited. From the long hours, even to deployment into harm’s way, the men and women of our Dahlgren work force continue to meet the challenges. Our award recipients are an inspiration and example for all. Their work and our collective efforts make a difference on a daily basis to the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States military. We will continue to serve proudly alongside them."

    SimVentions personnel have been specifically identified in the award write-up for their: (1) "...significant contributions to the G/ATOR program in the area of requirements engineering. SimVentions is blessed to have been part of the Award of Merit for Group Achievement – G/ATOR Team award, and we will continue to do all we can in providing the G/ATOR project with the highest quality System Engineering and Software Engineering support - coming alongside NSWCDD in every effort to continue to deliver solutions critical to supporting our joint, homeland, and national defense.

    As background, the G/ATOR Program is a single materiel solution for the Multi-Role Radar System (MRRS) and Ground Weapons Locating Radar (GWLR) radar requirements. It is structured as an evolutionary acquisition consisting of four blocks of incremental development and production. Each block builds upon the capabilities of the preceding increments in an additive fashion and will be backward compatible with the previous Increments as practical. Increment I supports two distinct mission areas: Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) and Air Surveillance (Tactical Air Operations Center (TAOC) Mode). The Increment I design provides for growth to all following Increments with no equipment re-design and will provide a computer software architecture that allows for the computers, computer software and firmware to be upgraded with the functionality of all following Increments.
    http://www.navsea.navy.mil/nswc/dahlgren/default.aspx




    SimVentions Sponsors and Mentors James Monroe High School’s 2010 FIRST Robotics Team!
    FIRST ( For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a national organization dedicated to the inspiring of young minds in the realm of science, engineering, and technology developing life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. The goals set by FIRST for 2010 revolve around a game called Breakaway - played on an open field. Two alliances, one red and one blue, composed of three FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams each, compete in each match. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by shooting balls into a goal, climbing on the alliance tower or platform, or by lifting an alliance robot off the playing surface.

    FRC is the premier engineering challenge for high school students. Teams of students, working closely with teachers and volunteer mentors, have six weeks to conceptualize, design, build, program, modify and test a robot to participate in a competition that changes each year.

    Every January, FIRST unveils the competition or “game” (this year called Breakaway) at an annual kick-off event that is simulcast to locations around the world. Teams receive a “kit” of common parts that are used to build the core systems of the robot, but they won’t find an instruction manual! Students work with hundreds of components, including engineering mainstays such as programmable radio controllers, motors, electrical circuitry and mechanical parts. Following the six-week design and build phase, teams enter one of 40 regional competitions, including the Virginia Regional held annually in Richmond, VA. The season culminates with the FIRST Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta from April 14-17, 2010, a three-day event attended by more than 20,000 students, families and friends.

    James Monroe High School Robotics team, located in Fredericksburg, VA., is made up of a small group of technically curious students. The students are being assisted by mentors (to include SimVentions representatives) providing software and hardware guidance.

    The competition will be in March of 2010. SimVentions is blessed to be able to support the youth of our community in a fashion that is in-line with our corporate theme of: Imagine, Create, Explore, and Discover! Please visit the link below to view additional information about VirginiaFIRST.
    http://www.virginiafirst.org/




    SimVentions Rings Christmas Bell "The Classic Way" for Salvation Army!
    Started in 1891 by Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee, who was distraught because so many poor individuals in San Francisco were going hungry during the Christmas season, the "Red Kettle" has become as much a part of Christmas as the Christmas Tree or Manager Scenes. This tradition of giving continues today...and through the efforts of the Salvation Army, over 4.5 million Americans a year are provided a helping hand. Donations provide Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need. Financial assistance also helps with basic necessities, along with seasonal aid. Families of prisoners often are included. Volunteers distribute gifts to shut-ins in hospitals and nursing homes, and shelters are open for sit-down dinners. The Salvation Army endeavors to bring spiritual light and love to those it serves at Christmas so that the real meaning of the season is not forgotten.

    SimVentions is proud to be supporting this wonderful ministry by providing “classic ringers” at a Fredericksburg, VA area “red kettle” this Christmas’2009 season. For more information regarding the Salvation Army and how you can volunteer to help, please visit the link below.
    http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/




    SimVentions Steps Forward to Boost Innovative Spirit of Children - Through Involvement in 2009 FIRST Lego League Tournament!
    Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people, their schools and their communities. “The natural curiosity and creativity of youths as well as their teamwork abilities are critical qualities for developing innovative solutions to challenging technology problems and opportunities,” said Jens Maibom, vice president, The LEGO Group. The FIRST LEGO League (FLL) mission is to inspire youngsters around the world to work together, use their creativity, and engage in real-world problems and opportunities. With its strong focus on innovation, technology and mentorship, SimVentions is a perfect FLL partner, and we are pleased to have provided, for the sixth straight year, Technical & Design Judges for the Stafford, VA., Regional FLL Tournament.

    In recent years, FLL teams have been to space, searched the oceans, zoomed into the world of nano-technologies, explored the world of alternative energy, and researched climatic conditions. This year they explored transportation, under the guiding theme of Smart Moves, to understand the challenges associated with connecting people, places, goods and services in the safest, most efficient way possible. Teams performed research, generated reports and skits, gave presentations, programmed lego-robots to exercise various transportation related tasks, participated in head-to-head lego-robot competitions, and were encouraged to display team spirit and cooperation all along the way. Visit the link below for additional information regarding this year's theme of "SMART MOVE."
    http://www.vadcfll.org/




    SimVentions'09 Charity Golf Tournament Benefits American Cancer Society!
    SimVentions raised more than $13,000 at its fifth annual charity golf tournament, which benefited the American Cancer Society (ACS) and two local families affected by cancer. Both families were present for a glorious day of golf, great food (Big thanks to Carrabba’s of Fredericksburg), and an afternoon of fellowship with the gracious participants.

    SimVentions was pleased to host the tournament on the 17th of September, at the Gauntlet Golf Club in Fredericksburg, VA. “The Gauntlet did a fantastic job managing this event and it is so commendable to have local businesses that are eager to sponsor this event”, said Brad Neal, SimVentions Systems Engineer and company lead for the golf event.

    The portion of the proceeds going to ACS will be in honor Wesley Berry, a King George native who was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 12. The other portion will be for the Stafford native, Keeva Beach; a new mother diagnosed with cancer just 9 days after the birth of her daughter Phoebe.

    “SimVentions is proud to host this event and I am very pleased we were able to help these two wonderful families,” said Larry Root, President and CEO. “Our company is about trying to do the best thing for our employees, our customers, and our community. I am proud of Brad and the entire SimVentions organization as well as the 124 golfers who joined us to support the battle against Cancer.” The company is already busy starting to plan its next charity golf event for the fall of 2010!
    http://www.simventions.com/contact.htm?




    SimVentions Awarded Key Contract to Engineer and Deliver Advanced Navy Shipboard Protection Systems!
    The threat to US forces worldwide has been a key concern since the tragic October 2000 attack on the USS COLE. In response to this need, the Navy has recently awarded SimVentions, Inc. a $25.8 million task order to assist the Naval Surface Warfare Centers (NSWCs) in the design, engineering, and delivery of the next generation of the Navy’s Shipboard Protection System (SPS). The primary goal of the SPS is to provide the Navy with an Anti-Terrorism / Force Protection (AT/FP) capability that will prevent and counter future attempts of terrorists to repeat such acts.

    Over the next 5 years, SimVentions will lead a team of contractors to apply the latest advancements in combat systems architecture and computing technology to implement new SPS capabilities to help better protect our sailors. The Shipboard Protection System integrates highly sophisticated radars and optical sensors to identify and track potential threats to the ship when it is most vulnerable – in port, at anchor and in restricted maneuvering. If the ship is challenged, SPS operators have the means to identify and communicate with potential threats with voice hailers and high intensity spot lights. If attacked, fully integrated gun weapon systems are the primary defensive weapon to counter the threat.

    The SimVentions-led team includes Tactical Engineering & Analysis, Real-Time Innovations, Booz Allen Hamilton, Solutions Development Corporation, Delta Resources, Sonalysts, EG&G Technical Services – a Division of URS, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and HDT Engineering Services, Inc. (a business unit of HDT Engineered Technologies).

    “It’s very satisfying to know that our work will protect the lives of Sailors and increase the mission readiness of the Navy,” said Buddy Chandler, SimVentions’ technical director for SPS. This award further expands SimVentions’ relationship with the Navy and also helps bring new technical jobs and opportunities for the community. Plans to hire additional engineers and expand office space are presently underway. SimVentions President Larry Root credits his team in helping create a corporate culture that prioritizes the needs of the warfighter and the government first and company’s interests second. “’Your success is our honor’ is not just a slogan,” says Root. “It’s how we run our business, because we know that if at the end of the day we can make an impact for our customer, for the warfighter, or even for our community – then we can’t help but feel satisfied in what we do, and who we do it for.”
    http://www.simventions.com/home.htm




    SimVentions Designated as a Corporate Navy Certification Agent!
    As of 7 July 2009, SimVentions Inc. was officially added to the U.S. Navy Corporate Certification Agent list. This list, maintained by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) PMW-160 Certification Authority, designates SimVentions as a Fully Qualified provider of Certification and Accreditation (C&A) for systems to be used throughout the Navy. This designation as a Fully Qualified Navy Certification Agent is the highest standard available (the standards recognize three levels of qualification: entry level, intermediate level and fully qualified level) and recognizes both the credentials of our Information Assurance (IA) workforce and our corporate commitment to providing premier IA support services. As an expert in the DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP), SimVentions is able to perform C&A services either as a trusted agent on contract, or as an independent third party, assuring information and security of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems.

    As highlighted in the Navy Certification Agent Qualification Standards and Registration Guidebook: “A Certification Agent’s position in the C&A community is analogous to a defense lawyer’s position in court. A lawyer is hired by the client and represents the interests of the client before the judge, but is an officer of the court. Similarly, the Certification Agent is hired by the Program Manager (PM) and represents the interests of the PM to the Navy Certification Authority, but is a member of the DON C&A community and thus bound by DoD/DON policy and the rules of Navy C&A. While the law allows us to represent ourselves in court without a lawyer, most of us would choose to hire an attorney. Similarly, a PM can perform his own C&A, but is best advised to hire a Certification Agent.”

    SimVentions is one of only 50 companies worldwide that is designated as a Corporate Navy Certification Agent.
    http://www.doncio.navy.mil/




    SimVentions Joins "Cell Phones for Soldiers" Team!
    More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas and are away from their families. Cell Phones for Soldiers, and SimVentions, Inc. is calling on all Americans to support these brave men and women by donating your unused cell phones. Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to collect over 50,000 cell phones this year to help keep troops connected with their families.

    "Over the past few years, we have been amazed by the generosity of others. But, we have also seen the need to support our troops continue." says Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder. "It is easy for Americans to make a small sacrifice of support by donating their unused cell phones, and providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas."

    **Local residents can support the collection drive by donating their phones (and accessories) at our SimVentions Inc. location, during our normal working hours Mon-Fri 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.; Address: 11905 Bowman Drive, Suite 502, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 (see directions at www.simventions.com/map.htm); Phone: 540-372-7727 x706

    "We are proud to show our support for U.S. soldiers, and to contribute to a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soliders," says Mary Beth Roberts, HR Manager/Security Officer, and Larry Root, CEO.

    Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $1 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas. "We are continuously overwhelmed by the enthusiastic support of thousands of Americans who have helped our troops speak with their loved ones," says the teens’ father, Bob Bergquist. “However, the need for support keeps growing as more soldiers are sent to the Middle East or are asked to serve extended tours of duty.”

    The donated phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each phone – enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad. Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including: Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards; Copper wiring from phone chargers; Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs; and, Plastic from phone cases and accessories. Additional infomration regarding Cell Phones for Soldiers can be found at the link below.
    http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/




    SimVentions Welcomes New VP!
    Mr. Joseph Caliri, PMP, has recently joined SimVentions, Inc. as Vice President, Tactical Systems/Business Development. In this role Mr. Caliri will be responsible for the oversight of all tactical software development and Systems Engineering work for the company.

    As a US Navy Veteran with significant experience in Surface and Electronic Warfare, Mr. Caliri was most recently the Business Area Director for General Dynamics-Advanced Information Systems (GDAIS), working with shipboard and mission system integration by developing, producing, engineering, and integrating highly reliable, open architecture (OA) solutions for its customers.  Caliri provided senior leadership for the Decision Support, Display Systems, Radar, and Surface Electronic Warfare business groups. During his distinguished career with GDAID, Caliri also served as the GDAIS Director of Business Development Operations, leading GDAIS’s Marketing, Proposal Leadership, Process Oversight, BD Training, and Divisional BD integration activities. He was also the Senior Program Manager responsible for GDAIS’s Surface Electronic Warfare Programs, leading a team which leveraged rapid COTS insertion, OA, and control and processing expertise to provide the Surface Navy an incremental upgrade capability to improve the AN/SLQ-32 (SEWIP).  Mr. Caliri led the definition and concept development of future SEWIP spirals preceding his promotion to this role. 

    Prior to working for GDAIS, Mr. Caliri led a team of business and engineering analysts with the Anteon Corporation, directly supporting the Electronic Warfare and SSDS Program Offices and assisted in the execution and formulation of numerous NAVSEA programs and field activity reviews.

    Mr. Caliri received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a Specialization in Technology Management, from Saint Leo University.  He is also a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
    http://www.simventions.com/contact.htm




    Mr. James Brewer Joins SimVentions Tools and Technology Division!
    SimVentions, Inc. is pleased to announce James “Jim” Brewer has recently joined the company as a member of the Technical Staff, specializing in training. Acting in this capacity, Brewer works with the Tools & Technologies Division, focusing on training systems and metrics for program management and technical tools.

    Brewer comes to SimVentions with a full range of experience, last serving as the Senior Engineer/Vice President of NOVONICS Corporation, providing subject matter expertise (SME) on various functions such as cognitive learning research, team dynamics, Warfare Area Mission Competencies, training models, training interoperability, DoD Architecture Framework, DoD and Joint Acquisition Process, evolving technologies, Integrate Product Teams (IPT) Structures and Processes, Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) functionality, Multi-Service Training Interoperability, Coalition and Allied Distributed Training capabilities and Naval Training Requirements process. He provided support as directed, leading specific projects and teams while collaborating and interacting with Navy, Joint, Coalition and Allied Training Acquisition, technical and interoperability commands. Brewer led the effort to move surface navy training from those limited to shore site capabilities to those concentrated on activities with onboard capability focusing on providing an on-demand war fighter learning environment linked to mission readiness. Brewer is a champion of training interoperability and Open Architecture (O/A) commonality. He has presented technical papers at both US and international forums and is considered a training expert on the team which developed the Naval Training Architecture documents.

    Prior to working at NOVONICS, Brewer completed a 30 year career as a Combat System Engineer for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division. During that time, Brewer was involved with LRMSC Combat Systems, Terrier Missile Weapons System, Test, Training and Performance Monitoring (TT&PM) Study and Proof of Concept, Overall Combat System Trainer (OCST), Enhanced Radar Environment Simulation System (ERESS), Battle Force Tactical Training (BFTT), Combat System Technical Operations Manual (CSTOM), Overall Combat System Operability Test (OCSOT), PMTA Program Office Management Tools and Joint Simulation Systems (JSIMS). Brewer is a Navy veteran.

    Brewer received a BSEE from the University of California, San Luis Obispo, a MSSM from the University of California, Los Angeles and is currently working on his PhD at La Verne University.
    http://www.simventions.com/contact.htm




    SimVentions Contributes to SISO Spring'09 Simulation Interoperability Workshop (SIW)!
    Two key papers co-developed by SimVentions personnel were presented at this past spring’s Simulation Interoperability Workshop (SIW) in San Diego California. The first was titled: Maximizing Discovery of M&S Resources - An Inside Look at the M&S COI Discovery Metadata Specification; and, the second was titled: Common Object Model Components: A First Step Toward LVC Interoperability. Both these papers and supporting presentations were well received, with the later paper being nominated as a potential best paper for this year’s workshop! In addition to these papers, SimVentions personnel support and lead multiple standards activities including the following:

    • Distributed Simulation Engineering and Execution Process (DSEEP) Product Development Group (PDG)
    • Simulation References Markup Language (SRML) PDG, and
    • Base Object Model (BOM) Product Support Group (PSG)

    SimVentions is proud to be a sponsoring member of the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO), and has supported SISO’s SIW conferences since their inception. We believe in SISO’s vision, which is dedicated to the promotion of modeling and simulation interoperability and reuse for the benefit of diverse M&S communities, including developers, procurers, and users, world-wide. Please use the below link to find out more about SISO and their standards activities.
    http://www.sisostds.org/




    SimVentions Named in the NSWCDD 2008 - Award of Merit for Group Acheivement - Award Given to Shipboard Protection System (SPS) Team!
    The 2008 Honorary Award presentations were held at the Naval Surface Warfare Center - Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Base Theater on Jan 22, 2009 in Dahlgren, Virginia. These awards were established by NSWCDD to recognize "...the accomplishments...and...results of exceptional dedication, ingenuity, and perseverance...that reflect the genius and professionalism that make NSWC Dahlgren such a very special asset of the Navy and the nation..." and is why, once a year, NSWCDD gathers to "...recognize those people who harness that creativity with business, engineering, and scientific rigor and deliver solutions critical to supporting America's joint, homeland, and national defense."

    As part of the award ceremony, NSWCDD Commander, Captain Sheila A. Patterson shared the following: "...We know that, many times, the jobs we ask our people to do seem impossible; the situations are demanding and resources are limited. From the long hours, even to deployment into harm’s way, the men and women of our Dahlgren work force continue to meet the challenges. Our award recipients are an inspiration and example for all. Their work, and our collective efforts make a difference on a daily basis to the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States military. We will continue to serve proudly alongside them."

    SimVentions personnel have been specifically identified in the award write-up for their: (1) "...significant contributions to the SPS program in the area of software requirements, development and testing...being primarily responsible for the success with the Executive, Maintenance and Training Computer Software Configuration Item's (CSCIs)."; and, (2) "...significant contributions to the SPS systems engineering process...in the development of the System/Subsystem Specification, System/Subsystem Design Document, Software Requirements Specification, Version Description Documents and Capabilities and Limitations document...and having a major positive impact on...meeting its schedule, most notably the technical review process milestones."

    SimVentions is blessed to have been part of the Award of Merit for Group Achievement - SPS Team award , and we will continue to do all we can in providing the SPS project with the highest quality System Engineering, Software Engineering and System Integration support - coming alongside NSWCDD in every effort to continue to deliver solutions critical to supporting our joint, homeland, and national defense.

    As background, SPS is a Navy program being developed to protect Navy vessels from asymmetric threats under direction of the Program Executive Office, Littoral Mine Warfare (PEO LMW) Anti-terrorism Afloat Program Office (PMS-480). It integrates improved Situational Awareness, enhanced warning, and engagement capabilities designed to allow naval ship commanders increased time for the detection, identification, decision, engagement, and assessment sequence. SPS will enhance the ability for U.S. Naval vessels to accomplish self-protection while moored to a pier, at anchor, or during restricted maneuvering. This system is modular and expandable to support installation / operation on multiple ship classes within the Navy.
    http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34778




    SimVentions Provided Small Business Perspective at 2008 Open Architecture Summit!
    The Open Architecture Summit was held on November 18, 2008 at the Phoenix Park hotel in Washington, DC. Companies leading the industry with innovations in the area of open systems shared their success stories and strategies, including IBM, General Dynamics AIS, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, Lakota Technical Solutions, Progeny and SimVentions. The primary goals for the 2008 OA Summit were to facilitate high-level dialogue between government and industry, so that critical issues could be answered as they relate to the best way to upgrade legacy systems throughout the US military’s arsenal, and, to foster insightful analysis into operational, funding and cultural issues and opportunities surrounding the open architecture debate.

    Representatives from the government were also on hand, and discussed the military’s future needs for Open Architecture systems and capabilities, including: the Honorable Donald C. Winter, Secretary of the US Navy; Mr. Gil Klinger, the Asst. Deputy Director National Intelligence for Architecture, Engineering and Integration; and, Rear Admiral Terry Benedict, PEO IWS.

    Paul Gustavson, SimVentions Chief Technology Officer, addressed two key areas in his presentation: (1) the successes we have had within the Navy OA arena, which included: overviews of various SBIR projects that are providing research and technology at the foundation levels of Navy OA; and, practical application of Navy OA policy’s and standards to fielded warfighter capability; and, (2) the challenges we face as a small business as we continue to press into the larger business space of Navy OA components, capabilities, and systems. Please visit the link below for additional information on the 2008 OA Summit.
    http://www.defensedaily.com/events/oasummit.html




    SimVentions Completes Conversion and Rehost of Over 530,000 SLOC from Ada/Fortran-to-C/C++ for L-3 Communications Integrated Systems!
    SimVentions completed its support to L-3 Communications Integrated Systems (L-3/IS) for converting existing Ada and Fortran applications to C/C++. SimVentions has completed the translation and integration of over 450,000 Source Lines of Code (SLOC) of Ada and 80,000 SLOC of Fortran. The task order encompassed translation, integration and testing of simulation code for a military trainer. Working closely with customer personnel, SimVentions began the rehosting effort in November 2007 and completed testing in August 2008 with zero outstanding defects. The C/C++ code will be incorporated into trainers delivered after September 2008 and retrofitted to existing trainers as a part of the normal upgrade cycle. SimVentions strong background in modeling and simulation, our on-going tactical work in Ada and C/C++, as well as our intimate knowledge and "hands-on" experience with automated conversion tools and processes, placed us in a strong position to help ensure a successful translation. For more information regarding our software language conversion capabilities please contact us at the link below.
    http://www.simventions.com/contact.htm




    SimVentions to Support JFCOM's JCOM Library Effort!
    The Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) has brought SimVentions in to help establish their Joint Composable Object Model (JCOM) library. We are excited to be part of JFCOM's effort to develop a set of initial composable object models and related processes for using, maintaining and evolving the object model components which comprise their JCOM library. The eventual goal is to have a reconciled set of object models which can be used to compose larger object models for various Department of Defense (DoD) federations and to bridge the relevant distributed architectures (i.e., TENA, CTIA, HLA and DIS). Incompatibilities between object models continue to be a major inhibitor to interoperability and reuse of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) assets. The overarching goal of this effort is to move toward a set of reconciled, standardized object model components which can be used as building blocks for various experiments, exercises and events in a common open integrating architecture environment.
    http://www.jfcom.mil/about/about1.htm




    SimVentions Signs CRADA with NSWCDD!!
    SimVentions, Inc. has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER, DAHLGREN DIVISION (NSWCDD) for the purpose of collaborating and sharing data rights pertinent to the planning, designing, developing, testing, and delivering of new Open Architecture (OA) components and capabilities to the fleet. It is anticipated that this relationship will contribute in a meaningful manner and scale in the overall defense acquisition process while providing the Navy customers (acquisition and fleet) better capability than is currently available in a more cost and time efficient manner.

    The coordination and cooperation of NSWCDD engineers, scientists, and developers along with the SimVentions, Inc. engineers, scientists, and developers will improve planning, development, and testing associated with OA tactical components and management tools. This coordination and cooperation includes shared access to the Integrated Warfare Systems Lab (IWSL), the Open Architecture Test Facility (OATF), the Human Performance Lab (HPL), and the Integrated Command Environment (ICE) facilities.

    Attendees and supporters of this event included: Capt. Sheila Patterson, NSWCDD Commanding Officer; Bradley D. Harrison, Military Legislative Assistant for Congressman Robert J. Wittman, Member of Congress, First District Virginia; Laurence B. Dillard, Communications Director for Congressman Robert C. Scott, Member of Congress, Third District Virginia; Mr. Reuben Pitts, NSWCDD Warfare Systems Department Head; Mr. Oscar Towler, NSWCDD Legal Counsel; and Mr. Kris Parker, NSWCDD Deputy for Small Business. For more information regarding this event please visit the link below.
    http://www.nswc.navy.mil/NEWS/usn_rd_sb_coop/usn_rd_sb_coop.html




    Rear Admiral Herb Kaler, USN (ret) Joins SimVentions!
    Herb Kaler joins SimVentions, Inc. as Vice President, Navy and Marine Programs. Admiral Kaler comes to SimVentions with an extensive background in both commercial business and the U.S. Navy. During the past 8 years, Herb has worked with General Dynamics – Advanced Information Systems (GDAIS) and Digital Systems Resources (DSR). He started with DSR in 2000 as the Vice President for Surface Navy Programs and when GDAIS bought DSR in 2003 he continued to work Surface Navy Programs as the Business Area Director. During this period, he was instrumental in directing and consolidating the company’s efforts for all Surface Navy programs in shipboard Command and Decision, Electronic Warfare, Planning, and Training Systems. His efforts were focused within the business area on rapid capability insertion of innovative solutions for surface ship command and control systems using open architecture principles and open business models.

    Prior to working in commercial business, Admiral Kaler completed a 31 year career in the U.S. Navy, where he served in both operational and acquisition billets. His operational experience included various at sea tours that culminated in Command positions aboard a Spruance Class Destroyer and a Mine Sweeper. His acquisition tours included positions as Program Manager for Battle Force Tactical Training and Advanced Tomahawk Weapon Control System, and Program Executive Officer for Mine Warfare. Additionally, Herb served on the Joint Staff as the Director of the Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense Organization with the rank of Rear Admiral. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BS/BA degree in Aero-Space Engineering and received an MS degree in Telecommunication Management from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is also a graduate of the Executive Development Program at Northwestern University and has earned an Executive Program Management Designation from the Defense System Management College.

    Admiral Kaler lives in the local area with his wife Gael. He is already active in the Fredericksburg area and serves on the Leadership Council for the PNC Bank and United Way ‘Smart Beginnings - Success by Six’ program.
    http://www.simventions.com/contact.htm