What's new at our company...
SimVentions Awarded $15M Contract for Expeditionary Anti-Terrorism Program Support!
SimVentions has been awarded a $15M contract for providing technical and engineering support services to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Virginia. These services apply to expeditionary Anti-Terrorism requirements that span a broad range of mission areas for the Navy and for military ground based forces. This contract was let by the Navy to counteract terrorist group activity whose primary goal is to limit, restrict, or deny the presence of U.S. forces in various global regions. Terrorist attacks throughout the world that have precipitated the need for the type of work to be provided under this contract include the 1983 attacks on the U.S. embassy and marine barracks in Lebanon; 1998 attacks on the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania; 2000 attack on the USS COLE in Yemen; and the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. SimVentions three main technical disciplines of systems engineering, software engineering, and modeling and simulation (M&S) will provide the main pillars under which the company will perform the various tasking required under this contract. The contract is for five years (and will run through April of 2016). The majority of this work will be performed at our company’s corporate offices located at 11905 Bowman Drive, Suite 502, Fredericksburg Virginia. Some of the work will require on site presence at the NSWC Dahlgren facility in King George, Virginia.
http://www.simventions.com/contact.htm
SimVentions Awarded $40M ID/IQ 5-Year Contract!
SimVentions Inc., Fredericksburg, Va., is being awarded a $40M indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for continued effort in assisting Navy programs by providing program management support, engineering services and analytic products with the goal of putting enhanced capability into the field faster and more effectively. SimVentions three main technical disciplines of systems engineering, software engineering, and modeling and simulation (M&S) will provide the main pillars under which the company will perform to the individual task orders placed under this contract. All systems engineering, software engineering, and M&S aspects of this contracting effort will support the common goal of developing an open and collaborative toolset, providing systems engineering studies and analysis, and performing prototype development of technology that will support both the acquisition community and the war fighter.
Work will be performed in Fredericksburg, Va., and is expected to be completed by March 2016. This contract was awarded to SimVentions to perform efforts that are derived from, extend, or logically conclude efforts that have been started under various Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contracts held by the company. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity.
http://www.simventions.com/contact.htm
SimVentions Helps with Special Olympics Virginia 2011 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 serves more than 10,000 athletes through seven regional offices and 29 area programs. It is one of 52 U.S. programs, and part of a global movement that serves three million athletes in more than 180 counties. 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 abilities 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 sixth straight year.
Once a year, in March, Special Olympics Virginia holds their annual Basketball Championships in Stafford. Basketball Championships, one of Special Olympics Virginia's seven state-level competitions, has been in Stafford since 1998; prior to that, the event was held in Hampton. These games are comprised of Full Court Basketball, Half Court Basketball, and Individual Skills Competitions.
The Individual Skills Competition, run by SimVentions, provides meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability levels. It is not intended for athletes who can already play basketball. This year, 60 athletes competed in three events: The Target Pass, The Ten Meter Dribble, and The Spot Shot. Most of them 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 Highlighted in Profile Magazine!
SimVentions has been highlighted in the Feb/Mar 2011 edition of Profile Magazine! This publication highlights businesses across the U.S., and their particular interest in SimVentions was a result of our community involvement and support. The article highlights our community activities more so than our technical capability. You can digitally view the magazine at the link below, we are on page 7, 29, 96 and 97! It was an honor to be recongnized in this way!
http://profilemagazineonline.com/2011/02/marapr-2011/#more-883
SimVentions Supports 2011 STEM Event at Liberty University!
Liberty University School of Engineering hosted its 3rd Annual LU VEX Regional Robotics Competition this past March 26th 2011 - in Lynchburg, VA. This program has been a priority STEM project for the School of Engineering to help bring awareness to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) education. This year’s event had over 20+ teams participate from around the Mid-Atlantic. As in our past events, the success of this years event has largely been due to the contributions of our sponsors who have gone out of their way to lend financial support or awards. This year we were able to expand the awards to benefit the schools, as well as the students to help further their focus on STEM education across the state of Virginia. We want to thank SimVentions for their sponsorship of this event! Below is a link to some highlights from this years event...it was awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--AvFusYsyQ
SimVentions Awarded NSWC Dahlgren Virginia Campus Contract for Navy ERP Surge Training!
The Navy is in the process of transitioning key business operations from multiple legacy software applications to an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software application solution. To support this vital initiative, SimVentions, with the University of Mary Washington (UMW) as a key partner, was recently awarded a contract to manage and coordinate all Navy ERP training operations in the region. The student volume is estimated to be 200 each day with an estimated grand total of 2,600 - 3,400+ students. "It's an honor to support the Navy in this way," says Larry Root, President of SimVentions. "The ERP software will significantly improve project planning, cost tracking, and financial reporting across the entire Navy." Navy ERP is an integrated business management system that allows the Navy to unify, standardize, and streamline all its business activities into one system that is secure, reliable, accessible, and current.
The University of Mary Washington (UMW) will support this contract through its Division of Professional Development and Regional Engagement, which manages facilities at the UMW Stafford Campus. The Stafford Campus is the region’s premier conference, education, and training venue located on U.S. 17 North in Fredericksburg, three miles west of I-95. The 2-building campus features University Hall (2,700+ square feet), 23 classrooms, 7 computer labs, a videoconferencing theater featuring IP-based connectivity, two conference rooms, and wireless access throughout the complex.
http://www.simventions.com/contact.htm
SimVentions Steps Forward to Boost Innovative Spirit of Children - Through Involvement in 2010 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 the cutting-edge world of Biomedical Engineering to discover innovative ways to repair injuries, overcome genetic predispositions, and maximize the body's potential, with the intended purpose of leading happier and healthier lives. Teams performed research, generated reports and skits, gave presentations, programmed lego-robots to exercise various Biomedical Engineering 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.
http://www.vadcfll.org/
SimVentions recognized in Dawnbreaker Success Stories!
In their latest "Profiles in Success" publication, Dawnbreaker Inc. has recognized SimVentions for its contribution to OA TIME technology (for related, see SSyT). According to Dawnbreaker.com, their publication "enables [them] to highlight the lessons learned by small businesses that have been successful in securing Phase III funding within 20 months of completing one of the programs offered by Dawnbreaker for its federal clients." Current publication is available at the link below (SimVentions is highlighted on page 9).
http://www.dawnbreaker.com/about/publications/Profiles_Fall10.pdf
SimVentions Honors Ship Model Builder and WW II Veteran!
Fredericksburg, VA – Mr. Louis Honig was recently honored with a luncheon at SimVentions, Inc. to thank him for loaning two of his ship models for display at SimVentions. Mr Honig is a master ship model builder and has been building ship models for over 60 years.
Mr. Honig, is a WW II veteran, who worked for Sperry for 30 years, focusing on naval systems for submarines, but his real passion has always been building model ships. On nights and weekends, he labored at his hobby, creating a total of 12 large model ships. His models are not small kits, out of a box, but they are handmade works of art built from the heart. These "scratch built" models are created with fully functional details, including the rigging, anchors, and lifeboats. When he talks about his ship models, he has many stories about Saturday mornings being spent scouring yard sales for tiny treasures. With a little ingenuity and paint, an ordinary household item would become a part of his masterpiece. Flea market finds and old costume jewelry took on a new life when used as decorative details.
On display at SimVentions are two examples of his craft: The Royall Cecelia and the HMS Victory. The pictures below show the impressive models and the modeler.
The dedication ceremony for the models was a moving tribute that thanked Mr. Honig for his service to our country and for his ship models. Rear Admiral Herbert C. Kaler, USN (ret), a SimVentions VP, opened the ceremony with an introduction of Mr. Honig and his many achievements. He thanked Mr. Honig for the loan or the ship models saying “The Royall Cecelia and the HMS Victory models are your babies, but they will have a home here at SimVentions where they will be honored and displayed prominently for all to see.” Larry Root, SimVentions president, then thanked Mr. Honig for his years of service to his country, as a veteran of WW II and a member of American’s Greatest Generation. Finally, Mr. Jim Brewer also presented Mr. Honig with a handmade wooden bowl from one woodworker to another woodworker. Mr. Honig was visibly moved by the ceremony and said that he was very pleased with how SimVentions displayed and cared for his models. He was comforted that they were given a prominent place in the SimVentions spaces so that they could be viewed and enjoyed by all who visit SimVentions.
Joining Mr. Honig at the dedication ceremony were his lovely wife Cecelia, the model’s namesake, his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Michael O’Neal, and friends Mr. and Mrs. Jim Brewer.
http://www.simventions.com/contact.htm
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 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 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 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
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