Latest Press Releases

ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Accredited

November 11, 2021

Dakota Consulting Inc. is pleased to announce our successful completion of the A2LA evaluation process on August 31, 2021. This evaluation process certified Dakota Consulting for ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Inspection Bodies Accreditation. This includes an evaluation of the organization’s compliance with A2LA R335 - Specific Requirements – Cybersecurity Inspection Body Program, accreditation is granted to this Type C organization to perform FISMA inspections.

GBS DAKOTA IT, LLC awarded GSA’s 8(a) Stars III GWAC (a joint venture between GBS Solutions and Dakota)

July 30, 2021

GBS DAKOTA IT, LLC (www.gbsdakota.com) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) 8(a) STARS III Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC). GBS Dakota IT is a Joint Venture with GBS Solutions Corp and Dakota Consulting, Inc as the participating members.

The 8(a) STARS III GWAC is known governmentwide as a best-in-class, easy-to-use, streamlined procurement solution to purchase information technology services from 8(a) prime contractors. The GWAC includes an even greater focus on emerging technologies as well as performance outside of the continental United States (OCONUS). Enhancements to this procurement solution focus on meeting agency needs for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotic process automation and more. The GWAC ordering period is a five-year base with one three-year option, starting on July 2, 2021, and with a ceiling of $50 billion.

“The GSA STARS III GWAC award is exciting for GBS, and we are proud to be a joint venture partner with Dakota on this best-in-class contract vehicle. Our team is all about providing superior IT support services to current and prospective customers, exceeding expectations all the time. This GWAC award will strengthen the existing relationship between GBS and Dakota, allowing us to pursue opportunities with our existing and new clients. We look forward to future successes with Dakota as our strategic partner,” stated Cromwell Rabi, CEO and Chairman of the Board of GBS.

“STARS III will provide government agency access to best-in-breed, award-winning, and reputable companies like the GBS Dakota IT team. We are thrilled that our team has been awarded this GWAC and have the highest confidence that we will be successful in delivering cost-effective, world-class IT solutions that consistently exceed customer expectations in all areas,” said Lokesh Sayal, Vice President of Dakota.

Dakota Registers to Two ISO Standards

June 16, 2021

Dakota Consulting, Inc., provider of software engineering, management/information technology (IT) consulting services, cyber security, scientific research and technical support services, was registered in June 2021 to two different ISO standards including ISO 27001:2013 and ISO 20000:2018. Successful external audits by QMS Global against the rigorous requirements of these standards demonstrate Dakota’s commitment to protecting sensitive information and providing quality IT products and services.

Complying with the requirements of ISO 27001:2013 enables an organization to establish and continually improve an information security management system. The standard also equips a registered company to assess and address information security risks. Protecting the integrity and privacy of data is critical in an era where cyber-attacks are happening continuously on a global scale. Registration to ISO 27001 assures Dakota’s customers that we value their data and have taken steps to protect it from loss or theft.

The ISO 20000:2018 standard helps organizations implement and improve a management system designed to meet a customer’s service requirements and deliver quality products and services. Registration to the standard demonstrates that Dakota has built a continuous improvement culture and maintains a regularly audited system for compliance.

Dr. Reid Spearman, Dakota’s Quality Manager, announced the successful audit results on June 4th. Dakota adds these two new registrations to its Integrated Management System (IMS), which is also registered to ISO 9001:2015 (quality management systems) and ISO 17020:2012 (inspection bodies).

Dakota Team Awarded NOAA IT Contract

November 20, 2020

As part of a multi-vendor team, Dakota Consulting recently won a ten-year NOAA Mission Information Technology Services (NMITS) contract to provide a wide array of IT and management consulting services for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Under the contractor team agreement with Graham Technologies and RTL Networks, Dakota will provide NOAA with innovative and adaptive services, including IT and management, technical services, cybersecurity, software development, and computer science support throughout the agency.

“Dakota looks forward to leveraging our 15 years of experience supporting the IT requirements of government agencies to satisfy NOAA’s current and future IT needs,” said Dakota Vice President Lokesh Sayal.

Dakota Wins National Science Foundation Contract

October 1, 2020

Dakota Consulting, Inc. won its bid to provide website management and creative services for the National Science Foundation’s SEED Fund. The contract supports the NSF’s efforts to enhance and maintain its websites and microsites that promote and manage grants awarded annually to innovative American companies. Dakota has a track record of delivering creative and technical services for NSF websites for more than a decade. The latest contract with NSF demonstrates the agency’s confidence in Dakota's capability to successfully support the agency’s mission.  

Dakota Mounts Food Drive During Pandemic

July 15, 2020

Community compassion sparked a new round of selfless giving by Dakota employees this summer. Under the leadership of Human Resources Director, Lisa Clark-Hawkins, employees donated funds and purchased non-perishable food for the Dakota Cares! food drive. The donated food was dropped off by Clark-Hawkins and Vice President Lokesh Sayal to the Capital Area Food Bank near Dakota’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. The food bank’s resources have been rapidly dwindling from greater demand during the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic downturn.

Dakota Consulting Expands U.S. Air Force Contract

March 26, 2020

Dakota Consulting, Inc. recently won additional work on its advisory and assistance support contract at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the Logistics Directorate of the Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command (HQ AFMC/A4/10). The contract modification supports newly identified data-analysis needs as well as an expanded scope of work to perform the migration of Munitions property and equipment data into the Defense Property and Accounting System (DPAS). Dakota has successfully performed multi-functional A&AS logistic support at the Wright-Patterson Air Force base since 2016. The latest contract expansion is one of several modifications to the original scope of work. The additional scope of work demonstrates the confidence that the Air Force continues to affirm in Dakota's capability to perform all tasks successfully and support our client’s mission.  

Employees Make Christmas Brighter

December 15, 2019

Dakota employees brightened the holiday season for low-income children again this year. Dakota partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to participate in the toy drive by encouraging Dakota employees to donate unwrapped children’s gifts. 

This year’s collected toys were dropped off by Dakota employees at the corporate office in Silver Spring, Maryland and its Dayton, Ohio office to Marine Corps Reserve collection sites. The toy drive has a long tradition at Dakota and with the military branch, which established the program in 1947 to provide toys for children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts at Christmas. 

 

Team-Building at Bright Meals

October 9, 2019

As part of a team-building effort, Dakota’s senior management prepared and served meals for the homeless in the Washington, DC area. The meal service program, known as Bright Meals, was established by Shepherd’s Table to bring together corporate leaders and nonprofit community initiatives for social good. Groups and co-workers learn team-building by preparing a meal for more than 50 homeless people, eating the meal together, and cleaning afterward. 

Commenting on the volunteer team-building event, Dakota Vice President Lokesh Sayal said, “No matter what the task or business goal, teamwork is essential. This gave our team a great opportunity to know one another in new ways and for strengths and skills to be leveraged for success. It was a great experience for all of us.”

 

A Day of Service in Dayton

September 11, 2019

Employees in Dakota Consulting’s Dayton office took a day off on the Sept. 11 National Day of Community Service to improve their environment by volunteering at Cox Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio.  

Armed with gardening and forestry tools, a volunteer staff of more than 25, led by Project Manager Lee Davis, cleared invasive brush, such as honeysuckle, and planted flowers in a Dayton, Ohio, city park. 

The anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States is widely recognized as a time to pay homage to the sacrifice of those who serve in the military. The Dayton, Ohio, office provides management and technical services to the U.S. military at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base. 

 

Dakota Scores with Backpack, School Supply Drive

September 1, 2019

Dakota’s annual corporate backpack and school supply drive was our biggest yet. All of Dakota’s locations collected backpacks and filled them to the brim with notebooks, paper, folders, glue sticks, pens, pencils, erasers, and more. In total, nearly 70 backpacks were distributed to children in homeless and domestic violence shelters in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, near Dakota’s Silver Spring, Maryland headquarters, and offices in Dayton, Ohio, and Denver, Colorado.

Collection of donated backpacks.
Supplies donated by Dakota employees.

Dakota Expands U.S. Air Force Contract to Support Combat-Ready Airman Initiative

August 29, 2019

Dakota Consulting recently expanded its work on the EPASS advisory and assistance contract at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the Logistics Directorate of the Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command (HQ AFMC/A4/10). As part of the AFMC contract modification, Dakota will support the Combat-Ready Airman (CRA) project with a supply-chain team tasked with facilitating resource tracking and analysis and sustainment of equipment worn or carried by Air Force personnel during peacetime training, current and future overseas contingencies and war-time operations.

The Air Force is in the process of implementing the initiative that is designed to revamp its management of Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment (OCIE) through the CRA initiative.  The new CRA work is part of Dakota’s existing multi-million-dollar contract award with HQ AFMC. Team Dakota will work with partners MBC and MCR Federal to accomplish the task with a team of professionals steeped in Joint Logistics and the Air Force Supply mission areas.

Dakota Supports Local Charity

August 6, 2019

Dakota Vice President Lokesh Sayal, managers, and staff took time out to proudly support A Wider Circle this summer. The nonprofit agency is dedicated to eradicating poverty in the Washington area through on-the-ground programs and services, along with the development of large-scale solutions to end the root causes of poverty.

Management and staff in the Silver Spring, Maryland headquarters location worked together in support of A Wider Circle’s Workforce Development program, which helps low-income residents transition from homelessness into housing and employment. Dakota’s team completed a range of tasks, including sorting through houseware donations, moving furniture and home décor to restock the showroom floor, folding clothing donations, and organizing the children’s corner with toys and clothes.

 

Dakota Guides Customer to Successful FedRAMP Assessment for HHS

May 31, 2019

Dakota Consulting successfully assisted The CFI Group, a Cloud Service Provider (CSP), in achieving its FedRAMP Security Assessment to provide its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution--Customer Feedback Management System (CFMS)--for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Dakota’s Cybersecurity team successfully complied with HHS-specific standards and FedRAMP’s stringent guidelines for the security assessment package, resulting in CFI being awarded an initial agency Authority to Operate.

CFI also selected Dakota as the 3PAO to conduct continuous monitoring of its solution, which is required for CSPs providing services to federal agencies.

Dakota Consulting Wins Five-Year Technical Support Contract with the US Coast Guard

May 13, 2019

Dakota Consulting, Incorporated, a premier provider of integrated information technology and program management services, today announced a five-year contract to provide technical and systems engineering support for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Polar Security Cutter (PSC) Program. The award was secured as part of the One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Service–Small Business (OASIS SB) contract vehicle.

“Our new award from the US Coast Guard is a tremendous boost for our Management and IT Consulting Services team and Dakota’s portfolio, in general,” said Lokesh Sayal, Vice President of Dakota Consulting. “We welcome the opportunity to provide the agency superior service.”

Dakota, in partnership with Goldbelt Falcon, will lead the support for logistics planning and development activities for the Coast Guard’s Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) Support Services for the Polar Security Cutter. The support will cover requirements development, technical evaluations and crafting plans and processes for the execution of logistics products to the sustainment community. Dakota personnel will also manage the transformation of shipbuilder logistics data into the support documentation necessary for Polar Security Cutter (PSC) operations in the fleet.

Dakota Consulting Awarded Five-Year US Air Force Contract to Provide Air Scheduling and Training Support

January 30, 2019

Dakota Consulting, Incorporated, a premier provider of integrated information technology and program management services, announced today that the United States Air Force (USAF) Air Mobility Command (AMC) awarded the company a five-year contract under the One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Service–Small Business (OASIS SB) contract vehicle. Dakota, in partnership with Enterprise Ventures Corporation (EVC), will lead the Contingency Response Group (CRG) Operations Support at two locations: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB-MDL), NJ and Travis AFB, CA.

As part of its work, Dakota will provide Contingency Response Groups (CRG) with support for scheduling and training functions. Support ensures complete coverage of the Wing’s overall CR operations support requirements.

Dakota Consulting Earns CMMI® Appraisal for Software Engineering, IT Services

October 29, 2018

Dakota Consulting, Inc., is pleased to announce that its Software Engineering and IT Consulting services have been appraised at Maturity Level 2 of the CMMI Institute’s Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)® for Development (CMMI-DEV 1.3). Dakota was first appraised at Level 2 in 2015.

Level 2 indicates the organization is performing at a “managed” level. Managed projects ensure that processes are planned and executed in accordance with policy; projects employ skilled people who have adequate resources to produce controlled outputs; relevant stakeholders are involved in the project; project progress is monitored, controlled, and reviewed; and processes are evaluated for adherence to their process descriptions.

Lokesh Sayal, Vice President of Dakota and Appraisal Sponsor commented: “Our successful appraisal is an attestation to the commitment and dedication we put into our organization and projects to deliver the highest quality results to our clients. I congratulate our staff on this achievement.”

Dakota Dayton Remembers 9/11 with Environmental Restoration Community Service Project

September 11, 2018

Employees of Dakota’s Dayton, Ohio office observed the anniversary of those who perished on Sept. 11, 2001 by working together on an environmental restoration community project at Cox Arboretum, a serene city park. The employees, who provide services for Dakota’s U.S. Air Force contract, participated in a company-sanctioned community service project as part of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. They assisted the arboretum by clearing invasive honeysuckle and other brush from acreage that includes majestic trees and plant life. They also planted more than 100 different flower species to further enhance the grounds of the serene park. 

Dakota Consulting Brings a Bright Meal® and Builds Management Bonds

September 9, 2018

Dakota Consulting, Incorporated brought smiles and satisfied appetites recently for more than 100 patrons of Shepherd’s Table, a community kitchen in Silver Spring, Md., was part of the Bright Meal® program that brings sponsors together to select a meal, prepare and serve it to the kitchen’s homeless and low-income patrons. The activity was part of a team-building component of Dakota’s management training.

Dakota Consulting Vice President Lokesh Sayal, who participated in organizing the effort, said managers enjoyed the camaraderie with Shepherd’s table staff and patrons. “We have a legacy of giving back to the communities where we thrive. This was a perfect opportunity for both corporate giving and engagement in the places where we do business.”

Dakota Donates Back-to-School Supplies

September 4, 2018

Dakota Consulting employees rallied again this summer to help children in need return to school with backpacks filled with supplies for the new school year.  Held annually as part of Dakota’s “giving back” program, the back-to-school supplies drive enabled children to start off the 2018-2019 school year prepared with school supplies they need to succeed. 

The donations benefited children in local communities in the Washington metropolitan region, where Dakota’s corporate office is located, and in Denver, Colorado and Cincinnati, Ohio, where Dakota has regional offices.  The effort is part of Dakota’s dedication to educating the future generation of scientific and technical workers.

Dakota’s contributions were donated to two non-profit agencies that serve children and families with limited resources. In the Washington, D.C. region, Dakota donated supplies to the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda.  Dakota’s Denver and Cincinnati/Dayton, Ohio office employees donated back-to-school resources to Volunteers of America’s Operation Backpack® campaign.  

Dakota Consulting Partnership Wins NIST STESS Re-Compete

September 1, 2018

Dakota Consulting, Inc. has won the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Scientific, Technical, Engineering Support Services (STESS) re-compete contract—a 5-year, $75-million IDIQ. Dakota will be a subcontractor to Strativia, LLC, a leading provider of technology and professional services based in Largo, MD. Announcing the win, Dakota Consulting Vice President Lokesh Sayal said: “Congratulations to everyone involved with the proposal submission and to the many subject matter experts, corporate and management staff who made our five years under the previous contract so successful.”

As a subcontractor, Dakota will be instrumental in providing support for Strativia as it leads the effort in providing services for NIST STESS.  Sayal said the companies will be seamless in working together. “We have a track record of success with both NIST STESS and Strativia, and I am confident our latest partnership will result in great added value for our long-standing federal client.”

Dakota Consulting Wins Contracts at US Army Combat Readiness Center

April 7, 2018

Dakota Consulting, Incorporated, a premier provider of integrated information technology and program management services, announced today the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC) awarded the company two five-year contracts under the One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Service–Small Business (OASIS SB) contract vehicle. Dakota, in partnership with Bering Straits Information Technology (BSIT), will lead the Loss Prevention and Property/Asset Management support for USACRC in Fort Rucker, Alabama.

As part of its work, Dakota will provide statistical analysis support in the critical areas of accident, loss and other mishap reporting and safety climate surveys for the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center. The successful accomplishment of this task requires detailed safety expertise and the ability to apply statistical and detailed data analysis of the accident, incident and survey data.

Dakota will also provide property and asset management services for USACRC. Dakota’s efforts will help the USACRC further augment the Army’s Information Technology (IT) footprint in support of its expanded Safety and Occupational Health (SOH) mission.

Dakota Consulting Wins Website Support Contract with NSF

February 1, 2018

Dakota Consulting has been awarded a contract to support the National Science Board (NSB) of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Dakota will provide website administration, content management and graphic design for the NSB public website. Dakota will ensure the timely publication of content, notices and events.  Dakota has a successful portfolio of creative projects for federal clients.

Dakota Consulting Wins IT Security Assessment Contract with Department of State Office of Inspector General

October 2, 2017

Dakota Consulting Incorporated was awarded a six-month contract to provide security controls assessment services to the United States Department of State (DoS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) for its information technology systems.

An accredited third-party assessment organization (3PAO) under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management (FedRAMP) program, Dakota will work with OIG to conduct security control assessments for the organization’s information systems’ ongoing Authorization to Operate.

EXIM Awards Dakota Consulting Visual Communications Contract

October 1, 2017

Dakota Consulting won a contract to provide graphic design, user interface/user experience (UI/UX) support for Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). For this project, Dakota will work in collaboration with EXIM program staff to design enterprise risk management (ERM) tools, infographics, presentation slides and print products. Dakota has a broad array of visual communications activities under a growing portfolio of creative projects for federal clients.

Dakota Consulting Wins Systems Administration contract at NSF

September 13, 2017

Dakota Consulting has been awarded a contract to provide on-site Systems Administration support at the National Science Foundation (NSF). Dakota will provide system administration, implementation and operational support to address a range of activities designed to provide production support, including operational (to meet on-going, recurring requirements) and ad hoc service requests. Dakota’s experienced staff will serve as technical expert and point of contact (POC) for hardware and software installation, configuration and testing.

Back-to-School Supplies Drive Expands at Dakota

September 11, 2017

Dakota Consulting employees from three locations took part in back-to-school drives this school year. Backpacks filled with needed school supplies for the upcoming year were donated to local communities in Maryland, Colorado and Ohio by employees this summer as part of the company’s “giving back” program. The effort is part of Dakota’s contribution to the national imperative to educate the next generation of scientific and technical workers.

Dakota corporate office as well as the Denver and Dayton, Ohio offices donated backpacks and supplies to children who are in need of the basic tools for education during a back-to-school drive July 17 – August 6.  Dakota’s contributions were donated to two non-profit agencies that serve children and their families in need. This enabled children to start off the 2017-2018 school year fully prepared with the tools they need to succeed.  In the Washington, D.C. region, Dakota donated supplies to the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda. Dakota’s Denver and Dayton, Ohio office employees donated back-to-school resources to Volunteers of America’s Operation Backpack® campaign. 

 

Backpacks were delivered to Cincinnati chapter of VOA for Operation Backpack®

Dakota Consulting Wins IT Assessment Contract with Department of Homeland Security

June 29, 2017

Dakota Consulting Incorporated was awarded a multi-year contract to provide security controls assessment services to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for its enterprise IT systems.

An accredited third-party assessment organization (3PAO) under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management (FedRAMP) program, Dakota will work with CBP to conduct security control assessments for all new and enhanced information systems identified by the agency.

Dakota Consulting Wins Enterprise System Support Contract with National Institute of Standards and Technology

June 16, 2017

Dakota Consulting Incorporated was awarded a multi-year contract to provide enterprise system support services under the GSA STARS II GWAC contract. The team will support the NIST Office of Information Systems Management (OISM) with various IT technical services, including Microsoft Windows servers support, Linux servers support, Enterprise backup, SharePoint administration and Enterprise storage administration. The team will also offer business analysis support services across the NIST Gaithersburg campus.

Dakota Consulting Announces ISO Standard Certification

May 11, 2017

Dakota Consulting Incorporated announced its Silver Spring headquarters is now registered to ISO 9001:2015, the latest version of the standard for the establishment and maintenance of a Quality Management System (QMS).  Dakota’s QMS supports the continuous improvement of its software engineering, management and IT consulting services, cyber security, and scientific research and technical support services. 

Commenting on the significance of the standard, Dakota Consulting Vice President Lokesh Sayal said, "Achievement of ISO 9001:2015 registration and the matured QMS it enables allows Dakota to be efficient across the entire organization. Our customers will see the fruit of this effort in terms of overall customer satisfaction and high quality deliverables."

Dakota Consulting Wins Air Force Advisory & Assistance (A&AS) HQ AFMC/A4 Depot Maintenance Support Contract Modification

April 21, 2017

Dakota Consulting Incorporated, a premier provider of integrated information technology and program management services, announced today the U.S. Air Force awarded the company a two-year, task order modification to the current contract under the One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services – Small Business (OASIS SB) contracting vehicle. Dakota Team  will provide Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) support for the Depot Maintenance work at Headquarters Air Force Material Command, Directorate of Logistics, Civil Engineering and Force Protection (HQ AFMC/A4) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

Dakota is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) registered company under the ISO 9001:2015 standard for quality management systems and holds a Maturity Level 2 rating under the Capability Maturity Model Integration Development Constellation (CMMI-DEV v1.3). As a result, the company leverages best practices to ensure agile delivery, proactively manage risks/issues and execute results-driven operations in providing program management for A&AS support.

HQ AFMC/A4 plays a central role in Air Force Depot Maintenance, spanning a range of planning, policy, management, and operational support activities to keep aircraft and other resources available to operational users.  Dakota will support the processes, policies, tools, and oversight to monitor performance, ensure compliance and support leadership decision-making.  

Dakota Vice President Lokesh Sayal noted: “We are very pleased to receive the Depot Maintenance modification. The award demonstrates HQ AFMC/A4 confidence that Dakota will continue to provide a superior delivery of services, as we have shown during the base period of the award. Our continuous- improvement-of-services model will continue to achieve current task order enhancement.”

Dakota Consulting Awarded IT Security Contract for USDA

April 15, 2017

Dakota Consulting Incorporated was awarded a contract to provide third-party security controls assessment services to the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), National Information Technology Center (NITC).

Dakota is an accredited third-party assessment organization (3PAO) under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management (FedRAMP) program.

Dakota Consulting Wins Software Development Subcontract for NIST

March 1, 2017

Dakota Consulting Incorporated was awarded a subcontract to provide software development and infrastructure support services under the competitive National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) IT-DATA Indefinite delivery, Indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. Working in partnership with its prime, the team  will support the NIST Office of Information Systems Management (OISM) with software engineering services, including development, testing and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) to support several NIST enterprise systems. The team will also offer network infrastructure support services across the NIST Gaithersburg campus.

Dakota Consulting Kicks off DHS PACTS II Contract with Partner gTANGIBLE

February 28, 2017

Dakota Consulting won a spot on gTANGIBLE’s team as part of a program management and technical services set-aside contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  The contract is part of an agency-wide vehicle, known as Program Management, Administrative, Operations and Technical Support Services (PACTS II). Dakota and gTANGIBLE kicked off their contract on February 28.

The five-year, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract provides DHS with non-information technology services.  PACTS II is a set-aside program for service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) and designed to help DHS accomplish mission objectives and cross-organizational missions through non-IT solutions in various functional categories. Services provided in Functional Category 1 (FC 1) are program management services (including administrative and general management consulting services and processes, physical distribution and logistics consulting services) and technical services (engineering, environmental, technical and scientific consulting services).

Dakota Consulting Awarded State Department Contract for IT Security

February 1, 2017

Dakota Consulting Incorporated was awarded a multi-year contract to provide third-party security controls assessment services to the U.S. Department of State, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Office of Investigations (INV). The project seeks to help the Office of Investigations achieve an Authority
to Operate (ATO) for its new software application.

Dakota is an accredited third-party assessment organization (3PAO) under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management (FedRAMP) program.

Dakota Consulting Wins CDM Contract with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)

November 4, 2016

Dakota Consulting was awarded a contract to assist the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) with establishing the OPM directed Continuous Diagnostic and Mitigation (CDM) program.  The  focus will be working with the Risk Management Services Group (RMSG) and leveraging tools provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enhance BOR’s ability to respond to cyber threats.  Dakota Consulting is a management, scientific research and information technology services  company that provides comprehensive cybersecurity services, including consulting on IT program management and development, continuous monitoring program development, and independent third-party assessment services. Dakota is an accredited third-party assessment organization (3PAO) under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management (FedRAMP) program.

Back to School Drive Helps Children in Need

September 28, 2016

Back-to-school supplies—backpacks, pencils, pens and paper—were collected by Dakota employees this summer as part of the company’s “giving back” commitment and the national imperative to educate the next generation of tech-savvy workers.

Dakota corporate office and its employees donated backpacks and supplies to children who are in need of the basic tools for education during a back-to-school drive, August 1-15. Dakota’s contributions were donated to two non-profit agencies that serve children and their families in need. In the Washington, D.C. region, Dakota donated supplies to the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda. Dakota’s Denver office employees donated back-to-school resources to MEED Colorado, which supports educational attainment for disadvantaged youth in the Denver area.

MEED Executive Director Sara Fuentes said Dakota’s contribution was especially appreciated. “We accomplish all that we do because of people like you that believe in and support our efforts. Because of your wonderful support, we have been able to provide the necessary essentials to a great number of homeless students.”

Backpacks and school supplies collected at  Dakota corporate office in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Backpacks and school supplies collected at
Dakota corporate office in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Dakota Awarded Cybersecurity, IT Management Contracts with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)

September 27, 2016

Dakota Consulting was awarded two contracts to provide cybersecurity and information management services for the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). One contract award gives Dakota responsibility for implementing and maintaining compliance with Federal cybersecurity and privacy requirements for the Bureau.  Dakota will assist BOR with its Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) compliance effort and provide security services and support to BOR’s system owners, in accordance with the National Institutes of Science and Technology (NIST) Risk Management Framework (RMF).

Dakota also won a contract to assist the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) with the implementation and compliance with the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) requirements.  Working closely with BOR’s Risk and Portfolio Management Office and Security personnel, Dakota will provide a range of FISMA services to include the development/improvement of processes, procedures, standards, and templates.  Dakota also will provide guidance on the agency’s security control implementation to advance BOR’s cybersecurity maturity initiatives.

Dakota Consulting is a management, scientific research and information technology services company that provides comprehensive cybersecurity services, including consulting on IT program management and development, continuous monitoring program development, and independent third-party assessment services. Dakota is an accredited third-party assessment organization (3PAO) under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management (FedRAMP) program.

Dakota Presents at Local PMI® Chapter

June 13, 2016

Dakota Quality Manager Reid Spearman shared best practices for communicating effectively on projects to achieve desired results at the annual Actionable Intelligence Symposium, sponsored by the Silver Spring Chapter of the Project Management Institute® (PMI), held on June 13.

Spearman’s presentation, “A Process for Effective Requests,” outlined the need for project managers to be mindful of the context in which requests are made to allow listeners to understand the request and how it fits into a bigger picture.

Dakota’s Quality Department oversees quality initiatives across the enterprise. Reid helps managers and project team members achieve compliance with company policy and procedures. According to Reid, “making, receiving and taking action on effective requests at every level of the organization is essential to the successful achievement of goals and objectives at Dakota.”

Dakota Consulting Wins Air Force Advisory & Assistance (A&AS) Support Contract

May 23, 2016

Dakota Consulting, Incorporated, a premier provider of integrated information technology and program management services, announced today the U.S. Air Force awarded the company a five year, single-award task order contract under the One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services – Small Business (OASIS SB) contracting vehicle. Leading a team of partners, Dakota will provide Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) support to Headquarters Air Force Material Command, Directorate of Logistics, Civil Engineering & Force Protection (HQ AFMC/A4) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

HQ AFMC/A4 has the mission responsibility to shape the workforce and infrastructure to provide logistics, sustainment and installation support for acquisition logistics, supply management, depot maintenance and base-level logistics operations and deliver responsive strategic facility and infrastructure oversight and over-arching direction for all MAJCOM security operations. Under the contract, Dakota’s team will provide A&AS support to A4 Directorate and consolidate requirements from 6HQ AFMC/A4 contracts.

Dakota Vice President Lokesh Sayal noted: “We are very pleased to be able to provide support to HQ AFMC/A4. The key to this win was Dakota’s cost-effective solution and a strong technical approach developed with excellent support from our partners. We look forward to a very successful program and an excellent partnership with HQ AFMC/A4.”

Dakota Consulting Mourns Passing of Founder Lori Renner

May 19, 2016

Dakota Consulting Incorporated today announced the passing of Founder and President Lorraine “Lori” Renner after a valiant fight against cancer. For more than 12 years, Renner steered the growth and development of the IT management consulting company with more than 100 employees and consultants in two offices in Silver Spring and Denver, Colorado. Dakota serves the IT management and business needs of more than a dozen Federal departments, agencies and private businesses.

Dakota Vice President Lokesh Sayal said Lori left a solid foundation for the company’s continued growth and commitment to excellence.

“Using her practical common sense and skills learned over a lifetime, Lori built Dakota into a strong, cohesive, and well-established organization that provides our government and private clients effective and exceptional programs and services, and gives our employees a fulfilling place to work. We have lost our founder, but the Dakota values she instilled—honesty, integrity and flexibility—will be part of our corporate identity forever.”

Sayal said, “Lori leaves Dakota with arrangements in place to continue providing our clients with the outstanding service they have come to expect.”

Expressions of condolence may be sent to Dakota Vice President Lokesh Sayal at lokesh.sayal@dakota-consulting.com

Dakota Consulting Launches Website Redesign

February 18, 2016

Dakota Consulting today launched a redesign of its website, dakota-consulting.com. The newly styled site features majestic natural imagery set against a translucent look-and-feel that embodies the strength and breadth of the company’s technical and project management capabilities. The new site mirrors the responsive and dynamic functionality of open-source websites that Dakota designs and maintains for a growing roster of government clients.

“I am very pleased with phase one of our web site redesign,” said CEO and President Lori Renner. “My objective was to make content available quickly to Dakota audiences that are looking for specific information and provide an easy-to-navigate, comprehensive site for those audiences new to Dakota. I think our web design team hit the mark. Our next phase will expand upon the theme of making the right data available, at the right time, to the right people.”

Dakota Consulting Receives Software Engineering CMMI® LEVEL 2 Appraisal

November 4, 2015

The Software Engineering Business Unit of Dakota Consulting achieved appraisal at Level 2 of the CMMI Institute’s Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)®. A capability improvement approach, CMMI provides organizations with the essential elements of effective processes that ultimately improve their performance.
 
Reacting to results of the appraisal, Dakota Consulting Vice President Lokesh Sayal, the Executive Sponsor for the CMMI® effort, said: “Our commitment to deliver quality software services and solutions was formalized through our attainment of CMMI Level 2 assessment. Attainment of CMMI Level 2 status is a key milestone in the company's strategic plan. It represents market recognition of our commitment to timely, accurate, and cost-effective solutions and services for our clients.”
 
The CMMI® Institute, a subsidiary of Carnegie Mellon University, is dedicated to elevating organizational performance through best-in-class solutions to real-world challenges. The Institute is the home of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)® for Development, Services, and Acquisition; the People Capability Maturity Model; and the Data Management Maturity Model (DMM)SM, which are capability improvement models that create high-performance, high-maturity cultures. The models are used in thousands of organizations worldwide to deliver business results that serve as differentiators in the global market.

Dakota Consulting Selected for FedRAMP Assessment

September 15, 2015

Dakota Consulting was selected by a commercial Cloud Service Provider (CSP) to provide third-party assessment services (3PAO) in connection with the CSP's goal to achieve FedRAMP compliance. As the market continues to evolve to cloud-based services, Dakota’s expertise in cloud-based security and years of Federal assessment expertise offers prospective clients a low risk, high value proposition for ensuring compliance with Federal guidelines and Agency-specific implementations.
 
Dakota's cybersecurity program provides a full range of services to Federal and commercial clients, including Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) assessments, Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) assessments, cybersecurity consulting, security package preparation, and cybersecurity program development.

Dakota Wins Human Resource Support Contract at USAF

August 21, 2015

Dakota Consulting won a contract today with the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) to provide position classification, analysis and advisory services, and human resources support for its Human Resources Office. Dakota CEO and President Lori Renner commented about the award: “USTRANSCOM is our first win under the One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services – Small Business (OASIS SB) contracting vehicle. Our team is prepared to support TRANSCOM's mission, and we are poised to deliver the same high-caliber, cost-effective solutions and customer-focused service to the Air Force and other OASIS customers that we have delivered for the past 11 years to other Federal customers." 

Dakota Team wins NIST IDIQ for IT, Database Application Support

August 5, 2015

As part of a multi-vendor team, Dakota Consulting won an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide support for Information Technology and Database  Applications (IT DATA) for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a follow-on contract to the Information Technology and Database Application and Support Services (IT DASS) IDIQ.

The competitive, multi-award small business IDIQ will provide computer science support services for multiple NIST units focused on areas, ranging from health to materials innovation. Services may be provided for work in NIST’s Information Technology Laboratory, Engineering Laboratory, Material Measurement Laboratory, and Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology Laboratory. Specific projects may require the development of IT models, IT standard reference implementations, IT tools to develop standard reference database (SRD) applications, and scientific and technical information archival projects.

Dakota Consulting Renews Accreditation as FedRAMP 3PAO

July 24, 2015

Dakota Consulting renewed its accreditation by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), as part of the ISO 17020 Inspection Body Accreditation Program. Concurrent with this accreditation, Dakota was re-accredited by the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) as a Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO). As an accredited 3PAO, Dakota provides independent cybersecurity assessment services to Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) seeking to achieve FedRAMP compliance.
 
“Increasingly, cloud-based solutions offer efficiencies that enterprise organizations—both Federal and commercial—need to remain agile and effective. Our accreditations provide the ability to ensure these benefits outweigh the potential liabilities of those efficiencies. We have the expertise to identify and recommend solutions to risks that can become liabilities and impede successful outcomes," said Gary Jacobs, Dakota’s FedRAMP Technical Program Manager.

Dakota Consulting to Manage Integrated Digital Communications Strategy for NSF Program

July 15, 2015

Dakota Consulting will support the National Science Foundation (NSF) in expanding its reach and engagement of a virtual community of accomplished science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) scholars and mentors. Through the development of a redesigned, interactive website, enhanced online newsletter, and a social media community management and growth strategy, Dakota will serve NSF’s need to expand STEM mentorship among diverse groups and professionals.

As part of the contract, Dakota will serve NSF’s community management requirements and encourage leading academic and non-academic STEM mentors nationwide to share successful practices and explore strategies to expand STEM talent in the United States.

Dakota Consulting Wins IT Security Contract for EPA

June 15, 2015

Dakota Consulting was awarded a contract to provide information technology security services for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). Working in partnership with the EPA’s information system security personnel, Dakota will provide a range of IT security services. Dakota Consulting is a management, scientific research and information technology services  company that provides comprehensive cybersecurity services, including consulting on IT program management and development, continuous monitoring program development, and independent third-party assessment services. Dakota is an accredited third-party assessment organization (3PAO) under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management (FedRAMP) program.

Dakota Continues to Sponsor Northwest High School Robotics Group

January 1, 2015

As part of Dakota's dual commitment to the next generation of science and technology leaders and giving back to the community, Dakota continued our sponsorship of the Northwest High School Robotics Group, known as Jagbotics, this year. This group, one of the few in Montgomery County, designs robots that participate in For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) competitions. Madan Thakur, Dakota Technical Lead and a parent of one of the team's students, said, "Dakota has been gracious in their support of Jagbotics, a rookie team, for the past couple of years in line with the STEM initiative. As a parent, I observe the real difference of this support, allowing the team to focus more on using the state-of-the-art technologies collaboratively in making their project and dream come true. Dakota, as a tech company, can leverage its expertise of software engineering processes to lend and garner support as part of the 'Care and Share' effort for community outreach for the 'Gen Next.'" For more information on the Northwest Jagbotics team, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkvv5htWoWk