On December 1, 2021, PPT was awarded the Government Contracting – Technology Business of the Year Award presented by the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce. 

For over 30 years the Chamber has been supporting and recognizing individuals and businesses that make a positive impact on our community through their products, services, and outstanding attributes. The 36th annual Small Business Awards Gala honored the best of the best small business entrepreneurs, young professionals, nonprofits, and executive leadership at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL. 

Over 800 companies were nominated in 14 categories of business with 130 finalists and ultimately 14 winners.  PPT was named one of the 14 winners!  It is an understatement to say we were shocked when they read off PPT as the winner of the Government Contracting – Technology company.   

 Congratulations to you all for your efforts in helping shape PPT to what it has become. I am so glad each of you are a part of the PPT Family!

Huntsville, AL; December 13, 2021 – PPT Solutions Inc. (PPT) has been awarded part of a $300 million multiple-award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) prime contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for professional engineering services to serve as an Independent Test Agent (ITA) for DHS major acquisition programs operating in land, sea, air, and cyberspace domains.

The shared estimated value of BPA Call Orders to be placed against the BPA is $300 million over the course of seven (7) years. PPT leads an integrated team of subcontractors including Avion Solutions, DCS Corporation, i3, and Yulista Tactical Services LLC to provide expertise in Test and Evaluation (T&E) for: Information Technology (IT) Agile Software Development, Cyber Resilience, Technology Systems, Watercraft, Aviation, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Counter UAS Systems, Vehicles, and Detection Systems. “We are excited to support this important mission, to continue our business relationship with DHS, and expand our T&E capabilities,” said Jim Reeb, PPT CEO/President.

About PPT Solutions

PPT, a small business with headquarters in Huntsville, AL, is a professional services company with leading capabilities in systems & software safety, airworthiness, software development, independent verification and validation, test, configuration management, logistics, and cybersecurity support. We provide the best people, processes, and technology ensuring all elements are working together to achieve optimum performance. Beyond providing an exceptional service, our mission is to impact our communities in a positive way. Visit us at www.pptsinc.com.

PPT is honored to announce that the U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh recognized PPT as one of the 849 recipients of the 2021 HIRE Vets Medallion Award during a virtual award ceremony. We earned the Small business Gold award after applying earlier this year and meeting the qualifications. The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is earned by businesses that demonstrate unparalleled commitment to recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans.

Recipients of the 2021 HIRE Vets Medallion Awards meet rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, ranging from veteran hiring and retention to providing veteran-specific resources, leadership programming, dedicated human resources, pay compensation and tuition assistance programs.

We’re proud to be recognized with this elite award, and hope you share in our excitement. We invite you to join us in sharing this news with your family, friends, and colleagues. To learn more about the award, visit HIREVets.gov

PPT Solutions, Inc. (PPT) is proud, once again, to partner with the American Heart Association (AHA) for this year’s 2021 Charity Golf Scramble. Since 1924, the American Heart Association has been growing into the nation’s largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. With nearly 33 million volunteers and supporters and more than 3,400 employees, the American Heart Association has invested more than $4.5 billion into lifesaving research. Take a look at what they are currently doing in our community:

● Companies across Huntsville helped AHA kick off the #CheckItAL Challenge, to reduce hypertension in our community by self-monitoring blood pressure.

● Working on a self-monitoring blood pressure program in Federally Qualified Health Clinics in Madison.

● Distributing Reduce Your Risk boxes to local heroes in our community to encourage them to take action for their own health.

● Working with hospitals in our community to ensure they are using the latest technology and education to treat patients.

● Teaching hands-on CPR classes in Huntsville and giving CPR kits to organizations and families throughout the community.

● With their Healthy for Life Program, bringing nutritional classes and information to our most needed areas.

● Working with community healthcare providers to place educational information into clinics across Madison County’s underserved areas.

What is PPT doing alongside AHA this year?

“Making a positive impact in the community is important to us,” said Jim Reeb, PPT Solutions President. “If we are able to participate in community events and give back with our time and resources, that is the true definition of success.”. After more than a year of social distancing, we are so excited to host the Golf Scramble again. This year’s tournament will be hosted at the beautiful Valley Hill Country Club which is home to 27 great holes of golf ! As in years past, this event will be supported, by businesses and individuals we have all come to know and respect across the Tennessee Valley. Funds raised for the AHA will directly benefit our North Alabama communities.

Make sure you sign up for this event! On Monday, September 27th, the golf scramble will be from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Valley Hill Country Club in Southeast Huntsville. There will door prizes, plenty of food, and the chance to win a new car in our Hole-In-One Contest! Be sure to go to golf.pptsinc.com for more information and signup on-line today!

How can you show your support for the American Heart Association?

If you would like to support the American Heart Association, here are a couple of different options you have:

• Go to golf.pptsinc.com and join the fun!
• Donate directly to the AHA.
• Volunteer some of your time for the AHA.
• Text “PPTAHAGOLF” to 71777

There are plenty of ways to join in on the fight against heart disease and stroke! Join us today!

PPT Solutions is proud to hold a GSA Schedule Contract. This contract serves as a major tool for the government to purchase products and services and allows PPT to bid on a wider range of contracts.

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts are indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, long-term contracts under the GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program. These contracts contain pre-negotiated prices, delivery terms, warranties, and terms and conditions allowing for a much more streamlined buying process. 

Purchases can be made directly from a contractor’s GSA Schedule Contract, eliminating time-consuming responses to more complex RFPs and lengthy negotiations. 

Recently, PPT Solutions was able to modify its existing Professional Engineering Services (PES) Schedule to include IT Professional Services. This allows our team to offer the following to the federal government:

• Cloud Services
• Cognitive Computing
• Conversion and Implementation Support 
• Database Planning and Design 
• Internet of Things (IoT) 
• IT Project Management
• Migration Services 
• Network Services 
• Programming
• Resources and Facilities Management 
• Systems Analysis, Design, and Implementation 

Additionally, we are able to sell the following services through our GSA Schedule: 

• Strategic Planning for Technology Programs/Activities
• Concept Development and Requirements Analysis
• System Design, Engineering and Integration 
• Test and Evaluation
• Integrated Logistics Support 
• Acquisition and Life Cycle Management
• Integrated Consulting Services 
• Training Services: Instructor Led Training, Web Based Training and Education
• Logistics Training Services 
• Acquisition Management Support
• Integrated Business Program Support Services 
• IT Professional Services

Obtaining a GSA Schedule

Prior to taking the necessary steps to obtain a GSA schedule, it is important to research the available schedules to determine which option is best for your company. 

Obtaining a GSA Schedule Contract is a process that is broken up into two parts. The first step is preparing your proposal. This can take several months to complete and includes developing pricing, gathering data to support the proposal, such as invoices and previously submitted proposals, from the last two years.

The second step is the GSA reviewing the proposal and negotiating your contract award. Once the proposal has been submitted, the GSA will review submissions. There are typically several negotiation points with the government prior to award, should the government feel the company is competitive and rates are fair and reasonable.

In order to be eligible for a GSA Schedule Contract, a company must meet the following criteria: 

• Financial Stability 
• At least two years in business 
• Past Performance 
• Products compliant with the Trade Agreements Act. 

Next Steps After GSA Schedule Award

After the GSA Schedule has been awarded, the company must keep up several requirements to maintain the contract, such as monthly reporting and earning a designated amount of sales each year through the GSA Schedule Contract.

Once a company has received its GSA Schedule Contract, the contract holder has access to online GSA systems to include GSA Advantage!, GSA E-buy, and GSA Reverse Auctions. Additionally, a company can use its GSA Schedule to solicit hundreds of federal customers, including: 

• Federal and Executive Agencies
• Department of Defense (DoD)
• Government of the District of Columbia
• Government Contractors Authorized to Spend Federal Dollars
• Certain Institutions and International Organizations 

To date, there are more than 11 million commercial products and services available through GSA Schedules.

Benefits to Having a GSA Schedule 

GSA schedules bring positive growth to a business, drive production, legitimize a business as a trusted source, and allow businesses to gain loyal customers.

Most importantly, small businesses who are looking to grow and prosper have a unique opportunity with GSA schedules to find opportunities designated just for them. The government contracting marketplace can be highly competitive, but with this contract, companies are given an advantage when marketing its products and services. 

““Having our GSA Schedule and working with other companies helped us win our first direct award GSA contract,” said Leon Pelletier, Contracts Manager. “This has significantly grown our business locally and helped us to create a larger footprint in the industry. We plan to take wins like this and continue to grow and provide great people, processes, and technology to support our government and warfighter.”  

View PPT Solutions’ GSA Schedule here. 

Discover more about GSA schedules here. 

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Incorporated in 2005, PPT Solutions, Inc. provides systems and software engineering services to government and commercial aerospace organizations. PPT represents People, Processes, and Technology, and it is our goal to offer solutions that improve the effectiveness of these three things to work together for optimum performance. Find out more today!

PPT Solutions is proud to support the American Heart Association, an organization that has been actively striving to save and improve lives for the last 100 years. 

What is the American Heart Association? 

Since 1924, the American Heart Association has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. With nearly 33 million volunteers and supporters and more than 3,400 employees, the American Heart Association has invested more than $4.5 billion into research. 

Through various community events and donations from supporters, the AHA fosters scientific breakthroughs that matter. Financial support has aided in the development of:

• The first artificial heart valve
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs
• Heart transplantation
• CPR techniques 

This organization is a catalyst for achieving maximum impact in equitable health and well-being around the world. The AHA is leading bold innovations to improve health. During the 2017-18 fiscal year alone, the American Heart Association made incredible strides to include: 

• Releasing new blood pressure treatment guidelines that changed the definition of hypertension to 130/80 milligrams of mercury
• Establishing a joint venture with Laerdal Medical, called RQI Partners, LLC to move closer toward a world where no one dies from preventable cardiac arrest 
• Engaging the expertise of the Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health Task Force 
• Announcing Cardeation Capital, a $30 million venture capital fund with Philips and UPMC to spur new discoveries in heart and stroke care 

Read the entire report on the successful year here. 

How does PPT Support the American Heart Association? 

At PPT Solutions, supporting our local community is incredibly important to us. It’s embedded into our culture. 

“Being a part of the community is important to us,” said Jim Reeb, PPT Solutions President. “If we are able to participate in community events and give back with our time and resources, that is the true definition of success.” 

While we support various organizations, the American Heart Association is one that is near and dear to our hearts at PPT Solutions. We are able to support this organization in two primary ways. 

Huntsville Heart Walk 

Each year, PPT Solutions participates in the Huntsville Heart Walk alongside millions of others across the nation who are eager to raise funds for lifesaving science and technologies. The goal of this walk is to reduce death and disability from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20% by the year 2021. The Heart Walk promotes fun ways to be physically active and make healthier choices every day. Employees from PPT Solutions participate by either walking with our team or donating to the event. Together, we strive to make healthier, longer lives possible for everyone. 

PPT Solutions Charity Golf Scramble 

On September 30, 2019, PPT Solutions held its 5th Annual Charity Golf Scramble at Valley Hill Country Club. All funds raised for this event went directly to the American Heart Association Huntsville Heart Walk. Our sponsors included AEgis Technologies, American Heart Association,Anglin Reichmann Armstrong PC, Banner Defense, BCF Solutions, Decisive Intel, Doran & Associates, Huntsville Country Club, I Love Bacon, InterSouth Properties, Iron Mountain Solutions, J. Smith Lanier & Co., JDM Solutions, Massage Essentials, Modern Technology Solutions, INC., Morgan Stanley, Moseley Technical Services, Parsons, PeopleTec, Inc., Radiance Technologies, Regymen Fitness, Rocket City Digital, Roto-Rooter, Servis 1st Bank, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Tenders, Torch Technologies, Troy 7, Inc., and Woody Anderson Ford. This tournament allows us to show our thanks and appreciation to such a worthy cause each year. Through our first five tournaments, we have contributed more than $41,500 to the AHA. 2020 will be our 6th annual tournament, and we plan for it to be our biggest event to date!

How can YOU support the American Heart Association? 

If you are interested in supporting the AHA, there are many opportunities available to you! 

• Consider joining the PPT Solutions Heart Walk team
• Donate to the organization
• Join us for the 2020 PPT Solutions Charity Golf Scramble 
• Become an advocate 
• Volunteer for the organization

There are many ways to do your part in helping create a world free of heart disease and stroke. Join us today!

Business process engineering is the study of business processes so that they can be improved and streamlined for optimum efficiency in terms of performance and cost. The ultimate goal of business process engineering is to ensure those processes contribute to your overall goals.

If starting with an all-new business process, it is important to refer to data from other businesses who have incorporated business process engineering into their operations. If a business is simply improving a current process, its employees can analyze the personal data that has already accumulated. 

Business process engineering involves examining the following: 

• Organizational Operations
• Long-Term Performance Goals
• Ways to Seamlessly Achieve Overall Improvement 

Key Components to Business Process Engineering 

Process Improvement 

One key component to business process engineering is process improvement. This includes the ability to diagnose problems within an organization’s current methodology and to redesign, reconstruct, and monitor processes to ensure they are effective. 

A process that is wasteful and dysfunctional from start to finish is a key sign that business process engineering must be incorporated from a brand new standpoint. On the other hand, a process could run smoothly up until a certain point. If earlier steps created the situation, they must be removed or be majorly altered. 

Quality Assurance 

It is important to know what business needs you should seek to address. Determine the things you want to deliver, and keep quality at the forefront of all operations. Provide confidence that requirements will be satisfied as you deliver solutions to the new business processes. Lastly, ensure your team is committed to continuous improvement. The actual results you achieve within business process engineering will point toward areas for further improvement. 

Configuration Management

Configuration management is the final key component to effective business process engineering. This process allows users to establish and maintain consistency of performance in day-to-day operations. Configuration management ensure your processes work effectively and can be trusted for high efficiency. This part of business process engineering reduces risk and improves overall experience.  

Business process engineering is an important aspect to any organization for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in operations. Consider incorporating this process into your business if you are interested in enhancing organizational operations, long-term performance goals, and overall improvement. 

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Incorporated in 2005, PPT Solutions, Inc. provides systems and software engineering services to government and commercial aerospace organizations. PPT represents People, Processes, and Technology, and it is our goal to offer solutions that improve the effectiveness of these three things to work together for optimum performance. Find out more today!

In January 2017, PPT Solutions proudly opened the doors to its second location, situated just outside of Washington D.C. in Arlington, VA. Today, 20 employees support our Federal customers from this location. 

The PPT Solutions Washington D.C. team offers the following services: 

• Independent Verification and Validation
• Manual and Automated Testing Support
• Section 508 Testing
• Operational Testing
• Configuration Management
• Risk Management Framework Compliance
• Cyber Security Assessments

Furthermore, our employees in this location support the following Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies: 

• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
• Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) 

PPT Solutions provides exceptional technical systems and software engineering support to Federal customers across the country. The inclusion of our National Capital Region office has not only continuously strengthened these services, but has accelerated the growth of our company as a whole. We’ve welcomed top-quality personnel to the PPT Solutions team over the last five years and continue to grow. 

“The National Capital Region is a technology-rich Federal customer base, and PPT is focused on continuing to expand its customer base and grow its presence in the D.C. market,” said Jim Reeb, PPT Solutions President. 

As the needs of our employees, partners, customers, and local communities in which we operate change, our mission remains the same: Provide the best people, processes, and technology, ensuring all elements are working together to achieve optimum performance. 

If you are located in the Washington D.C. area and are looking to join a team with a positive culture, unmatched benefits, and incredible opportunities for continued growth, view our job openings here. At PPT Solutions, we are committed to ensuring every employee achieves their full potential. Join our team today! 

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Incorporated in 2005, PPT Solutions, Inc. provides systems and software engineering services to government and commercial aerospace organizations. PPT represents People, Processes, and Technology, and it is our goal to offer solutions that improve the effectiveness of these three things to work together for optimum performance. Find out more today!

In December 2018, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published an update for the Department of Defense Risk Management Framework (RMF). The comprehensive roadmap is officially titled NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-37 Revision 2, Risk Management Framework for Information Systems and Organizations: A System Life Cycle Approach for Security and Privacy.

NIST published Revision 2 on December 20, 2018 as a first step toward providing security and risk management with an integrated and flexible methodology. In addition to the government implementing RMF 2.0 as a strategy, DoD contractors are required to meet standards as well.

The RMF describes processes that must be followed by all federal agencies in order to secure, authorize, and manage IT systems and cybersecurity capabilities and services. The next-generation RMF integrates privacy and adds RMF to the software development life cycle. Additionally, version two includes information on aligning the RMF with NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework, supply chain, and security engineering.

Ultimately, the updated documentation provides a broader, more comprehensive set of guidelines to manage risk in federal agencies and other organizations seeking to strengthen their risk management process. 

The Seven Steps of RMF 

The revision identifies seven major objectives. All are essential for the successful execution of the RMF, according to NIST. 

1. Provide a closer link and communication between risk management processes and activities at the C-suite level of the organization and the individuals processes, and activities at the system and operational level of the organization.
2. Institutionalize critical enterprise-wide risk management preparatory activities to facilitate a more effective, efficient, and cost-effective execution of the RMF. 
3. Demonstrate how the Cybersecurity Framework can be aligned with the RMF and implemented using established NIST risk management processes. 
4. Integrate privacy risk management principles into the RMF to support the privacy protection needs for which privacy programs are responsible. 
5. Promote the development of trustworthy secure software and systems by aligning life cycle-based systems engineering processes in NIST SP 800-160 with relevant steps in the RMF. 
6. Integrate supply chain risk management (SCRM) concepts into the RMF to protect against untrustworhty suppliers, insertion of counterfeits, tampering, unauthorized production, theft, insertion of malicious code, and poor manufacturing and development practices. 
7. Provide an alternative organization-generated control selection approach to complement the baseline control selection approach. 

A Look Inside the New “Prepare” Step

Most notably, RMF 2.0 includes a new “Prepare” step, outlining which activities are essential at organizational and information system levels to help manage security and privacy risks, including supply-chain risk .The new “Prepare” step is the best starting point to begin executing the RMF. 

Its primary objectives include: 

• To facilitate effective communication between senior leaders and executives on cybersecurity topics 
• To facilitate organization-wide identification of common controls and development of organizationally-tailored control baselines, ultimately reducing workload on individuals, simplifying controls, and decreasing redundant work
• To reduce complexity of the IT and operations technology infrastructure by using Enterprise Architecture concepts and models to consolidate, optimize, and standardize organizational systems, applications, and services
• To minimize the complexity of systems by eliminating unnecessary functions and security and privacy capabilities that do not address security and privacy risk
• To identify, prioritize, and focus resources on the organization’s high-value assets that require increased levels of protection. 

In summary, the key additions incorporated into the RMF 2.0 include: 

• Alignment and integration with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 
• How to handle Personally Identifiable Information (PII) 
• Incorporation of the Prepare step
• Task References from NIST SP 800-160 with Security Engineering Processes
• Implications for Supply Chain Risk Management

For all government vendors, this offers a new direction for best practices to follow. Discover more about the RMF 2.0 here. 

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Incorporated in 2005, PPT Solutions, Inc. provides systems and software engineering services to government and commercial aerospace organizations. PPT represents People, Processes, and Technology, and it is our goal to offer solutions that improve the effectiveness of these three things to work together for optimum performance. Find out more today!

It is no secret the Rocket City is booming, and the growing attraction of local Huntsville sports teams is only fueling that flame. 

These sports teams generate a sense of camaraderie and unity, provide a common ground for connecting with others, and add an element of friendly competition into the city’s culture. 

Over the last few years, the Rocket City has experienced an expansion of its sports presence with the Huntsville Havoc, Rocket City Trash Pandas, and the recent announcement of the Huntsville Championship. 

PPT Solutions proudly supports its local sports teams! 

Huntsville Havoc

The Huntsville Havoc is the city’s professional ice hockey team in the Southern Professional Hockey League. Founded in 2004, the team has thrived season after season, generating a rapid growing fan base each year. The energy in the stands is always contagious! 

In the 2009-2010 season, the Havoc won their first SPHL President’s Cup. In the 2018 SPHL playoffs, the Havoc made history by being the first fourth-seeded team to win the championship, receiving it’s second President’s Cup. In 2019, the Huntsville Havoc repeated as SPHL President’s Cup Champions. 

Each season, PPT Solutions supports the Huntsville Havoc as season ticket holders. Check out the team schedule, set to kick off for the season on October 1, 2019. 

Rocket City Trash Pandas

One of the most popular topics around town this year has been the arrival of the new Minor League Baseball team in Huntsville, the Rocket City Trash Pandas. The community has rallied around this sports team from the beginning, with the opportunity to vote on the team name in the fall of 2018. 

Since then, the Trash Pandas have sold $1.5 million worth of merchandise. Initially, the team broke MiLB records, selling $500,000 in merchandise in just six weeks. Additionally, nearly 900 season tickets (every home game for three years) have been sold. 

The Rocket City Trash Pandas is the first professional baseball team to call Huntsville home since the Huntsville Stars played their final season in Joe Davis Stadium in 2014. Today, a brand new $46 million ballpark is under construction at Town Madison and will be completed by January 15, 2020. The park features a 360-degree concourse, bar/restaurant area in the outfield, sixteen luxury suites, and more. 

The first game of the season will be held on April 15, 2020, as the team plays host to the Mississippi Braves. PPT Solutions is proud to be season ticket holders! 

Check out more about the Rocket City Trash Pandas here. 

The Huntsville Championship

The most recent development in the world of sports in Huntsville is the introduction of the Huntsville Championship, set to be held April 20-26, 2020, as part of the Korn Ferry Tour (previously named the Web.com Tour). The event will be hosted at The Ledges, one of the top-ranked golf courses in Alabama. 

The Korn Ferry Tour is the premier developmental tour in professional golf, serving as the breeding ground for stars of tomorrow. This exciting event will allow local partners, volunteers, and fans to be part of an incredible community gathering. 

The Huntsville Championship will consist of 156 players competing for a $600,000 purse. A five-year partnership is in place through 2024. The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville will be the tournament’s featured charitable beneficiary. 

As part of the week-long event, The Pro-Am, held April 22, offers the ultimate golfing experience, enabling clients, business partners, prospects, and top executives to compete side-by-side with a professional in a fun, engaging environment. 

Discover more about this incredible event here. 

Community Support

Our team is passionate about giving back to the communities in which we come from and getting involved in various events, to include supporting our sports teams. As season ticket holders for the various Huntsville sports teams, we share these across our employee families. Sharing these tickets with our employees and their families is just one of the ways we say “thank you” for the time and commitment they give to PPT Solutions and our customers. 

Community support is incredibly important to the PPT Solutions team. We support a variety of local and national organizations throughout the year. Check out the full list here.

In September alone, PPT Solutions will support four different charities through participation in golf tournaments. 

“Being part of the community is important,” said Jim Reeb, PPT Solutions President. “If we are able to participate in community events, give back to the community with our time and resources, to me that means that we are successful. That is the true definition of success.” 

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Incorporated in 2005, PPT Solutions, Inc. provides systems and software engineering services to government and commercial aerospace organizations. PPT represents People, Processes, and Technology, and it is our goal to offer solutions that improve the effectiveness of these three things to work together for optimum performance. Find out more today!