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Take a bow, techies: Deloitte is out with its 2019 ranking of 500 fastest-growing technology companies in North America and of course Fairfax County companies are well-represented. Nine made the list: Urgently and Ridgeline International of Tysons (Nos. 6 and 59, respectively), Centripetal Networks of Herndon (No. 93), Binary Fountain and GTT Communications of Tysons (Nos. 184 and 333, respectively), GoCanvas of Reston (No. 393), KLDiscovery of Tysons (No. 411), Research Innovations of Franconia (No. 416), and Brillient  of Reston (No. 459).

Learning Curve: Gov. Ralph Northam signed an agreement with 11 universities, including George Mason University, Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia, to boost the commonwealth’s tech-talent pipeline. According to Virginia Business, the Tech Talent Investment Program will help these institutions confer 31,000 more more bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science and related fields in the next 20 years.

The road ahead: Somera Road, a New York-based commercial real estate firm, acquired the Skyline office complex in Baileys Crossroads with big plans to revitalize the property. Washington Business Journal reports that this is the real estate firm’s first Washington-area acquisition. 

Rounding up: Sepio Systems, a U.S.- and Israel-based cybersecurity company, completed its first round of venture capital financing backed in part by Merlin International of Tysons. According to a release picked up by Herald-Mail Media, this funding will allow Sepio to expand, including opening an office in McLean. Sepio has a software product that is being used by more than 25 banks, insurance, and telecom companies in the U.S., Singapore, Brazil, South Africa and Israel.

Along for the ride: Dominion Energy selected EasyMile’s EZ10 self-driving vehicle to shuttle passengers between the Dunn Loring Metro Station and the Mosaic District in Merrifield for an autonomous electric shuttle pilot project. Officials said the EZ10 has been deployed in 25 countries, holds up to 12 passengers, and has a full set of sensors, cameras, and GPS for safety. Fox 5 DC has more on the project.

Dogged determination: Systems integrator CACI, which is based in Arlington but has major operations in Fairfax County, won a $1.8 billion (yep, with a b) contract with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to modernize many of its back-office systems. The contract is called the Border Enforcement Applications for Government Leading Edge IT, or BEAGLE, and CACI was selected from among six bidders. Federal Computer Week chased the story.

Into the blu: Tysons-based DXC Technology acquired Australian consulting company Bluleader. Citybizlist picked up a release saying the acquisition strengthens DXC’s ability to help clients acquire and retain customers as well as build market share and strengthen their SAP practice.

Under construction: Reston-based General Dynamics expects to begin construction on the U.S. Navy’s new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine by the end of 2020. Washington Business Journal has more what the next phase entails.

Scooting right along: The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will host a hearing on a potential ordinance pertaining to scooters and other shared-mobility devices. InsideNoVA reports that if localities don’t adopt an ordinance or initiate a pilot program by Jan. 1, 2020, providers can rent devices without regulation.

Picture of health: Inova Health System added three new practice groups to its Merrifield campus. Washington Business Journal reports that this is part of changes by Inova CEO Dr. Stephen Jones to focus the health system on clinical care.

Heavy metal: McLean-based Iridium Communications announced the closing of a $1.45 billion, seven-year term loan, completing its financial transformation. A release picked up by citybizlist reports that an additional $100 million, five-year revolving loan facility is included in the new agreement.

Notable contract wins by firms in Fairfax County

• SAIC won a $55 million contract from Orange County, Calif., to continue providing information technology managed services and products to county agencies and departments. ExecutiveGov
• Booz Allen Hamilton received a potential seven-year, $116 million contract with the Department of Energy to analyze network risks and vulnerabilities. GovConWire
• Serco Group‘s North American division received a potential five-year, $43 million contract to support design and engineering work on a vessel for the Navy. GovConWire
• Boeing has a contract from U.S. Transportation Command to improve and sustain a logistics software application for the Department of Defense. GovConWire
• ManTech International has received a five-year, $132 million task order from the Army to create and integrate software for the Distributed Common Ground System. GovConWire

Featured business events

• November 13 — Procurement Academy: U.S.-Israel Innovation in Cyber, Homeland Security, Government.  An FCEDA Procurement Academy workshop that will highlight opportunities in government contracting for next-generation technology used by law-enforcement agencies, solutions for securing critical infrastructure, and cooperation between the United States and Israel on a range of technology-related projects. Event partners are BIRD, a bi-national industrial research and development foundation, and 22nd Century Technologies. Click here.
• November 13 — Making an Effective Process in 30 Minutes. Part of the Business Education Series presented by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Click here.
• November 14 — BL Small Business Expo. Visit with about 70 different exhibitors presenting a wide range of products and services that could help you enhance your business and/or life. Keynote speaker will be Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the FCEDA. Click here.
• November 14 — Opportunity Richmond Highway. Learn about new financial incentives for new development on Richmond Highway such as Opportunity Zones and the Economic Growth Improvement Program. Presented by the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation and the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce. Speakers include Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the FCEDA. Click here.
• December 11 — Spotting Phishing in 2020 – Safeguard Yourself and Your Organization. Part of the Business Education Series presented by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Click here.