• E-Newsletter

In the public interest: Reston-based Public Interest Registry, the nonprofit corporation that operates the .org Internet domain, announced the domain will be sold to private equity firm Ethos Capital. The Washington Business Journal said the Internet Society, which established the Public Interest Registry, said the deal would provide “an endowment of sustainable funding and the resources to advance our mission on a broader scale.”

Something to salute: In conjunction with Veterans Day, the Consumer Technology Association highlighted the partnership between Northern Virginia Community College and Tysons-based Alarm.com, along with other Fairfax County-based companies, as an example of how Virginia is building tech talent through apprenticeships for veterans. Read the full article here.

AI AI, captain: Tysons-based tech companies GuidonAI and BoodleAI have big plans for using artificial intelligence (AI) to boost fundraising, sales and marketing efficiency for non-profits and businesses. Tysons Reporter has more on the inspiration behind using AI how they plan to pursue this.

Foundation for success: Tysons-based MITRE Corporation launched a foundation, MITRE Engenuity, to focus on solving problems for a safer world. According to the press release, the foundation will work with the private sector to strengthen critical infrastructure and solve complex public challenges in cyber, 5G, and healthcare analytics.

We grow as we go: During the third quarter of the year, the FCEDA worked with 14 companies that will add more than 450 jobs to the county economy. The list was led by IT recruiting and staffing firm Randstad Technologies, which will add 300 jobs. Read the FCEDA release to learn more.

Every vote counts: The Reston Holiday Parade set for November 29 in Reston Town Center is again one of 20 nominated for the “10 Best” list published by USA Today. The top 10 winning events will be announced on Friday, Dec. 13.

Black, white and read all over: Tysons-based Gannett and GateHouse Media announced they will merge into one company under the Gannett name. The deal will create the largest U.S. media company by print circulation and one that will also vie for the biggest online news audience nationwide, says USA Today, which Gannett owns. And, the story notes, the combined company will be based in Tysons.

The sky’s the limit: Herndon-based BlackSky, a satellite imaging company, secured a $50 million loan from Tysons-based satellite firm Intelsat. According to Space News, the two companies are also establishing a commercial partnership to jointly develop data and imagery products.

(Re)Building bridges: The governors of Virginia and Maryland announced the states will partner to rebuild and widen the American Legion Bridge in a ­billion-dollar project to relieve congestion on the span that links Fairfax and Montgomery counties. Robert McCartney of the Washington Post reported the undertaking — the first of its kind between the states — will be built through public-private partnerships, in which the government teams up with private companies to finance, construct and operate big infrastructure projects.

Retail opportunity: The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors signed off on a new shopping center to replace two unoccupied older houses in the Mount Zephyr area in the Richmond Highway corridor. Covering the Corridor notes the old buildings were last used for a car-rental business and a title-loan office.

Virtually clear: Tysons-based DXC Technology has acquired the outstanding shares of Virtual Clarity, an IT-as-a-Service company. According to the press release citybizlist published, this acquisition further positions DXC as a leading provider of IT modernization services.

A giant leap: Giant Food has filed permits to open in the former Kmart space in Springfield Plaza. Bisnow reports that Giant will take the majority of the 76K SF space but leave about 10K SF available for other tenants.

Well-VERSEd: McLean-based real estate firm, The Mayhood Company, has been recognized by Delta Associates annual Awards for Excellence program. Citybizlist reports the company was recognized for its presales of Verse Condominiums, part of The Boro mixed-use development in Tysons.

New plans for old roads: The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission has accepted plans for rapid bus stations and bus lanes along Route 7 in Northern Virginia. WTOP has more on the new plan, which includes 18 specific bus rapid station locations from Tysons to Alexandria.

Notable contract wins by firms in Fairfax County

• Rolls-Royce received a potential $1.2 billion contract from the Navy to sustain V-22 Osprey engines. GovConWire
• Salient CRGT won a potential five-year, $482 million prime contract from the Department of Defense for information-network services. Potomac Tech Wire carried the release.
• Sevatec won a potential five-year, $116 million task order under the General Services Administration’s COMET blanket purchase agreement to help agencies modernize their digital services. Washington Technology
• SAIC won a potential three-year, $41 million contract to modernize the Army’s IT infrastructure. ExecutiveGov
• L3Harris Technologies and Northrop Grumman won a contract from the Air Force to develop and demonstrate electronic warfare system prototypes for F-16 fighter jets. GovConWire
• ManTech International won a potential five-year, $82 million task order to support the Naval Air Systems Command in advancing unmanned aircraft features. GovConWire
• Akima’s Sunik subsidiary won a potential eight-year, $75 million contract to provide base operations support at Marine Corps Base Quantico. GovConWire
• Perspecta Labs received a one-year, $6 million contract from the Army to develop to design, implement and evaluate an Integrated Network Planner Prototype for the Army. ExecutiveGov

Featured business events

• 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.