CGI Acquires Sunflower Systems, Leidos Secures $445M Contract, Executive Moves & Weekly Top 10 Stories

CGI announced on Tuesday that it acquired Annams Systems Corp., doing business as Sunflower Systems, a provider of asset management software products and services. The merger strengthens CGI’s position serving the needs of commercial entities and federal government agencies, including universities, law enforcement, national laboratories and other organizations. 

“CGI’s merger with Sunflower Systems is aligned to our Build and Buy strategy, providing opportunities to expand our offerings to the public and private sector, and offering IT modernization opportunities aligned with our strategy,” said Tim Hurlebaus, president of CGI Federal and 2019 Wash100 Award recipient. 

This Week’s Contract Awards

Leidos will provide information technology support for the U.S. Air Force’s classified and unclassified networks under a five-year, $445.4M contract, Leidos announced Wednesday. The company will perform a range of IT services at Air Force locations within the National Capital Region including the Pentagon building, Joint Base Andrews and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling 

DoD expects contract work to conclude by Sept. 2, 2024. 

This Week’s Executive Moves 

Eric Rickard, formerly a vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton and head of Defense Department and intelligence cyber programs for the company’s Strategic Innovation Group, has been named president and CEO of Sertainty Federal Services, GovConWire reported Tuesday. 

The more than three-decade industry veteran leads an organization that aims to help federal customers secure information and messaging platforms. Rickard oversees the creation of cyber-physical systems for clients worldwide for Booz Allen. Previously, he spent seven years at Raytheon, where he directed customer innovation and research and development efforts.

Elsewhere, Michelle O’Hara, a more than two-decade human resources professional, will assume the role of chief HR officer at Science Applications International Corp. on Oct. 1. 

She will report directly to Nazzic Keene, CEO of SAIC and a 2019 Wash100 Award winner, as a member of the company’s leadership team and succeed the retiring Karen Wheeler, who will stay with the company through Dec. 1 to facilitate a transition as the government technology services contractor completes the Engility integration.

“Michelle is an impressive strategic leader for the HR team that is critical in our ability to recruit, retain and develop the best talent in our industry,” Keene said.

In addition, Julie Sweet’s tenure as CEO of Accenture has begun after leading the professional services firm’s business in North America for the past four years. Sweet has succeeded former interim CEO and 36-year company veteran David Rowland, who now serves the company as executive chairman. 

Sweet, whose promotion was first announced in July, innovation, supports external discussions about innovation, the impact of technology on business and workplace diversity.