Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

Former Army colonel, wife sentenced to prison for roles in Fort Gordon fraud, kickback scheme

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A former active-duty U.S. Army colonel and his wife were sentenced to federal prison and fined more than $200,000 Feb. 5th for their roles in steering government contracts to co-conspirators in return for cash.

Anthony Roper of Augusta, Georgia pled guilty to Procurement Integrity Fraud and was sentenced to 60 months in prison and fined $200,000. He also will be subject to three years of supervised release after his sentence is completed.  There is no parole in the federal prison system. Roper’s wife, Audra Roper, pled guilty to Accessory After the Fact and was sentenced to 28 days in prison, fined $10,000, and placed on five years of probation.

According to evidence presented during guilty pleas and sentencing hearings, Anthony Roper, then in active-duty status at Fort Gordon, accepted bribes from Calvin Devear Lawyer, a retired U.S. Army colonel, to steer Army contracts worth more than $20 million to Lawyer’s company, the CREC group. Based on false representations from Lawyer and Dwayne Oswald Fulton, then an employee of a defense contractor, CREC group had been awarded Small Business Administration (SBA) status as a small, disadvantaged business, and the company used that status to gain competitive advantage in contracting.

The conspiracy also included the creation of fraudulent documents in an attempt to cover up bribes to Anthony Roper after law enforcement agencies discovered the scheme. Lawyer previously pled guilty in the case and was sentenced to 60 months in prison. As part of his sentence, Lawyer also paid a $3 million personal money judgment and a $2 million civil penalty.

The cases were investigated by the United States Army Criminal Investigations Division (CID), the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General, and the United States Attorney’s Office.

“Taxpayers deserve above-board behavior from those who do business with the federal government, especially with the military,’” said Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “It is particularly disappointing when members of the armed forces violate their oaths of office to steal from the public, and our office will prosecute those crimes vigorously.”

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdga/pr/former-army-colonel-wife-sentenced-prison-roles-fort-gordon-fraud-kickback-scheme

Fort Gordon to hold ‘forecast forum’ Dec. 13th

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If you are interested in learning about upcoming contract opportunities at Fort Gordon, you should consider attending the base’s year-end Forecast Forum on December 13, 2018.

Fort Gordon’s Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) is inviting all businesses to hear their presentation on their anticipated forecasted opportunities for FY 2019 and FY 2020.

Additional presentations will be made by representatives of the Georgia District Office of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC), and the General Services Administration (GSA).

On-site registration for the event begins at 8:00 am.  The event is scheduled to begin at 8:30 am and end at noon.

Location: Signal Theater – Building 21610 (next to the indoor swimming pool), Fort Gordon, GA 30905.

Important access information: If you have Military/DoD Civilian ID or CAC Card, you can gain access to Fort Gordon through any gate.  If you do not, you can gain access only through the Main Gate (Gate 1) by way of Dyess Parkway and Gordon Highway.  You will need to show auto registration, auto insurance, driver’s license and a second form of ID.  Please allow extra time for background check and vehicle inspection.  Do not speed or use cellular phones without a hands-free device while driving on Fort Gordon.  All vehicles must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

Registration: There is not a formal registration process, but those who wish to attend are asked to contact Ophelia Brown in advance via email to:  ophelia.m.brown.civ@mail.mil

See promotional flyer here: MICC Fort Gordon Forecast Forum FY19 – 12.13.2018

 

 

Judge imposes maximum sentences in Fort Gordon bid-rigging conspiracy

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Two men who took part in a bid-rigging and bribery scheme involving $54 million in contracts at Fort Gordon received the maximum prison terms of five years last Wednesday despite the recommendation from the U.S. Attorney’s office for a reduction in their sentence.

Calvin Lawyer, 60, and Dwayne O. Fulton, 59, admitted in November to their roles in the conspiracy that ran from 2008, when Lawyer retired as a full colonel and started his own business called Communications Research Engineering and Consultant Group with the goal of obtaining government contracts. But Lawyer didn’t need to compete with other contractors because he paid bribes to ensure he got no-bid contracts from his former subordinate Col. Anthony Roper.

After learning they were under investigation in 2016, Lawyer, Roper and his wife, Audra Roper, and Fulton, who worked for the large defense contractor Kratos Defense & Security Solutions inc., fabricated documents to try to cover their tracks.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.augustachronicle.com/news/20180523/judge-imposes-maximum-sentences-in-fort-gordon-bid-rigging-conspiracy

Read earlier posts about this case here:

Fort Gordon schedules acquisition open house June 5th

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U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) Fort Gordon is inviting businesses to attend a “Forecast Forum” to learn about anticipated contracting opportunities for FY18 and FY19.

The event will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2018, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Sign-in for the event will begin at 8:00 am.  It will be conducted in Alexander Hall, Building 29805, Fort Gordon, GA 30905 (next to Signal Towers).

Additional presentations will be provided by representatives of the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center, the General Services Administration, and FedBid.

Attending is free; however, interested persons should contact Ms. Ophelia Brown to let her know they plan to attend.  Ms. Brown’s email address is:  ophelia.m.brown.civ@mail.mil

IMPORTANT RULES:  If you have Military/DoD Civilian ID or CAC Card, you can gain access to Fort Gordon through any gate.  If you do not, you can only gain access through the Main Gate by way of Dyess Parkway and Gordon Highway.  You will need to show Auto Registration, Auto Insurance, Driver’s License and another form of ID.  Please allow extra time for background check and vehicle inspection.  Do not speed or use cellular phones without a hands-free device while driving on Fort Gordon.  All vehicles must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

 

 

 

U.S. Attorney for Southern District of GA announces results of recent procurement fraud prosecutions

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As part of a new emphasis on procurement fraud enforcement within the Southern District of Georgia, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia has announced the results of a series of recent procurement fraud prosecutions.

Over the past several months, the strike force’s efforts resulted in five guilty pleas and twelve civil settlements, including the following publically available actions:

  1. United States of America v. Dwayne Fulton (1:17-CR-35)
  2. United States of America v. Calvin Lawyer (1:17-CR-35)
  3. United States of America v. Anthony Roper (1:17-CR-35)
  4. United States of America v. Audra Roper (1:17-CR-35)
  5. United States ex rel. Major Contracting Services, Inc. v. Military Training Solutions, LLC and ADCO Holdings, Inc., et al. (4:16-cv-115)
  6. United States of America v. Robert Obradovich (4:18-CR-47)

These prosecutions and civil settlements with the named individuals and entities, as well as others, stemmed from a wide variety of fraudulent conduct, including bribery of public officials, illegal kickbacks, illegal arrangements between large contracting companies and certified small or 8(a) businesses acting as “front” companies, and billing for services not rendered.  Each of the individuals who has pled guilty awaits sentencing.  The total financial recovery for the United States thus far has exceeded $7.4 million.  Several of these investigations remain ongoing.

“The Southern District of Georgia is the proud home of several major military installations that serve a vital role both in our national defense and the district’s local economy,” said United States Attorney Bobby L. Christine.  “Those who do business with these installations should be on notice – ripping off the United States will not be tolerated! This office will bring to bear the full weight of our resources to hold fraudsters accountable.”

The joint strike force that led to these convictions and settlements involved agents, investigators, and auditors from the Department of Justice, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Army Criminal Investigation Command (Major Procurement Fraud Unit), Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General.  Significant and critical assistance was also provided by civilian and military personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force stationed at affected military installations.

“The American public expects the Department of Defense (DoD) to spend limited taxpayer funds efficiently and economically.  Bribery and other corrupt behavior by public officials and defense contractors diverts and wastes precious dollars intended to provide critical products and services for our Warfighters.  These results demonstrate the effectiveness of investigative efforts by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service to protect the integrity of all DoD programs,” said Special Agent in Charge John F. Khin, Southeast Field Office.

“These settlements stand as proof of the tenacity of our special agents,” said Frank Robey, director of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit. “It is important for those who conspired to profit from illegal payments take responsibility for their actions. The settlements hold the defendants accountable and send a message to others that these violations will be taken seriously.”

“Our partnership with the joint procurement fraud strike force ensures fair and open competition for U.S. Government contracts which support the training and readiness of Marine Corps personnel,” said H. Andrew Goodridge, Special Agent in Charge, NCIS Carolinas Field Office.

“SBA OIG will aggressively investigate allegations of fraud involving SBA’s preferential contracting programs, to include false statements made to gain access to contracting opportunities set aside for small businesses,” said SBA OIG Eastern Region Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kupperbusch.  “SBA’s preferential contracting programs are intended to promote the economy and grow and develop small businesses across the nation.  I want to thank the U.S Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and hard work throughout these investigations.”

SBA’s General Counsel, Christopher Pilkerton said, “These successful prosecutions demonstrate the tremendous results achieved through the combined efforts of federal agencies to uncover and forcefully respond to procurement fraud.  SBA is strongly committed to identifying and aggressively pursuing instances of fraud perpetrated by those participating in SBA’s procurement programs.”

The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian T. Rafferty, Shannon H. Statkus, J. Thomas Clarkson, Matthew A. Josephson, and Jonathan A. Porter.  Any claims resolved by the civil settlement agreements are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Each of the civil settlements resolved potential liability under the False Claims Act.  Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers can be entitled to a portion of the amount recovered by the United States.  The United States Attorney’s Office also reminds contractors that businesses and individuals that self-disclose potential violations can be eligible for significantly reduced penalties.

If you have any information regarding potential procurement fraud, please contact Assistant United States Attorney J. Thomas Clarkson at (912) 201-2601.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdga/pr/southern-district-georgia-announces-results-recent-criminal-and-civil-procurement-fraud

Fort Gordon holding ‘acquisition forecast’ open house on Dec. 7th

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The Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) at Fort Gordon is inviting vendors to a “Forecast Forum” to provide anticipated contracting opportunities for FY 2018 and beyond.

Additional presentations will be provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the General Services Administration (GSA), FedBid, and the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC).

Date: 7 December 2017

Time: 1:00 P.M. –  4:30 P.M.

Sign-in: 12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Location: Alexander Hall, Building 29805, Fort Gordon, GA 30905 (next to Signal Towers)

Registration: Send an email to: Ophelia.M.Brown.civ@mail.mil

IMPORTANT NOTES:  If you have Military/DoD Civilian ID or CAC Card, you can gain access to Fort Gordon through any gate.  If you do not, you can only gain access through the Main Gate by way of Dyess Parkway and Gordon Highway.  You will need to show Auto Registration, Auto Insurance, Driver’s License and another form of ID.  Please allow extra time for background check and vehicle inspection.  Do not speed or use cellular phones without a hands-free device while driving on Fort Gordon.  All vehicles must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

Army and Navy cyber command ready way ahead of schedule

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U.S. Army Cyber Command announced November 2 that all 41 of its active duty Cyber Mission Force teams were validated as having achieved full operational capability in September 2017, more than a year ahead of schedule. To read the official announcement, click on photo above.   (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Steve Stover)

The Army and Navy components of the military’s Cyber Mission Forces have reached full operational capability, the services announced Thursday, beating their 2018 deadline by roughly a year.

The Army and Navy announcement marks a major milestone for U.S. Cyber Command, which has grown since 2010 from a rough plan to build a military unit complementary to the largely civilian National Security Agency to what will soon be a full combatant command.

Together, the Army and Navy components comprise about 60 percent of the 6,200 cyber troops divided among 133 teams that will make up a fully operational U.S. Cyber Command next year.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2017/11/army-and-navy-cyber-command-ready-way-ahead-schedule/142278

Note: The Army Cyber Command is headquartered at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA.  In June of 2017, groundbreaking was held for the construction of the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, a $60 million compound that will feature research and classroom space for Augusta University and the state’s technical colleges, as well as office space for established and startup companies.  For more information, see: http://gtpac.org/2017/06/21/new-training-center-in-augusta-to-counter-emerging-cyberthreats/

Former Army officer charged with bribery and fraud in connection with Ft. Gordon contracts

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A retired Army colonel whose business company reportedly was used to commit bribery to obtain more than $20 million in government contracts has been charged with conspiracy.

A conspiracy charge was lodged Monday, Oct. 2, 2017 in U.S. District Court against Calvin Devear Lawyer that charges him with conspiracy, a crime punishable by up to five years.

According to court documents, Lawyer set up a company named Communications, Research, Engineering and Consultant Group before he retired from the Army after 20 years in February 2008. The purpose of the company was to try to win contracts with the U.S. government and private contractors.

But the company was used to bribe those responsible for awarding contracts and bid-rigging at Fort Gordon, according to the documents.

Keep reading this article at: http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/2017-10-03/former-army-officer-charged-conspiracy-bribe-and-commit-fraud-government-contracts

Ft. Gordon holding ‘forecast forum’ on July 13th

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The U.S. Army’s Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) at Fort Gordon invites you to a “Forecast Forum” where anticipated contracting opportunities for FY 2017 and beyond will be presented.

The Form will be held on July 13, 2017, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Event sign-in is from 7:30 A.M. to 8:00 A.M.

Location:

Olmstead Hall, Building 29805, Fort Gordon, GA 30905 (Located next to Signal Towers)

For further information: 

Contact: ophelia.m.brown.civ@mail.mil

Important access information:

If you have Military/DoD Civilian ID or CAC Card, you can gain access to Fort Gordon through any gate.  If you do not, you can gain access only through the Main Gate by way of Dyess Parkway and Gordon Highway.  You will need to show current Auto Registration, Auto Insurance, Driver’s License and another form of ID.  Please allow extra time for background check and vehicle inspection.  Do not speed or use cellular phones without a handsfree device while driving on Fort Gordon.  All vehicles must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

 

New training center in Augusta to counter emerging cyberthreats

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This is a rendering of the future $60 million Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center to be built in downtown Augusta.

In December, as the legislative session was about to kick into high gear, two well-connected Georgia business leaders approached Gov. Nathan Deal’s office with an ambitious idea for the state to build a high-tech training center to assist the NSA and U.S. Army Cyber Command, which just weeks earlier had broken ground on its future headquarters at Fort Gordon.

It would need to be built quickly to stringent national security specifications to handle classified intelligence. But such a center could bolster the state’s claim as a vital center in the nation’s sprawling intelligence network.

The Army Cyber Command is headquartered at Fort Gordon.

On Monday, just six months later, Gov. Nathan Deal and leaders in Augusta held a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark construction of the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, a $60 million compound that will feature research and classroom space for Augusta University and the state’s technical colleges, as well as office space for established and startup companies.

About 28,000 civilians in Georgia work in cybersecurity. About 13,000, including military personnel, work in cybersecurity in the Augusta area, Deal said Monday.

Keep reading this article at: http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/AtlantaJournalConstitution/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=AJC/2017/06/20&entity=Ar00106&sk=EC2A4954

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