Upcoming Events
FED DEF 2025
IDA Headquarters
730 East Glebe Road
Alexandria, VA 22305
March 11-13, 2025
Registration Opens: Jan 2025
Agenda: Feb 2025
PLEASE NOTE
Content will be at the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) level.
Attendees will have the opportunity to actively participate in a variety of sessions, including special presentations, panel discussions, deep dive working groups focused on digital engineering (topics published with the final agenda), and hear from featured speakers.
FED DEF provides an opportunity to share knowledge and network with government peers and experts, fostering relationship-building that can help accelerate organizational efforts to achieve digital engineering success. To facilitate deeper discussions, content will be at a Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) level.
IMPACT
Attendance at the Federal Digital Engineering Forum (FED DEF) will provide an environment for digital engineering practitioners and decision makers to collaborate, share best practices, success stories, address challenges. This three-day forum to be held in Alexandria, VA is the premier event for digital engineers’ community across the Federal Government from the DoD services, DoE, DHS, NASA, NOAA, NGA, NRO, FAA, and others.
Featured Speakers
U.S Representative Chrissy Houlahan, Represents Pennsylvania 6th Congressional District
(pre-recorded video remarks)
U.S Representative Sean Casten, Represents Illinois 6th Congressional District
(pre-recorded video remarks)
Stephen Welby, Former Special Assistant to the U.S. President for Science and Technology
Agenda Summary
July 9th
8:00 AM
↓
8:15 AM
Introduction
Daniel Hettema
8:15 AM
↓
9:00 AM
Featured Speaker: Dr. Will Roper, Founder and CEO, Istari Digital; Former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.
9:00 AM
↓
10:30 AM
PANEL – “Interagency Perspectives of Digital Engineering discussion bringing together federal agencies to share valuable lessons learned in implementing DE initiatives”
10:45 AM
↓
12:15 PM
PANEL – “Aligning Academia and Government to Achieve Digital Engineering Transformation, focused on the future of the workforce from 2 year A.S. degrees to PHDs”
12:15 PM
↓
1:00 PM
Lunch
1:15 PM
↓
2:30 PM
Working Group Outbriefs:
- Workforce and Culture
- Measures of Success
- Emerging Technologies in Digital Transformation
- Digital Ecosystems
- Model Integration and Standards
2:30 PM
↓
3:15 PM
Industry / Professional Societies and Standards Bodies Presentations
3:15 PM
↓
4:00 PM
OUSD(R&E) Presentations
Panels
Day 1: Industry Perspective on Government Digital Engineering Transformation
Abstract: This panel will bring together industry leaders from companies of various sizes to discuss the challenges and opportunities of digital engineering adoption within government agencies. Panelists will share insights on how their organizations are navigating government regulations, overcoming barriers to implementation, and leveraging digital engineering to drive innovation in the public sector. The discussion will provide a diverse perspective on how collaboration between industry and government can accelerate the adoption of digital technologies across agencies.
Moderator: Travis Demeester, Program Manager, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Panelists: Christian Oliver, Co-Founder & CEO/CPO, BlueSky Innovations; Christopher Finlay, Vice President of Innovation, SAIC; Renee Pasman, Vice President, Integrated Systems for Advanced Development Programs (ADP), Lockheed Martin; David Kepczynski, Global Chief of Digital Transformation for Product Development, Ford Motor Company
Day 2: The Role of Professional & Standards Organizations in Government Digital Engineering Transformation
Abstract: This panel will examine the critical role professional societies and standards bodies play in fostering partnerships for advancing digital engineering. Panelists will discuss how these organizations facilitate collaboration, establish best practices, and drive the development of industry standards essential for digital transformation. The discussion will also highlight the importance of aligning global standards with emerging technologies to ensure seamless integration and innovation in the digital engineering space.
Moderator: Michael Heaphy, Director, Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO), OUSD (R&E)
Panelists: Lesley West, ASTM Director of Product Management; Steve Records, Executive Director, INCOSE; Steve MacLaird, Col (Ret), USAF, SVP, Gov’t & Industry Strategy, Object Management Group (OMG); Jenny May Tsao, SWE GRPP Chair, SWE Baltimore-Washington Section President, and Women in Government AG Lead
Day 3: Aligning Academia and Government to Achieve DE Transformation, focuses on the future of the workforce from two-year A.S. degrees to Ph.Ds
Abstract: This panel discussion will explore the vital role academia plays in shaping the future workforce for digital engineering. Experts will discuss innovative curricula, interdisciplinary collaborations, and cutting-edge research that equip students with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The conversation will also address how partnerships between academia and government can close the skills gap and prepare graduates for the demands of digital transformation.
Moderator: Dr. Robert Raygan, USD(R&E)/SE&A DAU Faculty Rotation
Panelists: Philomena (Phil) Zimmerman, Research Scientist, Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC); Dr. Daniel DeLaurentis, Vice President for Discovery Park District (DPD) Institutes, PURDUE; Chris Crumbly, Executive Director and SET Program Manager for IDEA, Calhoun Community College, John M. M. Anderson, Ph.D., Dean, College of Engineering and Architecture, Howard University
Working Groups
At Virtual 2025 FED DEF, the following working groups will present summaries of their latest efforts and findings:
- Workforce and Culture
- Measures of Success
- Emerging Technologies in Digital Transformation
- Digital Ecosystems
- Model Integration and Standards
LOCATION
FED DEF will be held at IDA’s Potomac Yard Location.
IDA (Potomac Yard) is located at 730 East Glebe Road, Alexandria, VA, 22305.
- Potomac Yard Metro Station is now open and within a 5 min walking distance from the IDA conference center.
- Public transportation is strongly encouraged.
- Paid street and garage parking are available on Dogue Street at the American Physical Therapy Association (see map).
- IDA does not validate external parking.
- Do not park in the Potomac Yard Center (Target) lot or empty pavement directly across from the IDA building on Seaton Ave; towing is enforced.
The Institute for Defense Analyses
730 East Glebe Road
Alexandria, VA 22305