How technology and training enabled realtime coordination between USCG, DHS, and law enforcement during Super Bowl LIX, revolutionizing public safety and large-scale event security.
USAF CON-IT PROGRAM NAMED FINALIST FOR GITEC EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AWARDS 2025
Recognized for acquisition innovation, the Air Force’s CON-IT program drives cross-service collaboration and modernization.
contracting." SECURITY ORCHESTRATION: HOW DHS SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATED SEAMLESS COORDINATION AT SUPERBOWL 4
iTAK provided real-time intelligence, geofencing, and seamless coordination between USCG, DHS, and local law enforcement, ensuring a secure Super Bowl LIX and setting a new standard for public safety at major events.
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A HIGH-TECH PLAYBOOK FOR SECURITY DEFENSE PROCUREMENT BREAKTHROUGH
The USAF CON-IT program accelerates contract writing transformation, earning recognition for efficiency and interoperability.
The cover of this Spring 2025 edition of Synovation Quarterly features a captivating nighttime aerial view of New Orleans, showcasing the brilliantly illuminated Caesars Superdome. This vibrant image symbolizes not only the excitement and allure of Super Bowl LIX but also the sophisticated and collaborative security operations quietly working beneath the surface. The glowing Superdome, standing prominently against the city’s iconic skyline, reflects the vigilant watchfulness enabled by cutting-edge technologies and interagency cooperation.
This issue highlights the essential role of TAK, the GOTS, Team Awareness Kit, in facilitating real-time coordination among local, state, federal, and private security forces. Synergy-provided training prepared HSI personnel to readily deploy this technology ensuring seamless operational communication and rapid response capabilities during one of America’s highest-profile sporting events. Despite a demanding timeline, this mobile data mapping capability demonstrated immense potential for enhancing public safety through precise, real-time situational awareness.
Our cover story, “Multi-agency Collaboration: Mobile Device Support For Super Bowl LIX Security Teams,” dives deep into the transformative impact of TAK technologies. It reveals how forward-thinking, agile problemsolving, and effective multi-agency collaboration turned potential operational challenges into triumphs. As you explore this edition, discover how these advancements are setting new standards for event security and broader public safety initiatives.
USCG’S NEW DIGITAL GUARDIAN: SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR SUPER BOWL LIX
In February 2025, New Orleans hosted Super Bowl LIX, drawing millions of viewers worldwide and thousands of visitors into the bustling city. Beneath the excitement and fanfare was an intensive and sophisticated security operation involving multiple agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Secret Service, Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department. Central to these security operations was the government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) Team Awareness Kit (TAK), a powerful digital platform deployed by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to facilitate seamless, realtime communication and coordination across multiple security agencies.
This event marked the firstever implementation of TAK technology at the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Synergy's team
was instrumental in this achievement, delivering a fully functional TAK server to USCG mission owners within two months after inheriting a previously stalled project. The rapid deployment and comprehensive training provided
LEFT: Amid Super Bowl LIX crowds, security teams and barriers kept order, with TAK ensuring real-time coordinationforasafeNewOrleans experience
by Synergy enabled operational testing in the field, positioning the USCG Program Office to effectively evaluate TAK and iTAK for future use.
The Coast Guard immediately recognized the value in adapting TAK for their unique operational environment. Unlike traditional communication systems, TAK provided the USCG with unparalleled real-time situational awareness and secure inter-agency communication capabilities, directly supporting missioncritical activities in complex maritime and coastal settings. This strategic advancement signaled a clear shift toward an integrated and digitally sophisticated
approach to security operations.
Real-Time Situational Awareness
In the weeks leading up to Super Bowl LIX, New Orleans faced substantial security challenges. The city’s unique urban and maritime geography—with dense neighborhoods, extensive waterways, and critical infrastructure like the Caesars Superdome—necessitated a highly coordinated multiagency response. TAK provided an invaluable asset, offering real-time visibility of personnel, security assets, and evolving situations. Its capabilities enabled command centers and field units to maintain a unified operational picture, communicate securely, and act swiftly to address any potential threats.
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ABOVE: Synergy’sRandalTravis demonstrates iTAK’s real-time tracking and coordination capabilities to a U.S. Coast Guard officer, as tested during SuperBowlLIX
BELOW: DHS personnel on a armoredvehiclealongsidepolicein anATVsecureNewOrleansduring SuperBowlLIX
LEFT: Amid the pageantry of Super Bowl LIX, behind the scenes, TAK enabled security coordination,ensuringasafeand spectacular event for fans and performersalike
One notable advantage emphasized by Coast Guard officials was the widespread adoption of iOS devices within their teams. Previously reliant on Androidspecific solutions, the intro-
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lowed security personnel to practice and refine their reworld incidents, leveraging positional tracking and encrypted communications. that all involved agencies seamlessly coordinated during the high-pressure environment surrounding Super praised TAK’s contribureadiness. Command center personnel reported that the increased real-time awareness significantly improved
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ABOVE: iTAK in action—mobile application provides real-time, 3-D views of topography and assets strategically positioned around the Caesars Superdome, enablingseamlesscoordinationandrapidresponseduringSuperBowlLIX
BELOW: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes greets fans in the stands within thesecureCaesarsSuperdome
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formed, rapid decisions. Field teams benefited from immediate communication and visibility, ensuring agile responses to evolving situations.
Expanding Future Capabilities
Following the positive experience with TAK and iTAK at the Super Bowl, the USCG is now exploring broader applications, particularly in operations critical to their core mission—such as maritime interdictions, hurricane management, and disaster response efforts. Future enhancements are anticipated to include satellite communication capabilities via services such as Starlink, ensuring continuous connectivity even in severely disruptive environments like natural disasters or remote maritime operations.
In addition to satellite connectivity, future iterations of TAK and iTAK are expected to incorporate advanced predictive analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities. These enhancements will provide agencies with more precise intelligence, earlier warnings, and improved planning capabilities, enabling even greater responsiveness in dynamic and unpredictable scenarios.
LEFT: Victoryonandoffthefield—while theEaglesclaimedtheLombardiTrophy, TAK assisted a seamless security operation, protecting players, fans, and thecityduringSuperBowlLIX.
"The successful deployment of TAK at Super Bowl LIX sets a new standard for public safety technologies," stated Randal Travis, Program Manager for Synergy’s Sextant platform. "Our team demonstrated extraordinary adaptability and commitment, ensuring agencies had immediate access to powerful, reliable operational tools."
A Blueprint for Public Safety
The success of TAK and iTAK technologies at Super Bowl LIX represents a pivotal step toward enhanced public safety and multiagency coordination. The experience gained and lessons learned from this high-profile deployment will undoubtedly inform and improve future security planning and operational execution across various scenarios. As these technologies continue evolving and expanding, their adoption across federal, state, and local levels will reshape public safety and emergency response, safeguarding communities nationwide with unmatched precision and efficiency.
By harnessing the power of TAK technology, agencies nationwide are positioned to achieve unprecedented levels of coordination and responsiveness, safeguarding communities and public events with advanced technological capabilities and seamless operational integration.
USAF CON-IT PROGRAM NAMED FINALIST FOR GITEC EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AWARDS 2025
BELOW: At the Synergy CON-IT exhibit duringDAFITC2024inMontgomery,AL, Synergy’s Managing Director Steve Hofinger, CON-IT Program Director George Sarmiento, and Director of Innovation Daniel Streicher discuss CON-IT’s role in modernizing defense acquisition through Agile, low-code solutions and cross-service collaborationwithUSAFattendees.
In a milestone achievement for defense acquisition innovation, the U.S. Air Force’s Contracting-Information Technology (CON-IT) Program has been named a finalist for the 2025 Government Information Technology Executive Council (GITEC) Emerging Technology Awards. This recognition underscores the program’s pioneering efforts in modernizing contract writing systems across multiple military branches, reinforcing efficiency, interoperability, and mission readiness.
The GITEC Emerging Technology Awards celebrate federal programs that have demonstrated exceptional technological advancements in support of government operations. These awards recognize teams that leverage innovation to enhance mission outcomes, optimize resource utilization, and foster collaboration across agencies. Each year, finalists are selected based on their measurable impact, creativity, and ability to drive longterm transformation within government IT ecosystems.
A Multi-Service Breakthrough in Acquisition Innovation
The USAF CON-IT program’s finalist designation falls under the Acquisition Innovation and Impact Award category, a testament to its profound influence on modern defense procurement strategies. The program, in collaboration with the U.S. Army’s Army Contract Writing System (ACWS) and the Navy’s electronic Procurement System (ePS), exemplifies the power of inter-service cooperation in driving efficiency and cost savings.
At the end of FY21, both the Army and Navy faced significant obstacles in their decade-long contract writing system transformations. Rather than reinvent the wheel, they turned to the Air Force’s government-owned, Agile, low-code solution — CON-IT — as a foundation for their own programs. By leveraging the Air Force’s existing platform, the Army
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and Navy rapidly pivoted from their previous strategies, fielding prototypes within a year and production-ready solutions within two years. This approach not only accelerated deployment timelines but also established a shared development roadmap, fostering a collaborative, non-duplicative model of software enhancement.
Driving Innovation and Long-Term Impact
The key to CON-IT’s success lies in its adaptive, low-code architecture and its emphasis on cross-service functionality. By standardizing a shared product baseline, the program enables each branch to tailor its own Agile Acquisition Strategy while maximizing technology reuse and interoperability. This approach enhances system resilience, reduces costs, and mitigates risks associated with vendor lock-in. Furthermore, the use of APIdriven data exchanges ensures seamless integration across defense acquisition platforms, supporting realtime decision-making and operational agility.
Beyond technological advancements, CON-IT’s collaborative governance model has been a gamechanger. The initiative is supported by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among key stakeholders from the Air Force, Army, Navy, and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). Quarterly cross-service summits provide a structured forum for
ThiscollaborationisanovelapproachtoAgile systemsdevelopmentandhas provenrealvalue, ensuringnoduplicationofeffort whilequadruplingfunctional development horsepower."
LEFT: CON-IT Program Sarmiento and Director Steve acquisition innovation inMontgomery,AL.
addressing challenges, refining the shared roadmap, and accelerating innovation. By empowering Agile teams with decision-making authority at the lowest feasible level, the program minimizes bureaucratic delays and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
Recognition and Prospects
As a finalist for the GITEC Emerging Technology Awards, the CON-IT program stands as a shining example of how federal agencies can break down silos to achieve transformative results. The recognition highlights not only the program’s technical achievements but also its broader impact on defense procurement and operational readiness.
Moving forward, the USAF CON-IT team remains committed to further refining its platform, exploring emerging technologies, and expanding cross-service collaboration to ensure that military procurement remains agile, efficient, and future-ready.
Program Director George Synergy Managing Hofinger discuss innovation at DAFITC 2024 AL.
ABOVE: Transforming USAF Contracting: In its first year, ACWS onboarded 1,700 users, executed 1,281 contract actions, and managed $81M in obligations. Performance optimizations boosted processing efficiency by 51%, while Agile innovations accelerated delivery.AsofAugust2024,CON-ITismandatedforall USAFWeaponsSystemsprocurements.
The winners of the GITEC Emerging Technology Awards will be announced at the annual GITEC conference, where leading innovators across the federal IT landscape will gather to celebrate groundbreaking advancements. Regardless of the final outcome, the CON-IT program has already set a new benchmark for acquisition innovation within the Department of Defense, demonstrating that collaboration and technology can go hand in hand to drive mission success.
