The first quarter of 2020 has been one with exciting new developments for Niyam. While we have had to make some adjustments to our daily operations in the interest of health and safety, we still have a lot to be proud of and more to look forward to.
Project Spotlight: US Dept. of Agriculture
In the Fall of 2019, Niyam IT received a firm fixed price purchase order from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) to conduct Post Implementation Reviews for its two primary business systems, the Integrated Management Administrative Resource Tool (iMART) and the Production, Supply, and Distribution (PSD) System. This was procured through our GSA IT Schedule 70.
The iMART provides a single, centralized, customer-focused, operations management system. The primary benefit of iMART is its ability to manage and integrate USDA’s strategic planning with human resources, logistics, and financial activities associated with overseas operations. The PSD system underpins the critical analysis and market intelligence that is foundational to the FAS mission of expanding U.S. agricultural exports through trade policy initiatives, marketing activities, and trade capacity projects. PSD serves as the primary data system for global agricultural production, trade, consumption, and stocks.
The objectives of the PIR were to: (1) objectively assess the degree to which a project investment has achieved the expected benefits in terms of improved efficiency and effectiveness; (2) assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the system development process; and (3) evaluate the investment decision-making processes that were followed in terms of their impact on the success rates of IT investments.
In January of this year Niyam delivered both final reports ahead of schedule. They were accepted by the government as written. The high degree of customer satisfaction with Niyam’s performance is reflected by comments received from the FAS Contracting Officer’s Representative: “Great job by you and your team!” and the FAS PSD Project Manager: “Thanks for the high-quality effort and results!”
From the Innovation Lab: Ai/ML
Always looking to break ground in emerging technology, Niyam is currently conducting tests and research in the realm of artificial intelligence and machine learning. While we are still in the early stages of such developments, right now our own team of experts is optimizing voice enablement AI and holographic flood analytic visual systems. Such systems are aimed to be operable and integrated through voice commands with flood concepts.
Using software from Google and Microsoft, this project will utilize voice command inputs to generate visual outputs. The outputs will be mappings of real-life city block layouts with the effects of potential flood scenarios using our own pre-existing data. We are excited to be on the forefront of pushing the limits of risk analysis; exploring new possibilities and probabilities in the face of flood disasters.
From the News: 2020 Salt Lake City Earthquake
On March 18, 2020, a 5.7 earthquake struck Salt Lake City, Utah. Thankfully, there were no casualties or major injuries as a result of the tremors, but our Hazus team was quick to act in order to conduct an economic loss evaluation in order to aid the measures of mitigation and relief.
While the specific dataset reports that have been produced are not yet publicly available, insight into these numbers shine a light on the types of structures that are at a greater risk of damage and demolition in the event of excessive seismic activity.
Our assessment of the aftermath gave evidence not just to geographic areas that were affected, but also to the structural makeup of the buildings that received most of the damages. It is our intention that empirical data such as this will be used to allocate assistance towards reinforcing certain structures that are more susceptible to damage caused by future tremors. With our Hazus team, we can assure a more proactive approach for natural disasters across the United States.
From the Office: Solutions Development Center
We are expanding! Niyam has recently acquired a secondary office space in Fairfax, VA that we are calling the Solutions Development Center. At 1,840 square feet, the Solutions Development Center will serve as a technical hub where we can better manage our projects and more easily serve our Washington, DC clientele. Unfortunately we do not have any photos at this point in time due to the necessary social distancing protocols, but we we are excited to utilize both spaces to the fullest potential.
For our friends in Loudoun County, our Leesburg office will remain as our primary headquarters where our internal operations staff will continue to conduct business and keep this machine moving forward!
Calendar Spotlight: Two Upcoming Flood Conferences
Niyam is scheduled to have a presence at two major upcoming flood conferences. Please note that our participation is of course contingent on current and future health and safety guidelines set forth by the CDC.
National Flood Conference | May 31 to June 3 | Baltimore, MD
Hosted each year, the National Flood Conference is where over 1,000 professionals, experts, and stakeholders in the flood insurance industry gather to discuss innovation within the most pressing and relevant topics in the field. Attendees have options to attend different sessions concurrent with tracks such as Claims/Legal, Lenders/Agents, Marketing/Training, Private Flood, and Underwriting/Risk Rating 2.0.
The event is co-hosted by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) and the Reinsurance Association of America (RAA).”
UPDATE: The National Flood Conference has been cancelled due to health and safety concerns raised by COVID-19.
ASFPM Annual National Conference | June 7 to June 11 | Fort Worth, TX
The 44th Annual National Conference hosted by the Association of State Floodplain Managers will be presented with the theme of “Resiliency Where the West Begins”. With over 1,000 attendees consisting of industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders, this event is an opportunity to meet, learn, network, and develop yourself with a diverse agenda of topics relevant to the field of floodplain management.