Digital News Coverage of Government Contracting and Federal Policy Landscape
2018 > October
Report: Gov’t Needs Fresh Tech Talent, Tech-Literate Leadership
FAA Receives NASA Air Traffic Management Technology
Coast Guard Rebrands Icebreaker Program With National Security Focus; Adm. Karl Schultz Quoted
NNSA Completes Final Design Review of B61-12 Bombs, Proceeds to Production Qualification Activities
DHS Releases Counterterrorism Research Dashboard
Air Force, Navy Officials Push for C-130 Aircraft Operating Capability Modernization
Karen Evans: CESER Begins to Implement Emergency Response, Cybersecurity Plans
Defense Health Agency Assumes Responsibility Over Military Medical Facilities
Robert Cardillo: NGA Leverages Tech to Process Large Amounts of Satellite Data
Trump Signs $674B Defense Appropriations Bill for Fiscal 2019
Air Force Selects Carnegie Mellon University to Host Human-Machine Teaming CoE
NASA Open to Sharing Scientific, Space Situational Awareness Data With China
DHS S&T Chooses Texas A&M University to Head Border Threat Screening, Supply Chain Defense CoE
FBI Director Christopher Wray: Companies Should Consider Partnering with Federal Gov’t to Combat Cybersecurity Threats
Air Force Names Army Vet Eileen Vidrine as Chief Data Officer
DHS S&T Reforms Business Strategy to Speed up Capability Deployment Operations
Patrick Shanahan: DoD Rescinds Contractor Payment Proposal
DOE Makes $28M R&D Investment for Energy Infrastructure Cybersecurity
Dana Deasy Talks Cyber, Cloud Efforts for DoD’s Digital Modernization Strategy
Former USACE Executive Gregory Garcia Named U.S. Army Deputy CIO
NASA, NOAA Establish Board to Study GEOS-17 Satellite Issue
VA, DoD Heads: Departments to Collaborate on Single EHR System Implementation
Capt. Ben McNeal: Navy Wants Industry to Back IT Modernization, Compliance via NGEN Recompete
FAA Eyes 2019 for Phased Assessment of Space-Based Aircraft Surveillance; Dan Elwell Quoted
Pentagon Certifies Joint Missile Defense Training Group as Center of Excellence
Marianne Kramer: Agencies Need to Control Their Cloud Transition Processes
Next-Generation Marine Corps Air Defense Radar Undergoing IOT&E
Report: Ellen Lord to Decide on Updated F-35 Modernization Plan in Coming Weeks
NIST Adds Seven Updates to Draft Risk Management Framework
Rep. Will Hurd: Technology Modernization Fund Board Will Receive Appropriations in 2019
NASA, Israel Partner to Support Upcoming Moon Mission
Report: Pentagon-Led Study Looks at US Military’s Dependence on Foreign Imports
Tim Sakulich Appointed to Lead Air Force Research Lab’s Materials, Manufacturing Directorate
DHS, DOE Launch Collaborative Effort to Secure Pipelines, Critical Infrastructure From Cyber Threats
Katie Wheelbarger: US Prepared to Use Cyber Defense Capabilities in Support of NATO
DHS Undersecretary Says Agency Ready to Defend Elections Against Meddling
Preliminary Analysis Shows Castor Seeds, Not Ricin, on Pentagon-Bound Envelopes
Rita Baranwal to be Nominated DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy
Ethical Hackers Identify 150 Vulnerabilities During Hack the Marine Corps Challenge
Frank Konieczny: Air Force Plans to Base Acquisition Process on Kessel Run
Suzette Kent: Emergency Alert System Test Seeks to Demonstrate Gov’t Digital Transformation
NASA, UAE Space Agency Expand Collaboration in Space Operations; Jim Bridenstine Quoted
DoD Completes Missile Defense Review
Katerina Megas: Agencies Must Recognize Cyber Risks in IoT Devices
DARPA Unveils Program to Speed Up Discovery of Molecules for Defense Applications
DoD’s Acting Deputy CIO for Cybersecurity Lays Out Short-Term Plans for Data Protection Efforts
Senate Approves Bill Renaming DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate
DISA Begins Redesign Effort on Acropolis Network; Matthew Matzer Quoted
VA Establishes Commission to Search for Veterans Health Administration Leader
Trump Issues New Strategy for Counterterrorism
US to Pursue Hypersonics as ‘Joint Effort’ Between Service Branches
DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen: FAA Reauthorization Would Help Government Regulate Drone Usage
Ryan McCarthy: Army Initiates Some Org Changes in Support of Futures Command
Gary Washington: USDA to Implement Modern Platforms in Next 12 Months Under CoE Program
AUSA Holds Fourth Innovators Corner for xTechSearch Semi-Finalists; Bruce Jette Quoted
Mark Esper: Army Could Free Up $25B to Support Six Modernization Priorities
Richard Spencer: Navy Needs to Resolve Recruitment, Retention Issues
Military Aviation Leaders Discuss Modern Logistics Systems for Aircraft Parts
VA Appoints IT Vet Paul Tibbits as Electronic Health Record Program Executive Director
DHS Releases Statement on Bloomberg Report on Alleged Server Hacking Incident
ManTech Names Yvonne Vervaet as SVP of Growth and Capabilities
Richard Spencer Discloses Names of Two Future Littoral Combat Ships
Report: DHS Anti-Email Spoofing Measure in Effect at Multiple Agencies
Navy Secretariat to Focus on DoD’s National Defense Strategy by Consolidating Business Operations
DHS Unveils Strategy on Electromagnetic Risk Management and Protection
Physicist Charles Verdon Appointed Deputy Administrator for DOE NNSA Office of Defense Programs
Jeanette Manfra: DHS Aims to Strengthen Cyber Workforce
GAO: Sustained Momentum in Identifying, Implementing Initiatives Key to Uphold Weapon System Cybersecurity
Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford Sets Priority on Cloud Migration Operations in 2019
Trump to Appoint OMB Executive Margaret Weichert as Acting OPM Director
DSCA Reports 33% Increase in FY 2018 Foreign Military Sales; Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper Quoted
Hill AFB Uses Tablets to Streamline F-35A Aircraft Maintenance
John Zangardi: DHS Needs to Modify Cyber, IT Hiring Process to Fill Skills Gap
Report: Chris Inglis Emerges as Pentagon Chief’s Pick to Lead NSA Should Split From Cybercom Advance
James Mattis: DoD Sets 80% Mission Capability Rate for Air Force, Navy Fighter Jets
Treasury Dept Issues Interim Rules for Foreign Investment Review Pilot Program
Former STRATCOM Executive Nina Armango Appointed as USAF Space Programs Director
Maj. Audricia Harris: DoD Works to Strengthen Cyber Defense Posture
DIA Chief of Staff Suzanne White Named Deputy Director
Heather Wilson, David Goldfein Set Priorities to Boost Air Force Readiness
Joseph Gordon Named Director of USAF’s Expanded Technology Transfer Program
Patrick Shanahan: Army Looks at Every Program to Advance Modernization
Maj. Gen. Patrick Higby Appointed Air Force IT Acquisition Process Development Head
DoD Launches Second Batch of MH Genesis EHR System Implementation
FBI Director Warns Senate of Threat Posed by Drones
Federal CIO Says Agencies Doing Well in Seven Cybersecurity Performance Indicators
Transportation Department Unveils Over $66B Investment for FY 2018 Infrastructure Programs
Ellen Lord: DoD to Audit Supply Chains of Defense, Aerospace Companies
Mike Griffin: Pentagon Should Create Dev’t Agency to Pursue ‘DoD Space Vision’
Navy Begins Formal F-35C Testing on USS Carl Vinson
KC-46 Simulator Components Installed at Pease Air National Guard Base
Army Seeks to Implement ‘Digitized’ Base Systems for Soldiers
Defense Innovation Board to Establish AI Ethical Practices; Joshua Marcuse Quoted
US Army Developing Strategy to Build Up ‘World-Class Workforce’
DOE Issues Restrictions on Sharing Civilian Nuclear Tech With China
Bindu Nair: Pentagon Aims to Accelerate Basic Research’s Impact on Capabilities Through Pilot Program
GAO Recommends Incorporating Coast Guard Acquisition Lessons Into Shipbuilding Program
OPM to Launch Two Direct Hiring Authorities for Agencies; Margaret Weichert Quoted
Thomas Webber: Army Sets Tech Focus on High-Energy Laser, Smallsats, Hypersonic Weapons
Four Senators Support Bill to Require Paper Ballots for U.S. Elections
Gov’t Employees Consider Workforce Training, Development Critical to Federal IT Modernization
Report: Senate OKs Gen. Robert Abrams as US Forces Korea Commander in Series of DoD Nominee Confirmations
Navy Holds In-House Research Event for New Threat Countering Technologies
Lead HHS Cyber Auditor Says Team ‘Well Aligned’ to Face Challenges
Andrew Charles: Navy Should Determine Where AI Fits Into System
Report: Military Bloggers Link Plumes of Light to Chinese Hypersonic Aircraft
David Chow: Housing and Urban Development Dept Eyes Financial Transformation via CoE, Tech Modernization Fund
Pete Gaynor Confirmed as FEMA Deputy Administrator; Kirstjen Nielsen Quoted
Treasury-OMB Report: Federal Budget Deficit at $779B in Fiscal 2018
DHS Aims to Address Supply Chain Risks in Federal Acquisition via New Task Force; Chris Krebs Quoted
Report: Over 80% of F-35s Return to Flight After Fuel Tube Inspection
OMB Official Seeks to Reskill Federal Workforce in IT Modernization Effort
Dana Deasy Calls on Agencies to Consider Senior Executives for Federal Tech Jobs
DOE to Fund Research on Solar Power Resiliency
Four Universities to Manage Nuclear Research Centers Under DOE NNSA Partnerships
National Space Council to Discuss Space Force Progress, Plans at Next Meeting
Brian Sadler: Army Aims to Accelerate Innovations in Autonomy Through AI
Lawmakers Want Election Service Providers Owned, Operated by US Persons
Gen. Joseph Dunford: ‘Whole-of-Government’ Approach Needed to Counter Violent Extremism
SEC Says Nine Public Firms Lost $100M to Cyber Fraud; Jay Clayton Quoted
James Geurts: Navy Needs to Take Action to Stay Ahead in Expeditionary Warfare
DHS Reports Increasing Agency Compliance With Email Security Directive
Report: Federal Govt Approaches Release Date of Updated Trusted Internet Connections Initiative
New Laboratory at NSWC Crane Focuses on Electro-Optical Technology
DHS, NASA Jointly Develop AI First Responder Support System
FDA, DHS Reunite to Address Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Healthcare Devices
GSA Seeks to Adopt Automation for Operational Efficiency, Savings
Commerce Dept Seeks Comments on Draft Practices in Federal Data Strategy
Trump Pegs FY 2020 Defense Budget at $700B
Navy Receives Approval to Begin New Mine Countermeasure USV Production
Report: F-35 JPO Determined to Meet July 2019 Deadline of Operational Tests
Navy Sets Plans to Meet DoD’s 80% Mission Capability Goal for Fighter Jets
GSA’s New Pilot Program Aims to Bolster eBuy Marketplace Transparency; Emily Murphy Quoted
Marine Corps Updates GC-SSMC Supply, Maintenance Operations Tool
NASIC Expert Recommends Shift of Focus Towards Adversarial On Orbit Surveillance Systems
NASIC Expert Sees Possible Threat From Chinese Lunar Relay Satellite
Grant Schneider: National Cyber Strategy Promotes Action, Accountability
FDA Issues Draft Guidance for Medical Device Cyber Management
Report: CFO Act Agencies Approach Goal for Data Center Closures
Steve Clarke: NASA Eyes Moon as an Observational Platform to Gather Space Data
David Berger: Marine Corps Accelerates Tech Experimentation Processes
SEC to Hold 2018 Small Business Capital Formation Forum at Ohio State University
SEC to Address Financial Technology Concerns, Innovations via New Hub
OMB Official Endorses Strategy to Promote Adoption of Evidence-Based Policymaking
CBO Report: Navy Shipbuilding Plan to Cost Roughly $30B Annually for 30 Years
Army Official: JEDI Does Not Preclude Other Cloud Initiatives
Library of Congress to Unveil Crowdsourcing Program as Part of Digital Strategy
Rep. Mac Thornberry Seeks More Data on Pentagon’s Space Force Formation Plan
IDC Report Describes HHS Implementation of Blockchain in Acquisition Record-Keeping
ODNI, FBI, DHS and DOJ Express Concern Over Threats to US Elections
Hector Lopez to Lead Undersea Warfare Technical Efforts at NUWC Division Newport
Census Bureau Boosts Cybersecurity Efforts Ahead of 2020 Census
Report: HHS to Field Blockchain Tool for Health Acquisition Platform by Thanksgiving
Trump Discusses Defense Matters at Luke AFB
Report: Army Plans to Test New Software for Vehicle-Based Command System
Army Trains to Use New EW Backpack System
Report: Draft Directive Calls for DoD to Submit Legislative Proposal for ‘Space Force’
Matt Cutts Named Permanent US Digital Service Administrator, Eddie Hartwig Promoted to Deputy Administrator
Navy Commissions First UAS-Focused Test Squadron
Avi Bender: Federal Gov’t Needs Innovative Measures to Implement Shared Services for Data
White House Urges Private Sector to Support Federal Recruitment of Technical Workers
Labor Department Proposes Association Retirement Plans for Small Business Employees
Report: Army’s CDID Eyes Robotic Technologies for Precision Strikes Against Enemies
DOE CIO Seeks to Approach IT Programs Using Business Case Analyses
CMS Reports Data Breach Compromising Info of 75K Individuals
FAS, IRS Procure Modern Systems to Streamline Contracting Processes
House Lawmakers Ask DoD’s Inspector General to Initiate JEDI Cloud Contract Probe
Mike Pence: ‘Space Force’ Aims to Address ‘Fragmented Responsibilities’ Over National Security Programs
Air Force Materiel Command Saves $1.3B Through Procurement Fraud-Detection Efforts
Report: Army Applications Lab to Help Startups Deal With Defense Acquisition Operations
GSA Develops AI Platform to Evaluate Contract Solicitation Regulation Compliance
Army Rapid Capabilities Office Developing Aerial Electronic Warfare Solution
DOE Allots $53M Solar Technology R&D Projects; Rick Perry Quoted
DHS S&T Wants Answers to 4 Questions Before Implementing New Cybersecurity Strategy
Commerce Department to Hold Second Software Transparency Workshop in November
NSWC Crane Signs Chemical Reaction R&D Agreement With Indiana-Based University
Suzette Kent: Data Management Efforts, Investments in AI Must be Synchronized
Patrick Shanahan: ‘Space Force’ Needed to Ensure US Supremacy in Space
GAO: VA Should Address Contracting Officers’ Training Needs in Veterans First Program Implementation
DISA’s Brian Hermann: DoD Should Change Policies for Commercial Products Ahead of DEOS Contract
Cyber Op Under Way to Deter Russian Interference in Elections
Department of the Navy Issues 2019-2021 Business Operations Strategy
DHS Looks to Update Cybersecurity Sensor System for Cloud Compliance
DoD Assistant Secretary Robert Karem Joins Senator Mitch McConnell’s Office
Defense Innovation Board Publishes Guidelines to Identify Legitimate Agile Development Projects
DIU Tests Winning Emergency Response Algorithms From xView Challenge
Defense Digital Service Aims to Facilitate Cyber Tech Development via New Workspace in Georgia
Roberto Guerrero: Air Force Should Improve Operational Data Analysis to Boost Combat Capability
DOE to Seek Water Security Innovations Through Grand Challenge
Trump Orders National Spectrum Policy Development to Advance 5G Innovation
NASA Seeks to Advance Space Operations With 3D Printing Tech
Inspector General Reviews DOE’s Unclassified Cybersecurity Program
Heather Wilson: Air Force to Boost Readiness Capability of 204 Squadrons by 2020
DHS Calls for Research Into Holding Supply Chain Firms Accountable for Security Lapses
Christopher Krebs: NPPD Seeks to Understand Industry Functions, Services in Critical Infrastructure
DHS S&T, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Host Workshop for Airport Security
Patrick Shanahan: DoD Works on Two Budget Requests for Fiscal 2020
OMB Guidance Sets New Continuous Diagnostics & Mitigation Requirements for Agencies
Brig. Gen. Steven Blaymaier: Air Force to Implement Conditions-Based Maintenance for C-130J, KC-135 Aircraft
DHS Eyes Risk Scoring Tool for CDM Program’s Next Phase
IBM Strikes $34B Deal for Red Hat; Ginni Rometty, Jim Whitehurst Quoted
Report: CMS Officials Say No Protected Information Exposed in Website Hacking Incident
Joe Dunford: US Global Alliance Network ‘Strategic Source of Strength’
USAF Submits Squadron Readiness Plans; Heather Wilson Quoted
NATO Holds Classified Meeting to Discuss US Pull-Out From Nuclear Treaty
Private Firms Expect Initial Briefing on FAA Regulatory Revisions for Commercial Flight Operations
Mary Miller Cites Challenges in Directed Energy Weapons Development
GSA, USDA, Labor Dept Awarded Second Round of Tech Modernization Funds
PSC’s Alan Chvotkin: Cybersecurity, IT Modernization to Drive Federal Acquisition
CBO: Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Bill Would Cost $2.5M Over 5 Years
Maj. Gen. Charles Cleveland Appointed NGA Director of Operations, Military Deputy
DoD Comptroller Describes $1B Pentagon-Wide Audit Service to Taxpayers
Space and Missile Systems Center Chief Wants Agile, Resilient Space Architecture
Rob Walker Named CTO at NSWC Crane
Adm. Karl Schultz: Coast Guard to Maintain MH-65 Fleet Until 2030
DOE Solicits Input on Proposed Execution of Critical Electric Infrastructure Information Designation Authority
NSWC PHD Port Hueneme Division Begins Modification Work on Navy Missile Launchers
Report: Tanya Skeen to Become Executive Director at F-35 Joint Program Office
DHS Hosts Industry Stakeholder Summit to Address First Responders’ Tech Requirements
DoD, ODNI Disclose FY 2018 Appropriated Funds for Military, National Intelligence Programs
Perspecta Awarded $564M DoD Software, Hardware Maintenance Task Order; Mac Curtis Quoted
AFS Names Ian McCulloh as Chief Data Scientist
DISA, Defense Security Service Host Informational Event About Personnel, Facility Clearances
HHS Opens Cybersecurity Coordination Center
Army Seeks Industry Support to Address Network Modernization Gaps; Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford Quoted
OPM Solicits Feedback on Proposed Revision of Direct Hire Authority Rules
NASA Scientists Seek to Leverage Nanoscale Materials to Facilitate Spacecraft Flights
DHS Forms Task Force to Address ICT Supply Chain Risks