Digital News Coverage of Government Contracting and Federal Policy Landscape
2019 > July
Christopher Scolese Confirmed to Head National Reconnaissance Office
Brian Thomas: NASA Eyes AI, Machine Learning Use in Four Categories
DoD’s Laser Device Could Help ID People Through Cardiac Signature
Vice Adm. Thomas Moore: Navy Intends to Upgrade Launchers on Destroyers for Hypersonic Weapons
Agencies Leveraging Data-Centric Approach to Address Issues
US Space Command to House Two Commands at Colorado, California
Avaya Wins 2019 Unified Communications Product of the Year Award
DARPA Seeks to Develop Genetics-Based Med Tech
FDA Issues Warning on Potential Insulin Pump Hack
USSOCOM Seeks Mobile App for Biometrics Operations
NIST Expecting Reduced Error Rates in Updated Face Recognition Vendor Test
USDA Reports Fiscal 2018 Tech Transfer Achievements
DoD, Singaporean Gov’t Launch AI Implementation Effort for Disaster Response
B. Edwin Wilson: DoD Shifts Toward Proactive Cyber Posture
Mark Beall: DoD Should Advance AI Adoption Through Industry Collaboration
Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, Director of DIA, Announced as Keynote Speaker for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Intel Summit on July 31st
OMB, NARA Issue Electronic Recordkeeping Directive to Federal Agencies
OMB Updates Federal Guidance on Budget Preparation, Execution
Maxar Technologies Teams with West Virginia Robotic Technology Center to Work on Robotic On-Orbit Assembly Program; Mike Gold Quoted
Jacobs Completes Successful AA-2 Flight Test for NASA’s Artemis Moon Program; Steve Arnette Quoted
GSA IG: Federal Acquisition Service ‘Ineffective’ in Administering Enterprise IT Modernization Contract
AURA Lands NASA Contract for WFIRST Program Support Services
Pentagon Holds Workshop for Early Career Procurement Workforce
GAO Looks at DoD Inspector General Redundancy
DOE Allots Funds for Collaborative Energy Research
Army Launching Synthetic Biology Research Effort for Next-Gen Camouflage Dev’t
DHS S&T, FEMA, DOE Launching Radiological Dispersal Device Detonation Response Training Efforts
President Trump Signs Legislation Expanding IRS IT Modernization Authorities
John Richardson: US Can Leverage Additive Manufacturing for Nuclear Triad Modernization
Jill Singer, VP of National Security for AT&T’s Public Sector, announced as Moderator for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th
Col. Michael Hough: Vandenberg AFB Sees ‘Lull’ in Space Launch Activity
Army Eyes Incremental Tech Insertion for Modernized Tactical Network
OPM Issues Federal Guidance for Adding ‘Data Scientist’ Job Title
GAO Comments on USACE, GSA Contract Change Processing
Air Force Stands New Field Agency to Augment Medical Capabilities
Federal Trade Commission Reports on Fraud Cases
NSF to Invest in Quantum Technology Projects
DARPA Deploys SIGMA+ Chemical Sensor Network at Indy 500
Bill Moran Declines Navy CNO Role
Report: Finite State Stands By Findings of Cyber Flaws in Huawei Gear
DoD CIO Dana Deasy: Military Bases to Test 5G Tech
Bipartisan Group Introduces Bill to Address Digital Forgery; Rep. Will Hurd Quoted
Matthew Donovan: ‘Unleash’ Space Professionals Via Separate Space Service
HHS Secretary Azar Statement on Continuing Leadership Expansion
Colt Whittall Named Chief Experience Officer at Air Force
OMB-NARA Memo Sets Deadlines for Agencies to Advance Electronic Records Management
DoD Conducts ‘Cyber Lightning’ Exercise
USCYBERCOM Warns of Cyber Threats from Microsoft Outlook Bug
Sens. Marco Rubio, Gary Peters Present Small Business Cybersecurity Bill
DoD Eyes JEDI Cloud Contract Award in August Amid Bidding Process Concerns
John Sherman: Intelligence Community Needs to ‘Fully Unlock’ Data
Will Roper Offers Updates on Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System, ‘Mad Hatter’ Program
Report: NSA Failed to Comply With Contracting, Data Security Regulations
Navy Challenges U.S. Citizens to Develop AI-Based Cybersecurity Systems
Thales Defense & Security Adds Gen. James L. Jones, Dr. Ray Johnson & Alan Kessler to Board of Directors; Mike Sheehan Quoted
DoD: ‘Systemic Challenges’ Impede Asset Modernization for Nat’l Guard, Reserve Components
TSI Receives Task Order to Provide Engagement Skills Training at Fort Jackson; Al Thomas Quoted
Microsoft Expanding its Strategic Partnership with ServiceNow; Satya Nadella Quoted
Coast Guard: Ships Should Augment Cybersecurity Measures
NIST Seeks Feedback on Draft Plan to Drive AI Dev’t
SBA Announces Funding Competition to Organizations Providing Training to Service-Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurs
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory ‘Connects the Dots’ for Quantum Networks
Daniel Kroese, Associate Director of DHS’ National Risk Management Center, Announced as a Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th
CGI Federal President Tim Hurlebaus Appointed to PSC Executive Committee; PV Puvvada Quoted
Matthew Donovan Announces ‘Digital Air Force’ Initiative
Emily Murphy: IT Modernization, Customer Experience Among Key Capacities GSA Requires
Report: Vice Adm. Michael Gilday Among Top Candidates for CNO Role
Maj. Gen. Michael Guetlein Assumes Command of NRO as Deputy Director
Report: DHS Lacks ‘Comprehensive’ Mgmt Procedures for Low-Value Contracts
NASA-Led Team Deploys Synthetic Aperture Radar to Detect Infrastructure Risks
DHS S&T Implementing Blockchain Tech for Homeland Security Operations
Ajit Pai Planning to Revise FCC’s Smallsat Application Procedures
NIST Releases Reference Document for Federal Community Clouds
NAVSUP Rolls Out New Data Analytics Platform
Qatar Awards Two Direct Commercial Sales Contracts Worth $2.2B to Raytheon; Ralph Acaba Quoted
HHS Forms Summit to Gather Quality Services Stakeholder Input
Report: Trump to Nominate Vice Adm. Michael Gilday as Chief of Naval Operations
DISA Releases Four-Year Strategic Plan; Vice Adm. Nancy Norton Quoted
Defense Innovation Board Issues White Paper on Zero Trust Architecture
NASA Makes Leadership Changes Ahead of 2024 Moon Mission
Sens. Gary Peters, Patty Murray Seeking ‘Alternative Options’ to Address OPM’s Budget Shortfall
HHS Awards ECS $49M IDIQ to Deliver IAAI Solutions to Federal Agencies; George Wilson Quoted
Boeing Selects Raytheon as Radar Supplier for B-52 Bomber Radar Modernization Program
U.S. Army Research Lab Awards 3D Systems $15M Contract to Develop World’s Largest, Fastest Metal Powder 3D Printer
LexisNexis Announces Results of Cybersecurity Survey; Erin Benson Quoted
USAF Ends AC-130U Gunship’s Final Combat Deployment
DHS CISA Advises on Mobile Device Security
OMB Seeks Feedback on Data Use for AI R&D Efforts
Army in Europe to Adopt New Warning Notification System
DHS S&T, Google, IJIS Hold Text-To-911 Event
Building Momentum Hosts Training Program for Marine Corps
QTS Joins RE100 to Confirm Commitment to Renewable Energy Sources by 2025
Gen. David Berger Assumes USMC Command
Joint Chiefs Nominee Gen. Mark Milley: DoD Needs to Strengthen Information Warfare, Cyber Capabilities
House CAO Philip Kiko on IT Modernization, Customer-Focused Strategic Plan
NARA, GSA Seek to Simplify Records Management Software Procurement With New Tool
Harvard Medical School Professor Gil Alterovitz Named VA’s First AI Director
Tina Kuhn, President and CEO of Cybercore Technologies, Announced as a Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th
US Marines Log 1M Flight Hours With CH-53E Heavy Lift Helicopter
GAO: DoD Must Bolster Stakeholder Coordination on Procurement Reforms
DOT Calling for Autonomous Vehicle Spectrum Allocation
By Light Implements Sustainability Program to Continue Commitment to Employees and Environment
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine Hosting Conference to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Moon Landing on July 15th
Industry Group Urging Gov’t to Launch Efforts in Identity Mgmt Tech
Stanford Students Develop App to Support Military Training
Air Force to Add Fourth Advanced Tech & Training Center in Utah
Raytheon Awarded $110M Contract to Secure Military Systems in Middle East; Dave Wajsgras Quoted
Intelligence Officials Raise Concerns Over China’s Threat to US Intellectual Property
Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta Announces Resignation
Senate to Develop NASA Human Spaceflight Bill
Trump Issues Executive Order on Citizenship Data Collection
Congress Hearing Tackles U.S. Energy Grid Cybersecurity
Dan Javorsek: DARPA Must Apply ‘Operational Understanding’ in Emerging Tech Dev’t
DISA Awards $23.5M GSM-ETI Contract to By Light; Bob Donahue Quoted
OMB Directs Phase One Implementation of Evidence Act
NAVSUP to Boost Engagement with Supply Chain Partners
DHS S&T Seeks Proposals for Data Utilization Projects
OPM Appraisal Tool Selected as Igniting Innovation Awards Finalist
Soraya Correa: DHS’ FirstSource III Contract Vehicle to Include ‘Set-Aside’ Tracks
Charles Hicks Appointed Chief Financial Officer of NCI; Paul Dillahay Quoted
LaFondra Lynch Named GSA Deputy Chief of Staff
Matt Goodrich to Step Down as GSA Senior Adviser
AI National Security Commission Holds Third Plenary Session
Pentagon Unveils Digital Modernization Strategy
Three DoD Officials to Lead Implementation of Software Acquisition Study’s Recommendations
Don Davidson, Director of Cyber-SCRM Programs at Synopsys, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th
Raytheon Submits Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor Proposal to U.S. Army; Doug Burgess Quoted
ViON Corporation Launches ViON Enterprise Cloud; Tom Frana Quoted
USAF Opens Facility for Weapon System Cybersecurity
OPM Acting Director Margaret Weichert Releases Performance Management Guidelines
DHS S&T Seeks Proposals for Counterterrorism Concepts
Air Force Revising Medical Treatment Model for Active, Non-Active Duty Airmen
FAR Amendment Simplifies Req’s for IT Purchases Under GSA Contract Vehicles
Army Creates Framework to Measure Cyber Agility
Raytheon and John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Announce JFK Space Labs Recipients
Trump Nominates Lisa Hershman as DoD CMO
DoD Nominee Mark Esper Cites AI as Top Modernization Priority
Army Lt. Gen. Paul Ostrowski: Getting Defense Contractors ‘Off the Net’ Could Help Address Cyber Threats
OPM Experiences Data Center Outage as Administration Pursues GSA Merger
DoD Tranfers $282M to ISR Defense Programs
Keith Nakasone, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Acquisition Management, within the Office of Information Technology Category for GSA, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Secure Supply Chain Forum on July 18th
James Ballard Joins A-TEK Board of Directors; Kathryn Freeland Quoted
Tom Nixon Joins By Light as SVP of Homeland Security and Law Enforcement; Bob Donahue Quoted
QTS Publishes Open Source Library for Data Center Management; Jon Greaves Quoted
GSA Awards Contracts to Support Federal Air Travel
Rep. Brian Babin Introduces Cybersecurity Bill for Research Projects
GAO: CBP Improvement Plan Lacks Some Important Details
Lisa Gordon-Hagerty: Hiring Efforts, Security Clearance Reforms Key to Addressing NNSA’s Staffing Issues
Jim Bridenstine: First Human Mission to Mars Possible by 2033
Army Working on Counter-Drone Laser Tech for Medium Tactical Vehicles
Rep. Gerry Connolly to Introduce New FedRAMP Legislation
Speaker Nancy Pelosi: House Should Pass Deal on Government Spending, Debt Limit Before Recess
John Murray: Army Futures Command to Achieve Full Operational Capability by Month’s End
Jim Bridenstine: NASA to Work With US Gov’t for Artemis Mission Budget
Paul Selva: LEO Satellites Could Provide Cheaper Broadband Services
Alice Eldridge, Travis Garriss & Leslie Jelalian Join BAE Systems; Tom Arseneault Quoted
GAO: Army Futures Command Needs Better Small Business Coordination
Federal CIO Council Forms Federal Mobility Group
IRS, Security Summit Advise on Tax Data Protection
DoD Seeks Nonprofit to Handle Contractor Cybersecurity Certifications
Army OKs Capabilities Document for Future Vertical Lift Program
Coast Guard Working on Rebuilding Hurricane-Damaged Facilities
House Members Introduce Bill to Support Small Business Programs; Rep. Haley Stevens Quoted
Senate Armed Services Committee to Expedite David Norquist Nomination Hearing
Gen. David Goldfein: Multidomain Ops Concept to Alter ‘Character of Modern Warfare’
Lawmakers Urge NGA to Drive GEOINT Automation Efforts
John Edwards, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of the CIA, Announced as Keynote Speaker for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Intel Summit on July 31st
NARA, GSA Launch Market Research Tool for Electronic Records Management Services
UK Official Announces Expansion of Space Partnership With US Military
USCIS Launching System Modernization, Supply Chain Security Initiatives
Navy to Commission Future USS Indianapolis
DLA Releases Supply Chain Security Strategy
USAF Tests Program to Train Airmen in Digital Fields
DHS S&T Labs Demo Portable Explosive Trace Detectors
Trump to Nominate Eugene Scalia for Labor Secretary Post
David Trachtenberg Resigns as DoD Deputy Undersecretary for Policy
Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley: DIA Looks to Build AI-Based Intell Data Storage
Reps. Suzan DelBene, John Katko Sponsor Bill to Address IoT Requirements
Jeanette Manfra on CISA’s Enterprise Approach to Cybersecurity
Mark Warner: NBIB’s Pilot Efforts Key to Security Clearance Backlog Decrease
Air Force to Deliver Satellite, Space Debris Data Storage to Dept of Commerce
GAO Reports on IRS Information Security
Army Considers Autoloader for Extended-Range Cannon
Air Force Implementing Predictive Analytics to Cut Aircraft Maintenance Costs
DLA Aviation Installs Vertical Lift Modules at Warner Robins AFB
Senate Confirms Mark Esper as U.S. Secretary of Defense
Trump, Tech Industry Heads Discuss Huawei Licensing Issues
Mark Esper: Reforming ‘Fourth Estate’ Mgmt Could Save $46B in DoD Budget
Report: States Need More Federal Funds to Back Election Security Initiatives
CISA’s Bob Kolasky: New Acquisition Council Launches Efforts to Help Agencies Address Supply Chain Security Risks
NASA Vet Lisa Watson-Morgan Named Human Landing System Program Manager
Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic, Presents Ellen Lord, DoD Acquisition Chief, Her Third Wash100 Award
David Berger’s Planning Guidance Puts Focus on Marine Corps’ Force Design
TechnoMile Acquires All Assets of Carroll Publishing; Ashish Khot Quoted
Octo Consulting Group Acquires Connexta; Mehul Sanghani Quoted
Air Force Sec. Matthew Donovan Visits Partner Facilities
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Unveils Modernization Proposals
Navy’s Oakland LCS Launches to Sea
Navy, NASA Partner to Develop Space-Tailored Visualization Tech
CompTIA Signs National Deal to Certify Technology Workers
USACE Finishing Construction of Intell & Security Command Facility in Virginia
Gary Washington: USDA to Issue Task Order Under GSA’s $50B Enterprise IT Contract
Gov’t Leaders Discuss Nat’l Security Threats at NDIA’s CBRN Conference
Michael Griffin Talks Space Development Agency’s Acquisition Strategy at Industry Day
Bipartisan Policy Center’s Task Force Examines Oversight of Executive Branch Agencies
Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy: US Gov’t Should Remain Vigilant in the Arctic Region
Sue Gordon: Intelligence Community Should Push for More Information Sharing
Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic, Presents Steve Harris, SVP & GM of Dell EMC Federal, His Fourth Consecutive Wash100 Award
Joshua Skule, Executive Assistant Director for Intelligence with the FBI, Announced as Keynote Speaker for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Intel Summit on July 31st
DHS S&T Seeks Proposals for MBA Program Dev’t Initiative
AFRL Hosts Collaborative Machine Learning Event with DoD, Universities
NASA Provides Electronics for European Dark Energy Study
DHS S&T to Test Speech Analytic Platforms
Altamira Technologies Acquired By ClearSky-Led Investor Consortium; Ted Davies Quoted
David Norquist Discusses Analytics, AI at Senate Confirmation Hearing
Mark Esper Directs Creation of PFAS Chemical Contamination Task Force
Christopher Wray on FBI’s Efforts to Fight Threats Posed by Russia, China
Former Delta Air Senior VP Stephen Dickson Confirmed to Lead FAA
Reps. Gerry Connolly, Mark Meadows Bring Back Bill to Codify FedRAMP
KBR Begins Working on EPC Phase of Methanex’s Geismar 3 Methanol Project; Stuart Bradie Quoted
HHS Awards NCI $49M IDIQ Contract; Paul Dillahay Quoted
Raytheon Reports 8 Percent Increase in Strong 2019 Second Quarter Results; Thomas Kennedy Quoted
US CTO Nominee Michael Kratsios Puts Focus on Emerging Tech
DOE to Award Grants For Quantum Information Science Research Projects
Gen. Stephen Wilson: USAF to Fly B-21 Bomber On-Schedule
Navy to Commission HII-Built USS Paul Ignatius Missile Destroyer
GSA to Complete Schedule Consolidation Activities by Year’s End
NAVWAR Pursues Partnership for Data Science Study
Acting OPM Director Margaret Weichert Revises Gov’t HR Certification Program
Michael Hardin: CBP Ramps Up Facial Recognition Tech Adoption
David Norquist Discusses Plan to Fill DoD Leadership Vacancies at Senate Confirmation Hearing
HHS Funds IT Work at Health Center Controlled Networks; Alex Azar Quoted
Kelvin Droegemeier Talks AI, STEM at House Subcommittee Hearing
Jim Bridenstine: NASA to Move Forward With SLS Rocket Static-Fire Tests
NSWC Technical Directors Temporarily Swap for Collaborative Effort
GAO: Agencies Should Apply Risk Mgmt, Cybersecurity Practices
DHS S&T Holds Meeting with 5 Research and Development Council, Int’l Partners
Army Seeks Industry Support for PNT Tech Dev’t Efforts
PSC and Unisys Establish Mark L. Cohn Research Fund; PV Puvvada, David Berteau Quoted
Supreme Court OKs $2.5B DoD Funding for Border Wall Construction
Rep. Frank Lucas Introduces ARPA-E Reform Bill
Suzette Kent: Trump Admin Going ‘Beyond Technical’ in AI Implementation
House Committee Approves Bipartisan Recommendations on Tech, HR, Citizen Engagement Reform
DoD Inspector General Audits Contractor Networks, Systems
GAO: Agencies Need to Bolster Information Security Efforts
HHS Implements Blockchain to Encrypt CDM Report Logs
Navy to Proceed With LCS Mission Module Developmental Tests
DARPA Looks at New Potential Partners for Satellite Repair Effort
MDA, Israel Gov’t Demo Arrow-3 Missile
Navy Names New Salvage Ship After Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
Linda Foster, Director of Advanced Program Development Innovation for Mission Solutions & Space for Lockheed Martin, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Intel Summit on July 31st
Dr. Andrew Jenkins, Chief Data Scientist of Data 2 Insights for Maxar Technologies, Announced as Panelist for Potomac Officers Club’s 2019 Intel Summit on July 31st
Lt. Gen. Joseph Martin Sworn In as Army Vice Chief of Staff
Joyce Corell: Supply Chain Risk Mgmt Requires Various Disciplines
NBIB Personnel Receive Offers to Perform Security Clearance Duties Under DCSA
Donna Morea, SAIC’s Chair of the Board of Directors, Joins Unanet Board Board of Directors
Tim Chung: DARPA’s Subterranean Challenge Aims to Improve Safety in Underground Operations
Accenture Federal Services Launches Exploring AI in Government” Podcast; First Episode Features Host Dominic Delmolino with Congressman Will Hurd & Dr. Monda Siddiqui”
GAO Assesses Public Commenter Identity Management
USAF Requests Fund Transfer for Next-Gen OPIR Satellite Program
Army Seeks to Equip Warfighters with Cloud Capabilities
DOE Funds University-Led Projects to Develop Steady-State Fusion Reactors
NSF Plans Workshop on Wireless Spectrum AI Applications
FCC Proposes Telehealth, Connected Care Initiative
DoD OIG Eyes AI, Data Analytics for Whistleblower Backlog Processing
Chris Campione Appointed New Energy Department CIO
DoD Inspector General Looks at Department’s Commercial IT Product Security
Capgemini Government Solutions Awarded BPA to Support Centers of Excellence Program; Doug Lane Quoted
DSO Director Gregory Wagner Seeks Boosted Collaboration With Partners
GAO: Agencies Should Optimize Employee Recruitment, Retention Efforts
Parsons Officially Acquires QRC Technologies from DC Capital Partners
Information Security Organizations Provide Ransomware Mitigation Guidelines
DHS S&T Introduces Storm Surge, Flooding Forecast Suite
Army Picks Lowcountry Region for Third ‘Jack Voltaic’ Cybersecurity Exercise
CMS Launches Medicare Data Access Expansion Program
CISA Calls on Aircraft Owners to Protect Avionics Network Systems