DoD

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made changes to its electronic health record implementation schedule due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The VA Central Ohio Healthcare System will receive a new patient-scheduling system this month, and Washington-based Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center will undergo EHR implementation in October.

The U.S. Space Force has issued its first doctrine, a document that tackles the service branch's approach as a distinct military force and role in joint missions. The Space Force intends to update the doctrine over time based on future application and evaluation.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has entered into a $3.1 million agreement with bioMerieux's BioFire Defense subsidiary to increase manufacturing capacity for COVID-19 test kits. The company will use the investment to install two new production lines into its facility in Salt Lake City. 

A report by The Heritage Foundation recommends that Congress support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) by providing the needed funding to demonstrate that homeland defense serves as top priority of the Missile Defense Review and the National Defense Strategy.

The White House has announced plans to free up 100 megahertz of the mid-band spectrum for commercial 5G networks and direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to auction by Dec. 2021 that swath of radio frequencies used by the military.

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has released a report stating current initiatives under the Department of Defense (DoD) and Congress to drive the development of emerging technologies and keep up with adversary nations.

Stephen Kitay, deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy, is slated to leave the public sector after 18 years in government service. He noted that he is “truly grateful” for the Trump administration’s initiatives to drive the nation's space leadership.

Michael Brown, director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), has said the Department of Defense (DoD) needs to establish trust with Congress to streamline budgeting procedures while promoting flexibility in experimentation. Brown said that speeding up the current two-year budgeting process will help the DoD adopt innovative technologies while leveraging various contracting authorities.

Lt. Gen. David Thompson, vice commander of the U.S. Space Force, has been nominated by President Trump to serve as the service’s vice chief of space operations. Defense Secretary and 2020 Wash100 Award winner Mark Esper also announced Thompson’s nomination for promotion to the rank of general. 

Mark Esper, secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD) and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, has released a memoabout DoD’s new operations security training requirements for civilian employees, service members  and on-site contractors, Government Executive reported Thursday.