House Approves 6-Month Funding Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown
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House Approves 6-Month Funding Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown

The House of Representatives approved a six-month funding bill on Tuesday to prevent a partial government shutdown at the end of the week.

The stopgap legislation will provide funds for federal agencies until the end of September, the Epoch Times reported Tuesday.

The vote tallied 217-213 with all Republicans, with the exception of Thomas Mackie, R-Ky, supporting the measure. Jared Golden, D-Maine, was the only Democrat to vote in favor of the bill.

Massie stressed that the bill would “fund the waste, fraud and abuse” highlighted by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Golden, meanwhile, emphasized that a government shutdown was worse than passing an imperfect bill.

“Even a brief shutdown would introduce even more chaos and uncertainty at a time when our country can ill-afford it,” the congressman said on X.

Next Steps for the Bill

The measure is now headed to the Senate, where it requires at least 60 votes to proceed to a final vote. Republicans will need at least eight Democrats to vote in favor of the bill and send it to President Donald Trump for his signature.

The legislation proposes a $6 billion increase in defense funding compared to last year while non-defense spending will be reduced by roughly $13 billion. It also boosts funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Vice President JD Vance and Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, visited Capitol Hill on Tuesday morning to rally support for the measure.

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DLA Seeking AI-Powered Financial Management Service
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DLA Seeking AI-Powered Financial Management Service

The Defense Logistics Agency has started seeking feedback from the industry for innovative artificial intelligence-driven services capable of enhancing the agency’s financial reporting and audit processes.

Enhancing DLA Operations

According to the notice posted on SAM.gov Tuesday, DLA aims to boost the efficiency and accuracy of its operations by utilizing AI technology, particularly for auditing financial statements and making financial reports within the Department of Defense.

DLA aims to optimize operations, including the management of large volumes of data and complex financial reporting needs, by leveraging emerging technologies such as AI. The agency also intends to enhance its financial management activities by ensuring transparency and accountability and enabling data-driven decision-making.

The agency is seeking AI-based innovations that will enable it to streamline processes necessary for its yearly financial and control audits. Furthermore, DLA intends to address material weaknesses and personnel issues.

Interested parties can submit their solutions briefs by April 10.

Register and join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 AI Summit to learn strategic insights and actionable takeaways on artificial intelligence from government decision-makers and industry leaders.

https://potomacofficersclub.com/events/2025-artificial-intelligence-summit/?src=EJI&utm_source=site_gcd&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=DLARFI0312
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NIST Selects New Algorithm Standard for Post-Quantum Encryption
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NIST Selects New Algorithm Standard for Post-Quantum Encryption

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has selected the HQC algorithm for its ongoing efforts to develop a general encryption to address future cyberthreats from quantum computers.

HQC will serve as a backup defense for ML-KEM, a quantum-resistant algorithm earlier recognized as the recommended choice for general encryption, NIST said Tuesday. The two algorithms will safeguard stored information and data traveling across public networks.

Post-Quantum Encryption Systems

Dustin Moody, head of the Post-Quantum Cryptography project at NIST, noted that HQC is not a replacement for ML-KEM, adding that organizations should still migrate their encryption systems to the standards finalized in 2024. “As we advance our understanding of future quantum computers and adapt to emerging cryptanalysis techniques, it’s essential to have a fallback in case ML-KEM proves to be vulnerable,” he explained.

HQC as Backup Defense

According to NIST, HQC is built on a different math problem, which encryption systems use as a shield. While ML-KEM is based on mathematical idea called structured lattices, HQC is built around a concept known as error-correcting codes, which are used in information security.

Moody said HQC is a lengthier algorithm and requires more computing resources. He added that reviewers of the algorithm were impressed by its clean and secure operations, leading them to conclude that HQC is a robust second line of defense.

NIST will solicit public comments on a draft standard on HQC next year to advance its objective of finalizing the post-quantum encryption standard for a 2027 rollout.

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Sean Curran Sworn In as US Secret Service Director
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Sean Curran Sworn In as US Secret Service Director

Sean Curran has been sworn in as the 28th director of the U.S. Secret Service.

The agency said Monday the ceremony, held in the Oval Office, was led by Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem.

Curran, who assumed office on Jan. 22, will oversee the agency’s integrated investigative and protective missions. He will also direct a team of over 8,200 special agents, uniformed division officers, technical law enforcement officers and mission support personnel.

Secretary Noem on Sean Curran

“Sean’s brave actions when he risked his life to help save President Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania is a testament to his dedication to the mission of the U.S. Secret Service,” said Noem, a 2025 Wash100 Award winner. “With his decades of experience, he will return the Secret Service to focusing on its core mission: protecting American leaders and the U.S. financial system. I look forward to working alongside Sean to ensure that the Secret Service is stronger than ever before.”

Sean Curran’s Career

Curran brings over two decades of experience as a law enforcer to his new leadership role. He most recently served as special agent in charge of the Donald Trump detail leading the physical multi-state protection portfolio for the president. He was with Trump when the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania occurred.

Curran was elevated to assistant special agent in charge of the presidential protective division in 2018. Prior to that, he served as the assistant to the special agent in charge of the Washington Field Office from 2016 to 2018 and the Dignitary Protective Division from 2014 to 2016.

The new Secret Service director also provided protection to then-President Barack Obama and his family from 2008 to 2013 as part of the presidential protective division within the Office of Protective Operations. Curran joined the Secret Service in 2001 and served as a special agent in the Newark Field Office.

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SBA Initiative Seeks to Expand Small Manufacturers’ Access to Capital
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SBA Initiative Seeks to Expand Small Manufacturers’ Access to Capital

The Small Business Administration has launched an initiative to empower small manufacturers by cutting $100 billion in regulation, broadening access to capital and establishing an infrastructure to support the blue-collar boom.

“With the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, we’re slashing red tape, expanding access to capital, and fueling a manufacturing resurgence that will create high-paying jobs and revitalize communities across the country,” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said in a statement published Monday.

“By prioritizing American-made products, we’re not just securing our economic dominance — we’re protecting our national security by ensuring the essential goods we rely on are produced right here at home. SBA’s initiative is a promise to every hardworking American and small business owner: We’re putting American jobs and strength first,” added Loeffler.

Specific Actions Under the Initiative

In addition to cutting $100 billion in regulation through the Office of Advocacy, SBA will reduce barriers to access for the 504 loan program and launch a Red Tape Hotline to allow small business manufacturers and owners to report onerous regulations for review.

Through the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, the agency will expand the use of the 7(a) Working Capital Pilot program, support the administration’s manufacturing agenda and foster a skilled manufacturing workforce by partnering with agencies, private sector stakeholders and trade schools.

The newly formed Office of Manufacturing and Trade will provide resources and training for small manufacturers and conduct a multistate Made in America Roadshow in the next two months to seek feedback from manufacturers through roundtables.

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NGA’s Frank Whitworth on Workforce Reduction, AI Deployment
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NGA’s Frank Whitworth on Workforce Reduction, AI Deployment

Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth, the director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and a four-time Wash100 Award winner, discussed at the recent Satellite 2025 conference how the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce was affecting personnel at his agency, SpaceNews reported Monday.

Focus on the Mission

Whitworth said that the agency’s mission has helped its workers remain focused but nevertheless admitted that “they’re humans, they have stresses.” Still, the agency head expressed pride in the way his personnel are handling the issue and said agency leaders are exerting an effort to be as communicative as possible about workforce reduction plans.

AI Deployment

At the same event, the NGA director discussed efforts to incorporate artificial intelligence into the workflows of his agency’s analysts. Part of the initiative includes the appointment of executives to positions related to AI.

Director of AI Standards

Those appointments include Mark Munsell taking on the role of director of AI standards. Munsell currently serves as NGA chief artificial intelligence officer and director of the Data and Digital Innovation Directorate.

He was also recently named to the 2025 class of Executive Mosaic’s Wash100 Award, which honors the 100 most influential and impactful members of the government and government contracting industry. Munsell’s win this year is his first.

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DCSA Touts Intelligent Automation to Save Time, Alleviate Workloads
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DCSA Touts Intelligent Automation to Save Time, Alleviate Workloads

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer has saved over 17,200 manpower hours after automating tedious and repetitive tasks. OCFO said Monday that it has so far implemented 28 automated solutions to boost efficiency and alleviate workload. 

DCSA Introduces Intelligent Automation to Financial Processes

Among the intelligent tools OCFO has implemented across the agency is the G-Invoicing Orders Outreach Automation, which is designed to update tracking documents and ensure accurate records of orders. The technology alerts relevant individuals whenever there is a status change on their respective orders, significantly reducing the time agency workers spend on manual follow-up and improving customer service. 

The G-Invoicing Orders Outreach Automation is compatible and interacts with the Department of the Treasury’s G-Invoicing system for managing and approving interagency agreements. 

OCFO also uses automation to rapidly deactivate an account within the Defense Agencies Initiative, or DAI, portal. The DAI Deactivation Automation removes user data, ensuring compliance with agency protocols. It eliminates the manual processing of identifying and deleting user data from the platform, reducing the risk of human error. 

According to OCFO’s Financial Management Systems and Data Division, adopting automation has led to more agile and effective financial management operations. Aside from time-saving, intelligent automation tools maintain trustworthy data by eliminating inconsistencies and redundancies and streamlining processes.

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Missile Defense Agency Issues RFI for Standard Missile-3 Program
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Missile Defense Agency Issues RFI for Standard Missile-3 Program

The Missile Defense Agency has started seeking industry input for the production and delivery of Standard Missile-3, or SM-3, Block IIA All-Up Rounds.

According to the request for information notice posted on SAM.gov Monday, the potential deal also covers obsolescence monitoring, missile integration and program cybersecurity as well as services related to production control, operations support, cost management and quality assurance.

MDA Guided Missile Program

The MDA Guided Missile Program encompasses the development and deployment of an advanced multi-layered defense system to protect the U.S. and allied nations against enemy ballistic missiles in different ranges and flight phases. Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, the defense system’s naval component, integrates the Aegis Weapon System, standard missiles and the Navy and joint forces’ command, control and communication systems.

The SM-3 program is designed to strengthen defenses against existing and future short- to long-range missiles. It also aims to address unitary and separating missiles and midcourse-phase and ballistic missiles.

The project will potentially start in 2026 with a period of performance of nine years.

Interested vendors can submit their responses by March 25.

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DOD Issues Guidance on Contractors’ Program R&M Estimates
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DOD Issues Guidance on Contractors’ Program R&M Estimates

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering has released a contractors’ guide on providing better reliability and maintainability—or R&M—estimates for Department of Defense programs.

The guidance incorporates inputs and reviews from participants in the DOD-Industry R&M Engineering Roundtable in the 2024 Annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium, known as RAMS, OUSD R&E said in a LinkedIn post last week. It added that the guidebook, titled “Best Practices to Achieve Better Reliability and Maintainability Estimates for DoD Systems,” leads a planned guidance series for 2025 to address the major R&M challenges identified during the RAMS roundtable discussions. 

Bridging Gaps in Estimates

The 64-page document aims to address systems unmatched to user needs, unreliable for mission requirements and are costly to maintain. The guidance supports DOD programs through improved R&M estimates narrowing the gaps between system acquisition figures and their achieved R&M levels. It also seeks to ensure better estimates that improve forecasts on operating and support costs and mission effectiveness.  

The best practices outlined in the guide include current estimation methods addressing differences in system lifecycles, such as developmental test and evaluation, operational test and evaluation and fielding. The recommended approaches also address differences between user needs and design requirements.  

In addition, the guidance provides specific use cases of estimate combination in system developments that call for or open the possibility of using one reliability estimation methods for some items and another approach for others.

A Pipeline of DOD Guidance

Another OUSD R&E guide will be published for additional recommendations on performing R&M estimates at specific points in the acquisition cycle, such as concept development and operational test and evaluation.

The office released last week a guidebook on the development of requests for proposals through the modular open systems approach promoting DOD’s acquisition strategy.  

In January, OUSD R&E also released a Mission Architecture Style Guide to help model-based systems engineers and architects in developing, presenting and analyzing model-based mission architectures. The guidance also aims at minimizing duplication of efforts, while promoting collaboration in the development of authoritative joint models for analyzing advanced technology concepts and missions across the DOD.

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DARPA to Host Event to Boost Technology for National Security
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DARPA to Host Event to Boost Technology for National Security

The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s Defense Sciences Office has announced the staging of its Discovery DSO Day from April 23 to 24 in Chicago.

The agency said Monday the two-day event aims to establish a connection between DSO and the science and technology community in the Midwest and foster the development of advanced technologies and capabilities crucial for national security. The D3 event builds on similar science and technology community outreach events staged in 2024 in San Francisco and Boston.

Boosting National Security Through Innovation

DARPA aims to discover and develop scientific and engineering research that can be leveraged in creating advanced capabilities for the Department of Defense. DSO, meanwhile, pursues emerging technologies with the potential to be utilized for national security.

The initiative will cover several key areas including classical and quantum sensing, computation and processing, military’s operational resilience, energy and logistics, streamlined acquisition processes, participation of new innovators, and the accelerated deployment of new technologies.

“At D3 Chicago our program managers will share their perspectives and strategies for disruption in a variety of technical areas and lay out the critical challenges we need the tech community’s help to overcome,” said Bart Russell, director of DSO.

Bridging the Gap Between Research and Deployment

The D3 event also intends to help technologies transition into the field and be utilized by U.S. warfighters. Russell stressed that the initiative is designed to overcome the ‘Valley of Death,’ where promising technologies are stalled because of the lack of transition pathways.

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