The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has called on the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to act on its recommendations to address deficiencies in the implementation of risk management steps in order to mitigate cybersecurity risks facing its inventory management systems.

GAO recommended that DLA update its standard operating procedures to require program offices to come up with a system-specific monitoring strategy that is consistent with the Department of Defense’s risk management framework and related National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance, according to a report published Monday.

The head of DLA should also implement an approval process for system assessment plans and direct the cybersecurity office to create a process for program offices to evaluate the completeness and consistency of authorization documentation prior to the submission of the plans to the designated official for review.

The congressional watchdog made the recommendations after it found that DLA only partially addressed four of DOD’s six risk management steps for six selected systems for inventory management. Those steps are selecting security controls, authorizing the system, assessing and monitoring security controls.

“Until DLA addresses the identified deficiencies, the agency's management of cyber risks for critical systems will be impeded and potentially pose risks to other DOD systems that could be accessed if DLA's systems are compromised,” the report reads.

The U.S. Space Force, Missile Defense Agency and the Department of Defense’s Space Development Agency are pursuing the development of a multiorbit sensor network that can help detect and monitor hypersonic and ballistic missiles, SpaceNews reported Monday.

Some components of the network are in the development phase. The Space Force is advancing the development of a constellation of Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared missile warning satellites through contracts with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

MDA and SDA are building sensor satellites in low orbits to facilitate detection of moving hypersonic glide vehicles and other weapons systems. MDA expects its tracking satellites to deliver “fire control” data to help zero in on an interceptor weapon needed to bring down the hypersonic missile.

In May, the Space Force selected Raytheon Technologies and Millennium Space Systems to build digital models of sensors for its future constellation of missile warning satellites in medium Earth orbits. Such sensors could be potentially integrated into the country’s layered system for missile defense that includes maritime, space and ground sensors.

If you’re interested in the U.S. military’s space technology procurement efforts, then check out the GovCon Wire Events' Space Acquisition Forum coming up on Sept. 14th. 

Featuring Shawn Barnes, acting assistant secretary Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration as keynote speaker. He will address the value of integrated space architecture and the importance of synchronization and integration for space capabilities. 

To register for this virtual forum and view other upcoming events, visit the GCW Events page.

The General Services Administration (GSA) redesigned the logo of a Washington, D.C.-based institute that offers training, certification and human capital resources to acquisition professionals in the federal government.

GSA said the Federal Acquisition Institute's updated symbol can now be seen on its website, templates, newsletter and new talent management platform. The institute will continue to use its current seal on awards, ceremonial purposes, official correspondence and training certificates.

FAI adopted its new logo as the organization migrated to Cornerstone OnDemand's cloud-based platform from the legacy Federal Acquisition Institute and Training Applications System.

The institute works with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy and interagency forums to craft acquisition workforce development strategies.

ID Technologies announced on Monday that the company has been named one of The Washington Post’s 2021 Top Workplaces in the Washington, D.C. area. This selection was based only on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous third-party survey performed by Energage. 

“Now in its eighth year, The Post’s Top Workplaces list continues to highlight the companies in the Washington area that are leaders in company satisfaction and engagement,” commented  Dion Haynes, Washington Post Top Workplaces editor. 

“Throughout the past 15 months, these companies have had to make quick decisions in order to keep their employees safe while also balancing productivity and efficiency, and their employees have taken note of this great work,” added Haynes. 

Energage’s survey measured multiple aspects of workplace culture, such as alignment, execution, and connection. The 2021 honorees include government contractors, real estate firms, professional and business services, law firms and tech companies.

ID Technologies is a systems solutions provider that focuses on delivering mission information technology outcomes to its customers in the civilian, federal and intelligence markets. The company pairs market-leading technologies and supportive acquisition strategies with agility, expertise, and mission understanding to enable government agencies to achieve mission success. 

“ID Tech is honored to be recognized for the second year in a row as a Top Washington-Area Workplace. To be elected by our employees and the community we serve for such an award speaks volumes about our corporate culture and strategic vision of ID Technologies,” stated Chris Oliver, ID Technologies CEO.  

“We are proud to provide our customers innovation fueled by experience while fostering a dynamic and collaborative workplace for our employees,” Oliver concluded.

 The Washington Post held a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, June 17th to recognize the top-ranked companies. 

Ram Iyer, chief data officer at the Food and Drug Administration, said the agency is starting its own data modernization projects to cater to stakeholders.

The agency seeks to expand its workforce for new talent in agile software delivery, artificial intelligence, data presentation and other data-related applications, Nextgov reported Thursday.

FDA seeks to automate its data ingestion process as part of key efforts, which will run in alignment with new best practices the agency is adopting for its data.

Iyer and other federal executives spoke about data modernization efforts at AFCEA Bethesda's webinar last Wednesday. Agencies are working to improve their data use approaches in alignment with the Federal Data Strategy 2021 Action Plan and supporting policies.

Adm. Linda Fagan has assumed the role of the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) vice commandant to succeed Adm. Charles Ray, who held the role for three years. 

Previously, Fagan led USCG's pacific operations as commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area. Her area of responsibility covered oceans in the western U.S., Asia, Arctic areas and Antarctica, USCG said Friday.

“Adm. Fagan, it is an honor to welcome you as the first woman to serve as a four-star admiral in the U.S. Coast Guard, and I congratulate you as you assume the duties as our 32nd Vice Commandant," said Karl Schultz, USCG commandant.

Ray, in his time as USCG's vice commandant, led efforts to recapitalize its fleet of legacy aircraft and vessels. He retires after 40 years of service with the Coast Guard and is a recipient of the Department of Homeland Security's Distinguished Service Medal.

The Department of the Air Force has released an environmental assessment of efforts to modernize the U.S. military's intercontinental ballistic missile. The Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) test program's final environmental assessment covers proposed efforts to demonstrate GBSD at U.S. Army Garrison–Kwajalein Atoll and waters surrounding the Marshall Islands, the U.S. Air Force said Sunday.

The analysis also tackles the establishment of the program's dedicated training unit at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and how the demonstration may impact the environment.

The GBSD program aims to deliver an updated ballistic missile system that would replace and succeed the existing Minuteman III. Northrop Grumman develops GBSD.

Interested parties may access the environmental analysis here.

A Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) unit has approved a 3D-printed tool built to help maintainers detach steering wheel columns from military vehicles without breaking or damaging the automotive control hardware.

The Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell (AMOC) created the metal steering wheel removal device with two partners from the private sector and added the tool design to an online repository of additive manufacturing models, the command said Wednesday.

MCSC intends for the new maintenance tool to cut the number of days it takes for service personnel to change parts in a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement or a Logistics Vehicle System Replacement platform. The metal printer system being used by Marines works to produce 36 removal devices each day.

"As we put additive manufacturing and other advanced manufacturing capabilities into the maintenance battalions, we can go through and design one-off parts based on a hyper-specific need that we only need one or two of," said Capt. Matthew Audette, MCSC's AMOC project officer.

The Marine Corps established AMOC in 2019 to provide round-the-clock 3D printing assistance to program offices and oversee the approval process for ground equipment replacement parts developed by servicemen.