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NAVAIR Program Officials Highlight Aircraft Fielding, Sustainment Efforts
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NAVAIR Program Officials Highlight Aircraft Fielding, Sustainment Efforts

Maj. Gen. Gregory Masiello, program executive officer for air anti-submarine warfare, assault and special mission programs at Naval Air Systems Command, said during the 2021 Sea-Air-Space Expo that the Navy will deploy a new variant of the Osprey tiltrotor aircraft onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson soon. 

Masiello noted in his presentation at the event the CMV-22B platform would replace the U.S. Navy's C-2 Greyhound cargo aircraft platform, NAVAIR said Friday. 

He also reported that H-60 utility helicopter program has added three customers through the foreign military sales program over the past year.

At the same event, Capt. Pete Arrobio, program manager for E-2 /C-2 airborne command and control systems, said that his office will prioritize the deployment and sustainment of “mission-capable” E-2D early warning aircraft.

Arrobio said the program office aims to field 22 MC E-2Ds and sustain 28 MC E-2Ds using the Naval Sustainment System-Aviation approach.

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DHS S&T to Host Tech Showcase for Silicon Valley Innovation Program Startups; Melissa Oh Quoted
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DHS S&T to Host Tech Showcase for Silicon Valley Innovation Program Startups; Melissa Oh Quoted

Twenty-six Silicon Valley Innovation Program-backed startups will demonstrate how their technology projects could support the Department of Homeland Security’s missions during a three-day event hosted by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate.

The virtual demonstration series starting on Sept. 14 will provide SVIP-funded startups with opportunities to showcase technologies in support of DHS components and the global innovation community, the agency said Thursday.

“Participants will see how SVIP startup performers have incorporated DHS requirements into their commercial products, expanding their capabilities and providing DHS operational components access to innovative commercial products that address their most critical mission needs,” shared Melissa Oh, managing director of SVIP.

The event will also feature a panel discussion with government and industry experts. They will tackle industry trends, COVID-19 response and mitigation, and best practices in artificial intelligence, aviation and interoperability.

SVIP was initiated to expand DHS S&T’s reach and enable it to work with innovation communities to identify new technologies meant to enhance national security.

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Army Stands up Center of Excellence to Support Small Business Program; Matthew Willis Quoted
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Army Stands up Center of Excellence to Support Small Business Program; Matthew Willis Quoted

The U.S. Army has launched a center of excellence dedicated to helping small businesses pursue opportunities with the service branch.

The Army said Wednesday that its SBIR Contracting CoE will issue and manage awards for the service's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and streamline the associated contracting processes.

The center will handle contracting resources for phases one and two of applied Army SBIR projects, centralizing 80 percent of the service's SBIR portfolio under a single office.

The Army Applied SBIR Program Office of the service's assistant secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology manages the newly established CoE. The service expects the CoE to reduce the time spent for contract execution by 75 percent.

“We want to be expeditious in our approach, and this new center is a tremendous step forward in helping us fulfill our goal to modernize our world-class military and transition life-saving technology into the hands of our soldiers," said Matthew Willis, director of Army prize competitions and the Army Applied SBIR Program.

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DHS Taps Two Companies to Support Fire Sensor Research Program; Jeff Booth Quoted
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DHS Taps Two Companies to Support Fire Sensor Research Program; Jeff Booth Quoted

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has tapped two industry partners to help in the next phase of the Science and Technology (DHS S&T) Directorate’s Wildland Fire Sensors initiative that will focus on sensor performance testing and evaluation. 

Under the Wildland Fire Sensor Research Program, Breeze Technologies and N5 Sensors will work on hardening the sensors, which will be used for longer-term deployments and early alerting capabilities, the DHS said Wednesday. 

“Both companies show great potential for operational deployment and dual-purpose wildfire detection and air quality monitoring capabilities,” said Jeff Booth, director of S&T’s Sensors and Platforms Technology Center.

The DHS said S&T conducted in June the sensors’ field testing aimed at demonstrating that sensor technologies can be a significant tool for first responders and the public. 

The two companies will perform several planned improvements that include detection algorithms enhancement, communication optimization and user interface development.

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Shawn Barnes: Space Force Should Handle Contracts by Portfolio
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Shawn Barnes: Space Force Should Handle Contracts by Portfolio

Shawn Barnes, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, said the Space Force could improve contracting through an organized portfolio-based approach, C4ISRnet reported Thursday.

He said Tuesday at the Sea-Air-Space conference that managing contracts by portfolio provides more agility compared to managing them per single program.

Barnes said USSF should create portfolios based on missions of different space-related organizations, such as the National Reconnaissance Office and the Space Development Agency.

Barbara Barrett, formerly the secretary of the Air Force, made a similar statement in 2020, saying USSF should adopt a portfolio-based approach in consolidating budget line items. She said the approach would help the service realign funds in response to emerging issues.

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AFMC Now Designated Servicing Command for Space Force-Attached Airmen; Commander Arnold Bunch Quoted
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AFMC Now Designated Servicing Command for Space Force-Attached Airmen; Commander Arnold Bunch Quoted

The U.S. Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) has received the responsibility of being the designated servicing major command (MAJCOM) for airmen with the U.S. Space Force.

AFMC will provide USSF-attached airmen with policy guidance, waiver authority, professional development opportunities, functional-specific roles and other support services, the Air Force said Wednesday.

Under the organizational changes, USAF servicemen requiring interaction with their MAJCOM would now receive assistance with Headquarters AFMC 2-letter staff.

However, they will continue to be serviced by their local military personnel flight and civilian personnel offices and the Air Force Personnel Center.

To enact the changes, Air Force leaders wrote documents detailing a strategic overview of USAF’s support to the USSF and a programming plan of how AFMC will assist airmen in need.

“We’re all in to ensure the success of the space mission and the Airmen assigned to the U.S. Space Force,” said AFMC Commander Gen. Arnold Bunch, Jr.

The Air Force is looking to reach an initial operational capability for the change in fall, with an eye on full operational capability a year later.

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DARPA’s David Honey Nominated to DOD Research, Engineering Undersecretary Role
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DARPA’s David Honey Nominated to DOD Research, Engineering Undersecretary Role

President Biden has named Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's David Honey as his pick to become the Department of Defense deputy undersecretary for research and engineering.

Honey currently serves as a guide for collaborative efforts between the defense research organization and other agencies as a special assistant to the DARPA director, the White House said Wednesday.

Once confirmed, he would support Heidi Shyu, recently confirmed defense R&E undersecretary and a Wash100 Award winner, in managing the DOD's investments for warfighting technologies.

The retired U.S. Air Force officer already has deep experience in research development, having held related roles within the DARPA, the Pentagon and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

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Paul Blahusch: Labor Department Develops Zero Trust Architecture Strategy Following Cybersecurity EO
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Paul Blahusch: Labor Department Develops Zero Trust Architecture Strategy Following Cybersecurity EO

Paul Blahusch, chief information security officer at the Department of Labor (DOL), said they are working on a new implementation approach that builds on zero trust architecture in compliance with the White House’s cybersecurity order, FCW reported Wednesday.

The department has started restructuring to meet the EO’s deadlines that include the development of agency-wide plans for zero trust systems and implementation within 60 days, Blahusch said during a cybersecurity workshop. 

He was able to recruit at least six officials from the DOL and its contractors that will form the dedicated team responsible for evaluating the department’s cyberposture. 

The CISO noted that a total of 21 strategic initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between the agency’s zero-trust capabilities and the goals of the Biden administration as laid out in the EO, have been developed by the team. 

President Biden signed the Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity on May 12th, requiring the federal government to use best security practices, shift to zero-trust architecture and secure cloud services, as well as streamlining access to cybersecurity data. 

FCW indicated that the DOL is eyed to allocate $819 million for its information technology projects in fiscal year 2021. 

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CACI International Awarded $96M Task Order to Modernize Diplomatic Security Information Systems for the State Department; CEO John Mengucci Quoted
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CACI International Awarded $96M Task Order to Modernize Diplomatic Security Information Systems for the State Department; CEO John Mengucci Quoted

CACI International announced on Thursday that the company has received a potential five-year, $96 million task order from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) to develop and modernize DS mission systems that enable it to conduct worldwide security and law enforcement missions.

“CACI’s technology and expertise in modernizing enterprise systems helps assure that DS will meet its security goals successfully,” said John Mengucci, president and CEO of CACI and a 2021 Wash100 Award recipient.

CACI software engineers will use Agile methodologies and DevSecOps solutions to improve productivity, efficiency and reliability of the systems’ applications. These mission systems include software applications for global security monitoring, intelligence threat analysis and real-time situation reporting.

“This award reflects our longstanding relationship with our customer and their confidence in our commitment to continue to support enhanced global security for their critical national security missions,” Mengucci added. 

The task order was awarded under the Chief Information Officer- Solutions and Partners 3 (CIO-SP3) indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) government-wide acquisition contract. 

About CACI International

CACI’s approximately 23,000 talented employees are vigilant in providing the unique expertise and distinctive technology that address our customers’ greatest enterprise and mission challenges. Our culture of good character, innovation, and excellence drives our success and earns us recognition as a Fortune World's Most Admired Company.

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Alion Science and Technology Awarded (OUSD(R&E)) Task Order to Provide Munitions Advanced Technology Analysis; Alan Dietrich Quoted
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Alion Science and Technology Awarded (OUSD(R&E)) Task Order to Provide Munitions Advanced Technology Analysis; Alan Dietrich Quoted

Alion Science and Technology announced on Thursday that the company has been awarded a potential five-year, $25 million task order to provide Munitions Advanced Technology Analysis, Assessments, and Strategic Planning for the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)). 

"This is a great win for Alion. This award highlights Alion's ability to advance weapon technologies and innovations in support of the government's commitment to ensure ongoing force readiness, combat effectiveness, and mission success across the spectrum of warfighting and homeland defense efforts through the development of advanced munitions," said Alan Dietrich, senior vice president and general manager of the ISR Group.

Alion will perform a broad range of analysis, assessments, and strategic planning to enhance joint munitions advanced technology development. 

This contract was awarded under the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center's (DoD IAC) multiple-award contract (MAC) vehicle. 

Alion has 80 years of success performing Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) with 40 years conducting specialized Research and Development (R&D) and Test and Evaluation (T&E) of emerging survivability, lethality, and vulnerability (SLV)-enhancing technologies.

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