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Government Technology/News/Press Releases
IRS Outlines Taxpayer Experience, Employee Training Strategies in Congressional Report
by Jane Edwards
Published on January 22, 2021
IRS Outlines Taxpayer Experience, Employee Training Strategies in Congressional Report

The IRS has submitted a report to Congress outlining strategies to improve the taxpayer experience, employee training and organizational structure to comply with the provisions of the Taxpayer First Act of 2019.

The agency’s Taxpayer Experience Strategy includes six components, including expanded digital services, proactive outreach and education and enterprise data management and advanced analytics, according to the report.

With about 75,000 employees at more than 500 offices, the IRS plans to execute a strategy to improve employee development and training efforts. The strategy consists of five components: IRS University; Taxpayer-First training; continuous learning for all employees; improving technology; and measuring success.

The agency’s organizational redesign strategy focuses on key areas: improve integration of strategic planning; improve operational efficiencies; increase collaboration; and enhance innovation.

Under the redesign strategy, the IRS proposed a new organizational structure that establishes the position of chief taxpayer experience officer and new divisions: compliance, enterprise change and innovation; and relationships and services divisions.

The IRS said it would require $4.1 billion in funds over five years to implement the law’s mandated provisions, develop and carry out the three strategies and advance its modernization plan. The agency estimates it will need $1.9 billion in funds to modernize its systems, cybersecurity and operations.

Government Technology/News
Air Force Research Lab’s WeaponONE Demo Highlights Benefits of Digital Twins to Warfighters; Col. Garry Haase Quoted
by Jane Edwards
Published on January 22, 2021
Air Force Research Lab’s WeaponONE Demo Highlights Benefits of Digital Twins to Warfighters; Col. Garry Haase Quoted

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) conducted a demonstration of a program to highlight how digital twin technologies could help deliver weapons capabilities to warfighters in near real time.

AFRL’s munitions directorate integrated the Digital Twin Lab to improve the capabilities of Gray Wolf, a weapons system prototype designed to launch in a swarm to target hostile threats, during the virtual demonstration of the Team Eglin Weapons Digital Enterprise WeaponONE program, the service said Thursday.

The WeaponOne demonstration showed how data is gathered from weapons and transmitted back to digital twins via the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS). The digital twins assessed potential software upgrades using computing systems powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning and sent back information to provide performance improvements to physical weapons.

“The Digital Twin Lab represents the ultimate expression of digital engineering, acting as a force multiplier, giving us tremendous flexibility and adaptability to our weapons systems,” said Col. Garry Haase, director of the munitions directorate at AFRL.

The W1 program features several capabilities, including a cloud-based tech stack, on-board flight software and DevSecOps pipeline for simulation development.

News/Press Releases
DOD’s John Kirby: Biden Seeks Five-Year Extension of U.S.-Russia Nuclear Treaty
by Jane Edwards
Published on January 22, 2021
DOD’s John Kirby: Biden Seeks Five-Year Extension of U.S.-Russia Nuclear Treaty

John Kirby, press secretary at the Department of Defense (DOD), has issued a statement saying President Biden is seeking to extend for another five years the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia. 

Kirby said extending New START advances U.S. defense, but would create a loss of inspection and notification tools by failing to extend the treaty would undermine U.S. understanding of Russia’s nuclear forces.

“Extending the treaty’s limitations on stockpiles of strategic nuclear weapons until 2026 allows time and space for our two nations to explore new verifiable arms control arrangements that could further reduce risks to Americans,” Kirby said in the statement published Thursday. 

He added that DOD is ready to support colleagues at the State Department as they carry out the extension and look for new arrangements.

News/Press Releases
Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place
by  
Published on January 21, 2021
Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place

After 20 years in the government contracting media business, I sense personally how much the industry mourns the passing of the true GovCon titan in Jack London of CACI.

The ever vigilant Jack London spoke the words, “The world is a dangerous place“ with a clear sense of purpose. Because of people like Jack, a leader of character, the world is indeed a safer place. And for that dedication, we thank him.

In 2010, I had the distinct honor to interview Jack and publish a profile on his passionate commitment to his work, his wife Jennifer, his country and family. For those that would like a warming retrospective on some of the many many accomplishments of his life, I invite you to enjoy the content from our 2010 archives by clicking here for the full article or scrolling down.

Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place

Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place

Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place

Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place

Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place

Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place

Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place

Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place

Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place

Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place

 

Government Technology/News
GAO Releases Annual Assessment of Major DHS Acquisition Programs
by Jane Edwards
Published on January 21, 2021
GAO Releases Annual Assessment of Major DHS Acquisition Programs

The Government Accountability Office assessed 24 major acquisition programs of the Department of Homeland Security and found that 19 of those were meeting their cost and schedule baseline goals as of September 2020.

GAO found that five DHS acquisition programs remained in breach of either schedule or cost goals or both as of September last year, including the National Cybersecurity Protection System and the Grants Management Modernization, according to a report published Tuesday.

The report also showed that some of the programs that were meeting the established goals are at risk of schedule delays or cost increases.

The congressional watchdog recommended that DHS ask the undersecretary for management to “ensure the requirements for establishing key acquisition documentation in the acquisition management instruction and Systems Engineering Life Cycle Instruction and Guidebook align.”

Congress should also determine what additional information on schedule, performance and cost risks for DHS acquisition programs it needs to inform oversight and establish reporting mechanisms for the department to supply that information, GAO recommended.

Executive Moves/News
David Norquist Becomes Acting Defense Secretary; DOD Announces Interim Secretaries for U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force
by Jane Edwards
Published on January 21, 2021
David Norquist Becomes Acting Defense Secretary; DOD Announces Interim Secretaries for U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force

David Norquist, deputy secretary of the Department of Defense (DOD) and a two-time Wash100 Award winner, has assumed responsibilities as acting secretary of Defense to ensure continuity of operations and readiness at the Pentagon until a new DOD secretary is confirmed, DOD said Wednesday.

John Roth, who performed the duties of the undersecretary of the Air Force between May and December of last year, assumed the role of acting secretary of the Air Force. He previously served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and comptroller from January 2018 to May 2020.

John Whitley, assistant sectary of the Army for financial management and comptroller, was named acting secretary of the Army. He previously served as a senior fellow at the Institute for Defense Analyses.

Tom Harker, who previously performed the duties of the undersecretary of defense comptroller, took over as acting secretary of the Navy. He was sworn in as assistant secretary of the Navy for financial management and controller three years ago.

Government Technology/News
DOE Gets State, Local Governments to Apply New Building Technologies; AnnaMaria Garcia Quoted
by Nichols Martin
Published on January 21, 2021
DOE Gets State, Local Governments to Apply New Building Technologies; AnnaMaria Garcia Quoted

The Department of Energy (DOE) has selected seven local and state government entities to install new building technologies in Texas, Wisconsin, California, Kansas, Tennessee and Rhode Island. 

DOE said Wednesday that it competitively selected four local government bodies, two state energy agencies and a state judicial council to have these technologies installed and demonstrated under the department's State Energy Program.

The department seeks to improve the energy efficiency and flexibility of buildings through these technologies, such as artificial intelligence-aided sensors, building automation systems, gas absorption heat pumps and thermal energy storage systems.

“We are excited and ready to work with our public sector stakeholders to test out these innovative technologies for improving energy efficiency for homeowners, business owners and state and local governments,” said AnnaMaria Garcia, director of weatherization and intergovernmental programs at DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

DOE finances the projects via the Building Technologies Proving Ground – Public Sector Field Validation funding opportunity.

Government Technology/News
Air Force, Joint Leaders Discuss Command & Control Pursuits at Annual Summit
by Nichols Martin
Published on January 21, 2021
Air Force, Joint Leaders Discuss Command & Control Pursuits at Annual Summit

The Department of the Air Force gathered leaders from both its service branches to standardize joint all-domain command and control processes at this year's annual C2 Summit. The event ran from Jan. 12 to 13th at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, with the participation of U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force and joint senior leaders, USAF said Wednesday.

Attendees discussed a range of joint force-related topics such as USAF's Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS), a new technology designed to facilitate real-time information sharing and analysis across a joint force.

The event also featured discussions on C2 technology training, doctrine development, budgeting and USSF's integration into the JADC2 concept.

“The U.S. Space Force was a priority topic of discussion on the summit’s agenda in making sure that we're able to enhance integration of the space domain into joint warfighting,” said Col. Alan Docauer, chief of Air Combat Command's Directorate of Operations, C2, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations.

The U.S. military envisions the JADC2 concept as an integrated network of battlefield sensors from all the service branches.

Government Technology/News/Press Releases
FAA Initiates Grant Programs for Aviation Workforce Development
by Nichols Martin
Published on January 21, 2021
FAA Initiates Grant Programs for Aviation Workforce Development

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened a pair of grant programs that aim to develop a modern workforce of both aircraft pilots and aviation maintainers. 

FAA said Tuesday that it will award the Aircraft Pilots and Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants to build an expanded talent pool of pilots, unmanned aircraft systems operators, aerospace engineers and aircraft maintenance technicians.

The agency will award grants valued between $25,000 and $500,000 to qualifying organizations. Interested parties may submit applications via the grants.gov website up to March 22nd.

FAA encourages applicants to review the programs' dedicated information page for answers to frequently asked questions about both workforce development efforts.

Government Technology/News/Press Releases
Army Tests AI-Based Multisensor Tech for Explosives Detection
by Brenda Marie Rivers
Published on January 21, 2021
Army Tests AI-Based Multisensor Tech for Explosives Detection

The U.S. Army has demonstrated a machine learning-based sensor technology designed for fixed-wing aircraft that works with synthetic aperture radars to detect explosives from a designated safety point.

As part of the 15-month Phase I demonstration, the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command and the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) assessed the multisensor technology’s capacity to use artificial intelligence and ML to collect real-time target data, the service branch said Wednesday

The team used airborne SARs, electro-optical and infrared radars, a  junction detection radar and Light Detection and Ranging technologies for ground vehicles and small unmanned aerial vehicles.

Detection algorithms used for the exercise involved geo-referencing and pixel-alignment techniques to enable threat detection through an augmented reality approach.

Lt. Col. Mike Fuller, program manager at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, said the team used side-by-side comparisons of multiple modalities during the assessment to maximize the probability of threat detection while minimizing false alarms.

For Phase II, the Army intends to downselect a sensor system ahead of a final demonstration on various types of terrain. DTRA funds the three-year effort through the Blood Hound Gang Program.

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