Liberty Defense Holdings has been licensed to commercialize a pair of screening systems sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

DHS said Tuesday that it funded the Shoe Scanner and the High Definition – Advanced Imaging Technology (HD-AIT), which are developed by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

HD-AIT boosts the resolution and lessens the false alarms of screening processes, allowing for security checks that don't require subjects to take off light jackets. Shoe Scanner uses the same technology to see through footwear. This screening approach does not require subjects to take off their shoes.

“DHS S&T has invested in developing the next generation screening HD-AIT and shoe scanner that offer significant improvements to current systems,” said John Fortune, Screening-at-Speed program manager at DHS's Science and Technology Directorate.

Both technologies align with the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) requirements.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will help the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Defense (DOD) bolster research and development on wireless communications networks. 

NIST said Tuesday that it will take part in the Resilient and Intelligent Next-Generation Systems program that aims to further develop emerging network and computing technologies. The agency's Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) will offer facilities to support research done under the RINGS program.

“The Communications Technology Laboratory knows the importance of investing in the ecosystem of innovation and we are excited to partner with NSF and the rest of the RINGS team to provide grantees access to our state-of-the-art testbeds,” said Marla Dowell, director of CTL.

RINGS will use a $40 million investment to finance collaborative research pursued by about 40 teams. Each participating team will receive a maximum of $1 million in awards effective for up to three years.

Interested parties may submit applications through July 29th.

Westat has pioneered multimode research and has continued to improve survey methodology.  Multimode surveys are a highly effective tool to collect data, enabling researchers to reach more people and different populations. These surveys improve coverage, increase response rates, reduce cost and improve measurements.

“Multimode surveys involve using more than one mode of data collection to contact and interview potential respondents, including web, phone, mail, email, text, video platform, and in-person surveys, or a combination, with Westat’s design expertise, we can create an optimal way to combine multiple modes to contact respondents and encourage participation,” explained Ting Yan, Ph.D., a Westat associate director.

Multimode surveys provide more options for data collection than other types of surveys. Due to the rising cost and declining response rates on non-multimode surveys, companies are turning to Westat’s innovative survey methodologies for their data collection needs.

“Westat is innovative in using responsive and adaptive designs in multimode surveys and in assessing and estimating comparability of data across modes,” Dr. Yan added. “We continually consider forward-thinking strategies, developing and reimagining what can work better for respondents.”

Westat’s team of expert employees tailor-make each survey for its clients. They then implement the company’s proprietary multimode management system (M3) developed to allow for easy integration of modes while constantly controlling protocols, including sample flow and experimental allocation. M3 contains all the survey data and paradata to facilitate reporting across modes and conditions.

“The greatest challenge is determining what modes to use and how to sequence the modes,” “For instance, we must decide whether a sequential mixed-mode design or a concurrent multimode design is the best way to reach and interview a target population. This involves taking into consideration the survey’s requirements and budget limitations. But these challenges are minor because of our design experience,” concluded Dr. Yan.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recommended that the Department of Defense (DOD) enhance performance measures with regard to business transformation efforts and come up with a process to standardize the documentation of cost savings to ensure that they are aligned with DOD’s definitions of reform.

Although DOD has initiated steps to improve its data on business operations, the lack of reliable cost data has hampered the department’s ability to track its reform efforts, according to a GAO report published Tuesday.

In November, the congressional watchdog reported that the Pentagon has made progress in establishing baseline costs of real estate management and logistics, among other activities, and has current initiatives to set baselines for its enterprise business operations. 

“However, DOD needs better data about how it performs its business functions,” the report reads.

GAO has called on DOD to establish clear roles, authorities and responsibilities for managing business reform efforts and allocate resources for such activities. The office assessed DOD’s implementation of the chief management officer position, which was created under the fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act but eliminated under the FY 2021 NDAA.

“GAO found that, while Congress had given the CMO both significant responsibilities and authorities, DOD had not resolved unanswered questions about how those authorities would be carried out, nor communicated the CMO's roles and responsibilities department-wide,” the report states.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has cited laws and best practices that artificial intelligence developers and users should consider to promote fairness, truth and equity in the use of AI. 

FTC enforces the Fair Credit Reporting Act, section 5 of the FTC Act and Equal Credit Opportunity Act to help protect against the use of biased algorithms, Elisa Jillson, an attorney at FTC’s bureau of consumer protection, wrote in a blog post published April 19.

The commission calls on AI developers to identify approaches on how to improve datasets and account for data gaps, be on the lookout for discriminatory outcomes by testing algorithms, embrace transparency and independence to address potential bias and be transparent with regard to the use of data.

Developers and companies should also hold themselves accountable for the performance of their AI algorithms.

“But keep in mind that if you don’t hold yourself accountable, the FTC may do it for you. For example, if your algorithm results in credit discrimination against a protected class, you could find yourself facing a complaint alleging violations of the FTC Act and ECOA,” Jillson wrote.

To register for this virtual forum, visit the GovConWire Events page.

Officials from U.S. Space Force and Air Force held discussions with the Israeli air force on space-related efforts that can present future opportunities for the U.S. and Israel to coordinate and work together to ensure the peaceful use of the space domain. 

The Space Force said Monday it hosted the virtual Space Engagement Talks on April 19th and 20th. to reinforce the two countries' partnership and to encourage increased space domain collaboration.

Brig. Gen. Michael Conley, deputy commander of the Space Command's Combined Force Space Component Command, talked about how SPACECOM delivers space effects across multiple domains as part of its mission and current operations.

Scott VanSant, Space Situational Awareness data sharing program manager at SPACECOM, recalled that the Department of Defense and Israel began their SSA Data Sharing Program collaboration in 2010.

"Now, with these Space Engagement Talks, we take the next step in this very capable security partnership,” he added.

Israeli officials, on the other hand, provide information about the country's current satellite operations, including the satellites' lifespans and their impact on the ability of the organization to deliver agile and efficient service.

Aside from the Space Force and USAF, SET participants came from the Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Operations Command and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).