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Air Force Initiates Steps to Consolidate IT Functions
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Air Force Initiates Steps to Consolidate IT Functions

The Department of the Air Force has moved to streamline and consolidate IT functions by aligning the Headquarters Cyberspace Capabilities Center at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois as a field operating agency to the Office of the DAF Chief Information Officer.

“This is a significant step toward streamlining and consolidating Information Technology functions and ensuring unity of effort in IT service delivery across the Air Force and Space Force,” Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said in a statement published Monday.

Enabling IT Enterprise to Accelerate Capability Development 

“By combining and aligning these functions to their authoritative owner, the IT enterprise will be able to produce capabilities in shorter, more rapid development cycles – ensuring requirements are expediently actioned and delivered to the Airmen and Guardians who need them,” the 2024 Wash100 awardee added.

The move took effect Friday, Dec. 20. Follow-on measures will include future administrative changes and realignment of functions from other organizations.

“I have a responsibility to the secretary, but also his staff and both services, to ensure their IT requirements are captured and developed in a way that is not only responsive but cost effective and interoperable with one another,” said Venice Goodwine, chief information officer at DAF.

“We can do this through effective governance, and alignment of the Cyberspace Capabilities Center as a Field Operating Agency to my office, will help reinforce adherence to the capability delivery process,” added Goodwine, a fellow 2024 Wash100 Award recipient.

Headquarters Cyberspace Capabilities Center is expected to achieve full operational capability by October 2025. 

According to the department, there will be no movement of personnel as a result of the changes, which seek to organize, equip and train the IT enterprise and cyberspace domain.

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VA Plans for Mid-2026 EHR System Deployment
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VA Plans for Mid-2026 EHR System Deployment

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has started planning for the deployment of the Federal Electronic Health Record system to four Michigan facilities by mid-2026.

Enhancing the EHR System

The federal agency said the decision to deploy the EHR system to the facilities in Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit and Saginaw follows refinement efforts to the system during the reset period, starting in April 2023, when deployments were paused. The department leveraged feedback from veterans, VA staff and clinicians to bolster the EHR system, resulting in enhanced services and elevated veteran trust.

All existing EHR sites reported an increase in veteran outpatient trust scores, ranging from 3.5 to 93 percent, during the reset period. The enhanced system also reduced outages that disrupted patient care and interruptions for clinicians that slows down service for veterans. Furthermore, the efforts resulted in a boost in clinician and staff satisfaction.

VA Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher said, “We paused deployments of the EHR for more than a year and a half to listen to veterans and clinicians, understand the issues and make improvements to the system. As a result of those efforts, veteran trust and system performance have improved across the board.”

Neil Evans, acting program executive director of the EHRM Integration Office, added, “VA is ready to begin planning for the next Federal EHR deployments in 2026, while at the same time remaining committed to the continuous improvement efforts that have been our focus for the past 18 months.”

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Lesley Bernys Named DC3 Executive Director
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Lesley Bernys Named DC3 Executive Director

Lesley Bernys, a cybersecurity and national security professional, has been appointed executive director of the Department of Defense’s Cyber Crime Center, or DC3, succeeding Jude Sunderbruch, who retired in June.

The department said Bernys will oversee a 500-strong workforce composed of military personnel, contractor employees and civilians. This multi-faceted team is tasked with providing direct support for the DOD’s operational requirements.

Lesley Bernys’ Career Highlights

The new DC3 executive director previously served as chief information officer and director of information technology services and solutions for the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

Bernys joined the Department of the Air Force in 2003 as a special agent with the AFOSI. He then served in various leadership roles, including special agent in charge, deputy director of the Office of Special Projects and headquarters special advisor. Bernys also held multiple policy and leadership positions within the Senate and Cyber Command.

DOD Cyber Crime Center

The DC3 is a federal cybersecurity center and a field operating agency under the DAF Inspector General. Its main objective is to strengthen cybersecurity and national security through innovative capabilities such as digital and multimedia forensics, technical approaches or strategies development, advanced cyber training and cyber analytics across the DOD. These capabilities enhance cybersecurity, law enforcement and counterintelligence, boost document and media exploitation and safeguard critical infrastructure.

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FedRAMP Seeks Feedback on Plan to Establish New Funding Source
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FedRAMP Seeks Feedback on Plan to Establish New Funding Source

mThe Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program has started soliciting feedback from stakeholders on a plan to create a new funding source to support efforts to scale FedRAMP, grow the program’s authorization capacity and oversee cloud service providers, or CSPs, in a more flexible way.

More Capacity to Conduct Continuous Monitoring

FedRAMP said Friday a demand-responsive funding source could enable the continuous monitoring process to kick off before a cloud provider becomes authorized.

According to FedRAMP, such a practice could enable CSPs to continue making changes and improve their product.

With a new funding source, the program could grow the size and pace of relevant pilots, like FedRAMP’s agile delivery and digital authorization pilots; centrally oversee the ongoing security of cloud offerings in the marketplace; and scale the number of reviewers who work with CSPs through the FedRAMP authorization and continuous monitoring processes.

Questions for Stakeholders

FedRAMP is asking CSPs about factors to consider in creating a cost model, specific parts of the authorization and continuous monitoring processes that should receive the most direct investment and other compliance initiatives that charge money that could serve as good models for the program to consider.

The program also wants the public’s input on a cost model that is right for smaller businesses and other significant process options that FedRAMP could consider making with dynamic funding.

Comments are due Feb. 28.

According to FedRAMP, a decision to charge CSPs to scale the program has not been made. Public input, consultation with cloud providers and internal government coordination will inform the final plan.

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NASA, UPSTO Boost Innovation Via Tech Transfer & Commercialization
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NASA, UPSTO Boost Innovation Via Tech Transfer & Commercialization

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office have partnered to promote innovation through technology transfer and commercialization opportunities.

STMD and USPTO Partnership

USPTO said on Dec. 19 the two agencies signed a five-year memorandum of understanding to collaborate and study intellectual property, or IP, management, technology transfer best practices and lessons learned. The partnership also aims to determine hindrances to technology transfer participation and ways federal agencies and academic institutions can tackle these challenges.

USPTO will leverage its understanding of IP while STMD will bring its knowledge of innovative federal technology transfer to the partnership. They intend to provide insight and best practices to the technology transfer community to accelerate innovations.

An evaluation will take place once the MOU is completed. This will be the basis if further modification or expansions are necessary.

Derrick Brent, acting under secretary of commerce for intellectual property and acting director of USPTO, said “I’m excited to continue and strengthen these efforts with our colleagues at NASA as we work together to drive more innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities for the benefit of all Americans.” 

Dan Lockney, technology transfer program executive at NASA, added, “We look forward to addressing common challenges, and this paper will offer some assurance that we are on a solid, strong path to transferring technologies effectively.” 

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DARPA Tests USV Autonomous Refueling Capability
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DARPA Tests USV Autonomous Refueling Capability

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has conducted a test to evaluate the performance of its new unmanned surface vessel, or USV.

The agency said Thursday DARPA’s No Manning Required Ship, or NOMARS, program completed the first at-sea test of the USV Defiant. The U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office, or PMS-406, and USV Squadron 1 collaborated to conduct the demonstration.

USV Defiant Test Process

The Navy’s experimental USVs, Ranger and Mariner, were used for the at-sea test. The Ranger acted as the receiving station of the Defiant, while the Mariner carried a customized refueling mini-station from Serco Inc., the NOMARS prime contractor.

The test showed that all parts of the refueling operation worked as expected. The team was able to pass the lead line to the refueling side, connect the refueling probe and pump water.

The USV Defiant

The USV Defiant is an unmanned 240-metric-ton lightship being developed for extended autonomous operations at sea. It is expected to be completed and deployed for an extended sea demonstration by spring 2025.

Current fueling at sea, or FAS, methods require people to manage the lines and hose which is quite challenging. NOMARS is working on an unmanned refueling concept of operations to keep personnel safe.

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces New CHIPS Incentives Awards
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces New CHIPS Incentives Awards

Samsung Electronics, Amkor Technology and Texas Instruments have secured new funding to increase semiconductor production in the United States. The grants are part of the CHIPS Incentives Program’s funding opportunity for commercial fabrication facilities, the Department of Commerce said Dec. 20. 

The companies previously signed non-binding preliminary memoranda of terms to secure the funding. 

US Awards Funding to Samsung

According to the Commerce Department, Samsung, which was first to sign a preliminary memorandum of terms, will receive up to $4.74 billion in direct funding. The incentive supports Samsung’s pledge to invest over $37 billion in the coming years to create a comprehensive ecosystem that will include research and development facilities and logic fabricators. 

Samsung will also expand its current semiconductor facilities in Austin, Texas. 

Gina Raimondo, secretary of commerce, commented that the government’s recent investment in Samsung makes the United States the “only country on the planet that is home to all five leading-edge semiconductor manufacturers.” Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, SK Hynix and Micron also previously committed to increasing microelectronics production in the U.S. 

“Thanks to the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, we are unleashing the next generation of innovation, protecting our national security, and enhancing our global economic competitiveness,” Raimondo said.

Amkor Receives CHIPS Investment

Meanwhile, Amkor Technology was awarded up to $407 million in support of the company’s approximately $2 billion investment in a new advanced packaging and test facility located in Peoria, Arizona. 

Amkor is the largest U.S.-based outsourced semiconductor assembly and test company. Its advanced packaging technology is critical to meeting the global demand for artificial intelligence chips. 

According to Raimondo, the U.S. investment in Amkor ensures access to leading-edge packaging technologies and reinforces the nation’s position as a global technology leader for years to come. She added that Amkor’s Arizona activity will support critical industries, such as AI and high-performance compute. 

TI to Build New Semiconductor Factories

Texas Instruments was granted $1.61 billion in direct funding for the construction of three new state-of-the-art facilities in Texas and Utah. The company already pledged $18 billion through the end of the decade for the upcoming manufacturing sites. 

TI specializes in the production of mature-node chips, also called foundational chips, which are used in a wide range of electronic systems, including sensors, amplifiers and integrated circuits. 

Highlighting the importance of the government’s incentive award to TI, Raimondo explained that mature-node semiconductor shortage during the pandemic led to supply chain disruptions. 

“With this major investment in TI to expand U.S. capacity of these foundational semiconductors, we are strengthening our economic security, making our country safer, and creating thousands of jobs in Texas and Utah.” commented the official.

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David McKeown Named CIO Special Assistant for Cybersecurity Innovation
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David McKeown Named CIO Special Assistant for Cybersecurity Innovation

David McKeown, a former Wash100 Award winner, has been appointed special assistant for cybersecurity innovation at the Chief Information Office of the Department of Defense, effective Dec. 16.

The DOD CIO announced on LinkedIn Saturday McKeown will be responsible for developing and overseeing the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, with a focus on handling complex challenges of innovation. He will bring years of expertise in cybersecurity, telecommunications, application development, project management and policy development to his new role.

David McKeown Career Summary

McKeown most recently served as the deputy CIO for Cybersecurity and the chief information security officer. In this dual role, he provided oversight in the area of cybersecurity and oversaw the development and maintenance of the cybersecurity program across the DOD. Gurpreet Bhatia will succeed McKeown in both roles albeit in an acting capacity.

The executive previously worked at the Department of Justice as director of Enterprise Services where he supervised the department’s information technology strategy. He also held leadership roles with the Joint Service Provider, particularly as chief of both the Enterprise Services Center and Cyber Security Center. The IT professional also spent almost two years as director of Enterprise Information and Mission Assurance for the Army Information Technology Agency.

McKeown was also part of the Air Force for 15 years. He last served as chief of the Information Assurance Division where he managed the AF IA Program. He was also the division chief of the Current Operations and Network Operations and commanded various communication units and squadrons.

Biden Signs Bipartisan Funding Bill, Prevents Government Shutdown
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Biden Signs Bipartisan Funding Bill, Prevents Government Shutdown

President Joe Biden has signed H.R. 10545, or the “American Relief Act, 2025,” into law on Dec. 21, averting a government shutdown.

Bipartisan Funding Bill

The White House said Saturday the funding bill provides fiscal year 2025 allocations to federal agencies until Mar. 14, 2025. The appropriations will support federal government projects and activities, including $100 billion for disaster relief aid, one-year economic assistance to farmers and the repair of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The act also extends the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and other expiring authorities.

NBC News said the Senate voted 85-11 to pass the funding bill overnight on Saturday. The House passed the bill with a 366-34 vote.

Biden described the bill as a compromise after President-elect Donald Trump’s demand to include a debt limit extension was left out. 

“This agreement represents a compromise, which means neither side got everything it wanted. But it rejects the accelerated pathway to a tax cut for billionaires that Republicans sought and it ensures the government can continue to operate at full capacity,” said Biden in a statement.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, echoed Biden’s statement, saying “While [the bill] does not include everything we sought, it includes disaster relief that the President requested for the communities recovering from the storm, eliminates the accelerated pathway to a tax cut for billionaires and would ensure that the government can continue to operate at full capacity.”

Trump and adviser Elon Musk previously opposed the bipartisan agreement, paving the way for Republicans in Congress to follow suit. The last-minute intervention killed the initial bill, causing fears of a government shutdown.

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President-Elect Trump Chooses Troy Edgar as DHS Deputy Secretary
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President-Elect Trump Chooses Troy Edgar as DHS Deputy Secretary

IBM’s Troy Edgar has been nominated as the next deputy secretary of homeland security by President-elect Donald Trump. 

If confirmed, Edgar will leverage his homeland enterprise experience to support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s efforts in protecting the nation and advancing immigration enforcement missions. 

Troy Edgar’s Work in Trump’s 1st Presidency 

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump noted that Edgar worked for DHS during the 45th president’s initial term in office. 

“Troy served for me previously as the chief financial officer and associate deputy under secretary of management for homeland security, where he did an outstanding job managing their $90 billion dollar budget, resourcing critical immigration policy, and funding wall construction,” Trump said in his post. 

Edgar’s Recent Roles

Edgar previously served as executive chairman, CEO, and president of Global Conductor, a company he founded in 2002. At Global Conductor, he oversaw consulting initiatives for Fortune 500 and Global 1000 customers in customer products, technology, financial and aerospace services. 

Edgar worked on the Los Alamitos, California city council for 12 years, and he served for three terms as the mayor of the city. 

“… He helped me lead the City and County revolt against Sanctuary Cities in 2018,” Trump’s post stated. “I am very excited to have Troy on our team, as he will help us Make America Great Again!”

Edgar is currently a partner at IBM, supporting federal business operations and providing strategic leadership for the company. He is also a U.S. Navy veteran.

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