The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a prototype system designed to integrate broadband communications technology with aging emergency response radios.

NIST said Monday that the prototype is intended to help older Land Mobile Radio towers and handsets benefit from wireless Long-Term Evolution (LTE) capabilities including voice, video, text, instant messaging and other data-related features.

The agency noted that the effort is meant to take advantage of LTE-based, mission-critical “push to talk” capabilities while addressing challenges in transition costs. The LTE element s also meant to support key aspects in public safety communications including speaker identification, clear audio, emergency calling and high reliability and availability, according to NIST.

Specifically, the NIST prototype will include elements such as software-defined radio, open-source software and a user interface designed to support LTE handsets for seamless inter-network communications.

“The goal here is to create a prototype and accelerate technology development in industry that will fill a significant gap,” said Jordan O’Dell, an engineer at NIST.

NIST's researchers are continuing efforts to develop the prototype and introduce links to more radio types.

The General Services Administration (GSA) plans to help agencies handle procurements that use the newly allotted $1 billion in the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF), FedScoop reported Monday. GSA will provide expertise to agencies that plan to use funds mandated by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Agencies may apply for funds from the TMF to modernize their technologies. The law also allots $150 million for the Federal Citizen Services Fund, which GSA may use to digitally transform federal agencies.

Representatives from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the U.S. Digital Service and GSA meet weekly to discuss how the funds would be used.

“We have to figure out our org chart behind the scenes and work with our agencies in all the many different ways that we can,” said Dave Zvenyach, director of Technology Transformation Services and deputy federal acquisition commissioner at GSA.

During GovConWire’s Modernizing Federal Acquisition Forum, notable federal leaders will meet to discuss current modernization priorities, innovative solutions, and future acquisition plans. To register for the Modernizing Federal Acquisition Forum and view upcoming opportunities, visit GovConWire’s Event Page.

Ylli Bajraktari, executive director of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, said the Department of Defense must modernize its digital infrastructure to accommodate faster AI development across the military.

Bajraktari said this and three other AI-focused recommendations for the DOD in an opinion piece published Monday at Defense One. He also noted that DOD must bolster its workforce of technology builders, integrators and procurement officers across all levels.

“DoD must overhaul the management and education of service members by identifying those who excel in computational thinking, upskilling the existing workforce, familiarizing our warfighters with AI concepts and other disruptive and emerging tech,” he wrote in the piece.

Third, he said the department must include AI in major exercises to foster interaction between technologists and field operators. Lastly, he advised that the Pentagon must sustain persistent leadership and remove institutional barriers to speed up AI adoption.

Bajraktari, also a recent speaker for the Potomac Officers Club, formerly performed leadership duties under Robert Work, who was deputy secretary of defense.

To hear Bajraktari’s recent opening keynote speech during Potomac Officers Club’s 3rd Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit, register and view upcoming opportunities, by visiting Potomac Officers Club’s Event Page.

Lockheed Martin announced on Tuesday its new line of rapid, integrated and economical tactical Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellites. The new ISR satellites are based on Lockheed’s LM 400 mid-size bus and will enable U.S. warfighters to track moving targets at long ranges and maneuver in highly contested environments quickly.

“Digital engineering and manufacturing are accelerating our ability to deploy robust, future-focused constellations that feature leading-edge technology for our customers’ missions. Our LM 400 is a highly adaptable, mid-sized satellite and yet can be produced at scale in a rapid and cost-effective manner,” added 2021 Wash100 Award recipient and Lockheed Martin Space executive vice president Rick Ambrose.

The LM 400 is made up of flight-proven and reliable components with a producible design. It will play a crucial role in multiple different mission areas. The LM 400 will also be fully integrated with warfighting platforms of other domains that increase warfighter capabilities.

On-board processes power the satellites with resilient connectivity. They will enable in-theater, low-latency sensor tasking, on-orbit processing of mission data, protected communications and direct downlink of situational awareness and targeting information, which is increasingly essential to shorten the sensor-to-shooter timeline against hostile adversaries.

Lockheed has also designed the LM 400 to be ‘at scale,’ which means it can support larger constellations and rapid satellite construction and deployment. Lockheed’s high-capacity Gateway Center satellite manufacturing facility will support the necessary space vehicle production.

The LM-400 tactical ISR satellite constellations will be a critical element for the U.S. military’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) by providing warfighters with space-based capabilities. The satellites will also play a role in the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Transport Layer Tranche 0, providing even more connectivity between ISR and warfighters on the battlefield.

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The members of two House panels have written to President Biden seeking collaborations to ensure the safety of U.S. academic research initiatives against foreign influence.

The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and the Science, Space and Technology Committee said in a letter to Biden dated April 9th that they are committed to launching partnerships with the executive branch as well as academic and industry stakeholders to “address legitimate security concerns” on U.S. research while promoting an open research environment, HASC said Monday.

They noted in the letter that an effective approach entails transparency on security risks, coordination on research security requirements and commitment to collaboration and openness. The House committees are also calling on the Biden administration to continue refining and updating policies on recruiting international academic talent, they added.

“We strongly support a measured and balanced approach to this issue, one that promotes research integrity and security without impeding academic freedom, international collaboration, and the global competition for talent, all of which are critical to our continued leadership in science and innovation,” they wrote.

Signatories of the letter include Adam Smith, D-Wash., Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, Jim Langevin, D-R.I., and Haley Stevens, D-Mich.

Red River, a technology transformation company, announced today it has been selected as a 2021 US Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies and the achievements of their management teams.

The 2021 designees are U.S. private companies that have demonstrated excellence in strategic planning and execution, a commitment to their people and fostering a dynamic, resilient culture, as well as strong financials, all while facing the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite major challenges and immense pressure, they continued to lead with purpose and the vision to make significant contributions to their industries, communities, workforces and the economy.

“We are proud to be named a U.S. Best Managed Company as it recognizes the amazing commitment, adaptability and strength displayed by our entire team in a challenging year,” said Alan Dumas, CEO of Red River. “In difficult times, we were able to maintain and nurture a supportive and purpose-driven culture, which allowed Red River to positively impact our customers and the communities we live and work in.”

Akima announced Tuesday that its subsidiary, Akima Global Technology (AGT), has been evaluated at level three of the CMMI Institute’s Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Version 2.0 (CMMI V2.0) for development and services. The appraisal was performed by the Integrated Quality Corporation (IQ).

“As our customers’ mission requirements become increasingly complex, it is vitally important that we have a strong service delivery strategy and an enhanced commitment to continuous improvement. This latest appraisal validates our ability to exceed customer expectations while simultaneously lowering costs and improving time-to-delivery,” commented Juvy McCarthy, president of Akima’s Technology Solutions and Products Group.

The CMMI maturity level 3 appraisal illustrates that AGT's work and processes have received the highest form of third-party validation. Also, it demonstrates the company takes proactive approaches to manage operations and projects. AGT’s last appraisal in 2019 was at maturity level 3 for Development under CMMI Version 1.3.

AGT is not the only Akima subsidiary to be rated at CMMI V2.0 three. In March, Akima subsidiary Tuvli also received the coveted level three designation for exceptional business processes. 

About Akima

Akima is a global enterprise with more than 7,500 employees, delivering agile solutions to the federal government in the core areas of aviation, construction, facilities and logistics, IT and mission support, protective services and detention management, and systems engineering. As a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation owned by more than 14,000 Iñupiat shareholders, Akima’s core mission is to enable superior outcomes for our customers’ missions while simultaneously creating a long-lived asset for NANA. In 2020, Washington Technology ranked Akima #39 amongst the top 100 government contractors.