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NSF IG Lerner to Become CIGIE Chairperson in January
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NSF IG Lerner to Become CIGIE Chairperson in January

Allison Lerner, inspector general at the National Science Foundation (NSF), has been elected to serve as chairperson for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency starting Jan. 1st.

Federal IGs voted to appoint Lerner as successor to Michael Horowitz, the Department of Justice IG who has led the council over the past five years, CIGIE said Tuesday. She has served as the council's vice chair since 2015 and helped spearhead its working groups that tackle suspension, debarment and research misconduct matters.

Lerner assumed her current position at NSF in April 2009 after her previous role as counsel in the Department of Commerce IG office. The nearly three-decade federal oversight professional was an associate at a Texas-based law firm before she joined the government.

She intends to appoint Mark Lee Greenblatt, the Department of the Interior IG, as vice chairperson of the council. Greenblatt previously served as the council's executive director and has more than 17 years of work experience within the departments of Commerce and Justice and the Senate Permanent Committee's investigations subcommittee.

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White House Issues New Directive on Space Nuclear Power, Propulsion Tech Development
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White House Issues New Directive on Space Nuclear Power, Propulsion Tech Development

President Trump has signed a new space policy directive establishing a national strategy to support the development and use of space nuclear power and propulsion (SNPP) systems.

A White House memorandum published Wednesday says SPD-6 includes goals for SNPP development and use, including the development of uranium fuel processing capabilities by mid-2020s, demonstration of a fission power system on the lunar surface by mid- to late-2020s and development of radioisotope power system capabilities by 2030.

Under the directive, the U.S. should adhere to safety, sustainability and security principles when it comes to SNPP systems development and use.

The document also outlines responsibilities for heads of some cabinet agencies. For instance, the secretary of the Department of Defense should conduct and support efforts related to SNPP tech development and utilization to achieve national security objectives, while the NASA administrator should come up with performance requirements for SNPP capabilities.

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Senators Ask FBI, CISA to Provide Details Over SolarWinds Orion Compromise
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Senators Ask FBI, CISA to Provide Details Over SolarWinds Orion Compromise

A group of six senators has called on leaders of the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to respond to several questions with regard to a cyber vulnerability involving SolarWinds’ Orion Network Management products. 

In a Tuesday letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and Acting CISA Director Brandon Wales, the lawmakers asked the two agencies to provide a list of federal entities that reported using the products cited in the cyber incident, describe the quantities and categories of data that were vulnerable to unauthorized access and share how their offices organized coordination with federal agencies to support investigative and forensic analysis efforts.

The letter came days after CISA issued an emergency directive directing all agencies to immediately disconnect SolarWinds Orion products versions 2019.4 to 2020.2.1 HF1 from their networks to mitigate the vulnerability.

The senators also want to know about the support SolarWinds has offered to agencies to address data security concerns, whether the investigation identified any lapses in the implementation of the Federal Information Security Modernization Act and how the investigation will assist SolarWinds’ customers in the private sector.

The letter was signed by Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.; Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; John Thune, R-S.D.; Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

The FBI, CISA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a joint statement Wednesday announcing the formation of a cyber unified coordination group to facilitate a “whole-of-government response” to the cyber attack.

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Army Research Lab Works With Industry, Academia to Develop New ML-Based Cybersecurity Method
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Army Research Lab Works With Industry, Academia to Develop New ML-Based Cybersecurity Method

The U.S. Army has applied machine learning to develop a new method for detecting cyber threats that evade a system's security mechanisms.

Army Research Laboratory (ARL) worked with Samsung and the University of Southern California, Riverside to develop the fully automated Context Learning-based Adversarial Protection system, the Army said Tuesday.

“Our machine learning based method is principled and based on the observation that prior evasion attacks exhibit themselves in sequences of packets that are uncommon in benign traffic," said Zhiyun Qian, a professor at the University of California, Riverside. 

Qian added the method uses a context-based learning approach to gather data on a cyber attack's inherent features.

Kevin Chan, a researcher at ARL, said these stealthy cyber-attacks would manipulate packets to instigate a variety of behaviors that camouflage malicious activities. The research will run for two more years through ARL's Cybersecurity Collaborative Research Alliance.

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W. Russ DeLoach to Oversee Safety & Mission Assurance Across NASA; Jim Bridenstine Quoted
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W. Russ DeLoach to Oversee Safety & Mission Assurance Across NASA; Jim Bridenstine Quoted

W. Russ DeLoach, director of safety and mission assurance (SMA) at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, has been appointed to lead SMA across the whole space agency, effective Jan. 1, 2021. 

DeLoach will succeed Terrence Wilcutt who will soon conclude a NASA career that ran for over three decades, the space agency said Wednesday.

The newly named NASA SMA chief developed and led safety approaches for both Johnson and Kennedy space centers. The latter facility serves as a venue for multiple space launch missions.

“His leadership will ensure NASA continues its safety first ideology across the entire agency," Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator and 2019 Wash100 Award winner, said about DeLoach.

DeLoach first engaged with NASA in 1987 on an internship with a U.S. Army-led technical training program.

Dana Gordon, Sery Kim Tapped to Join Defense Health Board Subcommittees
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Dana Gordon, Sery Kim Tapped to Join Defense Health Board Subcommittees

Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller has selected Dana Gordon, principal clinical research associate at Florida-based health research company PPD, to join the Defense Health Board’s subcommittee on neurological and behavioral health. 

Miller also plans to appoint Sery Kim, assistant administrator of the Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership, to DHB’s public health subcommittee, the Department of Defense said Tuesday.

Gordon and Kim will provide advisory services to the DoD on matters such as healthcare access and benefits for defense personnel.

Dave Vasquez, a spokesman for the DoD, said Gordon and Kim will bring “a wealth of knowledge and experience” to the federal advisory committee in their new roles.

Gordon joined PPD in 2010 where she held clinical research associate roles with responsibility over clinical monitoring and site management operations.

She held a similar position at inVentiv Health Clinical from 2015 to 2016 and served across roles of increasing responsibility at various health institutions throughout her more than two-decade career.

Kim has been serving in her current role since July and is responsible for overseeing OWBO’s partnerships with federal and industry entities on efforts to develop women-owned businesses.

She previously served as senior adviser at the Department of Health and Human Services and held counsel positions at the House of Representatives.

Prior to joining SBA, Kim served as a litigation associate at a Texas-based law firm.

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BAE Systems Names Jeremy Tondreault as President of Platform & Services Sector; Tom Arseneault Quoted
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BAE Systems Names Jeremy Tondreault as President of Platform & Services Sector; Tom Arseneault Quoted

BAE Systems has promoted Jeremy Tondreault as president of the Platform & Services sector, effective Jan 4, 2021, the company reported on Wednesday. Tondreault will join BAE Systems’ senior leadership team, which is led by Tom Arseneault president and CEO, and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient.

The Platforms & Services sector is a provider of tracked and wheeled armored combat vehicles, naval guns, naval ship repair and modernization, artillery and missile launching systems, precision strike munitions and ordnance, among other solutions for U.S. and international customers.

“Jeremy’s strong leadership of our combat vehicle portfolio, experience ramping up production lines, and deep expertise in operations and program management have positioned him as the right choice to advance the sector’s performance and continue driving operational excellence for our customers,” said Arseneault.

Tondreault has served with BAE Systems for more than two decades. During his tenure, Tondreault has held a variety of leadership roles. Most recently, he served as vice president and general manager of the Combat Mission Systems business.

He has also served as vice president of operations for the Electronic Systems sector. Throughout his career with BAE Systems, Tondreault has held roles in program management, operations, engineering and line management, managing the development, production and delivery of highly complex products.

Tondreault will succeed Guy Montminy, who will remain as a legacy fellow with the company until his planned retirement later in 2021.

“Guy has made significant contributions to our company, our employees and our customers over his 35-year career,” added Arseneault. “His dedication to our people and our mission, and his focus on safety, performance and operational excellence have guided the business through challenging times and positioned it for success into the future.”

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AFS Wins US Navy Task Order to Support Enterprise Transformation; Vince Vlasho Quoted
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AFS Wins US Navy Task Order to Support Enterprise Transformation; Vince Vlasho Quoted

Accenture Federal Services (AFS), a subsidiary of Accenture, has been awarded a five-year, $38 million task order to help the Department of the Navy drive an enterprise transformation strategy, the company reported on Wednesday. AFS will help restructure the Navy’s plans and practices to include data, cloud, cybersecurity, architecture, investments, and talent. AFS’ support will enable the service branch to achieve greater advantage and readiness.

“We’re honored to help the Department of the Navy manage its digital, data and IT services so they can focus critical resources on mission-specific requirements,” said Vince Vlasho, who leads Accenture Federal Services’ Defense portfolio. “As commercial technology accelerates, we want to ensure that the DON adapts and has what it needs to maximize readiness and warfighting effectiveness.”

Under the task order, AFS will provide information technology (IT) and management consulting services to the Navy, Marine Corps and the Department of Defense (DoD) leadership. AFS’ effort will help the Navy transform investment strategy for enterprise capability modernization to enhance joint-domain capabilities.

AFS leverage innovative solutions that scale to meet future needs and improve operational outcomes. The work includes transformation for the Navy’s enterprise through strategy, digital, portfolio planning, enterprise architecture, data management, modeling and architecture, cybersecurity and organizational change management activities.

About Accenture Federal Services

Accenture Federal Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Accenture LLP, is a U.S. company with offices in Arlington, Virginia. Accenture’s federal business has served every cabinet-level department and 30 of the largest federal organizations.

Accenture Federal Services transforms bold ideas into breakthrough outcomes for clients at defense, intelligence, public safety, civilian and military health organizations.

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Northrop Grumman Wins US Army Contract to Deliver XM813 Bushmaster Chain Guns
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Northrop Grumman Wins US Army Contract to Deliver XM813 Bushmaster Chain Guns

Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army to deliver 95 XM813 Bushmaster Chain Guns as part of the Stryker Medium Caliber Weapon System 30mm Lethality Upgrade program, the company reported on Wednesday. 

“We are committed to ensuring our U.S. warfighter remains ahead of emerging threats, and the XM813 will deliver overmatch and greater standoff range for Stryker crews,” said Jennifer Zonneveld, director for Bushmaster Chain Guns, Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman’s XM813 is a 30x173mm caliber cannon and a derivative of the company’s Mk44 Bushmaster Chain Gun, which is integrated across air, land and naval platforms. The contract will support enhancements to the XM813 and the integration of the chain guns into an additional U.S. Army Brigade Combat Team.

The XM813’s versatility allows for the incorporation of future advancements, including the ability to fire Northrop Grumman’s advanced ammunition types which will ultimately include proximity fuzed and guided munitions. 

Northrop Grumman’s chain gun will fire the company’s MK310 Programmable Air Bursting Munition (PABM) with air-burst, point-detonate and point-detonate with delay fuze settings to defeat a variety of targets. 

“We have a long history working alongside the U.S. Army and CCDC-AC to deliver advanced capabilities and we look forward to supporting the Stryker program into the future,” Zonneveld added. Northrop Grumman’s XM813 production will occur at Northrop Grumman’s Mesa, Arizona facility. Initial deliveries will begin in early 2022.

About Northrop Grumman 

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.

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Joe Biden to Nominate Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg for DOT Secretary
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Joe Biden to Nominate Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg for DOT Secretary

Joe Biden, the U.S. president-elect, intends to nominate former South Bend City Mayor Pete Buttigieg for the Department of Transportation's (DOT) highest leadership role, Biden's transition campaign said Tuesday. Buttigieg, Biden's nominee to become the U.S. secretary of transportation, would succeed Elaine Chao if elected for the role. 

The nominee would align DOT's efforts with Biden’s Build Back Better agenda that calls for increased job creation, sustainable infrastructure and other progress-focused efforts.

“I am nominating him for secretary of transportation because this position stands at the nexus of so many of the interlocking challenges and opportunities ahead of us,” Biden said about Buttigieg.

Buttigieg led the city of South Bend over an eight-year tenure and has contributed military service as an intelligence officer from the U.S. Navy's reserve force, having been deployed to Afghanistan.

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