/
Executive Order Calls for Next-Gen Missile Defense Shield Deployment
Published on
Executive Order Calls for Next-Gen Missile Defense Shield Deployment

President Donald Trump on Monday signed a new executive order to deploy and maintain a next-generation missile defense shield to protect the country and critical infrastructure from foreign aerial attacks.

Secretary of Defense’s Responsibilities

The White House said Monday the EO titled The Iron Dome for America will direct the secretary of defense to submit within the next two months a reference architecture, capabilities-based requirements and an implementation plan for the missile defense shield.

According to the EO, the reference architecture should include plans for U.S. defense against hypersonic, ballistic, advanced cruise missiles and other next-generation aerial attacks from adversaries; acceleration of the deployment of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor layer; and development and fielding of a custody layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

The secretary should review relevant authorities of the Department of Defense to build and deploy capabilities; work with the director of the Office of Management and Budget to submit a plan on how to fund the initiative; and cooperate with U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Northern Command to provide an updated assessment of the strategic missile threat and a prioritized set of locations to defend against a countervalue attack by nuclear adversaries.

Theater Missile Defense Review

The EO mandates that the DOD secretary order a review of theater missile defense posture and related efforts to identify ways in which the U.S. and its allies can improve theater missile defenses of U.S. troops and allied territories and enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation on the development of missile defense technologies, among others.

//
SDA Seeks Input on Planned PWSA Optical Terminal Standard Changes
Published on
SDA Seeks Input on Planned PWSA Optical Terminal Standard Changes

The Space Development Agency is seeking industry feedback on the upcoming updates for its Optical Communication Terminal, or OCT, standard to reduce risk in future Tranche 3 solicitations of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

The request for information, or RFI, will inform plans to revise the OCT standard between versions 3.1.0 and 4.0.0, SDA said in a Friday notice posted on SAM.gov. For instance, the effort would involve critical updates from version 3.1.0 and new requirements outlined in version 4.0.0 not specific to the burst-mode waveform implementation.

Feedback for Planned OCT Standard Changes

Specifically, SDA invites vendors to provide input on the OCT standard version 3.2.0, which the agency envisions as the benchmark for the PWSA Tranche 3 modifications. SDA also wants comments on version 4.0.0, which will be the compliance standard for a select number of Tranche 3 optical terminals.

Interested parties are encouraged to provide feedback on how the standard changes could affect the hardware, firmware, software, cost and schedule of the PWSA space vehicles and optical terminals. Vendors can also discuss the potential interoperability constraints with the non-burst waveforms for OCT standard versions 3.1.0, 3.2.0 and 4.0.0.

Recommendations for Extra OCT Requirements

In addition, recommendations for additional optical communication requirements in the OCT standard revision to advance the SDA mission will be welcomed. Responses to the RFI will be accepted until Feb. 4.

/
NSWC Philadelphia Unit Signs New EPA With Rowan University
Published on
NSWC Philadelphia Unit Signs New EPA With Rowan University

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, or NSWCPD, has deepened its collaboration with Rowan University of Glassboro, New Jersey, with the signing of a new education partnership agreement, or EPA. NSWCPD said Friday that its EPA with Rowan University is one of seven agreements with colleges around the U.S.

Potential Benefits of the Agreement

The new EPA is anticipated to help bolster Rowan University’s research capabilities and enrich its students’ educational experience. The agreement makes it possible for NSWCPD to loan to the university various resources, including unique and specialized hardware, for use in research to address challenges unique to the U.S. Navy. The agreement will also give subject matter experts from NSWCPD the opportunity to develop and assist in teaching science and engineering courses at the higher education institution.

Cultivating Innovators

Commenting on the new EPA, Steve Mastro, deputy chief technology officer at NSWCPD, said, “The U.S Navy’s partnerships with universities are essential for cultivating the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem solvers. By forging this education agreement with Rowan University, we ensure a continuous pipeline of highly skilled individuals equipped with the knowledge and adaptability to meet the evolving challenges of national security. These collaborations not only strengthen the Navy’s capabilities but also contribute to the broader advancement of science, technology, and global diplomacy.”

Encouraging Interest in S&T

For his part, Nigel Thijs, technical director at NSWCPD, said, “Our functions at NSWCPD span the engineering spectrum from science and technology to research and development to acquisition and sustainment through the life of ship or ship system. Integral to long-term health are partnerships like this that develop our public-private relationship, create pipeline opportunities to future employment and encourage interest in science and engineering.”

/
Dataminr’s Paul Tierney on Public Sector Use of AI in 2025
Published on
Dataminr’s Paul Tierney on Public Sector Use of AI in 2025

Paul Tierney, senior vice president of North America public sector at Dataminr, expects artificial intelligence to be put to use by government agencies to address cybersecurity risks in 2025.

Cybersecurity Applications

Tierney made this projection in an article published Thursday, where he discussed the areas in which AI would likely be applied by the public sector in the coming year and beyond. Concerning AI’s cybersecurity applications, Tierney said the technology could be used by agencies to address risks emanating from external vendors and partners. AI could also be used to defend against cyber attacks launched by malicious actors wielding the same technology.

Agency Coordination

The Dataminr SVP believes AI would be used by the government to improve coordination and response to various scenarios, including disasters and national security events. AI could power systems that facilitate information-sharing. Additionally, he suggests, it could work to synthesize data from various sources to deliver insights that could help hasten decision-making.

Government Efficiency

AI is also a key element in the operation of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which President Donald Trump established via executive order on Jan. 20. According to the EO, AI will help the organization as it works to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity through the modernization of federal technology and software. For Tierney, the use of AI by DOGE may even encourage other agencies to find creative ways to apply the technology.

AI ‘An Essential Tool’

The Dataminr executive went on to describe AI as “no longer just an experiment” but “an essential tool for efficient and adaptable governance.”

“As we move forward in 2025, I look forward to seeing how governments and public sector organizations worldwide will further explore ways to harness AI’s benefits while addressing persistent challenges, such as security and privacy concerns and ethical considerations,” Tierney said.

/
US SPACECENT to Open Campus at Qatari Air Base
Published on
US SPACECENT to Open Campus at Qatari Air Base

The U.S. Space Forces – Central Command is advancing operations at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar with the construction of a campus at the base. The campus is meant to the base’s space operations and capabilities in the Middle East, according to Friday’s U.S. Space Force announcement of the facility’s groundbreaking.

The SPACECENT campus will host state-of-the-art equipment for joint support on space-related activities at Al Udeid, USSF said. The American forces at the base include elements from the U.S. Air Forces Central Command and the Combined Air and Space Operations Center. The United States and Qatar agreed in January 2024 to extend U.S. military presence at the base for another 10 years.

Collaborative Foundation in the Middle East

Col. Frank Brooks, Space Forces Central Command deputy, said at the campus’ recent groundbreaking ceremony that the complex will be “a beacon for the vital space systems and operations” of U.S. CENTCOM’s mission to promote security and partnership across the Middle East. He added that in establishing the new facility, the United States and Qatar are demonstrating an “ever-growing partnership” that began in the 1990s, noting that the Al Udeid Air Base has been “a foundation for collaboration and mutual respect.”

In 2018, Qatar launched a $1.8 billion project to upgrade the base, the biggest facility that U.S. military forces use in the Middle East. The base expansion was reported as part of Qatar’s cooperation with the United States in fighting terrorism. 

In another cooperative effort, U.S. Space Command entered into a space situational awareness data sharing agreement with the Qatar Armed Forces in October 2023.

/
IBM Center Calls for Careful Adoption of GenAI by Government
Published on
IBM Center Calls for Careful Adoption of GenAI by Government

The IBM Center for The Business of Government released last month a document offering guidance on how agencies can implement digital technologies, including generative artificial intelligence, Nextgov/FCW reported Monday.

Adopting AI Carefully

According to the document, titled “Digital Modernization for Government: An Implementation Framework,” GenAI can be key to technological modernization and transformation for the government but its adoption should be handled carefully. The document underscored the need for compliance with regulations and adherence to principles of ethical AI use.

Avoiding Bias

Efforts should also be taken to mitigate the potential harms the technology could bring about, especially when processing large amounts of potentially private or sensitive data. While agencies can use AI to generate actionable insights from such information, agencies should also avoid producing output that could result in unfairness or bias, the think tank said.

It should also recommends that agencies work to ensure that AI tools are compliant with data governance regulations.

Additional Recommendations

The document’s other recommendations for the careful implementation of AI include ensuring that the output of an AI tool can be explained and establishing a process by which AI outputs can be challenged. Furthermore, the document proposed fostering AI-human collaboration.

IBM Center Calls for Careful Adoption of GenAI by Government

Register now for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 AI Summit, which will provide participants with insights on how to harness artificial intelligence within their organizations.

/
GSA Installs Private Sector Execs in Leadership Positions
Published on
GSA Installs Private Sector Execs in Leadership Positions

The General Services Administration has announced the appointment of industry executives Michael Peters and Josh Gruenbaum as commissioners of the Public Buildings Service, or PBS, and the Federal Acquisition Service, or FAS, respectively.

GSA said Friday that Thomas Shedd took on the role of director of Technology Transformation Services, or TTS, while legal executive Russell McGranahan assumed the position of general counsel.

Michael Peters

The newly appointed PBS commissioner recently served as vice president of corporate strategy at Honeywell International. He served as chief operating officer of KOS Services and had an extensive career in investment banking.

Josh Gruenbaum

The new FAS commissioner has served on numerous boards across different industries and has specialized in mergers and acquisitions, governance, investing and complex restructurings. Gruenbaum previously worked at KKR & Co. and Moelis & Co.

Thomas Shedd

In addition to his role as director of TTS, Shedd will serve as deputy commissioner of FAS.

He is a mechanical engineer who spent eight years at Tesla, where he developed software that operates vehicle and battery factories.

Russell McGranahan

The newly appointed general counsel at GSA has over three decades of experience at investment companies Focus Financial Partners and BlackRock and at law firms Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and White & Case.

/
Greg Barbaccia Announces New Role as Federal CIO
Published on
Greg Barbaccia Announces New Role as Federal CIO

Greg Barbaccia has confirmed his new role as federal chief information officer at the Office of Management and Budget, succeeding Clare Martorana. Barbaccia announced his appointment on a LinkedIn post Saturday. 

Get to Know the New Federal CIO 

He brings to the role over 15 years of experience in the finance, government and defense technology markets. Before becoming the federal CIO, he served as chief information security officer at Theorem, a financial services company that provides risk management powered by machine learning and data science. In this role, he developed and implemented company strategies to protect sensitive financial data, address cyber vulnerabilities and cyber incidence response, and ensure regulatory compliance. 

He also served as president of Elementus, a blockchain search engine provider, for over a year. The company also offers compliance and data analytics platforms to U.S. government agencies. 

Barbaccia spent 10 years of his career at Palantir, where he held leadership roles of increasing responsibilities. He joined the software development company in 2010 as a government account manager, where he handled Palantir’s business with the Department of Defense and local law enforcement organizations. By 2016, he has moved up to the role of head of intelligence and investigations.

He also founded and served as a managing partner at Argus Vigilance. 

Earlier in his career, the tech expert was an intelligence analyst at the Intelligence Community. He was also an intelligence sergeant for the U.S. Army.

/
Trump Signs EO to Establish Science & Tech Advisory Council
Published on
Trump Signs EO to Establish Science & Tech Advisory Council

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to establish an advisory council on science and technology.

What Is PCAST’s Purpose?

The White House said Thursday the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, or PCAST, will spearhead U.S. innovation and competitiveness in critical and emerging technologies by eliminating bureaucratic barriers and providing evidence-based recommendations to the president to ensure that the latest technological advancements and scientific discoveries inform policies.

The assistant to the president for science and technology and the White House special adviser for artificial intelligence and crypto will co-chair PCAST, which will include up to 24 members, including technologists and scientists from government, industry and academia.

According to the EO, the Department of Energy will provide funding and technical and administrative support for PCAST, which is authorized to run for two years.

//
Senate Confirms Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary
Published on
Senate Confirms Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on a 59-34 vote.

Senators worked over the weekend to confirm Noem as the eighth homeland security secretary, DHS said Saturday. Fifty-two Republican senators, who hold the chamber’s majority, supported Noem’s nomination while seven Democrats voted in her favor.

Safety Goals

In a statement issued following the confirmation vote, the new DHS head thanked the Senate for its trust, vowing she would secure the southern border, fix the broken immigration system and keep all Americans safe. “We will fully equip our intelligence and law enforcement to detect and prevent terror threats and will deliver rapid assistance and disaster relief to Americans in crisis,” the Wash100 Award recipient said.

First Female Governor of South Dakota

Before her nomination to President Donald Trump’s cabinet, Noem was a two-term governor of South Dakota—the first woman to hold the job in the state’s history. She also served in the state legislature for several years and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Noem, who will oversee key agencies such as Customs and Border Protection and take charge of federal response to natural disasters, was sworn in by Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.

1 … 125 126 127 128 129 … 2,621