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NSF Selects 4 Teams to Design Quantum Science Virtual Laboratory
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Brian Stone, chief of staff at NSF. Stone issues statement on the National Quantum Virtual Laboratory initiative.

The National Science Foundation has selected four teams that will receive $4 million to design an infrastructure that would expand access to hardware and software to support quantum science research.

The funding was made under the Foundation National Quantum Virtual Laboratory, or NQVL, initiative, which aims to accelerate the development of useful quantum technologies, NSF said Thursday.

“The National Quantum Virtual Laboratory is a critical bridge between basic discovery and deployment, specifically focused on turning America’s leadership in fundamental quantum science into practical technologies, products, and systems that will strengthen our nation’s competitiveness and ensure U.S. dominance in this field for decades to come,” stated Brian Stone, the agency’s chief of staff and acting director.

NQVL Design Phase Projects

The task of the selected teams is to develop shareable and networked computers accessible for experimentation from any location across the United States. NSF is also seeking a digital twin of a quantum computer for researchers to test and refine quantum algorithms.

The four design projects are as follows: 

  • Quantum Advantage-Class Trapped Ions System
  • Quantum Computing Applications of Photonics
  • Wide-Area Quantum Network to Demonstrate Quantum Advantage
  • Open Stack Rydberg Atom Quantum Computing Laboratory

Each of the four teams includes members from higher education institutions, private sector organizations like NVIDIA and QuEra, and federal agencies, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Energy and NASA.

NSF will select a second cohort of teams to support the initiative in the coming months. 

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GAO Urges Action to Address Gaps in Federal Cyber Workforce Data, Initiative Assessments
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Government Accountability Office logo. GAO urged ONCD to fix gaps in federal cyber workforce data.

The Government Accountability Office has called on the Office of the National Cyber Director to take urgent steps to improve the quality, completeness and evaluation of federal cyber workforce data, citing significant gaps in information on both the size and cost of civilian and contractor personnel performing IT, cybersecurity and cyber-related functions.

According to a GAO report released Thursday, most of the 23 federal civilian departments and agencies reviewed could not fully identify their cyber workforce or its total costs. Agencies reported at least 63,934 federal employees and 4,151 contractor staff in cyber roles at a combined annual cost of about $14.6 billion, but GAO said the figures were incomplete and unreliable.

The watchdog found that 22 agencies reported partial or no contractor data, 19 lacked documented quality assurance processes and 17 did not have standardized procedures for identifying cyber employees. GAO warned that without high-quality data, the government cannot ensure informed workforce decisions, noting that such data becomes especially critical during administration transitions when incoming leaders need to assess cyber readiness.

GAO Found Agencies Lacking Effectiveness Assessments

GAO also determined that while 22 agencies reported using various initiatives to strengthen their cyber workforce through hiring, reskilling, training and retention, most did not assess the effectiveness of those measures. Nine agencies evaluated certain aspects of costs, benefits and performance, and five used assessments to expand some programs, but the majority cited a lack of visibility into data needed to support such reviews.

The report noted that the ONCD’s 2023 National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy does not require agencies to evaluate such initiatives, limiting the ability of ONCD and agencies to prioritize those with the highest return on investment.

GAO Recommendations

GAO made four recommendations for ONCD, to be implemented in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget and other relevant entities. The ONCD is encouraged to:

  • Address gaps in cyber workforce size and cost data used by agency-level chief information officers and chief human capital officers.
  • Address the lack of documented quality assurance processes in cyber workforce data.
  • Address variances in identifying cyber personnel in workforce data.
  • Direct agencies to assess the effectiveness of cyber workforce initiatives using costs, benefits, performance and other relevant metrics.

ONCD neither agreed nor disagreed with the recommendations.

GAO’s review builds on previous work in which it made 64 recommendations since 2019 to improve cyber workforce management, 32 of which remain unimplemented.

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SECNAV Phelan Orders Reorganization of Navy’s Robotic, Autonomous Systems Leadership
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Navy Secretary John Phelan. Phelan issued a memo on reforms to the Navy's robotic and autonomous systems efforts.

Navy Secretary John Phelan has announced three new positions and offices to lead the development of robotic and autonomous systems, or RAS, as part of the service’s bid to create a hybrid fleet.

In a memorandum that Breaking Defense obtained, the military leader established the deputy assistant secretary, program executive office and portfolio acquisition executive to lead all efforts related to RAS.

The new secretary and offices are expected to reach initial operating capacity in the coming months.

In addition to the new titles, Phelan has also paused all contracting activities related to RAS and tasked the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition to conduct a 30-day sprint for the analysis and creation of an implementation plan.

Phelan’s memorandum comes weeks after Pete Hegseth, secretary of defense and a 2025 Wash100 Award winner, issued his own memo ordering the Pentagon to equip warfighters with U.S.-made, low-cost drones.

AUVSI Supports Navy’s RAS Shakeup

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, or AUVSI, issued a statement applauding Phelan’s reforms.

“To stay the world’s dominant naval force, the U.S. Navy must build a hybrid fleet that pairs crewed ships with uncrewed systems,” commented Michael Robbins, president and CEO of the industry lobbying group. “Uncrewed surface and subsurface vehicles extend our reach, deliver asymmetric advantages, and keep sailors out of harm’s way—because robots don’t bleed. These systems are critical for power projection, logistics, and deterrence in contested waters. The dedicated RAS team creates the required structure and urgency needed to restore Congressional confidence and finally turn innovation into deployable capability.”

A hybrid fleet consists of crewed and uncrewed systems working together.

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Air Force Unveils Network of the Future Strategy
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Department of the Air Force seal. DAF unveiled the Network of the Future Strategy.

The Department of the Air Force has unveiled a new strategy outlining how the DAF will deliver a resilient and adaptive encrypted network that facilitates real-time data sharing in support of warfighters.

DAF Network of the Future Strategy’s Objectives

The department’s Network of the Future Strategy has six objectives: bolster network resilience; increase operational scalability and flexibility; secure the network of the future; streamline network management; integrate the network environment; and enable the workforce of the future.

“This strategy will serve as our North Star as we address rapidly evolving threats and rising demand for seamless connectivity, empowering our warfighters with the data they need, when and where they need it most,” the DAF Chief Information Officer said in a LinkedIn post published Wednesday.

Bolstering Network Resilience by Migrating to SD-WAN

One objective is strengthening network resilience by migrating to a software-defined wide area network, or SD-WAN, for transport routing and incorporating 5G technology, satellite and other alternative transport methods to ensure the flexible movement of data in the face of high network demand.

According to the strategy, SD-WAN could help enhance network flexibility and responsiveness by making it easier to deliver secure connections to cloud and off-site data center applications. 

DAF said the integration of 5G, satellite and new transport methods will support future missions by strengthening network resilience and improving bandwidth capacity.

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Amit Kshatriya Named NASA ​Associate Administrator
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NASA's Amit Kshatriya. Amit Kshatriya has been appointed associate administrator at NASA.

NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy has named Amit Kshatriya the agency’s new associate administrator, the highest-ranking civil service position.

The agency said Wednesday Kshatriya will oversee program planning and execution for crewed missions to the Moon through the Artemis campaign in preparation for humanity’s first mission to Mars.

Who Is Amit Kshatriya?

Kshatriya has dedicated nearly two decades of service to NASA, gaining valuable operational and strategic experience. Before his most recent promotion, he served as deputy associate administrator for the Moon to Mars program in the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. In this role, he oversaw the execution of the initiative’s initial segments, including Artemis’ human lunar return and the development of foundational surface exploration elements.

The executive also served as deputy associate administrator for the Moon to Mars program, assistant deputy associate administrator for exploration systems development and deputy manager of the ISS Vehicle Office. He was also flight director, robotics operations lead, and chief training officer.

Before joining NASA, Kshatriya spent over three years at United Space Alliance. He was part of the engineering staff of the ISS mechanical and robotics systems and the computer science staff of the space shuttle avionics development.

“Under his leadership, the agency will chart a bold vision to return to the Moon during President Trump’s term. Amit’s knowledge, integrity, and unwavering commitment to pioneering a new era of exploration make him uniquely qualified to lead our agency as associate administrator,” said Duffy.

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NSF Seeks to Advance AI Research Through New Operations Center
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Artificial intelligence. NSF issued a solicitation for an effort to establish NAIRR-OC.

The National Science Foundation has begun soliciting proposals for an initiative to establish a community-based center that will oversee the development of the overarching framework, management structure and operations strategy to support an integrated national infrastructure for artificial intelligence research and education.

National AI Research Resource Operations Center

NSF said Wednesday the proposed National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Operations Center, or NAIRR-OC, seeks to transition the NAIRR Pilot into a sustainable national program that will accelerate AI research capabilities.

“The NAIRR Operating Center solicitation marks a key step in the transition from the NAIRR Pilot to building a sustainable and scalable NAIRR program,” said Katie Antypas, director of the NSF Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with private sector and agency partners, whose contributions have been critical in demonstrating the innovation and scientific impact that comes when critical AI resources are made accessible to research and education communities across the country,” added Antypas.

According to the solicitation, NAIRR-OC seeks to establish the organizational management, operational framework and success metrics for NAIRR; launch a web portal for streamlined access to tools; integrate advanced computing and data resources; and collaborate with partner organizations to build a national AI research community.

Proposals are due Feb. 4, 2026.

What Is the NAIRR-Pilot?

Launched in 2024, the NAIRR Pilot aims to create a national infrastructure to help advance AI innovation by expanding access to data, computational, model and training resources.

The pilot has linked over 400 U.S. research teams to datasets, computing platforms, models and software to accelerate breakthroughs in cybersecurity, drug discovery, agriculture and other fields. It has been supported by 14 federal agencies and 28 nonprofit and private-sector partners.

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US, International Partners Publish Joint SBOM Guidance
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Software development. NSA, CISA and global partners release SBOM guidance to improve software supply chain transparency.

The National Security Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, in collaboration with cybersecurity agencies from more than a dozen countries, have released a joint guidance highlighting the importance of a software bill of materials. The publication, titled “A Shared Vision of Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for Cybersecurity,” urges software producers, procurers and operators to adopt SBOM practices to strengthen visibility into supply chains and reduce risks, NSA said Wednesday.US, International Partners Publish Joint SBOM Guidance

Potomac Officers Club will host the 2025 Intel Summit on Oct. 2. The event brings together senior leaders from across the intelligence community to explore emerging threats, technological advances and strategic opportunities shaping national security today. Register today to secure your spot and engage with decision-makers and thought leaders driving the future of the IC.

Enhancing Supply Chain Security

An SBOM is described as a “list of ingredients” for software, documenting the components, modules and libraries used to build an application. The guidance notes that most modern software is built on open-source and proprietary elements, making it critical to increase transparency around software dependencies. By generating, analyzing and sharing SBOMs, organizations can improve vulnerability management, supply chain risk assessments, license compliance and software development practices, the guidance stated.

The document highlights how SBOMs helped organizations respond more efficiently to the 2021 Log4j vulnerability. Those with SBOM data were able to identify affected components faster, while those without had to rely on time-consuming manual checks.

Driving SBOM Adoption

The guidance aligns SBOM implementation with the Secure by Design initiative, which encourages technology manufacturers to normalize the development of products that are secure out of the box. It calls for automation in SBOM generation and integration into existing security and asset management tools to ensure effectiveness and scalability.

“Widespread adoption of SBOM will strengthen security, reduce risk, and decrease costs,” the authoring agencies said. They also warned that diverging implementations could hinder progress, stressing the need for a coordinated international approach.

The effort was developed in partnership with the Australian Cyber Security Centre; the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security; the French Cybersecurity Agency; Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security; Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency; South Korea’s National Intelligence Service; and more than 10 other national authorities. The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology also contributed to the guidance.

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Trump Moves US Space Command HQ to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama
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U.S. Space Command logo. The U.S. Space Command will call Redstone Arsenal in Alabama as its new home

President Trump has announced that the U.S. Space Command will relocate from its current headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado to the Army’s Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

In a press conference Tuesday, the president said the move will create over 30,000 jobs and result in hundreds of billions of dollars in investments for the state of Alabama.

Learn about how the U.S. is staying competitive with adversaries during the space IT panel at the 2025 GovCon International Summit, and in NATO space expert MG Devin Pepper’s keynote at the event.

Why Is US Space Command Moving to Alabama?

According to Trump, SPACECOM will be critical in the development of the Golden Dome of America, a missile defense system that will shield U.S. citizens and infrastructure from airborne threats.

“We were losing the race in space very badly to China and Russia, and now we’re far and away No. 1 in space, and we’re [reestablishing] SPACECOM with a mission to protect American space assets and detect any threat to our homeland,” the president stated.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a 2025 Wash100 Award winner, added during the press conference that SPACECOM’s move to Alabama would also ensure that the U.S. will stay “leaps and bounds ahead” of competition.

He stressed the importance of the space domain.

“Whoever controls the skies will control the future of warfare,” Hegseth said. “Mr. President, today you’re ensuring that happens.”

Background on US Space Command

Spacecom was originally established in 1985, deestablished in 2002 and reestablished in 2019, during Trump’s first term. The unified combatant command is involved in the U.S. military’s activities in space and is in charge of defending American satellites from threats.

Reuters reported that, based on congressional records, SPACECOM has around 1,700 personnel.

Trump Moves US Space Command HQ to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama
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GSA, ServiceNow Partner on AI-Driven Government Modernization
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Handshake representing partnership. GSA and ServiceNow have partnered to offer an AI-driven government modernization platform

The General Services Administration and ServiceNow have entered into a OneGov agreement to provide federal agencies access to an advanced artificial intelligence-driven modernization platform.

GSA said Wednesday the collaboration aims to enhance government workflow efficiency and optimize agentic transformation by providing them access to the ServiceNow AI Platform through a streamlined licensing model.

ServiceNow AI Platform

Through the OneGov agreement, federal agencies aiming to modernize their technology using intelligent automation, predictive analytics, process mining and workplace optimization can access ServiceNow’s AI platform and other offerings. The company’s Information Technology Service Management Pro and ITSM Pro Plus bundle, including ServiceNow Now Assist, are available at discounts of up to 70 percent until September 2028, or a standalone ITSM Pro upgrade at 40 percent off the listed price.

Remarks From Government Officials, ServiceNow CEO

Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, recipient of the 2025 Wash100 Award, stated, “This agreement is a logical next step in the AI transformation of government and positions us to deliver on the administration’s goals for efficiency, productivity and the priorities outlined in President Trump’s AI Action plan.”

“This partnership with ServiceNow will be instrumental in streamlining government technology, driving efficiency and unlocking significant taxpayer savings,” said GSA Acting Administrator Michael Rigas.

“Our AI platform and solutions will help every federal agency consolidate the past, strengthen security and deliver better outcomes for the American people,” remarked Bill McDermott, chairman and CEO of ServiceNow.

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GAO Report Finds DOD Lacks Data to Assess Effectiveness of Other Transaction Agreements
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Government Accountability Office logo. GAO reviewed other transaction agreement data and ongoing weapon programs at the DOD

The Department of Defense does not have the data that would enable decision-makers to determine if other transaction agreements, or OTAs, are working as intended, the Government Accountability Office revealed in a new report published Wednesday.

According to the congressional watchdog, while DOD tracks when a prototype OTA moves to production OTA, there is no process in place to monitor when the program switches to a standard contract.

Evaluating DOD’s Use of OTAs

OTA is a contracting mechanism that offers flexibility to support capability development. Officials use OTAs to customize the terms and conditions to protect the government’s interests. Non-traditional defense contractors that also do not typically do business with the government may choose to work with DOD under an OTA.

After the prototype phase, contractors may receive another OTA for large-scale production or a standard production contract subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Because OTAs come with risks, such as reduced oversight of contractor costs, defense officials may switch to standard contracts for capability production. In fact, of the 18 weapon system programs reviewed for the report, 10 are moving from prototype OTAs to standard contracts for production. Officials shared that standard contracts can mitigate overpayment.

The Pentagon systematically tracks prototype OTAs that turn into production OTAs. However, GAO discovered that the Defense Department does not track when prototype OTAs resulted in standard contracts for production.

GAO is recommending that DOD establish a systematic process for monitoring when prototype OTAs become standard contracts for production and report data fully and accurately. The Pentagon concurred.

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