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Bipartisan Bill Targets NSF Funding for Advancing Quantum Technology
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Quantum computing. Reps. Salinas and Baird introduced bill to advance quantum technology.

Reps. Andrea Salinas, D-Ore., and Jim Baird, R-Ind., have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding access to quantum research infrastructure through National Science Foundation funding.

What Does the QISE Act Propose?

Salinas’ office said Thursday the Quantum Instrumentation for Science and Engineering, or QISE, Act, aims to expand researchers’ access to equipment needed to develop advanced quantum technologies. The legislation would mandate the NSF to allocate grants for the development and maintenance of shared research infrastructure and specialized equipment accessible to universities, startups and laboratories.

It also calls for collaboration between universities and community or technical colleges to support hands-on training opportunities. The measure is intended to support research and development in quantum information science, technology, and engineering.

“This bill directs NSF to fund the shared research facilities and instrumentation our universities and startups need to turn breakthrough research into good-paying jobs and real-world solutions for Oregon families,” said Salinas.

How Would It Affect Existing Policy?

The legislation would revise the National Quantum Initiative Act, enabling the NSF to provide funds to support upgrades to research facilities, instrumentation and equipment. These changes are designed to enhance access to advanced tools, support workforce training and help transition research efforts into practical applications.

Related Legislative Activity on Quantum Research

In a similar move, Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., introduced the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act in January. The bill would extend federal support for quantum research and development.

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DHA Names David Smith Deputy Director
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David Smith. The former acting DHA director has been named deputy director of the agency.

The Defense Health Agency has appointed David Smith, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral and former acting DHA director, as its deputy director.

DHA Names David Smith Deputy Director

As DHA announces a key leadership appointment, focus continues to build around innovation, readiness and the future of military healthcare. Book your spot at the 2026 Healthcare Summit this December to connect with government and industry leaders and gain valuable insights into healthcare strategies, policies, and emerging capabilities transforming care delivery.

In a statement published Thursday, Smith said serving alongside DHA personnel is a privilege and noted that healthcare readiness and innovation directly impact military strength.

“As deputy director, I’m committed to building on DHA’s legacy of excellence, driving forward initiatives that modernize care, enhance readiness, and ensure we remain a trusted partner in the lives of those who defend our nation,” he added.

What Did Vice Adm. Darin Via Say About Smith’s Appointment?

Vice Adm. Darin Via, director of DHA, said Smith’s background across military and civilian leadership roles positions him to help advance the agency’s mission.

“He brings deep understanding of our health care enterprise, having led medical teams in combat, commanded hospitals, shaped major policy, and advised senior department officials. Prior to assuming the role of deputy director, he provided steady leadership as the acting director of DHA for nearly a year,” Via said of Smith. “His commitment to innovation and excellence aligns with DHA’s mission to modernize military health care and support the well-being of our warfighters and their families.”

Who Is David Smith?

Smith brings decades of experience in military medicine, health policy and operational readiness to the role.

He most recently served as deputy assistant secretary for health readiness policy and oversight at the Department of War, where he led initiatives in force health protection, deployment medicine, disaster response, medical research and international health collaboration.

His military career included time serving as Joint Staff surgeon and chief medical adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also held several leadership positions, including commanding officer of Naval Hospital Rota in Spain; director of occupational and community health at the National Naval Medical Center; and chief of staff for the TRICARE Management Activity.

Smith is a fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

He holds a doctor of medicine degree from Northwestern University Medical School and a master’s degree in environmental health from the University of Cincinnati.

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Air Force Launches IT Storefront to Streamline Procurement
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Department of the Air Force logo. DAF launched EITaaS Wave One IT Storefront, an online portal for IT hardware procurement.

The Department of the Air Force has unveiled the Enterprise Information Technology as-a-Service, or EITaaS, Wave One IT Storefront, an online portal designed to facilitate the procurement of IT hardware and field services across the department.

Air Force Launches IT Storefront to Streamline Procurement

As the Air Force advances efforts like the new EITaaS IT Storefront to modernize procurement and digital infrastructure, government and industry leaders continue to prioritize enterprise IT modernization. Save your seat now for the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22, and hear experts discuss AI in mission-critical environments, mission engineering and other evolving strategies shaping federal IT.

What Capabilities Does EITaaS Wave One IT Storefront Offer?

The Air Force said Thursday the platform enables procurement officials to buy compliant IT products and manage orders through an approval process. It will run concurrently with the General Services Administration’s GSA Advantage website until that legacy ordering system is retired.

“IT Storefront is a modern online e-commerce platform tailored for DAF users,” said Samuel Murphy, EITaaS Wave One IT Storefront project manager. “We received feedback from the department regarding the need for streamlined procurement and are now looking forward to introducing users to the modernized online portal.”

IT Storefront offers order management, asset tracking, automated email notifications and vendor fulfillment functions. The platform allows users to place orders for IT products across multiple vendors within a single transaction while tracking order status and shipment updates.

“There is an easy way to view all procurement information on IT Storefront,” said Daniel Anderson, EITaaS software developer and IT Storefront architect. “Users can populate a shopping cart with product bundles to expedite the ordering process. Equipment custodian officers receive shipping notifications and vendor manifests will generate asset tags so ECOs are aware of shipped items that create better tracking of stocked inventory.”

The service directs users to adhere to local base or major command processes before placing orders in the system.

What Is EITaaS?

EITaaS is a DAF initiative that uses commercial services and industry best practices to deliver standardized, agile and innovative IT capabilities across the enterprise and allow service members to focus on mission-critical work.

EITaaS Wave One includes enterprise IT service management, a 24/7 service desk, end-user devices, field services and unified endpoint management capabilities to support users across the Air Force and the Space Force.

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Coast Guard Issues RFI for Contractor-Operated Drone ISR Support
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U.S. Coast Guard logo. The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking industry input on drones capable of ISR support.

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking industry input on contractor-operated unmanned aircraft systems to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Coast Guard Issues RFI for Contractor-Operated Drone ISR SupportRegister today for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 12 to hear from DHS leaders on rising investments in AI, cyber defense and border security, and discover how industry can support evolving mission priorities.

What Is the Coast Guard Seeking?

According to the sources sought notice published Wednesday on SAM.gov, the Coast Guard’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems Program Executive Office aims to identify vendors that can provide airborne ISR services using Group 2 and 3 unmanned aircraft. The effort calls for contractor-owned, contractor-operated services deployed aboard cutter classes with flight decks as well as at shore-based sites.

What Capabilities Are Required From Contractors?

Contractors would be responsible for delivering sensor data, trained personnel, and non-development UAS equipment. Additional responsibilities include operations and maintenance, certifications, spare aircraft, and deployed mission support. Meanwhile, these services must support ISR missions that require persistent imagery and be always available, including during day and night operations.

What Are the Details of the Proposed Contract?

The Coast Guard intends to utilize a basic ordering agreement with a potential 10-year period of performance, consisting of a five-year base and one five-year option. Under this vehicle, the government would competitively select vendors from an eligible pool to provide services for specific ship platforms or shore regions. The geographic scope encompasses up to 37 shore-based sites across the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic regions. Responses to the request for information are due May 8.

Coast Guard Advances Robotics Strategy

This RFI builds on the Coast Guard’s broader push into autonomous capabilities, following the August 2025 launch of its Robotics and Autonomous Systems Program Executive Office and a subsequent plan to invest nearly $350 million in robotics to enhance mission readiness, safety and operational effectiveness.

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Leidos, Defense Unicorns Land Navy OTA for Software Container Prototype Testing
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U.S. Navy logo. Leidos and Defense Unicorns were selected by the U.S. Navy to test software-only container prototypes.

The U.S. Navy has awarded an other transaction agreement to Leidos and Defense Unicorns to test software-only container prototypes aimed at modernizing how updates are delivered to ships, Breaking Defense reported Thursday.

Leidos, Defense Unicorns Land Navy OTA for Software Container Prototype Testing

Initiatives like accelerating capability delivery to warfighters highlight the Navy’s commitment to innovation and mission readiness. Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27 to learn about other Navy efforts to modernize operations. Register now!

What Is the Purpose of the Prototype Effort?

The agreement is the first under a commercial solutions opening released in early 2026 by the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic’s Rapid Capabilities Cell. It supports the modernization of application infrastructure through a standardized, container-native platform, enabling faster capability delivery, enhanced cyber resilience and the deployment of a secure, software-only minimum viable product.

Why Is the Navy Pursuing This Approach?

Updating software aboard deployed ships has been difficult due to limited connectivity. In many cases, updates are performed while ships are docked, requiring personnel to physically load software using disks. According to Didier “DJ” LeGoff, a Leidos senior vice president, this process can take significant time, with full network baseline updates sometimes taking up to a year.

“Today, the vast majority of the applications have to be loaded pier side with people actually walking on board with disks to load software. What this is doing is allowing us to be able to do that remotely,” said LeGoff.

How Will the System Be Tested & Used?

LeGoff said the prototype allows personnel to remotely upload, patch and distribute applications, with visibility into deployed software. The system packages applications into smaller segments that can be transmitted over limited connections and is designed to operate on commercial stacks. Testing will take place in a lab environment in San Diego over two months, with potential follow-on evaluations aboard ships.

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INL Opens DOME Nuclear Microreactor Test Bed for Industry Demonstrations
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Idaho National Laboratory logo. INL said the DOME test bed will support nuclear technology development

The Idaho National Laboratory has announced that the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments, or DOME, is open for industry-led nuclear microreactor tests.

INL said Wednesday that the microreactor test bed is designed to accelerate the development of advanced nuclear technologies.

“DOME represents the kind of bold and creative infrastructure investment that America’s nuclear resurgence demands,” INL Director John Wagner stated. “We are accelerating the next generation of nuclear innovators from concept to demonstration at a pace the industry has not seen in decades.”

Radiant is set to use DOME to test the Kaleidos Development Unit, a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. The Department of Energy selected Radiant and Westinghouse in July 2025 to be the first companies to demonstrate their microreactor technologies at the facility.

INL Opens DOME Nuclear Microreactor Test Bed for Industry Demonstrations

Leaders from federal civilian agencies, such as DOE, will discuss priorities and opportunities for public-private partnerships at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 FedCiv Summit on Oct. 29. Sign up today.

What Is the DOME Microreactor Test Bed?

DOME is an 80-foot-diameter, 100-foot-tall facility intended to provide a controlled environment for evaluating experimental reactor designs.

Built from the repurposed Experimental Breeder Reactor-II containment structure, the test bed can support microreactors generating up to 20 megawatts of thermal energy, allowing developers to collect performance data needed for design validation and future licensing, according to INL.

“With the information gathered from their testing at DOME, reactor developers will turn pioneering ideas into validated technologies to advance nuclear energy,” Brad Tomer, director of the National Reactor Innovation Center at INL, said. “We are extremely proud to offer this capability and cannot wait to see the impact it has on the nuclear industry.”

How Will Future DOME Experiments Be Selected?

Future experiments at DOME will be scheduled through an annual competitive application process. Selections will be based on criteria such as technology readiness, fuel availability and a regulatory approval plan.

Applicants will be required to fund their own testing campaigns. The first round of applications has already closed. DOE will issue the next request for proposals in the coming months.

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Treasury Rolls Out Cyber Intelligence Program for Digital Asset Firms
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Treasury Department seal. New Treasury program extends cyberthreat intelligence to the digital asset industry.

The Department of the Treasury has launched a cybersecurity information-sharing initiative to strengthen protections across the digital asset sector as federal officials push to secure an increasingly critical segment of the financial system.

Treasury Rolls Out Cyber Intelligence Program for Digital Asset Firms

Government and industry leaders will discuss cybersecurity risks, information-sharing and efforts to protect critical systems across sectors at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21. Register now.

Managed by the Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection, or OCCIP, the effort will provide eligible U.S. digital asset firms with timely, actionable threat intelligence to help detect, prevent and respond to cyber incidents, the Treasury Department said Thursday.

What Does the Treasury Cybersecurity Information-Sharing Initiative Do?

The program extends the same cybersecurity information that Treasury currently shares with traditional financial institutions to digital asset firms.

“As digital assets become more integrated into the financial system, access to timely and actionable cyber threat information is essential to protecting consumers and safeguarding the stability of U.S. financial markets,” said Tyler Williams, counselor to the Treasury secretary on digital assets.

Participation is open to U.S.-based firms and industry organizations that meet Treasury criteria, with information provided at no cost. The agency encouraged interested organizations to coordinate with OCCIP to determine eligibility and begin receiving shared cybersecurity information.

Why Is Treasury Expanding Cyber Support to Digital Assets?

“Digital asset firms are an increasingly important part of the U.S. financial sector, and their resilience is critical to the health of the broader system,” said Luke Pettit, assistant secretary for financial institutions.

The initiative advances recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets and aligns with the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins, or GENIUS, Act, which calls for stronger safeguards around digital asset ecosystems and the responsible development of financial technologies.

It also builds on Treasury’s broader efforts to address risks tied to digital assets, including work to combat illicit finance through technologies such as blockchain monitoring, application programming interfaces and digital identity verification.

Treasury has expanded its focus on cyber risks in financial services. Earlier this year, the department completed a public-private initiative to address cybersecurity challenges associated with artificial intelligence.

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ARPA-E Unveils $135M Fusion Tech Investment to Accelerate Commercialization Efforts
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Conner Prochaska. DOE’s ARPA-E expands fusion portfolio with $135M funding to advance fusion power technologies.

The Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy has committed $135 million to advance and commercialize fusion technologies, marking the agency’s largest-ever concentrated funding investment in the sector.

ARPA-E said Wednesday the initiative was unveiled by Director Conner Prochaska at the 2026 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit, noting the funding will be deployed over an 18-month period to address key technical barriers to commercial fusion power.

ARPA-E Unveils $135M Fusion Tech Investment to Accelerate Commercialization Efforts

Gain insights into where federal civilian agencies are investing, how procurement strategies are evolving and what they expect from trusted industry partners at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 FedCiv Summit on Oct. 29. Register now! 

What Will the $135M Investment Support?

The new funding expands ARPA-E’s fusion portfolio and targets challenges tied to cost, performance and scalability of commercial fusion systems.

Focus areas include advanced plasma heating and driver systems, next-generation fuel cycles and fuels, power conversion technologies, and new fusion power plant architectures aimed at improving efficiency and reducing system footprint.

The effort aligns with broader federal priorities to strengthen energy security and expand reliable baseload power through advanced technologies.

How Does the Investment Build on ARPA-E’s Fusion Track Record?

The announcement builds on more than a decade of ARPA-E investment in unconventional fusion approaches.

Since entering the field in 2014, the agency has committed about $134 million to commercial fusion technologies, driving over $1.5 billion in private investment to the field.

The fusion industry has seen remarkable growth under ARPA-E’s influence, growing from just 12 companies to over 50 with $10 billion in total private backing — many of which were launched as direct spin-outs of ARPA-E-funded initiatives.

The organization’s efforts have contributed to the development of companies such as Zap Energy, Realta Fusion, Thea Energy and Type One Energy.

Why Is Fusion Gaining Momentum?

The investment comes as global energy demand is expected to rise sharply, driven by artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure.

Fusion is viewed as a potential source of abundant, carbon-free baseload power, capable of supporting increasingly complex and energy-intensive systems.

Federal efforts to advance fusion have accelerated in recent years. In 2025, DOE announced $134 million for fusion research projects aimed at strengthening collaboration among national laboratories, universities and private industry.

Earlier, the agency provided $50 million for fusion energy research, with $30 million of the amount awarded by ARPA-E and the Office of Science to the Galvanizing Advances in Market-aligned fusion for the Overabundance of Watts program, focused on developing enabling technologies for fusion energy.

What Comes Next for ARPA-E?

ARPA-E said it will continue to focus on de-risking complex challenges that the commercial market has yet to address.

CHADWICK, ARPA-E’s newest fusion program, is exploring advanced materials and alloys needed to sustain fusion power plants over decades of operation.

“The question is no longer whether fusion is possible. The question is how fast we get fusion-generated power on the grid, and whether America leads that achievement,” said Prochaska.

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HHS Moves Payroll System to Cloud
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Department of Health and Human Services logo. HHS has moved its payroll system to the cloud to accelerate service delivery.

The Department of Health and Human Services has transitioned its payroll system to the cloud as part of a push to accelerate service delivery, improve interoperability and advance the shift to a shared human resource platform.

HHS Moves Payroll System to Cloud

The department’s move to a cloud-based payroll system highlights the kind of digital transformation reshaping federal operations today. Government leaders driving AI adoption and enterprise IT modernization efforts will share insights at the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22. Register now!

HHS said Wednesday the replacement of the COBOL-based payroll system seeks to address increasing operational complexity and rising maintenance costs tied to outdated systems that relied on manual processes, mainframe-dependent code and limited documentation.

“This milestone demonstrates that HHS is not only transforming its legacy systems but leading the way for innovation across the federal government,” said Clark Minor, chief information officer at HHS. “By replacing outdated technology and driving collaboration across agencies, we are increasing efficiency, strengthening security, and delivering more reliable, higher-quality services to the American people.”

How Did HHS Execute the Payroll System Modernization Effort?

HHS worked with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service over an eight-month period to execute the transition.

HHS managed the design, development and deployment of the cloud-based system and collaborated with FAA to analyze complex business logic and map system dependencies. The three agencies conducted end-to-end testing to validate performance, accuracy and interoperability.

How Does This Effort Align With Federal HR & HHS IT Initiatives?

The payroll system modernization aligns with the Federal HR 2.0 initiative launched by the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget in December. Federal HR 2.0 seeks to consolidate more than 100 outdated federal HR systems into one Core Human Capital Management platform. 

The effort comes as HHS moves to realign its technology leadership structure by returning enterprise IT, cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence responsibilities to the Office of the CIO.

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High-Impact Debuts From Pavan Pidugu, Matt Desch Shake Up 2026 Wash100 Popular Vote
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2026 Wash100 Popular Vote. Pavan Pidugu and Matt Desch debut high while Srini Attili and Rohit Gupta climb the ranks.

The 2026 Wash100 Popular Vote is surging into a high-stakes phase with only three weeks left in this exciting competition. Industry leaders are still making decisive moves up the leaderboard while new contenders emerge with force.  

Make sure to cast your votes before April 30th—all participants receive 10 votes—to elevate your top choices for the 2026 win. With rankings shifting and momentum accelerating, the competition is becoming more intense and unpredictable by the day.

Who Are the New Forces Shaking Up the Leaderboard?

This week brought a powerful infusion of new energy, with high-impact debuts that are immediately reshaping the competitive landscape.

Pavan Pidugu, chief digital and information officer at the Department of Transportation (and a keynote speaker for the upcoming 2026 Digital Transformation Summit), enters the leaderboard at an impressive No. 15, instantly placing him in the heart of the competition. Debuting at this level underscores the influence he brings and the enthusiasm behind his candidacy. 

Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium, is another standout addition, arriving at No. 11 and immediately establishing himself among the top industry contenders. His high-ranking debut reflects significant recognition from the GovCon community and positions him as a key player to watch in the weeks ahead.

Which Industry Leaders Are Making the Biggest Moves?

Beyond the headline climbers, the broader leaderboard is alive with upward energy as leaders gain ground and tighten the competition.

Exiger CEO Brandon Daniels continues to anchor the private-sector field at No. 6, but just below him, a wave of movement is redefining the race.

Srini Attili, SAIC EVP of the civilian business group, delivered one of the most dramatic climbs of the week, vaulting from No. 20 to No. 8. Breaking into the top 10 in commanding fashion, Attili’s rise signals a powerful surge of support and positions him as a serious contender as the competition tightens.

Rohit Gupta, CEO of Aretum, is also gaining ground at a critical moment, advancing from No. 10 to No. 9. His continued upward trajectory reflects growing visibility and strong voter backing, reinforcing his place among the top-tier industry leaders.

Jake Frazer, president and co-founder of Precision Talent Solutions, continues to build traction, moving from No. 22 to No. 23. As one of the fastest-rising leaders in the lower tier, Frazer is proving that sustained support can quickly translate into upward movement.

Which Industry Leaders Are Holding Strong in the Heart of the Leaderboard?

Beyond the headline climbers, a powerful story is unfolding in the middle of the rankings where a core group of industry leaders continues to hold firm and command sustained support week after week.

The range following the top 10 has become one of the most competitive and resilient segments of the 2026 Wash100 Popular Vote. Leaders like AT&T VP of Defense and Homeland Tang Pham (No. 16), SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh (No. 19), CGI Federal President Stephanie Mango (No. 20), and Parsons President and CEO Carey Smith (No. 21) have consistently remained in the mix, demonstrating enduring backing from voters.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler (No. 12), CACI President and CEO John Mengucci (No. 13), Director of Golden Dome for America Gen. Michael Guetlein (No. 14), and Steve Escaravage (No. 17), president of Booz Allen Hamilton’s defense technology group, continue to anchor this tightly packed tier. Rounding out this critical segment, DOW Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies (No. 18),  remains firmly on the leaderboard ahead of her keynote address at the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit, April 22. 

The competitors’ ability to maintain position amid rising competition speaks to strong, sustained engagement from their supporters. In a race defined by momentum, consistency is proving just as powerful. These leaders are holding their ground and setting the stage for potential breakout moves in the final stretch of the competition.

Why Is This a Defining Moment in the Race?

With major climbs, high-impact debuts and tightening competition across the leaderboard, the 2026 Wash100 Popular Vote could be anyone’s race. Momentum is vital, positions are shifting and the outcome remains wide open.

Every vote has the power to propel rising leaders like Attili, Gupta and Frazer even higher—or to fuel the next breakout surge from newcomers like Pidugu and Desch.

The competition is fierce. Now is the time to make your voice heard—cast your votes today to decide which leaders rise in the final weeks of the 2026 Wash100 Popular Vote.

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