///
Hon. Ellen Lord: COVID-19 Joint Acquisition Task Force’s Capabilities to Stay After Pandemic
Published on
Hon. Ellen Lord: COVID-19 Joint Acquisition Task Force’s Capabilities to Stay After Pandemic

Ellen Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, said the COVID-19 Joint Acquisition Task Force’s capabilities will continue post-pandemic and the Department of Defense will integrate JATF’s operations into the Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell to prepare DoD to assist other federal agencies with their procurement needs in the event of another health crisis, DoD News reported Friday.

"What we are doing is we are taking all of our learnings from what we have done with the JATF and we are reducing that to a playbook that can respond to any type of federal emergency where acquisition and sustainment support is needed," Lord said Thursday during a press briefing. "It could support another pandemic, but it could respond to other types of federal disasters as well."

Lord said JATF personnel will return to their other responsibilities later this fall but the department will “maintain the capability to rapidly reconstitute [it], if needed.”

She added that the Pentagon has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services to invest about $630M to broaden the domestic industrial base for N-95 masks, testing kits, gloves, syringes and other medical supplies.

Join Potomac Officers Club for its 5G Summit on Oct. 27, 2020 to learn about the impact that innovative technologies and 5G integration have on the private and public sectors, the steps the federal agencies have taken to remain up to speed with the rapid advancement of technology, and the future programs, plans and priorities as the nation aligns with emerging technology.

Don’t miss out on this must see event! Click here to register for the 5G Summit on October 27th.

/
Navy Engages With Academia for Computer Science Education Program; Mike Young Quoted
Published on
Navy Engages With Academia for Computer Science Education Program; Mike Young Quoted

Naval Surface Warfare Center's (NSWC) Crane and Dahlgren divisions have teamed up with academia to host a computer science certification program. Old Dominion University and the University of Cincinnati helped NSWC administer courses under a program for computational naval sciences, with funds from the Office of Naval Research, Naval Sea Systems Command said Thursday.

The program's first course ran in spring 2020 at the University of Cincinnati and succeeding activities took place virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. Participants used computer science to address challenges faced by the U.S. Navy.

“It’s important to show students there are challenging problems where they can be part of creating a solution," said Mike Young, director of academic engagement at NSWC Dahlgren.

///
Army Seeks Commercial Tech for Next-Gen Cyber Training Platform; Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty Quoted
Published on
Army Seeks Commercial Tech for Next-Gen Cyber Training Platform; Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty Quoted

The U.S. Army is looking for commercial tools to support the U.S. Cyber Command’s (USCYBERCOM) efforts to deploy the Persistent Cyber Training Environment (PCTE) for worldwide collaborative exercises, C4ISRnet reported Thursday.

The Army recently conducted an industry day where the service branch announced plans to conduct the Cyber Innovation Challenge 4 to support the incremental delivery of technologies for the PCTE platform.

Such technologies may fall under topic areas such as information operations, cyber traffic, social media layers and command-and-control dashboards.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty, commander of the Army Cyber Command, told attendees during the virtual industry event that the Army plans to incorporate simulated social media frameworks into the PCTE information environment.

“The environment that PCTE replicates has to actually replicate the real-world environment,” he noted. “We need a way to define, shape and record realistic traffic emulation capabilities that mirror real-world activities and terrain across the cyber domain."

Twenty-five percent of the 78 companies that registered for the industry day represented new participants in PCTE and related cyber innovation competitions, according to the report.

///
Hon. Ellen Lord: Public-Private Collaboration Key to Driving Domestic Microelectronics Production
Published on
Hon. Ellen Lord: Public-Private Collaboration Key to Driving Domestic Microelectronics Production

Hon. Ellen Lord, the defense acquisition head and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, has said the U.S. needs to leverage domestic resources in microelectronics production for current and future defense needs, DoD News reported Thursday.

Lord, who serves as the undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment at the Department of Defense (DoD), told attendees at a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency summit that reliance on overseas manufacturers for microelectronics could pose risks to national security.

She noted that public-private partnerships can help encourage U.S. suppliers to produce microelectronic components.

"Then we partner with other industrial sectors to sustain that," said Lord. "And we have a pretty strong demand signal in order to be able to do that." 

According to Lord, her office is working with colleagues within and outside the DoD to drive domestic microelectronics manufacturing and ensure the security of the U.S. supply chain.

"DoD not only drives research and development, but we also work on developing the workforce of the future we need," she added. “If you take a holistic approach, I think we can create a sustainable microelectronics industry, but it's not just about that first plant with some equipment in it. It's about the workforce.”

//
Interagency Group Issues Joint Statement on Election Security Commitment
Published on
Interagency Group Issues Joint Statement on Election Security Commitment

The executive committee of an interagency council focused on election security has released a joint statement on the group’s commitment to implementing a unified and coordinated approach to the 2020 elections.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said Thursday that the statement comes after the Election Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council (GCC) facilitated a virtual meeting on how the federal, state and local governments must prepare for Election Day.

According to the GCC executive committee, the federal government is “actively monitoring for threats” against U.S. systems including foreign disinformation campaigns. They added that intrusion detection sensors have already been deployed across the country to protect election infrastructure.

GCC also enlisted the help of cybersecurity professionals in the public and private sectors in addition to conducting a tabletop exercise with over 2,100 participants, the committee noted.

“Elections will look different this year, but we want voters to know our election community is ready and taking active measures to ensure every ballot is counted as cast,” according to the committee.

Members of the GCC executive committee include Bob Kolasky, assistant director of CISA; Benjamin Hovland, chair of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission; Paul Pate, immediate-past president of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS); Lori Augino, president of the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED); and David Stafford, Supervisor of Elections at Escambia County, Fla.

/
US Senators Introduce Bill to Allot $80B to Bolster National Innovation; Sen. Chris Coons Quoted
Published on
US Senators Introduce Bill to Allot $80B to Bolster National Innovation; Sen. Chris Coons Quoted

Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., have introduced a bill that aims to promote research and development across industrial areas vital to the nation's economy.

The Innovation Centers Acceleration Act seeks to address the lack of technology investments in the U.S. economy that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors over the years, Coons' office said Wednesday.

The bill would allot $80 billion for innovation center investments, foster public-private resource collaborations and launch a competition through which metropolitan areas can apply to lead innovation centers.

“The Innovation Centers Acceleration Act will not only strategically fund new R&D, but it will also ensure that growth does not concentrate in a handful of large cities, and instead gives new regions and diverse populations a chance to equitably share in the growth of the global economy," Coons said.

//
USAF Launches Digital University to Enhance IT & Cybersecurity Training; Master Sgt. James Crocker Quoted
Published on
USAF Launches Digital University to Enhance IT & Cybersecurity Training; Master Sgt. James Crocker Quoted

The U.S. Air Force has projected to launch its Digital University by the end of 2020, which will enhance training for front-line IT and cybersecurity workers, FedScoop reported on Friday. 

“With Digital University, we are able to democratize technical training across the Air Force and we are already seeing impressive results as Airmen gain the necessary skills to meet our digital modernization and growth needs,” said Master Sgt. James Crocker, BESPIN’s chief technology officer.

The online university has been made available to airman in a beta version, and will develop its catalog of courses to upskill the workforce. The Digital University was developed as a part of the “Digital Air Force” strategy. 

The strategy was developed to consolidate IT networks and increase the technical acumen across the entire department. Business and Enterprise Systems Product Innovation (BESPIN) will host the beta version. 

The skills-based courses will focus on tactical operators of IT networks and cybersecurity missions on a day-to-day basis to strengthen their skills and provide digital literacy through the courses. 

“At a time of accelerated digital transformation, we are committed to nurturing innovation and delivering the best possible training to our Airmen,” Crocker added.

In addition, The U.S. Space Force will require draw upon the aspects of the Digital University to enable its workforce to pass a minimum level of training to prove their knowledge, skills and capabilities, and become digitally fluent, Federal News Network reported on Friday.

U.S. Air Force MG Kim Crider, mobilization assistant to the chief of Space Operations, has developed a strategy to integrate the Digital University that will provide a minimum level of education to Space Force servicemembers and civilians.

About Digital University

Digital University is a critical initiative of the Air Force’s broader “Digital Air Force” strategy, which kicked off in early 2020. The primary focus of this strategy is to consolidate and advance Air Force IT systems while creating better data efficiencies across the entire organization.

//
Donna Peebles, SBA Associate Administrator for 8(a) Business Development, Discusses Recent BD Efforts Across Federal Agencies
Published on
Donna Peebles, SBA Associate Administrator for 8(a) Business Development, Discusses Recent BD Efforts Across Federal Agencies

Donna Peebles, associate administrator of 8(a) business development (BD) at the Small Business Administration (SBA), works to provide effective business development tools to procurement-ready small business firms seeking 8(a) certification and mentor protégé agreements.

She has provided commentary on the recent efforts federal agencies have made to support business development nationwide. Peebles recently announced her support for  the General Services Administration (GSA) issuance of the solicitation for the 8(a) STARS III Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC).

GSA’s GWAC is part of the agency’s process to simplify work with federal agencies for small businesses from different socioeconomic categories, focusing on IT acquisition projects.

“Over the last nine years, the 8(a) STARS II GWAC has successfully leveled the playing field for hundreds of small disadvantaged IT contractors in the 8(a) Business Development Program. Through this vehicle, and the partnership of GSA and SBA (Small Business Administration), many 8(a) firms have grown and prospered while delivering essential capabilities to the federal government,” Peebles said.

The new STARS GWAC will have a $50 billion ceiling to focus on emerging technologies and performance outside of the continental U.S.

“I am very proud of GSA’s work in developing the STARS III GWAC with a contract ceiling of $50 billion, more than twice the size of STARS II,” said GSA administrator Emily Murphy and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient. “STARS III continues GSA’s legacy of creating opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses while helping federal agencies accomplish information technology (IT) missions.”

Peebles has also made significant efforts to advocate for minorities within small businesses. Peebles has spearheaded the SBA’s Business Development 8(a) Program, with the potential and capabilities to grow into successful businesses. 

SBA’s 8(a) Program has assisted firms develop and grow through one-on-one counseling, training workshops, management and technical guidance. The program has also provided access to government contracting opportunities to enable companies to become competitors within the federal marketplace. In fiscal year 2018, small businesses received more than $17.6 billion in 8(a) contract dollars.

“We’ve been able to regularly exceed targeted goals, consistently increase staffing year over year, and leverage relationships established throughout our engagement with SBA,” said Parker Green, small business founder and graduate of SBA’s 8(a) Program. 

SBA’s Office of Business Development was created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace. It is also designed to help companies gain access to federal and private procurement markets. 

The office has provided business development support, including procurement assistance, business counseling, training, financial assistance, surety bonding and other management and technical assistance to prepare small disadvantaged firms for procurement and other business opportunities.

GovConWire Events will host its 2020 Business Development (BD) Trends Forum on August 27th. Click here to register for the event. 

Featuring Stephanie Shutt, director of GSA's Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program Management Office (PMO), the event will discuss current Business Development (BD) trends, tips for securing contracts and Fiscal Year 2021 federal budget projections.

The forum will also include an expert panel, hosting federal and industry executives that will dive into the future of business. Join GovConWire’s virtual forum to learn all about the latest trends in Business Development.

Click here to register for the 2020 Business Development (BD) Trends Forum.

/
DARPA Program Finds AI Algorithm to Defeat Human Pilot; Justin Mock, Col. Daniel Javorsek Quoted
Published on
DARPA Program Finds AI Algorithm to Defeat Human Pilot; Justin Mock, Col. Daniel Javorsek Quoted

During a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) competition program, an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, developed by Heron Systems, defeated a human F-16 fighter pilot in a virtual dogfight simulation, C4ISRNET reported on Friday.

“From a human perspective, from the fighter pilot world, we talked about we trust what works. And what we saw was that in this limited area, in this specific scenario, we’ve got AI that works,” said Justin Mock of DARPA and fighter pilot.

The algorithm easily defeated the fighter pilot in all five rounds, which concluded DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution program competition. The program was launched to analyze automation in air-to-air combat and improve human trust in AI systems.

The conditions in the simulation were not  equivalent to realistic aerial combat. The AI system had perfect information, which experts commentating stated never occurs in the field, and the human pilot flew a fake stick in a virtual seat.

Heron’s AI system exhibited notable aggressiveness and accuracy that would attempt shots that are unlikely to occur in training environments. While the system was successful, it experienced some error in basic fighter maneuvers by turning away from enemy aircraft, but would recover by its “superior aiming ability,” Mock added. 

Heron was one of eight AI teams selected by DARPA to take part in the final round of the agency’s competition. Other competitors included Lockheed Martin, Perspecta Labs, Aurora Flight Sciences, EpiSys Science, Georgia Tech Research Institute, PhysicsAI and SoarTech.

“Artificial intelligence shows a lot of promise. It’s kind of been bang or bust in the past,” Col. Daniel Javorsek said. “In the larger ACE program, our plan is to take the modeling and simulation work that we’re doing here and translate it from that digital environment into the real world. And it turns out that’s a pretty important jump to make.”

//
Space Force Requires Workforce to be Digitally Fluent; LTG David Thompson Quoted
Published on
Space Force Requires Workforce to be Digitally Fluent; LTG David Thompson Quoted

The U.S. Space Force will require its workforce to pass a minimum level of training to prove their knowledge, skills and capabilities, and become digitally fluent, Federal News Network reported on Friday.

U.S. Air Force MG Kim Crider, mobilization assistant to the chief of Space Operations, has developed a strategy to integrate the Digital University that will provide a minimum level of education to Space Force servicemembers and civilians.

“Crider is establishing a core set of knowledge and training activities that every single member of the Space Force will be required when it comes to digital,” said LTG David Thompson, vice commander of the U.S. Space Force. 

Crider’s finalized plan will be delivered to Space Force commander and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, John Raymond, in fall 2020. Crider has also planned the development of a digital headquarters from a process and procedure perspective will not rely on disparate, disconnected systems.

“Another one of the elements she’s building on is a pure digital strategy. How we handle our data, how we process our data, how we expose our data and how we allow others access to and manipulate the data,” Thompson added. “She already is full and deep in terms of having built and execute a strategy to make us a digital service.”

Crider also stated that the service is set to publish its 2020 science and technology roadmap and recognizes the need to work with industry to bring that plan to fruition, ExecutiveGov reported on Thursday. 

“We agree with the industrial base report,” Crider said of the “State of the Space Industrial Base 2020: A Time for Action to Sustain U.S. Economic & Military Leadership in Space” report released by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in July. “We have to coordinate with industry and other government leaders.”

She said Wednesday at the Ascend virtual conference that the service branch backs the idea of establishing “unity of effort” across industry, academia and government to incentivize the industrial base.

Crider cited examples of technology areas where the Space Force can work with industry, including satellite-based communications, power generation in space, space transportation, logistics and positioning, navigation and timing.

1 … 1,345 1,346 1,347 1,348 1,349 … 2,624