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Government Technology/News
NSA’s Greg Smithberger: Cross-Agency Team Looking at Mission Areas That Can Accommodate Remote Work
by Jane Edwards
Published on August 7, 2020
NSA’s Greg Smithberger: Cross-Agency Team Looking at Mission Areas That Can Accommodate Remote Work

Greg Smithberger, chief information officer at the National Security Agency (NSA), shared at an Intelligence and National Security Alliance-hosted virtual panel discussion how the NSA works to ensure continuity of work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, C4ISRNET reported Thursday. 

“[T]here’s a pretty interesting cross-agency team right now is looking really hard at all the mission areas that could be doing more on the low side, and our ability to really open up telework,” Smithberger said.

Smithberger, who also leads NSA’s capabilities directorate, said the agency is working on an environment that would enable collaboration with those without security clearances but can provide support to the NSA’s cybersecurity initiatives, capabilities mission or research work.

“It’s kind of become more of a standard for us … to see how much we can actually do in a less protected environment,” Smithberger said. He added that he wants the NSA “to work with some corporate partners who in some cases simply don’t have access to a [sensitive compartmented information facility], but are fully clearing people.”

Government Technology/GSA/News
Julie Dunne on Cornerstone Projects in GSA’s Federal Marketplace Strategy Summer 2020 Release
by Jane Edwards
Published on August 7, 2020
Julie Dunne on Cornerstone Projects in GSA’s Federal Marketplace Strategy Summer 2020 Release

Julie Dunne, commissioner of the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), said GSA provided updates on Multiple Award Schedule Consolidation, Catalog Management, Commercial Platforms Initiative and other cornerstone projects through its Federal Marketplace Strategy Summer 2020 Release.

Dunne wrote in a blog post published Thursday the release announced the completion of the second phase of MAS Consolidation on July 31 and noted the potential benefits to workforce and industry partners once the multiple contract consolidation phase is completed.

“Once complete, our industry partners will have just one Schedule contract with GSA – streamlining their business operations with us,” Dunne wrote. “And, the workforce has fewer contracts to manage, so they can focus on excellence in service delivery. This is really a win-win-win for everyone.”

For the Commercial Platforms, Dunne said GSA has awarded Amazon Business, Overstock.com and Fisher Scientific contracts to support the agency’s proof of concept to test e-marketplace platforms to facilitate the procurement process. She noted that the agency expects to launch the proof of concept in August.

GSA has begun developing the core infrastructure for the Authoritative Catalog Repository as part of the cloud-based Catalog Management project and awarded a contract to build the Verified Products Portal, which will collect product information from manufacturers.

Government Technology/News
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Gets Energy Security Updates
by Nichols Martin
Published on August 6, 2020
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Gets Energy Security Updates

The U.S. Marine Corps is working to update energy security technologies at MC Base Camp Pendleton for augmented command and control across more than 600 facilities.

The update includes repairs, new equipment installation, new utilities and setting up of facility control systems, USMC said Wednesday.

"By installing new LED lighting, boilers, meters and a fiber and radio network, we are significantly reducing Camp Pendleton’s energy consumption," said Lt. j.g. Clayten White, the camp's utilities program manager. 

USMC is pursuing this modernization effort under the Utility Energy Services Contract that aims to improve the energy and water systems at federal facilities and reduce associated consumption.

The government spent $12.7M on the update and will use the resulting cost savings to pay for the effort's expenses over a 13-year period.

Government Technology/News
USAF AFWERX Event Tackles Opportunities to Rebuild, Modernize Tyndall AFB; Brig. Gen. Patrice Melancon, Lowell Usrey Quoted
by Nichols Martin
Published on August 6, 2020
USAF AFWERX Event Tackles Opportunities to Rebuild, Modernize Tyndall AFB; Brig. Gen. Patrice Melancon, Lowell Usrey Quoted

A program held by the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX innovation program highlighted opportunities to rebuild the hurricane-damaged Tyndall Air Force Base as a modern, state-of-the-art installation.

The AFWERX Fusion 2020 event ran from July 28th to 30th and included discussions and proposals of technologies that can be applied to make Tyndall the base of the future, Air Force said Wednesday.

“In working with AFWERX, my eyes have been opened to what’s within the realm of possibility,” said Brig. Gen. Patrice Melancon, executive director of the Tyndall Program Management Office.

The event’s virtual trade proposals tackled the technology areas of base security, installation resilience, operational effectiveness, reverse engineering and additive manufacturing, culture of innovation and airman well-being. AFWERX will unveil the top technology proposals on Aug. 7th. These entries will be eligible for the effort’s succeeding phase.

“Yes, the goal is to select the best solutions and implement these cutting-edge technologies and innovations at the base, but we have an unprecedented opportunity to use Tyndall (AFB) as a template for Air Force bases that are secure, resilient and digitally integrated,” said Lowell Usrey, PMO Integration Division chief.

Government Technology/News
Army Continues Efforts to Test, Deploy AI-Driven Space Sensor System; Willie Nelson Quoted
by Brenda Marie Rivers
Published on August 6, 2020
Army Continues Efforts to Test, Deploy AI-Driven Space Sensor System; Willie Nelson Quoted

The U.S. Army has conducted a live-fire test of space-based sensor technologies designed to facilitate a chain of targeting procedures between ground infrastructure and satellites operated by government and commercial entities, Defense News reported Wednesday.

The demonstration, which took place in Germany in March 2020, is intended to inform the Army’s efforts to deploy a space sensor system that utilizes next-generation concepts like machine learning and electro-optical radars to track beyond-line-of-sight targets.

Willie Nelson, director of the Army’s Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT) cross-functional team, told the publication that the service also wants to leverage on-orbit sensors, artificial intelligence and a Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) platform to provide data for simulations and wargaming activities.

“While this was a technical demonstration, at its core it really was more about how do we operationalize this capability and how do we quickly get this into the field as a capability that soldiers can use,” Nelson noted.

The transportable TITAN system can operate with the Prometheus machine learning algorithm designed to ingest various forms of data from platforms such as synthetic aperture radars (SAR) and EO systems.

Nelson said the Army is also looking into deploying SAR platforms and radio-frequency sensing technologies to support the TITAN architecture.

Cybersecurity/DoD/Government Technology/News
CISA Launches Cyber Career Tool for Professionals
by Matthew Nelson
Published on August 6, 2020
CISA Launches Cyber Career Tool for Professionals

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has rolled out a tool to help current and future professionals determine, build and navigate their potential cyber career pathways.

The Cyber Career Pathways Tool is developed to assist users in understanding the skills, knowledge and capabilities required to take or elevate their careers, CISA said Wednesday.

The platform displays core attributes within 52 different work roles and highlights the cyber workforce into five skill communities. The tool also presents actionable insights for users who are considering to take cyber careers.

CISA partnered with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop and maintain the tool.

Government Technology/News
NASA, Swift Engineering Fly New Earth Observation UAS for Testing
by Nichols Martin
Published on August 6, 2020
NASA, Swift Engineering Fly New Earth Observation UAS for Testing

NASA's Ames Research Center partnered with Swift Engineering to test-fly a new solar-powered unmanned aircraft system designed for Earth observation and atmospheric research. The High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE UAS) flew for two hours to demonstrate low-altitude operations, the space agency said Thursday.

The effort is part of NASA's Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program. HALE met all systems check, aerodynamic, power and control requirements during the demonstration.

The 72-foot UAS has a payload capacity of 10 to 15 pounds and is built to fly at up to 70,000 feet above the ground. NASA and Swift expect HALE to be able to operate in missions that last over 30 days.

"The successful flight test is an important first step towards realizing a new capability to support NASA science," said Matt Fladeland, a researcher of Ames Research Center.

HALE will go on to undergo high-altitude tests that would determine whether the aircraft will soon receive operational capability status.

Government Technology/News/Press Releases
OPM Establishes Human Capital Data Mgmt Directorate; Michael Rigas Quoted
by Brenda Marie Rivers
Published on August 6, 2020
OPM Establishes Human Capital Data Mgmt Directorate; Michael Rigas Quoted

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has created a new directorate that will handle capital management data and consolidate the financial and human resource operations of the federal government.

OPM said Tuesday the Human Capital Data Management and Modernization (HCDMM) Directorate will oversee the collection, accessibility and use of HR-related data in line with the 2018 Evidence-Based Policymaking Act.

“Advancing innovation that can support a trusted, efficient, and modern Federal workforce is a top priority of the President’s Management Agenda," said Michael Rigas, acting director of OPM. HCDMM’s focus will also largely focus on “promoting IT modernization, data accountability and transparency, and the workforce of the future,” he added.

The new directorate’s scope was previously handled by the Human Resources Line of Business, Office of Strategy and Innovation Data Analysis Group and Federal Data Solutions unit within the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).

Executive Moves/News
John Pope Appointed NAVWAR Executive Director
by Matthew Nelson
Published on August 6, 2020
John Pope Appointed NAVWAR Executive Director

John Pope, formerly executive director at the U.S. Navy's Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence and Space Systems, has taken the same role at Naval Information Warfare (NAVWAR) Systems Command.

Pope has replaced Pat Sullivan, who retired after a 29-year career at the service branch, the Navy said Tuesday. Pope will handle a budget of more than $7 million and supervise over 11,000 civilian and military personnel as part of his new capacity.

Before his previous role, Pope served as fleet support program manager at NAVWAR's fleet readiness directorate and worked at the Navy's Communications Program Office as major program manager.

Government Technology/News/Press Releases
Space Force Seeks Commercial Partners for ‘Deep Space’ Defense Acrhitecture; Col. Russell Teehan, Col. Joseph Roth Quoted
by Brenda Marie Rivers
Published on August 6, 2020
Space Force Seeks Commercial Partners for ‘Deep Space’ Defense Acrhitecture; Col. Russell Teehan, Col. Joseph Roth Quoted

The U.S. Space Force plans to partner with commercial entities for government programs aimed at establishing a deep-space architecture, SpaceNews reported Wednesday.

Col. Russell Teehan, portfolio architect of the Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), said at a SpaceNews webinar that the military branch envisions a “notional operational architecture” that will defend the nation’s space assets while handling strategic and theater activities.

“There’s a lot of commercial activity within low Earth orbits, a lot of [satellite communications], positioning, navigation and timing,” he said. According to Teehan, theater operations will largely benefit from current and emerging small-satellite technologies.

Col. Joseph Roth, director of the innovation and prototyping directorate at SMC, noted at the same event that the Space Force is continuing work with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the Blackjack program aimed at establishing a layered defense network in LEO.

“Our goal is to get a prototype from paper to prototype in 12 to 24 months and get that system up on orbit so we can test it,” Roth added.

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