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NSWC Crane Technologies Picked for DoD Accelerator Effort; Jenna Dix Quoted
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NSWC Crane Technologies Picked for DoD Accelerator Effort; Jenna Dix Quoted

The National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) evaluated technologies from Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane’s portfolio as part of an effort that seeks to address the needs of the Department of Defense (DoD) and other commercial clients.

Eight technologies from NSWC Crane have passed the initial phase of the Defense Innovation Accelerator program, while four technologies were cleared for Phase II, the Naval Sea Systems Command said Monday.

One of the NSWC Crane technologies selected for DIA is a software tool designed by a team called FORCYTE, to calculate sending wireless power across long distances. NAVSEA noted the team licensed two technologies and signed a cooperative agreement with NSWC Crane.

“What inspires us is the opportunity to advance a DoD technology that helps the warfighter and society improve access to energy over longer distances,” said Jenna Dix, technology transfer director at NSWC Crane.

NSIN is slated to hold a demonstration event for the selected technologies on Dec. 3.

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NASA to Stow OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Samples Ahead of Schedule
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NASA to Stow OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Samples Ahead of Schedule

NASA is preparing to transport and stow a large collection of surface samples from the Bennu asteroid to a sample return capsule (SRC). The space agency said Tuesday it wants to move the samples ahead of schedule to avoid further spilling out from the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft.

A recently captured space image depicts particles of the samples spilling out of a gap on the spacecraft's Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism, the mission's sample collection system. Large rocks have created an opening on TAGSAM's mylar flap, causing some particles to escape.

"The abundance of material we collected from Bennu made it possible to expedite our decision to stow,” said Dante Lauretta, who leds the OSIRIS-REx effort from the University of Arizona, Tucson.

The OSIRIS-REx team will transmit preliminary commands to the spacecraft before active stowing procedures take place. The spacecraft will return to Earth after the samples are safely sealed inside SRC.

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DoD Tasks Texas A&M University to Manage Hypersonics Consortium Under $100M Award; Michael Kratsios Quoted
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DoD Tasks Texas A&M University to Manage Hypersonics Consortium Under $100M Award; Michael Kratsios Quoted

The Department of Defense (DoD) has issued a five-year, $100 million award to Texas A&M University for the creation and management of an applied hypersonics consortium.

The University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics will serve as an avenue for hypersonics research, development and transition in support of DoD, NASA and other government agencies, DoD said Monday.

The consortium would foster collaboration between government, industry and academia to develop hypersonic technologies, identify efficiencies and accelerate development progress.

“This first-of-its kind Consortium will be critical to advancing hypersonics research and innovation, a key priority of the Department of Defense," said Michael Kratsios, acting undersecretary of defense for Research and Engineering.

Texas A&M University will receive $20 million each year over the award's covered period. The consortium will commence its activity this fall.

Hypersonics researcher Rodney Bowersox will lead UCAH from Texas A&M's Engineering Experiment Station, with the guidance of experts from multiple institutions such as the University of Arizona and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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NASA Eyes Follow-Up Flights for Lunar Observatory to Detect Presence of Water; Jacob Bleacher Quoted
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NASA Eyes Follow-Up Flights for Lunar Observatory to Detect Presence of Water; Jacob Bleacher Quoted

NASA is planning to conduct follow-up missions for its airborne observatory after it discovered water molecules in a sunlit region on the lunar surface.

NASA said Monday its Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) detected the presence of water in the moon’s Clavius Crater, which is located in the southern hemisphere and is visible from Earth.

The agency noted that it plans to launch subsequent flights for SOFIA in efforts to detect water in other sunlit locations on the moon during various lunar phases.

Data from the SOFIA effort is meant to support NASA's future missions to the moon, including the Artemis program and the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), according to the agency.

“Water is a valuable resource, for both scientific purposes and for use by our explorers,”  noted Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist at NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. “If we can use the resources at the Moon, then we can carry less water and more equipment to help enable new scientific discoveries."

NASA partnered with the German Aerospace Center to manage the SOFIA project. Results of the recent mission are detailed in the Nature Astronomy scientific journal.

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Accenture, NEOGOV, NASCA Release Report on State Gov’t Workforce Transformation
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Accenture, NEOGOV, NASCA Release Report on State Gov’t Workforce Transformation

A new report from Accenture, NEOGOV and the National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) has found that state governments are prioritizing training, succession planning and performance management in their pandemic-related workforce strategies.

Accenture said Monday the report, titled “JOB ONE 2020: Transforming State Government’s Workforce for Tomorrow”, details the key areas that must be addressed to improve the adaptability and long-term viability of the public sector.

Forty-eight percent of the study's respondents reported satisfaction with their agencies’ support for employees’ career advancement, while 13 percent said training is “a good use of their time.”

The report also details courses of action that agencies can take to address workforce challenges such as developing an enterprise plan, promoting accountability, prioritizing skills refinement and implementing performance evaluations.

“Building, attracting and supporting needed skills and talent for public service are among the most important things state government leaders can do,” noted Ryan Oakes, head of Accenture’s global public sector practice. 

Accenture, NASCA and NEOGOV collated data from NASCA’s 2019 and 2020 conferences as part of the study. The group also conducted a survey of 753 state and local government employees and 63 human resources directors.

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USSOCOM Looks to Expand Autonomous Capabilities for ISR Missions; Col. Joel Babbitt Quoted
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USSOCOM Looks to Expand Autonomous Capabilities for ISR Missions; Col. Joel Babbitt Quoted

The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is working to integrate autonomous technologies and artificial intelligence concepts into its unmanned systems to enable missions in inoperable environments.

Col. Joel Babbitt, program executive officer for Special Operations Forces Warrior, said at a National Defense Industrial Association event that USSOCOM is specifically looking into expanding autonomy in its unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) activities, National Defense Magazine reported Monday.

He noted that autonomous technologies must also have the capacity to deliver video and imaging data while executing advanced object recognition and target location functions.

“We’ve got loitering missiles, precision strike systems that are helping us to identify targets and strike them themselves when an aircraft can’t necessarily be present,” said Babbitt.

The U.S. Army and Navy are also working to integrate autonomy in their respective combat vehicles and undersea platforms, according to the publication.

The Navy is continuing prototyping efforts for its Overlord vessel as well as the Leidos-built Sea Hunter unmanned platform.

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CISA Publishes Guide on Communications Dependencies for Public Safety
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CISA Publishes Guide on Communications Dependencies for Public Safety

SAFECOM, an organization within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has issued a white paper on how public safety agencies can prepare for communications issues associated with dependencies on third-party partners. 

The paper, titled “Public Safety Communications Dependencies on Non-Agency Infrastructure and Services,” highlights procedures on how to plan for such events, CISA's Ted Lawson said in a blog post published Monday.

The report builds on expertise from SAFECOM and the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators. Lawson serves as the federal lead for the Joint SAFECOM and NCSWIC Technology Policy Committee.

The white paper advises agencies to understand the dependencies of communication infrastructure as part of pre-planning preparations. Agencies would then identify and assess security requirements during the actual planning phase.

Subsequent procedures include procurement activities, implementation, maintenance, sustainment and end of life cycle assessments. The guide advises agencies to have partners properly dispose of materials after the life cycle.

CISA Publishes Guide on Communications Dependencies for Public SafetySource: CISA

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Dr. Kenneth Kizer of Atlas Research Discusses Innovation in Health Care Systems
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Dr. Kenneth Kizer of Atlas Research Discusses Innovation in Health Care Systems

Dr. Ryan Vega of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Dr. Kenneth Kizer of Atlas Research have analyzed a model for operationalizing and scaling innovation in health care systems. The model is based on the successful VHA Innovation Ecosystem (VHA IE).

Dr. Ryan Vega is the executive director of the Veterans Health Administration’s Innovation Ecosystem (VHA IE). Dr. Kenneth Kizer is the chief health care transformation officer at Atlas Research and former Under Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The foundation of innovation is built on four core elements, including “workforce capacity to actualize innovation; an organizational infrastructure that supports integrated, systematic, repeatable pathways for change; an innovation-nurturing culture; and strategic external partnerships and collaborations," the authors stated. 

The VHA IE has implemented these four elements to develop, adopt, spread and sustain innovations. The authors explained activities from the VHA IE portfolio to show how VHA, the nation’s largest integrated health system, has developed a foundation for innovation.

Vega and Kizer noted that there are a variety of innovative health care products and practices available, but the solutions have not offered major improvements in care. Additionally, the offerings have not been developed at the pace and scale needed to transform care delivery or reduce cost. 

The authors have noted that replicable operating models are needed for developing, adopting, spreading and sustaining innovations are vital to innovation within healthcare. According to the authors, “if innovation can happen in the VA, it should be able to happen anywhere.”

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Army Contracting Command Awards DynCorp Task Order to Support DHS COVID-19 Vaccine Trials; George Krivo Quoted
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Army Contracting Command Awards DynCorp Task Order to Support DHS COVID-19 Vaccine Trials; George Krivo Quoted

The Army Contracting Command-Rock Island has awarded DynCorp International (DI) a six-month task order to provide facilities to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as the agency conducts Phase III COVID-19 vaccination clinical trial center expansion, the company reported on Tuesday. The company that began the task order on Sept. 2, 2020.

“DI understands no-fail missions, and Operation Warp Speed is the epitome of this,” said DI CEO and two-time Wash100 Award recipient, George Krivo. “We are honored to be able to support this effort.”

Under DHS’ expansion efforts, the agency will require administrative volunteer and intake facilities, examination facilities and phlebotomy and vaccination facilities at up to 20 separate locations.

DI will deliver a range of facilities, working with local medical facilities and operations and maintenance (O&M), including project planning, facilities management, electrical power, water production, sewage and waste management, HAZMAT management and security services.

“DI is honored to support the DHHS continuing efforts to test and develop a vaccine for COVID-19,” said Rob Tillery, LG4 senior vice president of Operations.

Operation Warp Speed is a public–private partnership, initiated by the federal government to facilitate and accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. The initiative will work to mass produce COVID-19 vaccines to expedite distribution, if clinical trials confirm that one of the vaccines is safe and effective.

About DynCorp International

DynCorp International is a leading global services provider offering unique, tailored solutions for an ever-changing world. Built on more than seven decades of experience as a trusted partner to commercial, government and military customers, DI provides sophisticated aviation, logistics, training, intelligence and operational solutions wherever we are needed. DynCorp International is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

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CBP to Leverage AI to Support Secure Supply Chain; Vincent Annunziato Quoted
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CBP to Leverage AI to Support Secure Supply Chain; Vincent Annunziato Quoted

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that the agency will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to bolster a secure U.S. supply chain. AI will support the ingestion and analysis of the increasing amounts of data, FedScoop reported on Tuesday. 

“All of this now is starting to play into that AI and machine learning arena because, one, we’re getting data that we’ve never seen before,” said Vincent Annunziato, director of CBP Business Transformation and Innovation Division.

CBP will utilize AI to analyze data sooner to further secure the supply chain. Currently, analysis occurs after products have been manufactured and already begun international transit. 

CBP is responsible for ensuring importer and exporter compliance with laws and regulations that prevent harmful or counterfeit products from entering or exiting the U.S. Long-term, smart AI devices could be used to alert CBP to threats such as tampered items within the international supply chain.

The agency has faced an increased volume of supply chain data since CBP has integrated blockchain to secure various industries, such as steel and oil. AI and machine learning (ML) will gather and interpret data to increase speed and security.

CBP began piloting blockchain to validate mill certificates, which are documents detailing the chemical breakdown and grade of steel, as well as whether open-market oil is USMCA-certified. CBP also announced blockchain pilots that will enhance its visibility into the food, e-commerce shipment and natural gas supply chains while making validation paperless.

AI could help with the categorization of products based on photos or text descriptions while avoiding errors that currently require CBP personnel to delete entries and start from scratch when they’re made, Annunziato said.

“The government is going to look into designing a system that’s flexible for the data that’s coming in so that, even if you don’t have all the appropriate data at the time that you submit it, you can update it as you go along,” Annunziato added.

CBP to Leverage AI to Support Secure Supply Chain; Vincent Annunziato Quoted

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