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FTC, DOJ Launch Public Inquiry on Updated Guidance for Competitor Collaborations
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Partnership. FTC and DOJ are seeking input on potential updated guidance on competitor collaborations.

The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division have initiated a joint public inquiry to gather input on potential updated guidance addressing collaborations among competitors.

The agencies said Monday they are seeking public comment on whether new guidance would clarify how antitrust laws apply to business collaborations in today’s economy. The move follows the December 2024 withdrawal of the 2000 Antitrust Guidelines for Collaborations Among Competitors, which previously outlined how regulators evaluated joint ventures and other cooperative arrangements.

Public comments must be submitted through regulations.gov by April 24, and may not exceed 18 pages.

What Is the Purpose of the DOJ-FTC Inquiry?

According to FTC and DOJ, the inquiry is intended to assess whether updated guidance would provide businesses with greater transparency and predictability when forming collaborations with competitors.

The agencies said such direction could help companies pursue growth and innovation while reducing the risk of engaging in conduct that could harm competition, including practices that may lead to higher prices or reduced innovation. Clearer guidance would also support stronger antitrust compliance.

What Are the Key Areas of the FTC-DOJ Inquiry?

The public inquiry requests feedback on specific topics where additional clarity may be warranted, including joint licensing arrangements and conditional dealing involving competitors.

The agencies are also seeking input on emerging technologies and business models that may benefit from additional guidance, such as algorithmic pricing, information and data sharing practices, and labor collaborations.

In addition, the FTC and DOJ are asking commenters to identify economic, legal or technological developments that should inform any revision of the prior guidance. The agencies noted that new types of competitor collaborations and technology-facilitated alliances have prompted increased requests for clarity regarding their treatment under antitrust laws.

What Did FTC & DOJ Leaders Say About the Guidance?

“In an everchanging economy, businesses need transparency and predictability from enforcers more than ever. These times may require the federal government to update its guidelines,” said FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson.

Omeed Assefi, acting assistant attorney general for antitrust, said effective enforcement depends on clearly defined standards. He stated that procompetitive collaborations are permissible and encouraged in a complex and dynamic economy and that replacing the withdrawn guidelines would promote certainty and support lawful business cooperation.

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Energy Department Fixes Identity Verification Flaw in Critical Minerals Portal
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Socure's Jordan Burris. The Energy Department has fixed an identity verification vulnerability in a critical minenral portal.

The Department of Energy has remediated an identity verification vulnerability in a portal supporting its critical minerals programs after a security researcher disclosed the flaw, Nextgov/FCW reported Monday.

Energy Department Fixes Identity Verification Flaw in Critical Minerals Portal

The DOE’s effort to fix identity verification vulnerabilities underscores the evolving cyberthreat landscape. Gain deeper insight into federal cybersecurity priorities at Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21. Book your seat today!

What Was the ID Verification Vulnerability?

Researcher Ronald Lovelace found the system, particularly the portal connected to the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, allowed external users to register accounts using email addresses that appeared to belong to the Energy Department without verifying ownership. 

How Was It Discovered?

Lovelace said he used subdomain enumeration, a reconnaissance technique that maps digital footprint and accessible web infrastructure, to identify the portal and the vulnerability in the verification process. He demonstrated the issue by creating a test account with an email formatted as an Energy address and notified department IT staff. There is no evidence that the flaw was exploited.

Why Does Identity Verification Matter?

The weakness may have enabled cyber attackers to impersonate department officials on the platform. By exploiting the vulnerability, threat actors might have deceived researchers, contractors or other senior officials who rely on it for official program communications, potentially gaining access to sensitive internal documents or inserting themselves into program discussions. The risk is especially significant because DOE’s critical minerals programs underpin domestic supply chains that support energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.

“This should be a wake up call for every government agency. When adversaries can enumerate federal domains, map critical digital infrastructure and impersonate senior officials without ever breaching a network, the attack surface has fundamentally shifted,” said Jordan Burris, head of public sector at Socure.

Broader Cybersecurity Challenges at DOE

The remediation follows continued oversight of DOE’s cybersecurity posture. In a 2025 report, the department’s Office of Inspector General warned that dozens of previously identified cybersecurity weaknesses remain unresolved. The watchdog cautioned that gaps in vulnerability management and security controls could leave departmental systems and data exposed to malicious cyber actors.

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AST SpaceMobile to Demonstrate Commercial Tactical Satcom Capabilities for SDA
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Chris Ivory. The AST SpaceMobile USA CEO said his company's BlueBird satellites will provide connectivity for defense mission

The Space Development Agency has awarded a prototype agreement valued at $30 million to AST SpaceMobile under the Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated Low Earth Orbit, or HALO, Europa Track 2 program to demonstrate commercial tactical satellite communications capabilities.

Under the firm-fixed price, other transaction agreement, AST SpaceMobile will use its commercial space vehicles for the demonstration, which is expected to be completed by December 2027, the agency said Monday.

AST SpaceMobile operates the BlueBird satellite constellation. The company currently has six BlueBird satellites in orbit, with a seventh one being prepared for launch in the coming days, Breaking Defense reported.

What Is BlueBird Constellation?

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites are capable of delivering uninterrupted, high-speed cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard smartphones worldwide.

The company said its architecture employs a software-defined bent-pipe structure that facilitates high-bandwidth data transmission directly from low Earth orbit for commercial and government users.

“Selection for SDA’s Europa Track 2 program validates AST SpaceMobile’s ability to rapidly operationalize commercial space capabilities for national security,” Chris Ivory, CEO of AST SpaceMobile USA, stated. “By leveraging our existing low Earth orbit dual-use satellite technology, we support the Government’s defense efforts, delivering immediate connectivity with our BlueBird satellites and scaling quickly to advanced tactical use cases.”

What Is HALO Europa?

The Europa program is part of SDA’s Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System and aims to test technologies and methodologies that could later be integrated into the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

HALO uses an other transaction authority model structured similarly to an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Members of the HALO pool are eligible to compete for future prototype demonstration orders.

SDA issued a request for proposals for the HALO program in July. The agency said it could expand the HALO pool of performers for future agency programs, including additional architecture tranches. The agency expects to announce more awards under the program in the coming months.

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DLA Director Mark Simerly Describes AI as ‘the New Gunpowder’
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Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly, director of the Defense Logistics Agency. Simerly discussed AI in logistics at a recent event

Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly, director of the Defense Logistics Agency, emphasized the role of artificial intelligence in the future of military logistics, describing the technology as “the new gunpowder” at a National Defense Industrial Association event held on Feb. 17.

During the event, which was also attended by other DLA leaders, Simerly stressed the role that industry partnerships play in integrating AI into sustainment operations.

“The strength of the industrial base is what will allow the U.S. to sustain a protracted fight with a peer adversary, and DLA needs to ensure it can enable a surge as needed,” he stated.

DLA Director Mark Simerly Describes AI as 'the New Gunpowder'

Join top military and industry leaders as they discuss AI deployment for mission execution at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18. Register today to secure your spot. 

How Will AI Improve Military Logistics?

Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Cotman, commanding general for DLA Distribution, said he sees AI as a predictive tool that allows the military to respond proactively rather than reactively to surge demands in supplies and equipment.

“The objective is to ensure our teammates have the best tools available to ensure the readiness of our joint force and the capability of the warfighter to protect the homeland,” he added.

Meanwhile, Army Brig. Gen. Sean Kelly, DLA troop support commander, said greater visibility across the nine segments of the agency’s supply chain, in addition to AI, will deliver a greater impact in ensuring that critical materials reach warfighters at the pace of need.

How Is DLA Modernizing Its Supply Chain and Acquisition Strategy?

DLA is in the process of digitizing its global supply chains to accelerate support to the warfighter in contested logistics environments.

At the agency’s Demand Forecast and Industry Association Leadership Meeting in November, DLA leaders highlighted investments in advanced data analytics to strengthen demand forecasting, scenario analysis and risk mitigation.

In January, DLA’s Troop Support pitched AI-enabled concepts such as the Vendor Alert and Liability Oversight Resource, or VALOR, which uses analytics to flag supplier risks early. Other proposals include digital workforce initiatives designed to improve forecasting, inventory visibility and process automation.

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NSF Encourages PESOSE Proposals Focused on AI Agent Protocols
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NSF seal. The NSF is seeking proposals to develop secure protocols for AI agent ecosystems under its PESOSE program.

The National Science Foundation is seeking proposals to develop secure protocols for artificial intelligence agent ecosystems under its Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems, or PESOSE, program.

NSF Encourages PESOSE Proposals Focused on AI Agent Protocols

The PESOSE initiative underscores the government’s push to advance AI research and operational capabilities. Learn more about AI advancement at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18. Sign up now!

Why Focus on AI Agent Protocols?

According to the Dear Colleague Letter published Friday by NSF, AI agents are becoming more capable of carrying out complex tasks that utilize open interfaces and shared standards to interact with tools, data sources and other agents. As a result, they require common protocols for reliable communication and collaboration, particularly when built by different organizations or operating on different systems. Without such protocols, AI systems cannot scale effectively, maintain strong security or operate in a reproducible manner.

What Areas Will NSF Prioritize Under PESOSE?

NSF will prioritize proposals that advance interoperability, scalability, security, open-science applications, partnerships, and education and training. The agency also highlighted security features such as identity verification, secure communication channels, cross-domain data classification mapping, role- and attribute-based access controls, end-to-end auditability, zero-knowledge proofs, robust authentication and fine-grained authorization, and secure message formats.

What Is NSF PESOSE?

The PESOSE program supports open-source ecosystems that create tools and resources available to the public, including software, hardware, models and specifications, and languages and measures for AI model security. The initiative aims to strengthen these ecosystems that drive progress in AI, cloud computing, finance, healthcare, education, manufacturing, mobility and national security. It helps the organizations grow by expanding their user and contributor communities across academia, industry and government, while strengthening security and privacy protections to reduce vulnerabilities that could affect the ecosystems’ development.

Related NSF Investment in Open-Source Security

The PESOSE effort follows a separate NSF investment aimed at strengthening open-source security. The agency awarded up to $12 million through its Safety, Security and Privacy of Open-Source Ecosystems program to eight research teams working to address security weaknesses in open-source software, including code vulnerabilities and supply chain risks.

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AFIMSC Introduces SPEED CSO to Cut Acquisition Timelines
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US Air Force logo. AFIMSC introduced the SPEED CSO pathway to accelerate the acquisition of commercial technologies.

The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center has introduced a new contracting pathway to reduce the time it takes to move commercial technologies from industry proposals to operational use.

The Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery Commercial Solutions Opening, or SPEED CSO, provides a competitive and flexible process for identifying and acquiring innovative commercial items, technologies and services, the Air Force Materiel Command said Monday.

Dustin Dickens, program manager with AFIMSC, explained that the approach allows requirement owners to define operational gaps through an “Area of Interest” and engage industry in iterative solution development before committing to a contract award.

AFIMSC Introduces SPEED CSO to Cut Acquisition Timelines

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30 for an elite gathering of top Space Force and Air Force leaders alongside industry’s most influential executives.

How Much Time Could the SPEED CSO Save?

According to Charles Kelm, mission sustainment division chief with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, the new process compresses timelines that previously stretched over eight to 12 months into a four- to six-week cycle to reach the prototype stage. He expects the total time to award a production contract could be shortened by more than six months.

Under SPEED CSO, initial submissions can be reviewed in about 10 days, with vendors progressing through phased evaluations. The process begins with information sharing, where vendors submit brief proposals or presentations. Selected companies then advance to demonstrations or in-depth pitches, followed by formal proposals reviewed with direct involvement from the requirement owner.

Kelm said his team is already using the pathway to examine commercial technologies that could accelerate cost estimation and military construction planning, including artificial intelligence-enabled tools intended to reduce design timelines from months to days.

How Does SPEED CSO Align With the Warfighting Acquisition System?

The rollout comes as the Department of the Air Force implements the Warfighting Acquisition System, part of the broader acquisition reform initiative introduced by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, a 2026 Wash100 Award recipient. To accelerate capability delivery under this new framework, the Air Force is replacing program executive officers with portfolio acquisition executives, a move designed to streamline decision-making and align accountability with mission outcomes.

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NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth Introduces New Leadership Team
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NTIA logo. NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth has named the senior officials who will serve in key roles within the agency.

Arielle Roth, assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information and administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, has announced the senior officials who will serve in key leadership roles at NTIA.

In a statement published Thursday, Roth said she looks forward to working with the team as the administration advances its communications and technology agenda.

“From securing America’s dominance in next-generation networks and technologies, to ensuring universal broadband availability, to strengthening public safety communications, this team brings the expertise, creativity, and determination to execute President Trump’s priorities, deliver measurable results for the American people, and reaffirm the United States’ global leadership in communications innovation,” she added.

In recent public remarks, Roth outlined the administration’s approach to federal spectrum policy, including plans to make additional federal airwaves available to support mobile broadband and emerging technologies such as 5G, 6G and artificial intelligence. She discussed efforts to improve spectrum coordination and management as part of the broader strategy.

Who Will Serve in Key Leadership Roles at NTIA?

Adam Cassady will serve as principal deputy assistant secretary at NTIA. He most recently served at the Federal Communications Commission under Commissioner Nathan Simington, including as chief of staff and senior legal adviser. He previously co-founded a technology firm focused on enterprise machine learning. 

Brooke Donilon will serve as chief of staff at NTIA. She most recently served as vice president of government relations at NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. Her prior experience includes senior roles at the FCC and on Capitol Hill. 

David Brodian will serve as chief counsel at NTIA, overseeing the agency’s legal activities and advising on communications policy. He most recently served as senior legal adviser to FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington and has held legal positions at the FCC, NTIA and in Congress. 

Who Are the Other Key Appointments at NTIA? 

NTIA also named several additional members to the leadership team:

  • Andreas Schnabel, who previously served on Capitol Hill, will serve as special adviser to the NTIA administrator.
  • Ania Urban, who previously served as confidential assistant to FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, will serve as special adviser to the deputy administrator.
  • Ben Elleson, who most recently served at the Internal Revenue Service and the Office of Personnel Management, will join NTIA as director of congressional affairs.
  • Matthew Plaster, most recently vice president at TwinLogic Strategies, will serve as senior adviser for strategy.
  • Mollie Timmons, who previously worked at the American Petroleum Institute and held communications roles in Congress, will join NTIA as senior adviser for public affairs.
  • Tricia Paoletta, most recently a partner at HWG, will serve as senior adviser for spectrum at NTIA.
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Kratsios Highlights US AI Export, Adoption Initiatives at India AI Impact Summit
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Michael Kratsios. The OSTP director discussed AI sovereignty and outlined U.S. initiatives to accelerate global AI adoption.

Michael Kratsios, assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, detailed the Trump administration’s plan to expand exports of U.S. artificial intelligence technologies and promote AI adoption among allied countries during the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Kratsios Highlights US AI Export, Adoption Initiatives at India AI Impact Summit

As federal leaders continue shaping policies around AI and emerging technologies, industry and government stakeholders will gather next month to discuss the evolving AI landscape. The Potomac Officers Club will host its 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18, convening public and private sector leaders for timely discussions on AI innovation and implementation. Reserve your seat now and be part of the conversation.

Leading the U.S. delegation, Kratsios said the administration’s AI export and adoption strategy advances AI sovereignty for partner countries while rejecting centralized global governance frameworks, the White House said Friday.

“Real AI sovereignty means owning and using best-in-class technology for the benefit of your people, and charting your national destiny in the midst of global transformations,” he said.

Kratsios, a two-time Wash100 awardee, said countries can pursue strategic autonomy through partnerships with the U.S., building on the “American AI stack” while keeping sensitive data within their borders. He encouraged developing nations to accelerate AI deployment in healthcare, education, agriculture, energy infrastructure and citizen-facing government services.

What Is the American AI Exports Program?

During his remarks, Kratsios highlighted the American AI Exports Program as a key initiative supporting the administration’s efforts to expand U.S. AI partnerships abroad.

In October, the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration launched the American AI Exports Program to expand the global reach of U.S. AI technologies by identifying industry-led export packages comprising AI hardware, software, models and applications across various sectors for promotion to markets worldwide. It sought to implement an executive order aimed at promoting the export of the U.S. AI technology stack.

What Are the Other AI Initiatives Announced at the India AI Impact Summit?

In his speech, Kratsios outlined several additional initiatives intended to accelerate global AI adoption. He said the Commerce Department will launch the National Champions Initiative, which will incorporate leading AI companies from partner countries into customized American AI export stacks to demonstrate how U.S. technology can reinforce domestic AI ecosystems.

Kratsios also announced the creation of the U.S. Tech Corps, a new initiative under the Peace Corps that will deploy volunteer technical experts to partner countries to provide support for implementing AI applications in public services.

In addition, he said the Department of the Treasury will establish a new fund at the World Bank to help countries address barriers to AI adoption. He also cited the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s plan to facilitate development of interoperable and secure standards for agentic AI systems through the Center for AI Standards and Innovation’s AI Agent Standards Initiative.

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DHS Issues RFI for Network, Cloud and Cyber Support at NOSC Facilities
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The Department of Homeland Security logo. DHS issued the Network, Cloud and Cyber Services 2 RFI

The Department of Homeland Security is conducting market research on companies capable of operating its centralized Network Operations And Security Center, also known as NOSC, facilities in the National Capital Region, Mississippi and Arizona.

According to a request for information posted on SAM.gov Thursday, the agency intends to acquire the full range of cybersecurity, network operations, management and other professional support services under the Network, Cloud, and Cyber Services, or NCCS, 2.0 initiative.

The initiative aims to ensure that the NOSC meets the DHS Cybersecurity Provider Program and doctrinal Center of Excellence service maturity standards.

Responses are due March 6.

DHS Issues RFI for Network, Cloud and Cyber Support at NOSC Facilities

Hear directly from government and industry leaders how they are fortifying their cyber defenses against intensifying attacks on American systems at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21. Get your tickets here.

What Is the Network Operations and Security Center?

The NOSC, established by the Office of the Chief Information Officer, consolidates traditional network operations and security operations center functions. The integrated center is responsible for identifying, detecting and mitigating cybersecurity threats across DHS networks and information processing systems.

In addition to headquarters-specific responsibilities, the NOSC oversees systems monitoring, cloud management and coordination of incidents affecting DHS component networks nationwide.

According to DHS, NOSC has two tiers: Tier 1 detects, triages and resolves issues and escalates problems that require more significant responses. Tier 2 coordinates the resolution of networking, cloud and cybersecurity incidents.

The agency said the tiered model provides unified visibility and enables the future adoption of artificial intelligence approaches.

How Does the RFI Build on Prior NOSC Procurement Efforts?

The latest notice builds on previous DHS efforts to acquire similar support services. In January 2024, the DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer issued a request for proposals for cloud, network and cybersecurity personnel under a potential indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a cumulative ceiling value exceeding $594.3 million.

DHS also issued a similar notice in 2022 for network cyber and cloud support services procurement in support of the NOSC.

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Space Force to Assume Control of Army’s Wideband Satcom Operational Management System
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Satellites in orbit. The Army will transfer the WSOM satellite communications system to the U.S. Space Force

The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Software Engineering Center will transition ownership, operation and maintenance of the Wideband Satellite Communications Operational Management System, or WSOM, to the U.S. Space Force in fiscal year 2026.

CECOM SEC has been working with the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Command and Control, Program Manager Integrated Enterprise Network, Product Manager Wideband Enterprise Satellite System, Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command for over a year to plan the transition, the Army said Thursday.

Space Force to Assume Control of Army’s Wideband Satcom Operational Management System

Top Space Force leaders will discuss strategies and technologies keeping guardians ahead of adversaries in the space domain at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30. The summit will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Register now.

Why Is the Space Force Taking Over WSOM?

The transition complies with the 2020 directive issued by David Norquist, who served as the 34th deputy secretary of war from 2019 through 2021, to consolidate satellite planning, payload control, and related modernization and software sustainment activities under the Space Force.

The Space Force has already assumed responsibilities for the Wideband Global Satcom and the Defense Satellite Communications System from the Army in 2022 and the Joint Tactical Ground Station missile warning system mission in 2023.

What Is Next for CECOM SEC?

CECOM SEC, which has been involved in military satellite operations since 1983, will continue to provide software support for other satcom initiatives across the Department of War.

The Army said the center will support the 52 Modernization program, which upgrades and extends the service life of Earth terminals.

CECOM SEC will also work on the Modernization of Enterprise Terminals program to replace up to 80 aging strategic satcom terminals globally. 

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