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Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Boost Investments in America’s Semiconductor Supply Chain
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Headshot of Sen. Gary Peters.

The U.S. Senate has passed the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to strengthen the government’s efforts to increase investment in domestic manufacturing of chips. 

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said the bill he helped craft supports the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors, or CHIPS, and Science Act, which was signed into law in 2022. 

“In order to remain a global economic powerhouse, we need to build on the investments we made in the CHIPS and Science Act to continue expanding our vital semiconductor industry,” the legislator stated. “This bipartisan bill would help drive further investment in American manufacturers and supply chains to reduce our dependence on foreign competitors for these critical technologies and create more good-paying jobs in Michigan.” 

New Bill Seeks to Boost Domestic Chip Supply Chain Investments

The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act tasks the Department of Commerce, through the SelectUSA program, to collaborate with other agencies and state economic development organizations to attract more investments into the United States. 

SelectUSA was established in 2011 to promote investments that create jobs for Americans. According to the International Trade Organization, the program has facilitated over $270 billion in investment across various sectors. 

Under the proposed legislation, Peters said SelectUSA will play a bigger role in boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing capability.

The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act also has the support of Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.

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NOAA Issues RFI for Advanced Weather Radar Network
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NOAA has issued a request for information for the development of a new weather radar network.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service is seeking industry feedback on potential contractors capable of developing an advanced network of weather radars that will eventually succeed the one currently used.

According to the request for information notice posted on SAM.gov Wednesday, the NOAA NWS aims to develop a new backbone of S-Band weather radars with enhanced capabilities, enabling it to replace the old Weather Surveillance Radar, operated by the Next Generation Radar, or NEXRAD, program.

Radar-as-a-Service

The NEXRAD WSR-88D plays a crucial role in detecting and issuing warnings for severe weather such as tornadoes, hurricanes, winter weather and floods. With the infrastructure aging, the need for a new and more advanced network is currently a priority for NSW. The Radar Next program is looking at the possibility of developing and deploying a radar-as-a-service model. The program intends to acquire commercial data to integrate into NSW operations.

The new network should be capable of seamlessly continuing the job of the NEXRAD network by maintaining radar operations, particularly the flow of radar data, without interruptions. The network should also expand radar coverage to tackle blind spots at lower altitudes and boost overall performance through enhanced flexibility, scalability and other critical features.

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Army Combines Health Monitoring, Autonomous Flight to Bring Home Incapacitated Military Pilots
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The Army tested a Tiger Tech-made operator state maintaining system with mission adaptive autonomy for emergency rescue.

The U.S. Army has piloted a new system that monitors the vital signs of a military pilot and enables the aircraft to fly autonomously and safely back to base in case of emergencies.

The service recently conducted a test flight of the combined mission adaptive autonomy, or MAA, and operator state maintaining, also called OSM, on a UH-60 Blackhawk at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. 

“This is the first time we have integrated the pilot’s health status to an autonomous flight control system,” commented Carl Ott, an experimental test pilot with the Army who participated in the demonstration.

Army Combines Health Monitoring, Autonomous Flight to Bring Home Incapacitated Military Pilots

Learn more about Army initiatives directly from military leaders and industry experts at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit on June 18. Register for the in-person event here.

Tiger Tech & Army Collaborate

The U.S. Army worked with Tiger Tech Solutions, developer of health monitoring and human performance technologies, to develop the OSM.

During the demonstration, the technology enabled real-time data and video transmission from the pilot and the helicopter, allowing a team from the ground to monitor performance. 

According to Harrison Whittels, CEO of Tiger Tech, the OSM is designed to save the lives of pilot and crew. 

“If we can prove that concept, then everyone and everything can come home,” he commented.

Moreover, Col. Justin Highley, commander of Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center, added that the OSM’s combination with MAA connects the status of the human flying the aircraft and the autonomous flight system. 

“This goes beyond flight stabilization, altitude and heading control,” he said. 

The Army also previously tested the OSM in various scenarios and potential use cases, such as monitoring soldiers who jump out of airplanes and military divers.

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DOE Awards Supercomputer Development Contract to Dell Technologies
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Dell and NVIDIA are developing a super computer for a DOE research facility under a new contract.

Dell Technologies will develop NERSC-10, the next flagship supercomputer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, under a new contract with the Department of Energy.

Berkeley Lab said Thursday that the supercomputer, which will be named after Berkeley Lab-based biochemist Jennifer Doudna who won the 2020 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, will be 10 times better than Perlmutter, NERSC’s current flagship supercomputer.

Accelerating Scientific Workflows

The Doudna supercomputer, powered by Dell Integrated Rack Scalable Systems and PowerEdge servers, will use NVIDIA’s next-generation Vera Rubin artificial intelligence chip platform, accelerators for AI-optimized and compute-optimized workloads and high-speed Quantum-X800 InfiniBand networking platform to support large-scale high-performance computing workloads in molecular dynamics, high-energy physics, and AI training and inference, among other applications. It will also integrate NVIDIA’s CUDA-Q platform to allow scalable quantum algorithm development, modeling and verification of quantum computers at scale, and co-design of future integrated quantum-HPC systems.

According to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the Doudna supercomputer will enable rapid innovation, advance breakthroughs in quantum computing and ensure America’s scientists have the tools needed to win the global race for AI dominance.

Doudna, expected to be delivered in 2026, will be connected to DOE experimental and observational facilities through the Energy Sciences Network.

Linking Doudna to ESnet will allow scientists to stream data seamlessly into the system from all parts of the country and to analyze it in near-real time,” said NERSC Director Sudip Dosanjh.

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Rochester Laboratory to Extend Laser Technology Work for MDA
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The University of Rochester Lab for Laser Energetics has secured a modification to a previous Missile Defense Agency contract

The University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, or LLE, has secured a modification to a previously awarded Missile Defense Agency contract, increasing its value to $49.9 million and performance period along with adding two six-month extension options. The modification extends the contract’s work period to May 30, 2028, with the lab performing tasks in its Rochester home base in New York, according to a Department of Defense announcement Thursday.

The modified contract will enable LLE to further conduct tests and data collection to verify the lethality and use of pulsed laser technology against various threats across land, sea, air and space that the DOD community needs to address.

MDA Contract Details

The contract modification will obligate $9.7 million from MDA’s fiscal year 2024 research, development, test and evaluation budget, with additional Congressional Plus Up funding. A further allocation of $2.3 million from FY 2025 Congressional Plus Up will be obligated this June.

The lab’s initial contract, valued an estimated $14.9 million for a three-year work performance, was awarded in May 2023 in a noncompetitive contracting activity of MDA’s Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. According to an LLE statement following the contract award, the effort will not only advance the lab’s scientific goal, but will also support the development of technology and talent for the expanded use of laser-based, directed-energy systems.

Earlier, the U.S. House and Senate also awarded LLE $80 million in total funding under the FY 2019 Energy and Water bill for the implementation of the lab’s five-year collaboration with the Department of Energy on extending support to the laser technology industry.

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Jens Dilling Named Director of Energy Department’s Jefferson Lab
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Jens Dilling is now director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Jefferson Lab. He has done extensive work with national labs.

Jens Dilling has been named director of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratories.

The Jefferson Lab said Wednesday Dilling will succeed Kimberly Sawyer, effective June 30.

Who Is Jens Dilling?

The new Jefferson Lab director is a renowned physicist with over two decades of scientific leadership and management experience. He is known for his work in nuclear physics, isotope science and large-scale facility development.

Dilling will join Jefferson Lab after working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, or ORNL, for over three years. He most recently served as the associate laboratory director for neutron sciences, overseeing the High Flux Isotope Reactor and the Spallation Neutron Source, or SNS, research portfolios. He was also the director of institutional strategic planning for nearly four years. In this capacity, Dilling led the laboratory’s strategic positioning in nuclear, energy, physical and neutron sciences, and biological and environmental systems.

During his ORNL tenure, Dilling spearheaded advancements in quantum information and materials sciences. He also oversaw the development of the science drivers for the SNS Second Target Station, a $2 billion DOE project.

Dilling also worked at TRIUMF, Canada’s National Laboratory for Accelerator Sciences, where he led various programs including nuclear physics, particle physics, molecular science, material science and isotope science.

“Jens is an outstanding scientist and leader whose vision and experience make him the ideal person to guide Jefferson Lab into the future,” said Sean Hearne, president and CEO of the Southeastern Universities Research Association. “We are excited to welcome Jens and look forward to him leading the next chapter of innovation and impact.”

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Hegseth Issues Memo on DOD Contracting for IT Consultants
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Hegseth's new memo provides guidance for DOD components when executing IT consulting and management services contracts.

Pete Hegseth, secretary of the Department of Defense and a 2025 Wash100 awardee, has released a memorandum establishing policies to leverage in-house capabilities to streamline operations and foster fiscal responsibility.

“While we rely on our vital industrial base to deliver cutting-edge technology and support, we must in-source more expertise and harness the unparalleled talent of our existing experts to drive financial efficiency and operational strength,” Hegseth wrote in the memo dated Tuesday.

The latest directive complies with an executive order aimed at implementing the president’s Department of Government Efficiency cost-efficiency initiatives.

In the memo, Hegseth stated that DOD components “may not execute new IT consulting or management services contracts or task orders with integrators or consultants … without first justifying that no element of the contracted effort can be” carried out by existing DOD personnel or agencies or acquired from the direct service provider.

Obtaining Deputy Defense Secretary’s Approval

For components seeking to execute a new IT consulting contract with a consultant or integrator, Hegseth requires them to seek approval from the deputy secretary of defense by submitting a cost-benefit analysis, evidence of assessment of alternatives and justification that the services to be covered by the contract cannot be sourced within DOD or procured from a direct service provider. Such justifications should be submitted at least 30 days prior to contract execution.

The memo directs the under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment to track compliance.

DOD Policy on Advisory & Assistance Services Contracts

The memo also precludes DOD components from executing new contracts or task orders for consulting, advising and other professional services without prior review and approval by the deputy DOD secretary.

This includes services providing recommendations, expert advice, analyses, strategic planning, organizational assessments, policy development, technical expertise or operational decision-making.

“Components that receive approval to execute consulting, advisory, or assistance service contracts stand to lose funding for in-house personnel with overlapping expertise of said contracts,” the secretary stated in the memo.

Maximizing Employee Utilization for Broad Functions

The policy also directs DOD components to optimize the utilization of the department’s employees for “broad functions” when such functions are being conducted by a combination of DOD and contractor employees.

Broad functions include IT, analytical research, human resources, administrative support, reporting, compliance, and training and education.

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Air Force Names Jennifer Aquinas-Orozco as Acting Chief Information Officer
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Jennifer Aquinas-Orozco, currently deputy CIO of Air Force, has been named acting CIO until a permanent replacement arises.

The Department of the Air Force has named Jennifer Aquinas-Orozco as its acting chief information officer. 

DAF confirmed Orozco’s new role in a LinkedIn post Wednesday. The official will serve as acting CIO until a permanent successor to two-time Wash100 Award winner Venice Goodwine, who is retiring from federal service after over three decades in government, has been selected. 

“I’m grateful for Mrs. Goodwine’s leadership as CIO and excited to continue with our Office’s efforts to advance IT capabilities for the enterprise. For us, that includes driving better value in our investments through routine portfolio reviews,” Orozco stated. “We want to ensure we’re spending taxpayer dollars in a way that eliminates duplicative services and delivers a return on investment through much-needed digital capabilities for our people, from the back office to the battlefield.”

Air Force Names Jennifer Aquinas-Orozco as Acting Chief Information Officer

Meet leaders and experts across the air and space defense sector at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31. Register for the in-person event here.

Who Is Jennifer Aquinas-Orozco?

The experienced defense leader brings to the role over 20 years of working at the Pentagon. She was appointed as the deputy CIO of DAF in September 2024. In the role, she oversaw three directorates: Enterprise Information Technology, Data and Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity. She also provides oversight of the department’s IT investment strategy, ensures the responsible use of AI, and enforces the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act and other relevant laws. 

Earlier in her career, Orozco was an officer in the active and reserve Air Force. She entered federal civil service in 2008 as a security specialist for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.

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DIU Launches Dual-Use University Accelerator Challenge
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DIU's new challenge aims to locate and nurture new tech that address the Department of Defense's critical needs.

The Defense Innovation Unit has launched a new challenge to identify and support the development of new technologies that address the Department of Defense’s critical needs.

DIU said Wednesday U.S. startups founded by students, faculty, staff and recent graduates can participate in the Dual-Use University Accelerator Challenge, which will serve as the entry point to a 12-week accelerator program designed to improve innovators’ readiness for DOD market engagement.

DIU will hold an “Ask Me Anything” session on June 10 and accept applications for the challenge through June 25.

University Accelerator Challenge’s Focus Areas

The key focus areas for the challenge include technology platforms aligned with DOD mission needs in energy, autonomy, artificial intelligence, cyber/telecommunications, emerging technology, human systems and space.

The challenge is also interested in commercial dual-use technologies that address strategic gaps in defense capabilities as well as innovations with potential for scalability, operational impact and cost-effectiveness.

A team of subject matter experts will select up to 15 finalists for the accelerator program. Finalists will get a share of the $500,000 in prize awards, DOD engagement opportunities, tailored mentorship and funding support to help scale their tech platforms for defense applications.

Competition’s Required Technical Capabilities

The selected candidates should demonstrate feasibility for rapid prototyping and field testing; integration of innovative technologies addressing DOD mission needs; and readiness to adapt platforms based on stakeholder feedback.

Scalability for large-scale implementation and demonstrated ability to engage with DOD mission partners are among the desired capabilities.

Applications will be evaluated based on technical merit; team qualifications; commercial viability; alignment with DOD needs; and presentation quality.

DIU will announce the finalists on July 25. The accelerator program will kick off in August and run through October.

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GSA Holds Industry Webinar on FAR Overhaul Initiative
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GSA is holding an industry webinar for an overhaul initiative for FAR and FAS Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum shared his thoughts

The General Services Administration has hosted a webinar to inform over 5,500 stakeholders about an initiative to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation in line with executive orders impacting government procurement, namely EO 14275 and EO 14240.

The FAR overhaul, the most significant update in 40 years, aims to consolidate contracting, streamline federal procurement, eliminate unnecessary regulations and enhance value for taxpayers, GSA said Wednesday. 

The agency, which the Office of Management and Budget designated as the executive agent for all governmentwide acquisition contracts, will work with OMB’s Office of Federal Procurement Policy to simplify the acquisition process and reduce administrative burdens that hinder companies from doing business with the government. 

“This initiative of simplicity directly complements our newly rolled out OneGov strategy which will enable the government to act with one federal wallet in an efficient manner, leveraging our buying power to get better prices for agencies and better value for taxpayers,” said Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, a 2025 Wash100 awardee. 

Executive Order 14240

EO 14240, titled “Eliminating Waste and Saving Taxpayer Dollars by Consolidating Procurement,” requires the consolidation of purchases of common goods and services under GSA, including all GWACs for information technology, to avoid contract duplication and redundancy and enable other agencies to focus on their core missions. 

Executive Order 14275

EO 14275, titled “Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement,” requires the rewriting of FAR to remove unnecessary regulations and focus on efficient, secure and cost-effective procurement processes.

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