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Austal USA-Built LCS Clears Acceptance Trials
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Austal USA-Built LCS Clears Acceptance Trials
USS Oakland (LCS 24)
USS Oakland (LCS 24)

The U.S. Navy has completed acceptance trials for an Independence-class littoral combat ship built by Austal USA. The future USS Oakland (LCS 24) underwent various system tests and performed underway and in-port maneuvers at the Gulf of Mexico to clear the trials, the Navy said Friday.

The vessel also completed critical capability tests such as a combat system detect-to-engage sequence, steering and an anchor drop test. Once it gets commissioned, LCS 24 will be stationed at San Diego along with other Independence-class ships.

Four Independence-class units are currently constructed at Austal USA’s facility in Alabama, while the future USS Mobile (LCS 26) is now on its final assembly phase. The company has made preparations to build the future USS Pierre (LCS 38), USS Kingsville (LCS 36) and USS Augusta (LCS 34).

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GAO Releases Federal Financial Benefits Report
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GAO Releases Federal Financial Benefits Report

GAO Releases Federal Financial Benefits Report

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report on the federal government’s cost savings and found that the Department of Defense (DoD) could make significant savings by accurately measuring and mitigating unfinished military depot work.

The report, titled “Additional Opportunities to Reduce Fragmentation, Overlap, and Duplication and Achieve Billions in Financial Benefits”, states that the federal government saved $429 billion by addressing 79 percent of GAO recommendations over the past decade. However, GAO identified 168 new actions that Congress or other agencies in the executive branch must address to improve efficiency in new and existing mission areas.

Existing GAO recommendations include reforms in vessel acquisition practices at the Department of the Navy and better oversight of disaster relief funds at the Office of Management and Budget.

The new recommendations cover information technology improvements to support agency functions such as screening and enrollment procedures at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and public health emergency programs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“While Congress and executive branch agencies have made progress toward addressing actions that GAO has identified since 2011, further steps are needed,” the watchdog said. “Addressing the remaining actions could lead to other benefits as well, such as increased public safety, and more effective delivery of services.”

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USAF to Submit Final Space Force Acquisition Strategy Report; Gen. John Raymond Quoted
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USAF to Submit Final Space Force Acquisition Strategy Report; Gen. John Raymond Quoted
Gen. John Raymond
Gen. John Raymond

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) plans to submit to Congress a revised version of its report on proposed alternatives to the U.S. Space Force’s procurement strategies, SpaceNews reported Sunday.

Ann Stefanek, a spokeswoman for the Air Force, said in a statement obtained by the publication that the service branch is working with the Department of Defense (DoD) and interagency partners to finalize the report tiled  “Alternative Acquisition System for the United States Space Force”.

The report details potential acquisition procedures developed under Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett as mandated by the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.  Changes included in the report also cover administrative procedures in the DoD and congressional funding processes for multiyear space programs.

Gen. John Raymond, chief of space operations at the Space Force and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, told reporters at a prior call that the service partnered with stakeholders such as NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office for the effort.

He added that the changes are meant to support goals such as “increased flexibility, being able to move at speed [and] coming up with opportunities for further delegation and streamlining”.

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Education Dept’s Steven Hernandez: AI Deployment Key to Building Zero-Trust Infrastructure
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Education Dept’s Steven Hernandez: AI Deployment Key to Building Zero-Trust Infrastructure
Steven Hernandez
Steven Hernandez

Steven Hernandez, chief information security officer at the Department of Education, said that implementing artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotic process automation will support the foundations of a zero-trust architecture, Federal News Network reported Monday.

Hernandez told the publication in an interview that establishing zero-trust concepts is crucial to implementing outsourced services such as cloud computing that entail a “certain amount of trust” with agency contractors.

“One of the foundational pieces of zero trust is the more data you have, the better you understand it,” he said. “The more history of data you have, the better decisions your automation can make.”

Hernandez noted that collaborations between data officials such as general counsels and chief data officers are also key to developing a zero-trust infrastructure and training the “trust engine” through datasets such as attendance records.

He added the Education Department is also working to deploy qualitative metrics as employees continue to operate in telework settings.

Hernandez’s comments come after the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released its Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) 3.0 guidance last month and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) established a working group for zero-trust implementation.

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CISA Releases Industrial Control Cybersecurity Infographic With DOE, U.K.
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CISA Releases Industrial Control Cybersecurity Infographic With DOE, U.K.
CISA
CISA

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has partnered with the Department of Energy (DoE) and a U.K.-based cybersecurity center to publish a document of standards for the protection of industrial control systems.

The two-page “Cybersecurity Best Practices for Industrial Control Systems” infographic features recommendations for handling ICS-related cyber risks, CISA said Friday.

The document also includes ICS process security practices and information on cyber events that impact ICS platforms in the short and long term. Some of the content also builds on the U.K. cybersecurity center’s operational technology and principles for secure design.

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NOAA Awards $150M for Continued UW–Madison Meteorology Research Partnership
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NOAA Awards $150M for Continued UW–Madison Meteorology Research Partnership
NOAA
NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will extend its partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Madison to study satellite meteorology under a $150 million award. The renewal extends an existing 40-year-old research partnership between NOAA and UW–Madison's Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, the university said Friday.

“This award represents a substantial investment by NOAA in the UW–Madison to continue a very successful partnership that will shape the way we collect and use satellite weather information in the future and help NOAA meet the nation’s current and future weather and climate needs," said Tristan L’Ecuyer, CIMSS director.

NOAA scientists and university researchers work together at CIMSS to develop satellite sensors, weather forecast models and other applications based on satellite data.

Steve Ackerman, vice chancellor for research and graduate education at UW–Madison, said the long partnership shows how positively impactful applications can stem from university-government collaboration.

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Stanford University to Explore Internet Infrastructure Security Under DARPA Contract
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Stanford University to Explore Internet Infrastructure Security Under DARPA Contract

Stanford University to Explore Internet Infrastructure Security Under DARPA Contract

Leland Stanford Junior University has received a three-year, $30.1 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to examine the security of internet infrastructure in the U.S.

The university will explore the usage of control, measurement and verification methods to implement closed-loop control in networks as part of the Pronto project, the Department of Defense (DoD) said Friday. The program aims to study the development and deployment of a verifiable closed-loop control network that can be replicated by the academia, industry and public sector.

DARPA received 30 bids for the competitively offered cost-reimbursement contract and obligated $5 million from fiscal year 2020 funds at the time of award.

Contract work will occur in various locations and is scheduled to conclude by May 2023.

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Mojdeh Bahar to Lead NIST Industrial Engagement
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Mojdeh Bahar to Lead NIST Industrial Engagement
Mojdeh Bahar
Mojdeh Bahar

Mojdeh Bahar, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture executive, has joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to serve as associate director for innovation and industry services, a role through which she will oversee industrial partnerships.

Bahar will supervise NIST’s technology transfer programs and external engagement efforts as she directly reports to Walter Copan, the agency’s director, NIST said Friday.

Efforts and organizations under Bahar’s oversight include the NIST Small Business Innovation Research Program, the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and the Office of Advanced Manufacturing.

She led technology transfer efforts and held intellectual property responsibilities as an assistant administrator during her time with USDA’s agricultural research service.

Bahar also previously spearheaded the commercialization of cancer-related products developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health.

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Akima Logistics Services Secures $365M IDIQ Contract from USAF to Provide Logistics Support; Scott Rauer Quoted
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Akima Logistics Services Secures $365M IDIQ Contract from USAF to Provide Logistics Support; Scott Rauer Quoted
Scott Rauer
Scott Rauer

Akima has announced that its subsidiary, Akima Logistics Services, has been awarded a potential ten-year, $365 million indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract by the U.S. Air Force to provide C-21 aircraft contractor logistics support services at a variety of Air Force bases globally, the company reported on Tuesday. 

“Akima is proud to have been awarded this contract, which underscores our experience providing logistics support for the U.S. Air Force” said Scott Rauer, President of Akima’s Facilities Solutions Group. “This work complements support we provide at the U.S. Air Force Academy and for the USAF Special Aircraft Mission fleet at Andrews Air Force base."

Under the single award contract, Akima Logistics Services will support program management, aircraft base and depot maintenance, engine maintenance, modifications, modification support and deployment support. "We are committed to providing the best services for the Air Force that will consistently meet and exceed their requirements,” Rauer added. 

The contract was awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Work will be performed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and other U.S. and overseas locations, and is expected to be complete by Aug. 2030.

The contract follows Akima Logistics Services’ award on the ten-year, $6.1 billion Kits, Recovery, Augmentation, Components and Engines (KRACEn) Multiple Award Contract (MAC) to support the U.S. Navy, in May 2020. 

With securing a spot on the KRACEn contract, Akima Logistics Services will provide maintenance services and support for single satellite sites, small aircraft quantities, personnel to augment government maintenance teams, and overhaul capabilities for aircraft components and subsystems.

About Akima Logistics Services

Akima Logistics Services (ALS) is a premier small business provider of aviation services to the Department of Defense and federal civilian government. From the warehouse to the airfield, our team of experts deliver comprehensive support designed to optimize and maintain all the links in your supply chain. 

Our services meet the rigid AS9100 and AS9110 certification standards, representing the highest quality in the aviation services industry. Whether your mission is routine or critical, ALS stands ready as a trusted partner.

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SFF Provides Comments on SpaceX, NASA Commercial Mission; Sean Mahoney Quoted
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SFF Provides Comments on SpaceX, NASA Commercial Mission; Sean Mahoney Quoted
SpaceX
SpaceX

The Space Frontier Foundation (SFF) has announced its support of the SpaceX and commercial mission to carry NASA crew members to the International Space Station (ISS), the company reported on Tuesday.

SFF commented that the launch will mark a turning point in space operations, stating that “When Dragon berths with ISS later this week, the U.S. starts the next phase of opening the space frontier,” said SFF chairman, Sean Mahoney.

In 2019, SFF helped develop the policy groundwork that enabled the SpaceX flight and the Boeing flight. The company noted that governments enable the growth of private industry in space.

“To anyone supporting the idea of human settlement in space, it’s fundamental that private citizens be able to get there and back cheaply and reliably. A few years ago, we had the first commercial cargo flights, and now commercial crew. It is a huge moment for us,” said SFF co-founder, Rick Tumlinson.

SFF commented that NASA and governments have a large role to play in the transition from exploration to development. The SpaceX mission will build on government support and move into competition for private customers.

SFF stated that the commercial partnerships should continue to expand and offer programs where the model could be applied. The partnerships would save taxpayer money and introduce a NewSpace industrial economy.

“This is a great model for how things can work between governments and private sector in space,” said Meagan Crawford, SFF board member and managing partner of SpaceFund. “NASA needs low cost, reliable ways to meet its mission objectives. Private companies need anchor customers and R&D support. It’s a perfect match, and one we should emulate in all areas of NASA and government space activities.”

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets. As one of the world’s fastest growing providers of launch services, SpaceX has secured over 100 missions to its manifest, representing over $12 billion on contract.

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