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War Department Moves AHI Cross-Functional Team to R&E Office
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DOW seal. The Department of War realigned the Anomalous Health Incidents Cross-Functional Team to the OUSW(R&E).

The Department of War realigned the Anomalous Health Incidents Cross-Functional Team, or AHI CFT, to the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, effective Feb. 6.

Why Was the AHI CFT Realigned?

The War Department said Friday, the AHI CFT, which leads the coordination of interagency efforts related to anomalous health incidents, was realigned as part of an effort to address the mission’s expanding scope, complexity and technical focus. The move is intended to provide the team with enhanced expert oversight to address evolving challenges.

Who Will Support the Team’s Leadership?

Rear Adm. Michael Thornton, a former Navy SEAL and now a triple-board-certified physician specializing in critical care medicine, was appointed military assistant to the AHI CFT. He will serve under Peter Highnam, principal deputy assistant secretary of war for critical technologies.

How Does This Affect Interagency Collaboration?

The realignment is expected to strengthen coordination with the Defense Health Agency and the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness. DHA Director Vice Adm. Darin Via said the department remains committed to delivering timely care, advancing research and ensuring transparency for affected warfighters and civilians.

The Office of the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering is led by Wash100 recipient Hon. Emil Michael, who recently spoke at Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit.

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Treasury Issues AI Lexicon, Risk Framework for Financial Sector
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Treasury Department logo. The agency released two new resources to standardize AI governance and risk management practices.

The Department of the Treasury has released two new resources intended to standardize artificial intelligence governance and risk management practices across the U.S. financial sector.

The agency unveiled an AI Lexicon and the Financial Services AI Risk Management Framework on Thursday as part of the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan, which calls for clearer standards and risk-based oversight to guide AI deployment.

According to the Treasury, the resources are designed to help financial institutions adopt AI technologies while strengthening consumer protection, cybersecurity and operational resilience.

Treasury Issues AI Lexicon, Risk Framework for Financial Sector

Secure your spot at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18 to hear from federal, defense and industry leaders about how AI is reshaping government operations.

What Do the Treasury’s New AI Resources Include?

The AI Lexicon establishes common definitions for core AI concepts, capabilities and risk categories. By harmonizing terminology, the agency aims to bridge the communication gap between regulatory, technical, legal and business functions as AI adoption accelerates across the financial sector.

The Financial Services AI Risk Management Framework adapts the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI Risk Management Framework to the specific regulatory and operational environment of financial institutions. The sector-specific framework includes 230 control objectives mapped to varying stages of AI adoption. It provides guidance for evaluating AI use cases, managing lifecycle risks and integrating AI governance into existing enterprise risk programs.

The framework is scalable and intended for institutions of different sizes.

“It’s an essential resource for both community and multinational institutions alike, empowering them to effectively manage AI risks while driving growth and innovation,” said Josh Magri, CEO of the Cyber Risk Institute.

How Was the Financial Services AI Risk Management Framework Developed?

The resources were developed through the Artificial Intelligence Executive Oversight Group, a public-private body formed by the Financial and Banking Information Infrastructure Committee and the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council.

More than 100 financial institutions participated in shaping the framework, with input from U.S. and international agencies, including NIST.

The initiative will produce six AI-related resources in February focused on governance, data practices, explainability, identity and fraud prevention, providing practical implementation tools rather than new regulatory mandates.

Why Is Treasury Focusing on AI Governance Now?

As financial institutions are expanding their use of AI, including generative AI, they face emerging risks such as bias, opacity, cybersecurity vulnerabilities and systemic interdependencies.

By aligning the financial sector’s AI risk practices with national standards while tailoring them to sector-specific requirements, the new guidance is intended to promote responsible adoption without slowing innovation.

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DOT Launches Enterprise-Wide IT Modernization Effort
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DOT CDIO Pavan Pidugu. The Department of Transportation is undertaking an enterprise-wide IT modernization effort.

The Department of Transportation is undertaking an enterprise-wide IT modernization effort targeting legacy systems, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

DOT Launches Enterprise-Wide IT Modernization Effort

The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22 will cover AI, cyber and enterprise IT modernization while offering exclusive insights and high-level networking. Save your seat today!

What Are DOT’s Immediate Priorities?

DOT Chief Digital and Information Officer Pavan Pidugu is leading the initiative, prioritizing the creation of a OneDOT model for enterprise services such as cloud, infrastructure, cybersecurity and data, as well as the elimination of duplicative shadow IT systems across the department.

Speaking at GovExec’s Fed Tech Priorities event, the 2026 Wash100 Award winner said the department is not simply “lifting and shifting” to the cloud but reassessing processes to determine the right tools and capabilities. Pidugu also set a 180-day benchmark for delivering new technology, arguing modernization efforts must show results within three to six months.

“If we can’t change a mail system in the back end in less than six months, then we can’t be delivering new capabilities in that phase,” said Pidugu.

Why Is DOT Moving to Google Workspace?

DOT plans to migrate most offices and bureaus from Microsoft Office to Google Workspace within six months, with completion expected by March 9. The transition follows a OneGov agreement negotiated by the General Services Administration that offers agencies temporary pricing reductions of up to 71 percent.

How Is DOT Enhancing Grants Management?

The department is also consolidating up to 14 siloed grants systems into a single platform after a nine-month sprint. The effort, prompted by fragmented data challenges, brings together IT leaders, grant program heads and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer under a governance steering committee.

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GSA Appoints Gregory Barbaccia as Acting TTS Director
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Gregory Barbaccia. The federal CIO has joined GSA as acting director of the Technology Transformation Services.

The General Services Administration has appointed Gregory Barbaccia, federal chief information officer at the White House Office of Management and Budget, as acting director of the Technology Transformation Services and senior adviser to GSA Administrator Edward Forst.

GSA Appoints Gregory Barbaccia as Acting TTS Director

The latest appointment at TTS comes as federal agencies continue to prioritize modernization and digital service delivery. The broader shift toward technology-driven government operations will also be in focus at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Digital Transformation Summit. Save your seat at this April 22 event!

GSA said Thursday Thomas Shedd, who has led TTS and served as deputy commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service over the past year, will transition to a new role as senior adviser for fraud prevention.

In this capacity, Barbaccia will continue serving as federal CIO while leading TTS and advising GSA leadership on digital delivery, emerging technologies and cross-government collaboration.

“Greg brings a powerful combination of technology strategy and hands-on execution that will accelerate GSA’s mission to transform how the federal government buys, builds, and delivers digital services,” said Forst. “His leadership will drive smart, secure technology investments that deliver real results for President Trump’s priorities and our stakeholders.”

Who Is Greg Barbaccia?

Barbaccia, a 2026 Wash100 awardee, has served as the federal CIO since January 2025.

Before joining OMB, he was chief information security officer at financial services company Theorem. His industry career included leadership roles at Elementus and Palantir. He also founded Argus Vigilance, where he served as a managing partner.

He brings experience in technology leadership, digital transformation and organizational change to the role. 

As federal CIO, Barbaccia has initiated governmentwide efforts to strengthen agency CIO authority in technology acquisition. He has also promoted a “one-government” approach to digital services through federal website design standardization initiatives and has served as the federal government’s service delivery lead under the Government Service Delivery Improvement Act, supporting user-centered improvements to public-facing services.

In a statement, Barbaccia said he plans to build on TTS’ modernization efforts and strengthen partnerships that support improved technology outcomes across government.

What Is Technology Transformation Services?

Technology Transformation Services is a GSA organization that supports the modernization of federal digital services and helps agencies improve how they build and deliver applications, software and other tech platforms.

Its services include FedRAMP, USAGov, Centers of Excellence, Presidential Innovation Fellows, Digital.gov and Login.gov.

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NIH Chief Jay Bhattacharya to Lead CDC in Acting Capacity Following HHS Reshuffle
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Jay Bhattacharya. The NIH chief was named as the acting CDC director.

Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health, has been named acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention following the removal of Jim O’Neill, Politico reported Wednesday.

O’Neill, who had been serving as acting CDC director while also holding the role of deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services, was dismissed last week as HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. reshuffled senior leadership.

The White House plans to nominate O’Neill to lead the National Science Foundation, according to administration officials cited in the report.

Why Did HHS Restructure Its Leadership Team?

Kennedy said the management changes are intended to accelerate President Trump’s healthcare priorities and the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.

As part of the restructuring, Chris Klomp, deputy administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, was appointed as chief counselor at HHS and will oversee department-wide operations. Kennedy also named Kyle Diamantas and Grace Graham as senior counselors for the Food and Drug Administration and John Brooks as senior counselor for CMS. Each official maintained their current role.

Who Is Jay Bhattacharya?

Bhattacharya assumed leadership of NIH in April 2025 after being nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate. He previously served as a tenured professor at Stanford University, where his research focused on population aging, chronic disease and health economics.

He has authored more than 170 peer-reviewed research papers and co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration during the COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration called for lifting lockdown restrictions while increasing protections for vulnerable populations.

Since taking office at NIH, Bhattacharya has emphasized shifting research priorities toward chronic disease, strengthening transparency in scientific decision-making and increasing openness to dissenting views.

NIH has also outlined plans to develop an artificial intelligence strategic plan, expand real-world data infrastructure and strengthen oversight of foreign-funded research, as part of what Bhattacharya has described as a unified approach to agency modernization.

What Does the Leadership Change Mean for Federal Health Policy?

Bhattacharya’s appointment comes following repeated leadership turnover at CDC tied to controversial vaccine policy shifts. Under Kennedy’s leadership, the agency has revised its vaccine schedule and replaced members of a key advisory panel.

Public health officials cited in Politico raised concerns about the agency’s instability and questioned whether Bhattacharya can effectively oversee both NIH and CDC responsibilities.

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State Department Launches AI Export ‘Concierge’ Pilot for Pax Silica Partners
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State Department seal. State launched a concierge pilot to streamline AI product acquisition for Pax Silica partners.

The Department of State has launched a pilot “concierge” service designed to help Pax Silica signatories streamline the acquisition of American-made artificial intelligence products.

State Department Launches AI Export 'Concierge' Pilot for Pax Silica Partners

As the State Department advances new efforts to support the deployment of trusted AI technologies, federal AI policy and implementation continue to evolve. Industry stakeholders tracking these developments may also be interested in broader conversations shaping the future of AI across government and the private sector. Register now for the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18 to join the discussion.

How Will the Concierge Service Support Acquisition of US-Made AI Products?

The department said Thursday the concierge service will leverage the State Department’s network of approximately 270 diplomatic posts to provide logistical and consultative support designed to help partner countries and their industry leaders facilitate the acquisition of AI-related products, including power, cooling systems, software and hardware.

The initiative aims to promote cryptographic verification and secure supply chain practices to support the deployment of AI systems within a trusted, end-to-end technology architecture.

The concierge service pilot follows the release of the State Department’s 2026 Enterprise Data and AI Strategy, which emphasizes equipping diplomats with AI tools and modernizing data infrastructure to support operations. The initiative also comes amid broader federal AI efforts, including the White House’s AI Action Plan and the Commerce Department’s American AI Exports Program.

What Is Pax Silica?

Pax Silica is a U.S.-led international initiative launched by the State Department to strengthen secure and resilient technology and AI supply chains among trusted allies and partners. The framework promotes cooperation across critical areas such as minerals, energy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and AI infrastructure to reduce reliance on high-risk suppliers.

Signatories include Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the U.K.

What Is the Goal of the State Department’s AI-Ready Smartphone Deployment Effort?

In a separate announcement, the State Department launched a competitive process to award up to $200 million in foreign assistance funding to accelerate the deployment of AI-ready smartphones across the Indo-Pacific region.

The smartphone initiative aligns with Pax Silica objectives by expanding access to secure mobile technology and strengthening the region’s participation in trusted software ecosystems. The department said the effort is intended to provide an alternative to high-risk vendors by supporting competitive pricing and encouraging adoption of trusted operating systems and AI-enabled applications.

What Are the State Department’s Proposal Requirements for the Smartphone Program?

The State Department is accepting proposals from mobile network operators and original equipment manufacturers to support handset distribution efforts across designated Indo-Pacific partner countries. 

Under the guidelines, devices must operate on a trusted American mobile operating system and support the U.S. software and AI ecosystem. Applicants must describe how funding would help achieve price parity with untrusted competitors and demonstrate supply chain transparency, including potential participation in traceability pilot efforts.

The State Department said it will prioritize OEMs headquartered in Pax Silica partner countries, consistent with applicable law. The submission window will remain open for 90 days, and funding is subject to availability and congressional notification.

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AIA Unveils 2026 Space Priorities Focused on Funding & Regulatory Reform
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AIA's Steve Jordan Tomaszewski. The Aerospace Industries Association has unveiled its 2026 Space Priorities.

The Aerospace Industries Association, or AIA, has unveiled its 2026 Space Priorities, outlining policy recommendations affecting the civil, commercial and national security space sectors.

AIA Unveils 2026 Space Priorities Focused on Funding & Regulatory Reform

The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit will be held on July 30. Sign up now to hear from senior leaders and industry executives discuss advanced technologies and strategies shaping the future of air and space operations.

What Is the Purpose of AIA’s 2026 Space Priorities?

AIA said Thursday the policy road map responds to a period of transition in U.S. space operations, including the planned Artemis II launch, the eventual retirement of the International Space Station and rising commercial participation in low Earth orbit.

“Space is no longer a niche domain — it is foundational to our national security, economic growth, and preserving U.S. leadership in space exploration,” said Steve Jordan Tomaszewski, vice president of space systems at AIA. “These priorities reflect what industry needs from government right now: stable funding, modernized regulations, and policies that fully leverage commercial innovation.”

What Policy Actions Does AIA Recommend?

AIA urges lawmakers to deliver reliable, bipartisan and timely funding for civil, commercial and national security space initiatives to support companies’ long-term planning and global competitiveness. The association emphasizes maintaining an ambitious Artemis mission timeline and sustained lunar operations that support future crewed Mars missions, along with continued investment in key capabilities, including surface power, communications, mobility and life-support technologies, and entry, descent and landing systems.

The policy calls for maintaining a continuous U.S. human presence in low Earth orbit, or LEO, through 2030 by supporting commercial LEO destinations, diverse launch capabilities and continued microgravity research. It also urges clear regulations for launch, reentry, spectrum and mission authorization, and stronger resourcing of the Office of Space Commerce to oversee space traffic coordination, safety and emerging commercial activities such as in-space servicing and manufacturing.

AIA also stresses investment in resilient space infrastructure, domestic production, small business innovation and workforce development to mitigate supply chain risks and meet growing national space demands. The road map urges faster development of advanced missile warning and defense systems, more survivable space assets and expanded training to strengthen mission readiness in contested environments.

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Soldiers Redesign Homepage of Army Enterprise Platform During Vantage Edge
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U.S. Army logo. The Army hosted Vantage Edge, a competition to redesign the Vantage homepage

The U.S. Army’s Office of the Vice Chief of Staff, the Army Chief Information Office, the Army Software Factory and Palantir Technologies brought together over 200 soldiers, civilians and technologists for Vantage Edge, a three-day virtual competition to redesign the landing page of Vantage.

During the competition, participants were tasked to create a more intuitive and mission-focused homepage capable of serving users ranging from senior leaders monitoring readiness to squad leaders tracking fitness metrics, the Army said Thursday.

Soldiers Redesign Homepage of Army Enterprise Platform During Vantage Edge

Get insights into the capabilities that the Army needs to strengthen American warfighters and meet the service’s 2030 goals at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Army Summit on June 18. The event is open to companies that want to pursue opportunities with the Army and forge new partnerships that will reshape the future of the battlefield. Click here to secure your tickets.

How Does Vantage Edge Support Army Modernization?

According to the Army, Vantage Edge addressed the need to modernize the platform’s interface, which had not been updated in over two years and had become less accessible. Soldiers and service leaders are also unaware of the many advanced tools already available on Vantage, such as Weapons 360 and First Alert, the Army added.

Over the three-day event, teams received technical demonstrations and presented their redesigned homepage concepts to an expert judging panel for evaluation. Representatives from Palantir, which won a contract in 2024 to support Vantage, were present throughout the event to provide real-time support.

“What Vantage Edge proved is that the grit and entrepreneurial spirit already exist in our ranks. You give Soldiers a problem, point them in the right direction, and they will run through walls to solve it.” Maj. Zak Daker, artificial intelligence adviser to the Army’s vice chief of staff, commented.

“But beyond the competition itself, we wanted every participant to go back to their unit and say, ‘Did you know this tool already exists? Did you know you can already access this data?’ That ripple effect across the force is just as valuable as the winning solution,” he added.

Winning concepts have entered a beta testing phase and will inform the Army’s new Vantage homepage.

What Is Vantage?

Army Vantage is the service’s enterprise data analytics platform designed to help soldiers and leaders access trusted, timely information to support decision-making. The platform also serves as a foundation for artificial intelligence and machine learning applications aimed at improving readiness and business operations.

In September, the Army directed full migration of business and readiness data assets to Vantage, with commands required to submit transition plans and complete migration by March 31, 2026. 

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ASI, Watchtower Labs Secure DIU AI Logistics Prototype Contracts
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DIU logo. The Defense Innovation Unit has awarded two prototype contracts to Air Space Intelligence and Watchtower Labs.

The Defense Innovation Unit has awarded two prototype contracts to Air Space Intelligence and Watchtower Labs under its Joint Sustainment Decision Tool program.

ASI, Watchtower Labs Secure DIU AI Logistics Prototype Contracts

The largest wave of AI advancement in history is reshaping government and defense, as evidenced by efforts to modernize legacy systems like the Joint Sustainment Decision Tool. Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18 to learn more about similar AI-driven initiatives. Secure your seat today!

DIU said Thursday the effort aims to advance artificial intelligence-enabled military logistics planning by applying commercial AI to forecast logistics needs, support course-of-action analysis and strengthen sustainment planning for large-scale combat operations, or LSCOs.

What Is the Joint Sustainment Decision Tool?

The Joint Sustainment Decision Tool program, launched by DIU, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Northern Command and the Defense Logistics Agency in August 2025, aims to replace existing systems to meet the needs of modern warfare. The platform is designed to help the Joint Logistics Enterprise transition from reactive to predictive sustainment operations during LSCOs. It seeks to leverage commercial AI and machine learning technologies to anticipate logistics requirements and manage distribution weeks in advance.

“Existing logistics and sustainment planning processes are complex and time-consuming. Logisticians do not have the resources they need to generate and analyze multiple courses of action to meet sustainment requirements, leading to suboptimal results,” said Masha Danilova, AI/ML deputy portfolio director at DIU. “The goal of this project is to substantially reduce the amount of time logisticians spend managing conflicting logistics priorities and requirements. In doing so, and with the help of AI, we can exponentially improve logisticians’ ability to proactively and dynamically plan ahead.”

What Capabilities Are Required for Joint Decision Sustainment Tool?

The DIU sought AI-enabled tools capable of developing realistic courses of action across multiple domains for commanders operating in contested and degraded environments. The systems are expected to keep sustainment activities aligned, while detecting risks and providing users with adaptive responses, enabling them to do branch planning and what-if analysis.

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Proposed FAR Rule Would Restrict Semiconductor Purchases From China, Russia
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A semiconductor. The FAR Council wants to bar executive agencies from buying semiconductors from foreign adversaries

The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council has proposed an amendment to the Federal Acquisition Regulation that would prohibit executive agencies from purchasing select semiconductor products or services tied to foreign adversaries, such as China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

In a notice in the Federal Register, the FAR Council proposed the implementation of a key restriction in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 that bars agencies from obtaining certain electronic products and services. Interested parties may submit their comments about the proposed rule until April 20.

What Would the Proposed FAR Semiconductor Rule Do?

Under the proposed amendment, the head of an executive agency would be barred from entering into or renewing a contract for the procurement of electronic products that include covered semiconductors. The prohibition would also apply to electronic products used in critical systems that incorporate covered semiconductors.

If enacted, the restriction would take effect on Dec. 23, 2027.

Executive agencies would not be required to remove or replace products or services already embedded in equipment, systems, or services prior to the rule implementation date. Agencies also would not be required to prohibit or limit the use of covered semiconductor products or services throughout the lifecycle of existing equipment acquired before that date, including replacement components, spare parts or support services.

Why Is FAR Undergoing Reforms?

The semiconductor proposal comes as the FAR Council and the Department of War continue broader acquisition reform efforts under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, or RFO, initiative.

Launched in May 2025, the RFO aims to modernize the acquisition framework by reducing unnecessary regulatory requirements and increasing flexibility for program execution. The initiative focuses on accelerating capability delivery, strengthening industrial readiness and eliminating outdated or nonstatutory FAR and Defense FAR Supplement provisions.

For Phase 1 of the overhaul, the principal director for defense pricing, contracting and acquisition policy issued class deviations to streamline compliance requirements ahead of the formal rulemaking. For Phase 2, DOW is seeking comments and suggestions from the defense industrial base and acquisition stakeholders on how to reduce regulatory burden and accelerate procurement.

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