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GAO Says Iterative Processes Needed in Military Acquisitions
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GAO Says Iterative Processes Needed in Military Acquisitions

U.S. military departments have not fully incorporated iterative development structures across all four pathways under the adaptive acquisition framework put forward by the Department of Defense when it revamped its acquisition policies in 2020, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office.

Where Was Iterative Development Implemented?

GAO said Thursday that while iterative structures were fully incorporated into policies for the software acquisition pathway, the same incorporation was found to be lacking for the urgent capability, middle tier and major capability acquisition pathways.

What Are Iterative Processes?

Iterative processes are implemented by companies when making cyber-physical products, or products that combine hardware and software. Such processes, which feature continuous cycles of design modeling, validation and production, not only allow companies to deliver products to market quickly but also help them gain critical knowledge, such as whether the product’s design meets user needs.

What Other Problems Were Found?

In the case of U.S. military departments, GAO learned that in addition to partial implementation, iterative development was also understood differently across the various acquisition programs that were evaluated for the report. Critically, some officials did not consider iterative development to be applicable to or feasible for their programs.

What Did GAO Recommend?

To correct these problems, GAO recommended that the departments of the Army, Air Force and Navy update their policies and guidance to reflect iterative development practices. The government watchdog also proposed that each military department designate one or two programs as pilot efforts from which lessons could be derived regarding the use of iterative development practices.

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NASA Completes Roman Space Telescope Payload Integration
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NASA Completes Roman Space Telescope Payload Integration

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope team has completed the integration of the telescope and two instruments onto the instrument carrier, completing the Roman payload.

Roman Space Telescope Payload Integration Process

The agency said Thursday the team was initially able to incorporate the Coronagraph Instrument, an experimental technology for taking images of exoplanets. The engineers used masks and active mirrors to conceal the glare of the planets’ host stars to complete the integration. 

They then added the Optical Telescope Assembly, including its primary mirror, nine additional mirrors and supporting structures and electronics. The telescope is designed to focus cosmic light and send it to Roman’s instruments enabling scientists to make precise measurements that can help in understanding dark energy, dark matter and planets outside the solar system.

Finally, the team was able to integrate the Wide Field Instrument, a 300-megapixel infrared camera that will enable scientists to view the universe, including exoplanets, distant stars, galaxies, black holes, dark matter and dark energy among other celestial bodies.

Focus will now turn to attaching the instrument carrier to the Roman spacecraft, which will be performed by the team at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Roman mission’s deployable aperture cover, which will protect the telescope from unwanted light, is also being added to the telescope’s exoskeleton.

The observatory is expected to be completed by fall 2026 while the spacecraft carrying it to orbit will launch by May 2027.

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OFPP Directs Agencies to Scale Innovative Buying Practices
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OFPP Directs Agencies to Scale Innovative Buying Practices

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy within the White House Office of Management and Budget has released new guidance directing federal agencies to scale innovative buying practices through organizational improvements.

In a memo published Wednesday, OFPP said an agency’s chief acquisition officer or senior procurement executive should identify a chief acquisition innovation advocate, or AIA, to oversee acquisition innovation activities, eliminate impediments to acquisition innovation activities in the acquisition innovation roadmap and approve an annual acquisition innovation plan that they help develop.

According to the document, the chief AIA should lead the agency’s workforce on acquisition innovation, serve as the key acquisition innovation liaison to OFPP, identify component AIAs and acquisition innovation coaches and develop an annual acquisition innovation plan.

The document was signed by Christine Harada, senior adviser at OFPP.

What Is an Annual Acquisition Innovation Plan?

The plan should encourage innovation pioneers and the workforce to advance cutting edge buying practices to promote an innovation-friendly acquisition environment, as well as include specific metrics and milestones.

According to the memo, agency chief AIAs should submit to OFPP the initial plans by the end of June 2025, identify activities and milestones for the period of October 2025 through September 2026 and briefly describe actions already taken to provide context for planned activities.

OFPP’s Acquisition Innovation Roadmap

OFPP has developed a roadmap built on the principles established by OMB’s 2016 memo on acquisition innovation and informed by the 2024 report of the Chief Acquisition Officers, or CAO, Council to help chief AIAs develop their acquisition innovation plans.

The roadmap has three sections: foundational activities, training and recognition and partnership and outreach.

Foundational activities, for instance, include identifying component AIAs to expand acquisition workforce awareness of innovative buying practices and maintaining and growing acquisition innovation labs for testing, scaling and sharing such procurement practices.

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Army, Navy Test Conventional Hypersonic Missile
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Army, Navy Test Conventional Hypersonic Missile

The U.S. Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, or RCCTO, and the Navy Strategic Systems Programs, or SSP,  recently conducted a test to evaluate a conventional hypersonic missile.

The Department of Defense said Thursday the test, held at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, was the second end-to-end flight for the All Up Round, or AUR, missile system. It was also the first live-fire test for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon system utilizing a Battery Operations Center and Transporter Erector Launcher. 

RCCTO and SSP Hypersonic Missile Collaboration

The RCCTO and SSP are working together to accelerate the fielding of the common hypersonic AUR. The collaboration is intended to enhance their capabilities against emerging threats and maintain an advantage on the battlefield. The test results will be used to assess whether the AUR meets joint warfighting needs and is ready for Army Operational Deployment and Navy sea-based fielding.

Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, a two-time Wash100 Award winner, stated, “This test builds on several flight tests in which the Common Hypersonic Glide Body achieved hypersonic speed at target distances and demonstrates that we can put this capability in the hands of the warfighter.”

Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the Navy and also a two-time recipient of the Wash100 Award, added, “This test marks an important milestone in the development of one of our most advanced weapons systems. As we approach the first delivery of this capability to our Army partners, we will continue to press forward to integrate conventional prompt strike into our Navy surface and subsurface ships to help ensure we remain the world’s preeminent fighting force.”

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Updates on ITVMO Governmentwide Microsoft Acquisition Strategy
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Updates on ITVMO Governmentwide Microsoft Acquisition Strategy

General Services Administration official Laura Stanton provided updates on the Governmentwide Microsoft Acquisition Strategy, or GMAS, of the IT Vendor Management Office, or ITVMO, as part of advancing priority 2 of the Better Contracting Initiative to transform the government IT procurement process.

In a blog post published Thursday, Stanton, assistant commissioner for the Office of IT Category at GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service, wrote about the launch of the GMAS initiative in 2023 to establish a strategic partnership between Microsoft and the government by standardizing government contract terms and pricing for Microsoft products and services.

According to Stanton, GMAS seeks to “consolidate best-in-class terms into a universal term sheet that agencies could apply to any government buying vehicle.”

“With best-in-class terms and enhanced cybersecurity standards, all government agencies, large and small, would benefit from the U.S. government’s size and weight, and avoid the inefficiencies of negotiating certain contract terms at each procurement,” the assistant commissioner added.

ITVMO’s Work on GMAS Initiative

In the blog post, the GSA official shared that ITVMO conducted a price analysis, compiled a list of more than 150 contract terms and conditions that are candidates for standardization and helped whittle that list down to 24 items by hosting a Civilian Services Acquisition Workshop.

Stanton mentioned that ITVMO and the Office of Management and Budget discussed the government’s requests with Microsoft’s federal division. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency also collaborated with the technology company’s cyber teams to talk about the critical security standards that GMAS intended to achieve.

“Having spent the last six months working with Microsoft, the government is pleased with the emerging alliance. Clearly, both sides value the other as a critical partner, as demonstrated by the willing collaboration of the GMAS effort,” she wrote.

The GSA official said ITVMO plans to launch similar efforts with other IT original equipment manufacturers in fiscal year 2025.

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University of Hawaii Lab to Support DOD Programs Under $110M Navy Award
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University of Hawaii Lab to Support DOD Programs Under $110M Navy Award

The U.S. Navy has awarded the University of Hawaii’s Applied Research Laboratory a $110.3 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide research, development, engineering, and test and evaluation support for Department of Defense programs.

The IDIQ includes options that if fully exercised would bring its cumulative value to $290 million, DOD said Thursday.

DOD Core Competency Areas

Under the agreement, ARL will perform critical services supporting the Defense Department’s core competency areas, including ocean environmental effects, astronomical research, advanced electro-optical systems, detectors, arrays and instrumentation, environmental sensor research and remote sensing, new renewable energy, and public services-oriented research and development.

Agreement’s Work Requirements

The laboratory will fulfill the work requirements in Honolulu, Hawaii by December 2029. However, if the Navy decides to implement all the contract options, the deal will run through December 2034.

Following the contract award, the naval service obligated an initial payment of $149,606 from its fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation funds. The IDIQ’s succeeding task orders will be paid using funds from various DOD program offices and agencies.

The Naval Sea Systems Command at Washington Navy Yard will oversee the contracting activity.

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Audit Suggests AI Funding Focus for DOE Intelligence
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Audit Suggests AI Funding Focus for DOE Intelligence

An audit by the Department of Energy’s inspector general has recommended that DOE sustain focus on its funding requirements for the department’s compliance with the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 mandating the integration of artificial intelligence into DOE intelligence operations. The audit’s recommendations also included ensuring officials’ AI training and establishing procedures for reporting to Congress on AI optimization of internal workflows, DOE said.  

The audit was primarily undertaken to determine the barriers hindering AI integration into the activities of the department’s Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence. One of its findings showed that only one out of the 13 AI integration requirements set under the Intelligence Authorization Act has been defined by the Director of National Intelligence. 

Barriers to AI Integration

The DOE pointed out that its intelligence unit cannot implement the rest of the act’s requirements without the DNI creating further policies and guidance.

Despite the hindrance, the department said its intelligence office had moved toward implementation of the technology through such efforts as planning for several AI systems and appointment of an official dedicated to overseeing AI adoption.

One of the recent intelligence-related AI activities in DOE involves the department’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The lab announced in June 2023 that it is seeking industry partners to develop and commercialize its new system using public key cryptography to detect AI-generated text.

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Federal CIO Report Outlines Biden Admin IT & Cyber Advancements
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Federal CIO Report Outlines Biden Admin IT & Cyber Advancements

The Office of Management and Budget has published an Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer report that underscores the government’s IT and cybersecurity advancements in the last four years.

Mainly, OFCIO enabled agencies to provide seamless and secure federal government experience through the use of advanced technologies, Federal Chief Information Officer Clare Martorana said in a Thursday blog post. She added that the office supported agencies’ digital transformation efforts to advance their critical missions.

Federal Government’s IT Advancements

Martorana noted that OFCIO helped federal agencies implement updated cyber practices such as zero trust to better address evolving cyber threats. The office also facilitated partnerships within the government, the private sector and international allies to promote stronger tech collaboration.

In addition, OFCIO worked with the OMB and the Office of the National Cyber Director to formulate a road map for cybersecurity funding priorities, ensuring that “right IT investments are made at the right time.” According to Martoran, agencies embraced digital modernization with support from the Technology Modernization Fund.

Notably, the federal CIO promoted public service by making the case to top tech talent that government work will equip them with the latest innovations to solve real-world problems.

Easier Access to Government Services

Martorana stressed that the Biden administration’s efforts made it easier for Americans to access government services and engage with relevant agencies whether online or in person.

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Pentagon Launches SciTechCONNECT for National Security Tech Ease
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Pentagon Launches SciTechCONNECT for National Security Tech Ease

The Department of Defense has unveiled an initiative designed to help innovators, academic researchers and organizations simplify their interactions and accelerate collaboration with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology, or ASD S&T, on new tech platforms that strengthen national security.

“DoD SciTechCONNECT broadens access to our innovation ecosystem, fostering collaboration with a diverse array of contributors,” Aprille Ericsson, assistant secretary of defense for science and technology, said in a statement published Tuesday.

“Through tailored resources and curated events, this initiative ensures that ASD S&T organization remains at the forefront of technological advancement,” Ericsson added.

ASD S&T and the Applied Research Institute, or ARI, signed a partnership intermediary agreement to facilitate the department’s SciTechConnect program to promote innovation and support contributors to the science and technology ecosystem.

Through the program, ARI will facilitate workshops, educational opportunities, events and mentorship initiatives to support innovators throughout their S&T journey.

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CDAO, DIU Form AI Rapid Capabilities Cell in Wake of Project Lima
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CDAO, DIU Form AI Rapid Capabilities Cell in Wake of Project Lima

The Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office and the Defense Innovation Unit have launched a new initiative to accelerate the deployment and adoption of generative AI, “frontier models” and other next-generation AI tools across DOD.

DOD said Wednesday the formation of the AI Rapid Capabilities Cell, or AI RCC, comes as it sunsets Task Force Lima, an initiative within CDAO that developed, evaluated and monitored large language models and other generative AI capabilities across the Pentagon.

Accelerating AI Adoption Across DOD

According to a fact sheet, AI RCC will leverage the findings of Task Force Lima to speed up the deployment of AI-enabled tools across 15 generative AI-related use cases covering warfighting and enterprise management.

Some of the use cases are command and control and decision support, uncrewed and autonomous systems, cyber operations, healthcare information management and procurement processes.

AI RCC will use about $100 million in funding for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to advance pilot initiatives that use generative AI models in priority use cases.

“We need an all-hands-on-deck approach to accelerate development and deployment of these tools for the Department of Defense to responsibly harness the tremendous promise of AI in everything from financial management to logistics to operations planning to autonomous systems,” said CDAO Radha Plumb.

In June, Plumb signed a memorandum of agreement with DIU Director Doug Beck to accelerate the adoption of AI, analytics, data, software and other digital capabilities.

“Our partnership with CDAO, and collaboration on the Rapid Capabilities Cell, will allow us to shape critical AI initiatives in a way that incorporates the standards, policy, and requirements from the beginning. The result will help us scale the tech faster and more reliably, and will also help change the way the Department thinks about software development and delivery tempo for the future,” Beck stated.

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