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NIST Report Says Standards Needed for Digital Twin Integration
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NIST Report Says Standards Needed for Digital Twin Integration

Digital twin technology offers various advantages but its wide use would likely be impacted by whether standards are developed and adopted, according to a new internal report published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Integration Challenges

The IR, released Friday by NIST and titled “IR 8356 – Security and Trust Considerations for Digital Twin Technology,” defines digital twins as the virtual representation of real-world notions, concepts or entities, which may be physical or perceived. According to the report, technologies that can generate these representations are advantageous because people can study the models and experiment on them to study effects even before having to create their real-world counterparts.

The report notes, however, that the technologies underpinning digital twins, like simulation and modeling software and virtual reality systems, are proprietary, making integration difficult. The digital representations are proprietary as well, making file-sharing equally challenging.

Need for Standards

To achieve what the report describes as “plug and play integration” in digital twin technology, the adoption of and adherence to standards are crucial. Standards have the additional benefits of promoting compatibility, safety and cybersecurity. They also engender credibility and trust.

“Efforts are underway to develop digital twin specific standards that will be utilized in addition to the existing various information and communication technology standards,” the report says.

US, India Issue Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership
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US, India Issue Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership

U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi have issued a joint leaders’ statement reaffirming the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. 

The White House said Thursday that the two nation leaders launched the U.S.-India Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology—or COMPACT—for the 21st Century initiative as part of the cooperation.

Joint Statement on Defense

In the statement, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi announced plans to sign a new 10-year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership in the 21st Century this year. They also discussed the possibility of integrating U.S.-origin defense items into India’s inventory, such as the MH‑60R Seahawk helicopters, the C‑17 Globemaster III aircraft and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

The leaders additionally talked about reassessing their respective arms transfer regulations and opening negotiations for a reciprocal defense procurement agreement to align their procurement and supply systems for military goods and services.

Space Cooperation

In the technology and innovation portion of the joint statement, the leaders also touched on U.S.-India civil space cooperation and said 2025 would be a pioneering year due to plans for a NASA-Indian Space Research Organisation initiative, or ISRO, via Axiom Space.

Under the agreement signed by Axiom with ISRO, an Indian astronaut will be flown to the International Space Station on Axiom Mission 4.

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Robert Kennedy Jr. Takes Role as HHS Secretary
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Robert Kennedy Jr. Takes Role as HHS Secretary

Now officially secretary of the Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump’s second administration, Robert Kennedy Jr., was sworn in Thursday in a ceremony that proceeded with Trump signing an executive order creating a Make America Healthy Again Commission, HHS announced. 

The HHS secretary will head the commission that mainly focuses on children’s health, according to the White House.

The U.S. Senate earlier confirmed Kennedy’s appointment by a vote of 52-48, after intense questioning on his views on vaccine and public health policy, CNN reported.

Administration of $2T HHS Budget

As department secretary, Kennedy will oversee all HHS divisions and their programs and activities funded by close to a $2 trillion budget. 

The agencies under the secretary include National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Career Track Record

Coming from a long lineage of prominent U.S. politicians, Kennedy brings to the HHS his advocacy of children’s health and environmental causes. He is a recipient of the “Hero of the Planet” award from TIME Magazine. 

Kennedy is an environmental lawyer who pursued corporate and local communities’ compliance with the Clean Water Act. During his 40-year career in the private sector, he founded the Waterkeeper Alliance, wherein he served as its chairman and legal counsel. He is also the founder of the mass membership organization Children’s Health Defense and had served as its chairman and chief litigation counsel. 

Kennedy graduated from Harvard University, after which he studied at the London School of Economics and received a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. He also holds a master’s degree in environmental law from Pace University School of Law.

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Brian Peretti Named CTO at Treasury Department
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Brian Peretti Named CTO at Treasury Department

Brian Peretti has been appointed as chief technology officer at the Department of the Treasury, bringing over two decades of expertise and experience in the federal government service.

Announcing his promotion in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, Peretti said he will manage a strategic IT process and align it with the Treasury Chief Information Office’s vision. The new CTO will also identify tech innovations to improve business processes and develop emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, biometrics and quantum computing.

Long Record of Government Service

Peretti most recently served as deputy chief AI officer and director of domestic and international cyber policy at the Treasury, an agency that he first joined in December 2002 as a financial services critical infrastructure program manager.

His long government service includes senior leadership roles at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he held responsibilities in operational resilience, risk management, disaster recovery, information security and regulatory compliance initiatives. Peretti also worked at the Department of Homeland Security and the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee.

Peretti earned a doctorate in legal studies from the American University Washington College of Law and his bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Rider University.

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Breaking Down the DOD’s Chief Digital & AI Office Budget for FY25
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Breaking Down the DOD’s Chief Digital & AI Office Budget for FY25

The Department of Defense is making a bold investment in the future, dedicating $139.9 million to its Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office for fiscal year 2025. This funding signals a strong push to accelerate AI and machine learning across military operations. Here’s a look at the key priorities and ambitious goals shaping the CDAO’s mission for the year ahead.

If you’re a member of government or industry who needs to know what the latest AI focus areas are in the government and military, look no further than the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 AI Summit. On March 20, POC will gather the foremost experts in AI/ML for a day of informative and compelling keynotes and panel sessions, with many built-in networking sessions and Q&A opportunities. Tickets are going fast — register now!

AI/ML Scaffolding Initiatives

The CDAO continues to expand its AI/ML scaffolding efforts to ensure robust integration of innovative technologies into complex DOD systems. Key initiatives include: 

AI Testing and Evaluation and Assurance Case Best Practices 

  • Focus: Development of guidance for T&E of high-consequence systems and integration of AI into operator workflows. 
  • Outputs:
    • AI Operational Testing and System Integration Testing Frameworks. 
    • DOD large language model benchmarks and usage guides. 
    • Comprehensive assurance frameworks for novel AI technologies, emphasizing their safe usage and understanding of associated risks. 

DREAM Program 

  • Goals:
    • Develop AI/ML reference architecture models tailored to DOD mission needs. 
    • Facilitate collaboration with industry partners and CTO peers to exchange strategic insights. 
    • Advance vendor engagement to align technological trends with department requirements. 
    • Conduct experiments and surveys to refine data management policies and frameworks. 

AI/ML Operations and Model Management 

The focus on operationalizing AI/ML capabilities involves efficiently managing and deploying models and data.

EPC AI/ML Operations 

  • Monitoring, retraining and deploying machine learning models at scale. 
  • Enhancing the use of open-source tools while ensuring security. 
  • Promoting the reuse of production models to improve cost efficiency.

COBRRA a.k.a. Continuous Operational Behavior Risk and Resilience Assurance

  • Real-time monitoring of model performance in active deployments. 
  • Identifying data drift to mitigate potential prediction inaccuracies. 
  • Providing lightweight software for edge environments to enable adaptive learning capabilities in AI systems. 
  • Implementing live outlier detection for operational scenarios.

Join CDAO Chief Information Officer Daniel Holtzman and Deputy Director for the CDAO’s Advanced Command and Control Accelerator Lindsey Sheppard at the 2025 AI Summit on March 20! Register here.

Advancements in AI Testing Tools and Standards 

CDAO integrates cutting-edge tools and standards to ensure reliable and secure AI implementation across the DOD. 

JATIC (Joint Artificial Intelligence Test and Evaluation Center) 

  • Development of enterprise-level TEVV tools for model testing and evaluation. 
  • Advancing adversarial AI techniques to strengthen AI systems’ robustness, building upon DARPA’s GARD program. 
  • Creation of AI/ML model cards for transparency about model information and dataset usage. 
  • Establishing data repositories and ontologies specific to DOD applications. 

T&E Infrastructure Gap Studies 

  • Assessing current and future needs for AI T&E infrastructure, identifying gaps and proposing investments to close these gaps. 
  • Conducting AI cybersecurity posture studies to evaluate risks and recommend improvements.

Perceptor and Smart Sensor Initiatives 

Perceptor 

  • Core software lifecycle management and user interface enhancements. 
  • Deployment support for mission partners, including analytic containerization and repository integration. 
  • Building customer engagement to provide feedback channels and expand analytic-sharing possibilities. 

Smart Sensor Program 

  • Focusing on sensor autonomy and non-GPS navigation technologies. 
  • Enabling AI-driven reasoning for automated target recognition and data fusion. 
  • Advancing AI-enabled control platforms for autonomous operations.

Responsible AI Implementation 

The CDAO prioritizes responsible AI (RAI) practices to mitigate risk and enhance governance. 

RAI Tools and Best Practices 

  • Creation of RAI tools for governance, auditing and simulation, including an executive dashboard and bias detection systems. 
  • Developing a Risk Management Framework for evaluating high-consequence AI risks. 
  • Partnering with academic institutions and building mission partnerships to refine RAI integration. 

Goals for FY 2025 AI Budget Allocation 

Aligned with its 2025 objectives, the CDAO aims to reinforce the DOD’s competitive edge through the implementation of advanced AI solutions. Primary goals include improving efficiency, risk mitigation and operational excellence in AI systems by focusing on the areas above. 

Target Audience Impact 

These investments are critical for ensuring defense contractors, the industrial base and technology providers are aligned with DOD’s future operational goals. The 2025 CDAO budget not only signals opportunities for private sector collaboration but also highlights the importance of innovative, responsible and mission-oriented AI solutions for national defense. 

By emphasizing comprehensive T&E frameworks, leveraging advanced AI/ML models and promoting responsible AI practices, the DOD continues to forge pathways for effective, efficient and secure applications of enterprise-grade AI technologies.

Join your most beloved peers and fiercest competitors at the year’s definitive AI GovCon conference — the 2025 Artificial Intelligence Summit, from Potomac Officers Club. It’s all happening on March 20 at the Hilton McLean in Virginia. Secure your spot before it’s too late.

Breaking Down the DOD’s Chief Digital & AI Office Budget for FY25
Haywood Talcove: Public Sector Has a 20% Fraud Rate
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Haywood Talcove: Public Sector Has a 20% Fraud Rate

Haywood Talcove, CEO of LexisNexis Risk Solutions’ Government Group, said the public sector experiences fraud at a rate of about 20 percent compared with about 3 percent in the private sector.

At a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, Talcove attributed the disparity to the federal government’s inability to use the tools employed in the private sector.

“Front end identity verification, self-certification, and then finally, making sure that individuals are who they say they are. If we start using these tools, you will see the fraud rate go down dramatically because for the most part, this fraud isn’t taking place by real individuals. It’s individuals whose identities have been stolen on the dark web,” he told lawmakers.

Criminals “use that information pretending to be somebody else. And because of the antiquated systems, processes and technologies in place in government programs, they were able to steal at scale,” Talcove added.

During the hearing, he agreed with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., that the federal government never addresses its issues with data theft and stolen identities “because it can’t be forced to go out of business.”

“One of the things I noticed during COVID was that criminals learned that government was the mark because it never runs out of money … and the likelihood of getting caught is virtually zero,” Talcove noted.

Digital Matching

The three-time Wash100 awardee touched on the issue of digital matching and the need to update the 1974 Privacy Act.

“These aren’t people problems. These are technology problems. You can’t process the number of individuals that are accessing our systems person by person. It just takes too much time,” Talcove said during the hearing.

“So, by updating the 1974 Privacy Act and allowing for digital matching, you would very quickly realize that a large portion of the PPP loan funds were going to the wrong person. You would have been quickly able to match, I think the number was 20%, and were on the do not pay list. You can’t expect people to do what a machine and especially AI can do today,” he added.

3-Step Plan to Reclaim Control of Federal Payment Systems

The chief executive suggested a plan outlining three measures to prevent fraud and abuse of federal payment systems.

“There’s no excuse for the government to lag if we do the following. Number one, implement identity verification on the front end. Criminals should never receive a dime. Eliminate self-certification. No more honor system for billion-dollar programs. And continuous auditing. Keep verifying because criminals never stop adapting,” Talcove stated.

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Hegseth Says DOD to Reform Foreign Military Sales Process
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Hegseth Says DOD to Reform Foreign Military Sales Process

Defense News reported Friday that the Department of Defense plans to reform the foreign military sales, or FMS, process, according to Secretary Pete Hegseth, a 2025 Wash100 Award winner.

In a press briefing following a NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in Brussels, Belgium, the defense secretary said, “We need to reform that process so it’s quicker, so a request today isn’t delivered seven years from now but three years from now with less red tape and with the most efficient and effective technology possible.”

Reforming the FMS Process

The FMS process involves years of exchanges between the United States and foreign countries interested in purchasing U.S.-made weaponry. Due to its slow pace, the process has been the subject of criticism and reform initiatives prompted by the Ukraine war.

In 2023, Congress, the Pentagon and the State Department created a tiger team to accelerate the process and remove barriers. In June 2023, a memo ordered the agencies to implement the tiger team’s recommendations.

These include improving the Defense Department’s understanding of ally and partner country requirements, providing them with relevant priority capabilities, and increasing the efficiency of technology release review processes.

Despite efforts by the tiger team to streamline sales approval, the challenge of the industry’s manufacturing capacity not keeping up with orders remained.

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Bipartisan Legislation Works to Boost Quantum Research
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Bipartisan Legislation Works to Boost Quantum Research

United States Senators Dick Durbin and Steve Daines have introduced bipartisan legislation that aims to bolster the nation’s investment in quantum information science.

Enhancing Quantum Research

The Department of Energy Quantum Leadership Act of 2025 is intended to authorize over $2.5 billion in funds for quantum research and development, Durbin said Thursday. The funds, allocated for the next five years, far exceed the budget for the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018. The now-expired act had a budget of $625 million for DOE programs related to quantum science.

DOE Quantum Leadership Act

Key features of the DOE Quantum Leadership Act include:

  • Reauthorization and expansion of quantum R&D across DOE until 2030
  • Further the progress made by DOE’s five national research centers
  • Address possible challenges to quantum supply chain and commercialization
  • Boost coordination among agencies and industries in the quantum space
  • Establishment of new programs to train and equip workers for quantum R&D and commercial ecosystems.

“Senator Daines and I are introducing the bipartisan DOE Quantum Leadership Act to supercharge research, development and commercialization of quantum technologies — technologies that will grow the medical, financial and materials industries and create jobs along the way,” said Durbin. “With this legislation, we can ensure our DOE facilities are well-equipped to lead the quantum revolution.”

“America is a leader in cutting-edge science and technology and in order to maintain our strong position, we must invest in research and development projects,” added Daines. “Spurring innovation through the National Quantum Initiative Program will help strengthen our national security, create Montana jobs and accelerate quantum research projects.”

U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer of New York, Lisa Murkowski of Arkansan, Alex Padilla of California and Todd Young of Indiana cosponsored the legislation.

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Army Tests Precision Strike Missiles
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Army Tests Precision Strike Missiles

The U.S. Army conducted a production qualification test of the Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 missile on Feb. 12 at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Enhancing Long-Range Precision Strike Capability

Two PrSM Increment 1 missiles were launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, during the demonstration, the Army said Tuesday. The flight test is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the long-range precision strike capability of the Army.

During the test, the two PrSM Increment 1 missiles engaged multiple threats while following a predicted range and trajectory. The missiles, which were able to target a mock SCUD missile, radar and rotary wing platforms, performed as expected with regard to range, time of flight, accuracy and height of burst.

What Is a Precision Strike Missile?

The PrSM Increment 1 is a long-range precision-strike missile designed to enhance the Army’s capability to neutralize targets in support of joint all-domain operations. With its enhanced range and lethality, the PrSM is intended to supplant the Army Tactical Missile System for Army field artillery formations.

In December last year, the Army conducted the limited user test for the PrSM Increment 1 missile. The Operational Test Command was in charge of assessing the missile’s performance during the demonstration. 

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SSC Aims to Upgrade Small Subcontractors Via Networking Event
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SSC Aims to Upgrade Small Subcontractors Via Networking Event

The Space Systems Command is planning to make its recent SSC Subcontracting Forum an annual event and hold similar gatherings in other markets for potential partnerships between large defense contractors and small businesses. Its Small Business Office, which oversaw 2024 contracts awards worth almost $945 million to qualified small businesses, is spearheading the initiative, SSC said. 

Overall, SSC works on a $15.6 billion budget for acquisition programs that the Department of Defense mostly awards to a prime contractor from the commercial sector drawing support from small subcontractors. Through the recent forum and its planned future iterations, the command seeks to expand the ranks of potential subcontractors and explore possibilities of supporting some of them to grow as prime contractors.

Supply Chain Expansion

“Today, we are introducing agile, innovative small businesses to our supply chain via subcontracting opportunities both to broaden our access to cutting-edge technologies and to work faster on behalf of our warfighters,” said Aaron Parra, SSC’s Small Business Office head.

The recent event, aimed mainly at improving SSC engagement with partners and the industrial base, drew nearly 200 representatives from over 150 private companies. It was held early February in El Segundo, California, host to the command’s headquarters and the Los Angeles Air Force Base.

Central California Coast, Central Florida Markets

Additional venues for future networking forums between small businesses and prime contractors are being considered in California’s Central Coast, the home of Vandenberg Space Force Base, and Central Florida, host to Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. 

Parra noted that SSC has small business stewards at the Patrick and Vandenberg bases, opening the possibility of having forums in their areas. 

“There is a wide range of needs – and opportunities – at those installations and others across the country, and we really want to make certain we can bring subcontractors with the capabilities we need on board, no matter where they are located,” the SSC official said.

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