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DIU Developing Digital Platform for Simplifying DOD Solicitations
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DIU Developing Digital Platform for Simplifying DOD Solicitations

The Defense Innovation Unit is working with technology companies to develop a secure digital platform for matching private sector capabilities with defense opportunities.

Using advanced artificial intelligence and large language model technologies, the Digital OnRamp platform is envisioned to enhance the process of pairing tech products and services with business opportunities in the defense sector, the Department of Defense said Thursday. The tool will allow users to discover commercial and academic capabilities that meet their mission requirements in a single digital location.

Finding Tech for DOD Mission Problems

The DOD Digital OnRamp will provide a pathway for tech companies to find an opportunity and for DOD employees to find technologies for mission problems, according to Cheryl Ingstad, deputy director of digital platforms and developer ecosystem at DIU. “Imagine the speed and scale of innovation that can be achieved when an AI-enabled platform connects countless companies, professors and students to billions of dollars of DOD opportunities,” she said.

Simplifying DOD Solicitations

The AI-powered system will make commercial and academic offerings visible to agency personnel looking to solve a mission problem. The DOD noted that the Digital OnRamp will simplify solicitations, enable the private sector to discover defense opportunities and accelerate the adoption of commercial technologies.

Currently, DIU is evaluating user experience surveys and technical data from a technology demonstration of the platform in December 2024 to develop requirements for the next stage. The agency is targeting to deliver the minimum viable product in late 2025.

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Join us on April 24 at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Digital Transformation Summit to gain insights into how technology innovations are reshaping federal operations, improving efficiencies and enhancing government responsiveness to public needs. Reserve a spot now to attend the important event!

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New Coast Guard Initiative Seeks to Ensure Service Is ‘Always Ready’
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New Coast Guard Initiative Seeks to Ensure Service Is ‘Always Ready’

Adm. Kevin Lunday, the acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, has unveiled Force Design 2028, which serves as a blueprint that would ensure the service’s readiness for future national requirements.

Implementation of Coast Guard Force Design

The Coast Guard said Thursday that a team is being formed to coordinate the implementation of FD 2028 and continue initiatives that are already underway.

Commenting on the effort, Lunday said, “We are executing transformational change to renew the Coast Guard. Force Design 2028 will ensure the Coast Guard remains Semper Paratus, Always Ready, to serve the American people.”

FD 2028 Campaigns

FD 2028 focuses on four campaigns, namely: people; organization; acquisition and contracting; and technology.

The people campaign seeks to increase the Coast Guard workforce and make it more capable. Efforts under this campaign include alignment with the Department of Defense‘s standards on physical fitness, body composition and grooming, and the removal of administrative burdens on personnel by reducing redundant reporting requirements.

The organization campaign seeks to adapt the Coast Guard’s construct and processes to ensure the service is responsive to various security threats, changes to technology and evolving operational demands. Efforts under this campaign include the establishment of a USCG HQ director of staff, who will work to streamline decision-making and optimize HQ processes.

The acquisition and contracting campaign seeks to establish a system that will accelerate the delivery of capabilities needed by the Coast Guard to accomplish its mission. Efforts under this campaign include the elimination of acquisition bureaucracy, the increasing of engagement between the Coast Guard and the Defense Innovation Unit and the development of a contract tracking system for improved transparency and accountability.

The technology campaign seeks to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Coast Guard through the adoption of secure technologies. Efforts under this campaign include the establishment of a rapid response rapid prototype team and the use of industry offerings to speed up the IT systems authority to operate process.

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Army to Issue Updated Training Regulation in June
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Army to Issue Updated Training Regulation in June

The U.S. Army will release an updated training regulation on June 1 as part of efforts to streamline training requirements and improve warfighting readiness across the force.

Simplifying Army Training Requirements

The military branch said Tuesday the revised Army Regulation 350-1, Army Training and Leader Development, reduces the number of mandatory training tasks from 24 to 17 and seeks to highlight tasks that are key to warfighting, lethality and readiness.

The service has removed outdated programs, including “Structured Self-Development” and “Resilience Training,” transitioned six tasks to optional training at the commanders’ discretion and reorganized appendices for improved clarity.

According to the Army, the new regulation eliminates administrative burdens and redundancies and aims to provide commanders more flexibility in customizing training schedules to meet mission requirements.

The revised AR 350-1 also promotes alternative methods of training delivery and removes restrictions on the locations and duration of certain training activities.

Gain insights into modernization imperatives, force structure optimization, national security missions and more at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit on June 18. Register here.

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NSA Issues Advisory on Fast Flux Cyberthreat
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NSA Issues Advisory on Fast Flux Cyberthreat

The National Security Agency has issued new guidance to warn the public against the threat of fast flux, a technique cyber actors use to conceal nefarious activity. The “Fast Flux: A National Security Threat” cybersecurity advisory published Thursday details how attackers make discovery and tracking more difficult and what organizations can do to safeguard their systems. 

“Fast flux is an ongoing, serious threat to national security, and this guidance shares important insight we’ve gathered about the threat,” stated Dave Luber, the agency’s cybersecurity director. 

What Is Fast Flux?

Cyber actors use the fast flux technique to avoid detection by rapidly changing the Domain Name System, or DNS, records associated with a domain name, hiding the location of malicious servers. 

According to the document, there are two variations of a fast flux attack: a single flux wherein a single domain name is linked to numerous IP addresses and a double flux, which also changes DNS name servers.

The NSA warned that nation-state actors employ the technique to build a resilient command and control infrastructure to hide their activities, posing a threat to national security. Moreover, cyber criminals are also using fast flux in tandem with other techniques such as phishing and distributed denial of service. 

NSA and partner agencies from the United States, New Zealand, Australia and Canada urge cybersecurity providers to review the CSA and take steps to mitigate potential attacks.

Join government leaders and cybersecurity experts as they explore ways to build cyber resilience across the public sector at Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Cyber Summit on May 15. Register for the in-person event today!

NSA Issues Advisory on Fast Flux Cyberthreat
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DOE to Build Data Centers, Energy Facilities to Enhance AI Infrastructure
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DOE to Build Data Centers, Energy Facilities to Enhance AI Infrastructure

The Department of Energy has issued a notice soliciting industry feedback on potential vendors for its recently launched initiative aimed at accelerating the development of artificial intelligence infrastructure in line with efforts to ensure U.S. leadership in AI.

The agency said Thursday the request for information seeks input for the construction of data centers and energy infrastructure on DOE-owned sites by the end of 2027. It also covers information on possible development strategies, technology offerings, operational frameworks and economic implications of building AI infrastructure.

Boosting AI Infrastructure Development

Under the potential contract, DOE will build data centers and energy facilities necessary for the development of AI infrastructure. The department has identified 16 potential locations that can be utilized for this project. The selected DOE lands have been determined to be ideal for rapid construction of the data centers and in-place energy infrastructure. The locations also enable new energy generation like nuclear.

“The global race for AI dominance is the next Manhattan project and with President Trump’s leadership and the innovation of our National Labs, the United States can and will win,” Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said. “With today’s action, the Department of Energy is taking important steps to leverage our domestic resources to power the AI revolution while continuing to deliver affordable, reliable and secure energy to the American people,” he added.

Michael Kratsios, policy director of the White House Office of Science and Technology, remarked, “President Trump is committed to ensuring American leadership in artificial intelligence and Secretary Wright is delivering. The Trump administration will unleash federal resources to build out the data resources needed for an AI-powered future.”

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Chance Saltzman to Congress: Restrictive Policies Hindering Space Force
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Chance Saltzman to Congress: Restrictive Policies Hindering Space Force

The chief of space operations told Congress that present policies are restricting the U.S. Space Force’s capabilities to respond to threats on U.S. assets in orbit. During a congressional hearing Thursday, Gen. Chance Saltzman, a three-time Wash100 Award winner, discussed with lawmakers the importance of establishing a declaratory policy to move fast, especially as adversaries like China rapidly expand their presence in space.

Bureaucracy Impeding US Space Superiority

Saltzman explained to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a bipartisan advisory group, the current process to carry out basic operations such as developing and testing capabilities and training, all of which are done in simulation. 

In his written testimony, the space leader pointed out that the U.S. government and the Department of Defense have outdated ways of thinking, leading to restrictive space policies. 

He said, “we restrain ourselves from doing what is needful to avoid creating improper perceptions of ‘weaponizing space.’ In reality, space has been weaponized for at least two decades, and our slowness to absorb that reality has held back our progress.”

He also raised concerns about over-classification, which affects information-sharing across the Joint Force and with partners and allies. Saltzman said the present attitude about information sharing is “need to know” rather than “need to share,” which the official said is a more progressive take.

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DARPA Picks Firms for Quantum Computer Development Project
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DARPA Picks Firms for Quantum Computer Development Project

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has selected an initial 15 companies for Stage A of its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, or QBI, project launched in July to explore the feasibility of building an industrial quantum computer within 10 years with much faster features than current predictions.

The companies were chosen after a team of U.S. quantum experts screened all the proposers’ written abstracts and oral presentations, Joe Altepeter, QBI program manager, said in DARPA’s Thursday announcement of the initial project participants.

What to Expect in Stage A 

“Stage A is a six-month sprint in which they’ll provide comprehensive technical details of their concepts to show that they hold water and could plausibly lead to a transformative, fault-tolerant quantum computer in under 10 years,” Altepeter explained on the subsequent work for the selected companies. 

According to DARPA, it is still negotiating with three companies for addition to the initial 15 entries in QBI stage A, which are as follows:

  • Alice & Bob 
  • Atlantic Quantum 
  • Atom Computing 
  • Diraq 
  • Hewlett Packard Enterprise
  • IBM 
  • IonQ 
  • Nord Quantique 
  • Oxford Ionics, 
  • Photonic, 
  • Quantinuum 
  • Quantum Motion 
  • Rigetti Computing 
  • Silicon Quantum Computing, 
  • Xanadu

The stage A participants are pursuing various technologies for developing quantum bits, also known as qubits, serving as their foundation for quantum computers, such as superconducting qubits, photonic qubits and neutral atom qubits.

What Will Happen in Stages B and C?

Successful companies in stage A will advance to a year-long stage B involving DARPA’s close examination of the participants’ research and development. Qualifiers in the second stage will enter the final Stage C wherein the companies’ computer hardware components, subsystems and algorithms will be tested by QBI’s independent verification and validation, or IV&V, team.

“We’ve built and are expanding our world-class IV&V team of U.S. quantum experts, leveraging federal and state test facilities to separate hype from reality in quantum computing,” Altepeter said.

Earlier, DARPA announced that it will work Microsoft and PsiQuantum in the validation and co-design stage of the companies’ concepts on a utility-scale quantum supercomputer under the Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing program—a.k.a. US2QC—the pilot initiative for QBI.

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DIU Unveils Blue Manufacturing Initiative to Boost Defense Manufacturing
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DIU Unveils Blue Manufacturing Initiative to Boost Defense Manufacturing

The Defense Innovation Unit has unveiled Blue Manufacturing, an initiative aimed at revolutionizing defense manufacturing by facilitating collaborations between advanced technology firms and commercial producers.

DIU said Thursday the initiative is intended to support the Department of Defense in meeting emerging threats by encouraging the agency to adopt advanced manufacturing capabilities, with a more reliable supply chain, to provide warfighters an advantage.

Fostering Collaboration to Boost Production

Through Blue Manufacturing, advanced commercial manufacturers can connect with technology companies to develop and deploy commercial innovations for the defense sector. DIU intends to establish a reliable network of manufacturers adept in 3D printing, automation, high-rate production and other capabilities necessary to accelerate the manufacturing process.

DIU will create a pre-vetted catalog containing a roster of trusted manufacturing partners that can ramp up defense technology production.

The first group of manufacturing companies that will be included in the Blue Manufacturing Marketplace should be capable of small and large-format metal additive parts production, composite or ceramic additive, automated metal machining and forming, advanced post-processing, and 3D printed tooling. In addition, companies specializing in cyber, adversarial capital, supply chain risk and other advanced capabilities will be considered for the marketplace.

Doug Beck, director at DIU, remarked, “The Blue Manufacturing Initiative will focus on pairing the very best hardware and software manufacturers in defense technology with the very best advanced manufacturing providers to help both strategically critical industries to scale.”

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MITRE Underscores Importance of Workforce, R&D in Domestic Chip-making
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MITRE Underscores Importance of Workforce, R&D in Domestic Chip-making

MITRE has offered several recommendations in response to the Office of Management of Budget’s request for information on advancing domestic chip manufacturing in commercial IT.

The nonprofit company said Tuesday its recommendations encompass critical areas, including improving workforce development, strengthening research and development, promoting technological innovation and addressing supply chain vulnerabilities.

In its response to the RFI, MITRE said a strong workforce plays an integral role in improving U.S. semiconductor capabilities and that educational pathways should be strengthened to ensure a continuous supply of skilled professionals in semiconductor manufacturing.

When it comes to R&D, the company highlighted the need to enhance capabilities in advanced packaging equipment and make strategic investments in next-generation lithography technologies to maintain a competitive edge in chip manufacturing.

Mitigating Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

To address supply chain vulnerabilities, MITRE has recommended that the U.S. invest in the domestic production and purification of critical materials and chemicals essential for chip production and establish methods to streamline U.S. regulations and policies to reduce approval times for critical mineral mining and production.

According to the organization, the U.S. should invest in digital twins, automation software security and other smart manufacturing technologies to enhance fab automation.

The country should also support semiconductor manufacturing and mitigate risks associated with supply chain disruptions by investing in reliable power generation, water supply and transportation infrastructure.

Enhancing Chip Manufacturing Efficiency With Innovations

MITRE has cited the role of digital twins in improving manufacturing efficiency in the semiconductor industry and recommended that the U.S. leverage partnerships between electronic design automation, or EDA, vendors and foundries to develop digital twin capabilities.

In its response, the organization also called for investment in artificial intelligence-driven EDA tools to speed up design timelines and enhance the quality of semiconductor products.

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Army Aims to Transform IT Procurement Through PL Digital Market
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Army Aims to Transform IT Procurement Through PL Digital Market

The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office, or PEO, Enterprise has unveiled the Product Lead Digital Market to modernize and streamline the procurement of IT hardware, software and services to deliver a more efficient experience to Army and Department of Defense users.

The Army said Wednesday the PL Digital Market program management office replaces the PL Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Services, or CHESS, organization.

CHESS served as the Army’s mandatory source for commercial off-the-shelf IT hardware, software and services.

Reginald Shuford, project director of Enterprise Services at PEO Enterprise, has been named acting product lead for Digital Market.

“This effort will result in a more Agile, rapid and efficient way for users to procure IT products and services,” Shuford said. “As we usher in the era of the Digital Market program management office, our team is dedicated to empowering the Army with innovative, efficient, and user-centric procurement solutions that will drive mission success well into the future.”

Managing Army’s Enterprise License Agreements

PL Digital Market will modernize the procurement process by improving its management of the military branch’s enterprise license agreements, or ELAs, and community-based licensing.

“We’re changing how we buy software licenses,” said Andi Fehl, the lead for ELAs. “This means identifying Army license needs, changing when we buy them and developing agreements that maximize the Army’s investments.”

‘Digital Marketplace’

PL Digital Market will provide a modern digital experience through its future online ordering platform, which will be called “Digital Marketplace.”

According to PEO Enterprise, the Digital Marketplace will help streamline the acquisition process through artificial intelligence, automated workflows, and a new catalog search and order functionality.

Susan Williams, the lead for the Digital Marketplace development effort, said her team is conducting research on platforms that could deliver an e-commerce-like capability with minimal configuration and customization.

“Our focus is on fully developed commercial solutions that enable seamless catalog integration and an intuitive, e-commerce-like experience,” Williams said.

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Digital Transformation Summit on April 24. Listen to experts as they discuss how emerging technologies and the latest tech advancements are reshaping government operations. Register now!

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