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CMU to Lead NVIDIA AI Tech Community Joint Research Center
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CMU to Lead NVIDIA AI Tech Community Joint Research Center

Carnegie Mellon University, in partnership with NVIDIA, will lead a new joint research center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that will focus on robotics, autonomy and artificial intelligence.

CMU said Monday that the research center will be part of the NVIDIA AI Tech Community, which, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said during the initiative’s launch on Oct. 14, seeks “to bring industry leaders together to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of artificial intelligence.” Also present at the launch was CMU President Farnam Jahanian, Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel and NVIDIA Vice President of Federal Anthony Robbins, a seven-time Wash100 Award winner.

The research center will give investigators from CMU the opportunity to take advantage of NVIDIA’s full-stack AI platform, software, computing expertise and new technologies.

Commenting on the center’s launching, Jahanian said the partnership between his institution and NVIDIA will help “unlock groundbreaking solutions across public and private sectors, including in energy, transportation, manufacturing, healthcare, and more.”

The CMU-led center is one of two comprising the NVIDIA AI Tech Community. The other will be led by the University of Pittsburgh and will focus on AI and intelligent systems and their applications in the health sciences.

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Navy Performs At-sea Rearming During Underway Replenishment
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Navy Performs At-sea Rearming During Underway Replenishment

The U.S. Navy conducted a test on Oct. 11 to evaluate the combat readiness of the Transferable Reload At-sea Method, or TRAM, on an underway warship in open ocean waters off the coast of San Diego.

The Defense Visual Information Distribution Service said Friday sailors used the hydraulically-powered TRAM device to load an empty missile canister into the MK 41 Vertical Launching System of the USS Chosin while it was connected to the USNS Washington Chambers, a Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship.

The missile canister was transferred to the cruiser using cables and then moved along the rails attached to the cruiser’s VLS modules using the TRAM. The sailors then used the TRAM’s cable and pulley system to tilt the canister into a vertical position enabling them to lower it into the VLS cell.

The TRAM prototype, developed by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division engineers, is designed to enable warships to rearm during the underway replenishment process or when the supply ship is connected to the warship at sea and transferring materials like food and fuel.

A land-based demonstration of the TRAM was conducted in July at the NSWC PHD in California. 

Secretary of the Navy and 2024 Wash100 Award winner Carlos Del Toro, said, “Today, we proved just how game-changing TRAM truly is – and what a powerful deterrent it will be to our competitors. This demonstration marks a key milestone on the path to perfecting this capability and fielding it for sustained operations at sea.”

According to Del Toro, the TRAM can be fielded in two to three years.

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PFS Awarded VA Contract for Digital Health Office Support
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PFS Awarded VA Contract for Digital Health Office Support

The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded Prometheus Federal Services a sole-source contract to provide program and administrative support, strategic communications, executive support and project management services for the Veterans Health Administration’s Digital Health Office.

According to an award notice published Friday, the $4.9 million firm-fixed-price contract calls for the vendor to provide modern, user-centered digital health platforms to facilitate the delivery of healthcare services to veterans and their care teams.

The company will also provide best practices, help with business process engineering and document standard operating procedures to ensure the continuity of operations and standardization across all operational and development activities of DHO.

The contract has a base term of 12 months.

About Prometheus Federal Services 

Founded in 2014, PFS is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business that helps federal customers plan and implement healthcare transformation, technology and quality improvement projects and initiatives.

The company supports government clients through the General Services Administration’s Federal Supply Schedule and Human Capital and Training Solutions Small Business contracts.

Register here for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Healthcare Summit on Dec. 11. Join this key event to explore the transformative trends and innovations shaping the future of the U.S. healthcare sector.

POC - 2024 Healthcare Summit
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DOT CIO on Agency’s Move to Modern Development Techniques
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DOT CIO on Agency’s Move to Modern Development Techniques

The transition to modern development techniques, like advancing the adoption of DevSecOps methodology, is one of the top three priorities for Cordell Schachter, chief information officer of the Department of Transportation, Federal News Network reported Friday.

With DevSecOps, DOT is taking advantage of cloud services and low-code platforms.

According to FNN, the modernization of the RICE platform, which stands for registration, inspections, compliance and enforcement, is an example of DOT’s digital transformation efforts and security initiatives.

Schachter noted that all the digital modernization efforts are focused on aligning incentives with intentions.

“When we now replace legacy applications with low code or no code platforms, then that’s the kind of relationship that we want. It’s newer for us than the way we previously operated. The contracts we write, the solicitations that we let, are going to be different than what we have in the past. So we’re going to need partners who work with us to get it right,” he said.

“Our intention is to have a modern system that’s always available, that’s secure, that maintains privacy, that does what it’s supposed to do, and now the incentive should be, because vendors are in it to earn a reasonable profit that they do that, but accept the responsibility that goes with the intentions that I stated,” the CIO added.

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New Cyber Guidance Suggests Steps to Foil Russian Intel Threats
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New Cyber Guidance Suggests Steps to Foil Russian Intel Threats

The National Security Agency announced that U.S. and U.K. authorities have released a new joint cybersecurity guidance recommending measures for network defenders to address ongoing cyber threats from the Russian Federation Foreign Intelligence Service, or SVR. 

The joint advisory listed the common vulnerabilities and exposures that SVR is exploiting through various malicious tactics, such as spearphishing, password spraying, malware deployment, cloud exploitation and living off the land, or LOTL, attacks, the NSA said Thursday.

The new eight-page joint cybersecurity advisory, titled  “Update on SVR Cyber Operations and Vulnerability Exploitation,” is co-authored by the NSA, the FBI, the U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force and the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre, or NCSC.  

To reduce the potential SVR attack surface, the advisory suggests disabling unnecessary internet-accessible services, restricting access to trusted networks and removal of unused applications in workstations. 

Other advisory suggestions include multi-factor user authentication and regular audits of cloud-based accounts and applications 

Additional mitigation measures on Russian exploitation of cloud environments are contained in another joint cybersecurity advisory issued in February. The earlier guidance was spearheaded by the U.K.’s NCSC and supported by international partners including U.S., Canadian, Australian and New Zealand security agencies.

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GovCon Index Kept Rising Last Week
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GovCon Index Kept Rising Last Week

Executive Mosaic’s GovCon Index maintained a winning streak last week, closing 0.65% higher than the previous week. This increase lifted the average to $5,505.35.

GovCon Index gathers and displays data on the stock market performance of 30 major government contracting companies in real time. With this information, users can evaluate the financial standing of each tracked organization and gain key insights into the broad trends characterizing today’s GovCon market.

V2X claimed the top spot last week with gains of 8.52%. Palantir (+8.04%) came in second, and Honeywell (+5.65%) was third. Aerovironment, which grew by 3.45%, secured fourth place, and The Carlyle Group (+2.88%) achieved the fourth spot in the ranks.

GovCon Index had a slow start last week, but an increase of 0.44% on Tuesday reversed Monday’s losses. Though Thursday brought a drop of 1.05%, Friday’s 1.44% rise pushed GovCon Index up overall, marking its fourth consecutive week in positive territory.

Check out last week’s market reports for a closer look at daily GovCon Index performance. Visit GovConIndex.com to view the complete list of tracked companies.

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DOD Seeks Comments on Proposed JV Eligibility DFARS Amendment
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DOD Seeks Comments on Proposed JV Eligibility DFARS Amendment

The Defense Acquisition Regulations System is seeking comments on its proposal to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement.

According to the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on Thursday, the DFARS amendment would revise the joint venture eligibility requirements and nonmanufacturer rule applicability to contracts awarded under the partnership agreement between the Department of Defense and the Small Business Administration.

The revision aims to align the DFARS with the Federal Acquisition Regulation changes allowing joint ventures to submit responses to solicitations for program acquisitions processed under the agreement.

This proposed rule also includes removing the kit assembler rule set and the nonmanufacturer rule requirements in the DFARS to align with the FAR’s nonmanufacturer rule, which specifies the requirements for all socioeconomic categories.

The DOD invites small businesses and other interested parties to comment on the expected impact of the proposed rule on small entities.

Responses are due Dec. 9.

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NSF Accelerator Issues Solicitation for Southeast Anchor
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NSF Accelerator Issues Solicitation for Southeast Anchor

The National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator has issued a solicitation aimed at establishing the regional anchor for the southeast region.

The NSF said Thursday the expansion into the southeastern United States, part of the three-year plan to expand to 10 regionally focused NSF Convergence Accelerators, is meant to drive advancement in research, innovation and workforce development and tackle societal and economic challenges within the area.

According to the notice, the NSF Convergence Accelerator is seeking an organization to serve as the southeast regional anchor. The selected party will supervise the implementation of the program’s model and oversee operations at the regional level as NSF’s representative. 

Only proposers from the southeastern U.S. are eligible for the funding opportunity. Interested parties have until Nov. 21 to submit their proposals.

Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for NSF Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, or TIP, stressed the TIP directorate’s commitment to accelerating technology and innovation.

“With initiatives like the NSF Convergence Accelerator regionalization, we are sparking the development of cutting-edge technologies and delivering practical solutions for the everyday challenges Americans face, while also building a workforce comprising all Americans and fueling economic growth,” Gianchandani said.

Douglas Maughan, section head for the NSF Convergence Accelerator, added, “After a successful launch in the Midwest, we hope to continue to build momentum in the Southeast Region, seeking organizations with a diverse set of expertise and capabilities to implement our program.”

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Navy Secretary Addresses Small Business Leaders During SF Event
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Navy Secretary Addresses Small Business Leaders During SF Event

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, a Wash100 Award winner, attended a gathering of small business leaders held at the San Francisco SBA Business Office during San Francisco Fleet Week.

The U.S. Navy said Thursday Del Toro emphasized the significance of small businesses in supporting the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during his talk at the event titled “Breaking Barriers: A Department of the Navy & SBA Partnership for Small Business Success,” attended by representatives from the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, regional APEX Accelerators, the National Defense Industrial Association and other key stakeholders.

The Navy secretary noted that $526 million worth of contracts have been awarded to small businesses in the San Francisco area, mentioning Pleasanton-based Atomic’s $2.89 million contract for advanced tactical atomic clocks and the $451,000 contract secured by Arize AI of Berkeley for an artificial intelligence/machine learning technology to enhance underwater threat detection.

Secretary Del Toro said, “From my vantage point as Secretary of the Navy, a healthy, diverse industrial base made up of companies of all sizes – founded by American entrepreneurs from all walks of life – is absolutely crucial to the success of our Navy and our Marine Corps.”

The secretary participated in a roundtable discussion with entrepreneurs and industry leaders where they discussed possible collaborations and the needs of small businesses in the defense sector. Del Toro also encouraged them to ask for support in navigating the federal procurement process from the Office of Small Business Programs.

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New OMB Rule Ensures Trustworthiness of Statistical Agencies
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New OMB Rule Ensures Trustworthiness of Statistical Agencies

The Office of Management and Budget has published on the Federal Register the Trust Regulation, or more formally, the Fundamental Responsibilities of Statistical Agencies and Units rule.

The Trust Regulation aims to foster trust in recognized statistical agencies and units and the federal statistics they produce, which are used in policymaking as well as public discourse, Karin Orvis, the chief statistician of the United States, said in a column published Thursday on the OMB’s Briefing Room blog.

To achieve this goal, the regulation codifies and clarifies the responsibilities of federal statistical agencies, namely: the conduct of objective, credible and accurate statistical activities for the production and dissemination of relevant and timely statistical information; and the protection of the confidentiality of responses from information providers and respondents.

The regulation also outlines the requirements other agencies must meet to support the work that statistical agencies perform.

The formulation of the Trust Regulation incorporates input provided by agency employees and members of the public.

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