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Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess: Commercial Integration Cell Expanding
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Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess: Commercial Integration Cell Expanding

Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, commander of Space Forces-Space and the Combined Joint Force Space Component, said five companies have been added to the Commercial Integration Cell, or CIC, and two more mission partners are expected to get on board by early 2025, Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.

“We are continually trying to up our game in the commercial world,” Schiess said at an event Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Space Force told the publication that as of October, 15 commercial space operators are under CIC.

Ten of those 15 are legacy partners: Hughes, SpaceX, XTAR, Inmarsat, Viasat, Eutelsat, SES, Maxar, Iridium and Intelsat. The five new partners are BlackSky, Kratos, Leolabs, ICEYE and Telesat.

“Hawkeye 360 and Exoanalytic have agreed to join, and we look forward to welcoming them to the CIC in the future,” the spokesperson added.

What Is CIC?

According to a Space Force announcement, CIC facilitates technology and operational exchange between commercial partners and U.S. Space Command to quickly respond to space events and improve space domain awareness.

CIC partners have initially provided satellite communications and imagery. With the additional companies, mission areas will now include space domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

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USCG Unveils Small Business Awardees on $4B Construction Contract
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USCG Unveils Small Business Awardees on $4B Construction Contract

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced the small business awardees on Pool 2 and Pool 3 of the third iteration of the potential 10-year, $4 billion National Multiple Award Construction Contract, or NMACC.

According to a notice published Wednesday on SAM.gov, the Department of Homeland Security’s USCG awarded the two pools for the NMACC III contract vehicle in August.

There are eight awardees on Pool 2, while nine companies secured spots on Pool 3.

The Pool 2 awardees are:

  • APC Construction
  • Barlovento
  • Bristol
  • CCI-ECS
  • G Force
  • Healtheon
  • Ocean Construction
  • SW Mid Builders

The Pool 3 awardees are:

  • Ahtna Global
  • Bristol Design Build Services
  • CCI Energy & Construction Services
  • CJW-MZT JV
  • Duwamish-Pacific Joint Venture
  • Gideon Contracting
  • Healtheon
  • J.I. Garcia Construction
  • SW Mid Builders JV

About NMACC III Pool 2 and 3

In 2023, USCG solicited proposals for the two small business pools of the multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide construction services for government facilities at various locations within the DHS area of responsibility.

NMACC III has a one-year base period and nine option years and will primarily support design-build projects. The contract covers general construction services, including new construction, renovation, alteration, marine construction, demolition and systems and infrastructure for ground, shore and coastal-type projects.

Pool 2 includes construction projects in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the U.S. Atlantic region. Pool 3 covers projects in Guam and the U.S. Pacific region.

Register now for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 13 to learn more about technology initiatives to protect the country amid the evolving geopolitical landscape.

POC - 2024 Homeland Security Summit
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ICE Seeking Industry Partner for Non-Citizen Supervision Program
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ICE Seeking Industry Partner for Non-Citizen Supervision Program

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is conducting market research as part of its planned acquisition of support services for the Alternatives to Detention, or ATD, unit under the agency’s Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, or ERO. ICE said Wednesday that it will host a virtual industry day to discuss the requirement with potential contractors on Dec. 2. 

ICE’s Intensive Supervision Appearance Program

The ATD is in charge of the development and implementation of programs that improve the appearance rates of non-citizens to immigration interviews and hearings. The unit comes up with cost-effective alternatives to secure detention to prevent overcrowding at detention facilities amid the increasing population of non-citizens. 

The ATD runs the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program, which uses technology to ensure that non-citizens comply with their release conditions, court appearances and final orders of removal while living securely within their communities. 

Program Requirements

The ICE needs an industry partner that can provide GPS or biometric technology monitoring, in-person reporting and community supervision through home visits to support the ISAP. 

The selected contractor will provide the GPS tracker or biometric technology that will be used as part of the supervision program. The contractor will also operate in stand-alone offices and assign personnel to work at government sites or at staging sites located along the United States border to supervise or enroll new participants. 

The program is a follow-on to a $2.2 billion contract ICE awarded to Colorado-based electronic monitoring systems company BI in 2020. 

Industry Day

As part of the acquisition process, ICE will host a virtual industry day on Microsoft Teams at 9 a.m. ET on Dec. 2. During the presentation, attendees will be briefed on program requirements and answer any questions from industry. 

ICE personnel will also have one-on-one sessions with potential offerors.

All interested businesses are welcome to register and attend. Requests to be part of the virtual industry day may be submitted until Nov. 20.

Hear directly from experts on national security challenges and concerns at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 13.

ICE Seeking Industry Partner for Non-Citizen Supervision Program
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NIST Seeks Public Comment on 4th White Paper on 5G Cybersecurity
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NIST Seeks Public Comment on 4th White Paper on 5G Cybersecurity

The National Institute of Standards and Technology‘s National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence is calling for public comments on the initial public draft version of the 4th entry in “Applying 5G Cybersecurity and Privacy Capabilities,” a series of white papers meant for professionals in technology, cybersecurity and privacy tasked with securing 5G even as its usage and deployment evolve.

Reallocation of Temporary Identities

The latest white paper, titled “Reallocation of Temporary Identities,” discusses how 5G protects subscriber identities, with a focus on how temporary IDs are reallocated by a 5G network to shield users from identification and location by attackers, the NIST Computer Security Resource Center said Thursday.

Interested parties have until Dec. 6 to submit comments.

Using Hardware-Enabled Security to Ensure 5G System Platform Integrity

The NCCoE released the initial public draft version of the 3rd white paper in the series in late September, also for public comment. Titled “Using Hardware-Enabled Security to Ensure 5G System Platform Integrity,” the paper tackles the fostering of trust in a 5G server infrastructure through the use of hardware-enabled security capabilities.

NIST Seeks Public Comment on 4th White Paper on 5G Cybersecurity

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 5G Summit, which will tackle various topics like 5G at the edge, how 5G supports the DOD’s CJADC2 efforts, 5G-powered warfighting capabilities and more. The event will take place on Feb. 27, 2025.

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NASA, Skunk Works Test Engine for X-59 Experimental Aircraft
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NASA, Skunk Works Test Engine for X-59 Experimental Aircraft

NASA and Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works subsidiary have started the first testing phase of an engine that will power the X-59 experimental aircraft being built to achieve quiet supersonic flights under the space agency’s Quesst mission.

The modified F414-GE-100 engine, installed atop the aircraft, provides 22,000 lb of thrust to meet the desired cruising speed of 925 mph at an altitude of approximately 55,000 ft, NASA said Wednesday.

Faster Than Speed of Sound

The trial, which began on Oct. 30 at Skunk Works’ facility in California, aims to verify that the engine, while operated at low speed, has no leaks and can power other aircraft systems, including hydraulics, electrical and environmental control, without any issues. Following the first phase, the aircraft will be tested at high power with rapid throttle changes and undergo a simulated flight.  

According to NASA, the Quesst mission will use the aircraft to demonstrate technology that can fly faster than the speed of sound while reducing the loudness of sonic booms to a quiet thump. The effort will enable gathering data on how people perceive the thumps to help regulators decide whether current bans on commercial supersonic flight over land could be lifted, the agency added.

X-59 Maiden Flight Delayed

NASA now expects the X-59, manufactured by Skunk Works, to conduct its maiden flight in early 2025. The flight was previously delayed to 2024 to fully integrate aircraft components and ensure system performance. According to NASA, the demo was moved once again because of the challenges involved with reaching a series of integrated ground tests, including the engine runs, needed to ensure a safe flight.

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NSF to Fund Selected Secure Data Demo Projects
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NSF to Fund Selected Secure Data Demo Projects

The National Science Foundation’s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics has awarded over $10 million to fund multiple organizations’ proposals for the National Secure Data Service Demonstration Project.

The chosen projects will develop a platform for shared services to support informed decision-making through streamlined data access, enhanced data linkage and strengthened privacy protections, according to America’s DataHub Consortium, or ADC.

The NSDS projects are expected to advance ethical data use and data security for individuals and organizations, ADC added.

The organizations were selected following a competitive process; they include NORC at the University of Chicago, Mathematica, BrightQuery, University of Southern California, The Coleridge Initiative, Clarivate and Westat.

NCSES Director Emilda Rivers said ADC’s work in the NSDS program led to the development of tools that use privacy-preserving technologies and the establishment of models for a comprehensive data concierge service.

“It’s been an exciting couple of years for the ADC in its support of the five-year National Secure Data Service Demonstration project mandated by the CHIPS and Science Act,” Rivers noted.

Managed by Advanced Technology International, ADC is used by the NCSES to facilitate the NSDS pilot projects.

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DOD Developing CHAPPIE for CBRN Defense
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DOD Developing CHAPPIE for CBRN Defense

The Department of Defense has introduced CHAPPIE, a quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicle, or QUGV, being developed for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear—a.k.a. CBRN—field operations.

The U.S. Space Force said Tuesday CHAPPIE is one of two QUGVs at the Buckley Space Force Base repurposed for CBRN operations.

What Are CHAPPIE’s Main Features?

CHAPPIE is an unmanned system that is enhanced with remote CBRN sensing capabilities. It has an updated inventory of detectors that separates it from other systems utilized for CBRN defense.

The QUGV is still under development to enhance its capabilities, including its agility, mobility and ability to navigate challenging terrains. With emerging innovations, particularly in artificial intelligence and sensor technologies, there is the potential to boost CHAPPIE’s ability to detect and respond to threats quickly and more accurately. 

Dominic Garcia, section chief of the Installation Office of Emergency Management, started the QUGV project in 2022 after he received $1.24 million from the Small Business Innovation Research Grant through AFWERX, the technology and trial experimentation division of the Air Force Research Laboratory. The developers managed to conduct tests at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and Dugway Proving Ground in just 20 months. At present, the project is 90 percent complete.

“This QUGV is not only an operational game-changer for CBRN defense but also serves as a proof of concept for technological innovation within the Air and Space Forces,” said Garcia. “The AFWERX vehicle allows end-users from the force, regardless of rank, to collaborate directly with industry to develop what the multi-capable warfighter needs at the speed of relevance, not 10 to 15 years later.”

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DIU Issues RFI for National OnRamp Strategy
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DIU Issues RFI for National OnRamp Strategy

The Defense Innovation Unit has released a request for information to determine the potential of creating a cooperative agreement supporting its National OnRamp initiative.

According to the notice posted on Sam.gov on Nov. 1, the possible cooperative agreement aims to help non-traditional companies, particularly in the dual-use and commercial technology sectors, to rapidly deploy services critical for military use.

DIU is seeking a possible entity that will manage its OnRamp hubs and help boost its presence across the United States. The company will also supervise the digital efforts for the National OnRamp. In addition, the recipient will be responsible for accomplishing requirements analysis for government needs and reviewing unsolicited applications to identify potential projects.

What Is DIU’s National OnRamp Initiative?

The National OnRamp strategy is designed to streamline engagement between the Department of Defense and non-traditional companies. It is also meant to boost its nationwide presence to enhance relationships with the academic sector, startups and commercial companies.

There are currently five DIU offices and eight geographic regions, along with OnRamp hubs in Phoenix, Dayton, Seattle, Wichita and Honolulu. DIU plans to expand further to include more hubs, flagship DIU offices and a physical presence through a distributed team, which may involve public-private partnerships.

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State Department Eyes AI Marketplace for Personnel
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State Department Eyes AI Marketplace for Personnel

The State Department is working to develop a new artificial intelligence marketplace that would deliver specialized AI capabilities to its employees across the agency, Nextgov/FCW reported Friday.

Matthew Graviss, chief data and artificial intelligence officer at the State Department, said the agency expects the planned AI marketplace to serve as a flexible vehicle for approved AI software offerings.

Why Does the State Department Need an AI Marketplace?

According to the report, the marketplace will initially address the model and data requirements for specific use cases and AI guardrails to help ensure security for the department’s end users.

“You have chief information officers, chief data officers throughout various bureaus of the State Department who we want to help in accelerating their modernization through artificial intelligence,” Graviss stated.

“So what we’re going through right now is those requirements of ‘What can we do as an enterprise provider to help them accelerate their journey? How do we support them in allowing them to connect their data, their workflow, to AI tools so that they can gain efficiency and effectiveness in servicing their missions, their ambassadors [and] their diplomats overseas?'” he added.

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SBA Reports Record Number of Certified SBs, Launches New Platform
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SBA Reports Record Number of Certified SBs, Launches New Platform

The Small Business Administration announced that it certified more than 17,000 small businesses in fiscal year 2024, up 40 percent from federal contracting certifications recorded in FY 2023.

MySBA Certifications Platform Goes Live

SBA said Monday a new online tool, called MySBA Certifications, is now live and has started accepting applications.

The online platform, which was first announced in late July, is designed to improve the digital experience for small enterprises when applying for and managing multiple federal contracting certifications.

The agency expects MySBA Certifications to reduce the paperwork burden for certifying businesses and enable companies to manage all federal contracting certifications in a single place and access resources to help them win contracts.

“To increase opportunities for America’s small business owners, the SBA has rolled out MySBA Certifications, a streamlined technology tool that makes it easier for entrepreneurs to apply for multiple certifications with a single application,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman.

Proposed Expansion of Rule of Two

Guzman also cited the agency’s proposed expansion of the Rule of Two to increase contracting opportunities for small businesses.

In late October, SBA started soliciting feedback on a proposed rule that would apply the Rule of Two to multiple-award contract task and delivery orders as part of a push to encourage the participation of small enterprises in multiple-award contracts.

Under the Rule of Two, an agency must set aside the award for small businesses when there is an expectation of receiving bids at reasonable prices from two or more small business contract holders under the multiple-award contract.

Comments on the proposed rule are due Dec. 24.

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