//
Astra Secures DIU Contract on Third Demo for Space Cargo Delivery Project
Published on
Astra Secures DIU Contract on Third Demo for Space Cargo Delivery Project

The Defense Innovation Unit announced that it has awarded Alameda, California-based company Astra the third contract under its Novel Responsive Space Delivery, or NRSD, project to prototype commercial solutions for space cargo deliveries. 

Astra’s contract calls for prototyping flexible point-to-point cargo deliveries from Earth to space, vice-versa and between orbiting spacecraft, DIU said Wednesday.

Astra’s Flexible Launch Options Demo

According to Astra, its DIU contract, which has a $44 million ceiling, calls for advancing the capabilities of its Launch System 2 to send its Rocket 4 to orbit or sub-orbit through launches from the United States, Australia or other locations. The company added that the award will also demonstrate the automated welding capabilities in the Rocket 4 production and the advanced ground concepts of the Launch System 2 infrastructure. 

As of March 2022, Astra has sent 22 satellites into orbit after its first commercial launch of a low Earth orbit spacecraft in 2021.

The DIU awarded NRSD’s first contract to The Spaceport Company in May. This contract focused on developing a mobile, sea-based space launch system. Stoke Space took the second project award in August to prototype a solution for versatile point-to-point space cargo delivery.

//
DOD Picks Hypersonic Infrared Research Team for FY25 ARAP Award Competition
Published on
DOD Picks Hypersonic Infrared Research Team for FY25 ARAP Award Competition

The Department of Defense has selected the proposal of the U.S. Army DEVCOM ARL-led Hypersonic Infrared Target Sensing team, or HITS, as the winner of the Applied Research for the Advancement of S&T Priorities award competition, or ARAP, for fiscal year 2025.

HITS Research Project

DOD said Wednesday DEVCOM ARL, which stands for Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, will work with the Air Force Research Laboratory, Missile Defense Agency and the Naval Research Laboratory on the three-year, $45 million project.

“Our approach encompasses innovative multi-physics modeling, meta-optical design, advanced fabrication techniques, and infrared optical characterization, with the ultimate goal of improving the precision of these weapons at longer ranges in more agile, lower cost platforms,” said Henry Everitt, senior technologist for optical sciences at DEVCOM ARL and the HITS team lead.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency will also participate in the HITS research project, which will involve more than 50 federal scientists and engineers across the military service labs to help address the challenge of building infrared seekers for hypersonic weapons.

The research team will explore high-temperature infrared materials, locate targets throughout hypersonic flight and address thermal distortion through the seeker window, among other things. It will also work with industry and academia as it develops in-house capabilities through the multidisciplinary effort.

ARAP Award Competition

DOD centers and laboratories seeking to participate in the annual competition must submit applied research funding proposals addressing capability gaps or a specific technology and promoting collaboration across defense agencies and military agencies.

“The S&T Executive Committee received nine high-quality white paper submissions for this year’s competition and narrowed it down to three finalists,” said Aprille Ericsson, the assistant secretary of defense for science and technology and chair of the S&T Executive Committee.

DOD is soliciting white papers for the FY 2026 ARAP competition and will accept submissions through Nov. 13.

//
DIA Releases Updated Report on Nuclear Threats to US
Published on
DIA Releases Updated Report on Nuclear Threats to US

The Defense Intelligence Agency has released “Nuclear Challenges: The Growing Capabilities of Strategic Competitors and Regional Rivals,” the second edition of the 2018 report titled “Global Nuclear Landscape.”

Scope of DIA’s Nuclear Challenge Report

Whereas the earlier publication tackled the nuclear programs of China, Russia and North Korea, the newer one offers an updated, unclassified overview of the nuclear programs of the same countries plus Iran, the DIA said Wednesday.

The information contained in the report, considered current as of June 1, includes estimates of the nuclear weapon stockpiles of Russia and China, assessments regarding the extent to which Iran and North Korea have developed nuclear weapon technologies, and descriptions of each of the four countries’ capabilities to deliver nuclear weapons to targets.

Aim of DIA’s Report

The publication of the report contributes to a broader effort to provide information regarding challenges and developments in nuclear security, as well as future projections.

As the publication notes, “The United States continues to face challenges from strategic competitors and regional rivals who have and are developing new nuclear-capable delivery systems. The threats from more advanced cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles, and other novel delivery systems, coupled with growing nuclear arsenals, are threatening U.S. military advantages.”

//
Army to Build Detachments for Combating Information Adversaries
Published on
Army to Build Detachments for Combating Information Adversaries

The U.S. Army will build three Theater Information Advantage Detachments to strengthen efforts to combat adversaries in the information dimension, according to Lt. Gen. Maria Barrett, head of the Army Cyber Command.

At the annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army on Oct. 14, Barrett revealed that the service will build TIADs in the Pacific, Europe and at ARCYBER headquarters in Fort Eisenhower, Georgia.

The newly established detachments will perform missions within their respective theaters, Aaron Pearce, ARCYBER’s director of Information Advantage, explained, adding that the ARCYBER TIAD will focus on national defense strategy priorities.

Pearce noted that in general, the TIADs will have standing teams operating in their environment, providing their commanders opportunities for information effects and standing by for quick action in times of crisis.

He stressed that the new detachments will become a permanent unit of information specialists.

ARCYBER Science Advisor and Chief Analytics Officer Mark Mollenkopf said the TIADs will use a combination of specialists and advanced technologies to counter adversaries in the information sphere. He added the detachments can access artificial intelligence and automation to enhance their capabilities and visualize data trends.

The TIADs will employ data scientists, software developers and intelligence professionals to allow the Army to better process the critical elements of the information dimension, Mollenkopf stated.

The Army targets to establish the first TIAD in 2025.

//
USCIS Seeks Providers of Regulatory Comments Analysis Services
Published on
USCIS Seeks Providers of Regulatory Comments Analysis Services

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued a sources sought request for information with the aim of identifying vendors capable of supporting the mission of the Regulatory Coordination Division within the USCIS Office of Policy & Strategy.

Table of Contents

RCD Mission

The RCD is tasked with managing and analyzing the comments provided by the public regarding proposed regulations and policies related to the mission of the USCIS, according to the SSRFI posted Tuesday on SAM.gov. The division also works to promote immigration policies and programs as well as strengthen the infrastructure in support of the USCIS.

SSRFI Required Services

To help with these functions, the RCD is looking into vendors that can provide a variety of services, including data collection and management, comment and sentiment analysis and reporting. The division intends to issue a contract for these requirements.

Interested parties have until Nov. 5 to submit responses to the SSRFI. The information that will be received may be used in the preparation of a subsequent solicitation for proposals.

USCIS Seeks Providers of Regulatory Comments Analysis Services

Hear from various speakers to learn more about the various security concerns facing the U.S. and what’s being done to address them at the Potomac Officers Club’s Annual Homeland Security Summit, which will take place on Nov. 13. Register now for the Homeland Security Summit to attend this important event!

/
SSC Commander Emphasizes Workforce Development, Stakeholder Engagement in New Organizational Plan
Published on
SSC Commander Emphasizes Workforce Development, Stakeholder Engagement in New Organizational Plan

The head of the Space Systems Command has developed a plan to ensure that the United Space maintains access to reliable space capabilities amid the Great Power Competition. The SSC said Wednesday that the newly published plan, authored by  Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, provides a blueprint of organizational improvements designed to prepare the command for emerging threats. 

SSC’s Organizational Shift

At a recent forum, Garrant and U.S. Space Force Chief Master Sgt. Jacqueline Sauve, a senior enlisted leader at the SSC, introduced the command plan and answered questions from servicemembers. According to Garrant, the plan is aligned with the command’s focus on culture and stakeholder engagement to remain vigilant toward the future. 

“The people of this command are the drivers behind the mission, and it’s important that we know how we need to collectively work together to get after it,” he commented. 

The command plan, available on the Space Force’s official website, has three lines of efforts: align resources, develop a world-class workforce and deepen relationship with stakeholders. Garrant shared that the document optimizes the way the SSC organizes, trains and equips warfighters with space capabilities at the speed of need. 

He also said the SSC must invest time toward maintaining a “purposeful engagement” with stakeholders within and outside the command. 

“Efforts across the command have been doing just that but we must continue to find ways that generate valuable avenues to deliver against the toughest problem sets together,” Garrant told the audience. 

/
CDAO Seeks Video Submissions for Generative AI Open Topic
Published on
CDAO Seeks Video Submissions for Generative AI Open Topic

The Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office is soliciting technical volume video submissions from industry and the broader public as it explores generative AI tools to support its mission, promote collaboration and drive the growth of small businesses.

According to a notice published Wednesday, CDAO said the Small Business Innovation Research Open Topic for generative AI has strategic focus areas, including improving situational awareness and decision-making, increasing the safety of the operating environment and implementing predictive maintenance and supply.

Other strategic focus areas outlined in the notice are assuring cybersecurity, streamlining business processes, increasing autonomy and mobility of DOD systems and augmenting responsible AI capabilities and processes.

Video submissions should include a description of the technology and its application to the problem identified, the potential impact of the tech platform if adopted by DOD and a commercialization strategy, among other technical elements.

//
White House Reviews Proposed Update to HIPAA Cybersecurity Protections
Published on
White House Reviews Proposed Update to HIPAA Cybersecurity Protections

The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs is reviewing a proposed rule that would update the cybersecurity protections required under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, Federal News Network reported Wednesday.

The Department of Health and Human Services will issue a notice of proposed rulemaking for public comment once OIRA completes its review of the proposed rule on the HIPAA cybersecurity update.

HHS proposed the rule in response to rising cyberattacks targeting electronic protected healthcare information, or ePHI, which HIPAA regulates.

“We’ve seen tremendous increases in the use of ransomware and hacking to obtain unauthorized access to ePHI, and since 2003 there’s been an evolution in technical capabilities of record systems that are used to maintain health information, and there have been changes in the costs of variety of security measures,” Marissa Gordon-Nguyen, senior adviser for health information privacy, data and cybersecurity at the HHS Office of Civil Rights, said at a conference Wednesday.

“The changes we think support updating the security rule to help ensure that it can continue to provide a baseline of security standards to meet current and emerging security risks and threats to ePHI,” she added.

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
/
A Glimpse Into HHS’ Top Budget Priorities for 2025
Published on
A Glimpse Into HHS’ Top Budget Priorities for 2025

The Department of Health and Human Services is on a mission to modernize, and its budget proposal for fiscal year 2025 — which includes $1.7 trillion in mandatory proposed budget authority and $130.7 billion in discretionary funding — reflects its aggressive pursuit of key transformation goals. 

A Glimpse Into HHS’ Top Budget Priorities for 2025

Government and industry leaders will convene to discuss HHS’ top mission objectives at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Healthcare Summit on Dec. 11. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear from a wide range of healthcare experts — secure your spot at the 2024 Healthcare Summit today!

These funds, which represent an increase of over $140 million from the HHS’ FY 2024 budget, will enable the department to make significant investments into new technologies and programs that will shape the future of government healthcare. Get a glimpse into HHS’ top budget priorities below.

What Is HHS Investing In?

HHS’ budget covers a broad spectrum of federal healthcare demands, including care improvements, advanced research projects and more. Below are three notable focus areas with the request.

Expanding Coverage and Lowering Healthcare Costs

Improving Medicare and Medicaid is a major priority for HHS. With the FY25 funding, the department hopes to continue lowering drug costs and bolster Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers. Other aspects of this goal include expanding Medicare solvency and upgrading health centers, among other efforts.

Research & Development

In 2025, HHS will continue to invest in cutting-edge health research, including programs like Cancer Moonshot, which aims to reduce the cancer death rate by 50 percent or more over the next 25 years. The budget will fund other key research projects within the National Institutes of Health and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.

Customer Experience

As HHS grows its care offerings, it is critical that customers are able to use federal healthcare tools with ease. To ensure a positive customer experience, or CX, HHS wants to simplify the process of enrolling in benefit programs, introduce a new online claims page on Medicare’s website, widen access to decision making support for older adults and more. 

HHS Agency Budgets

CMS

HHS’ 2025 budget request reserves approximately $1.6 trillion in mandatory and discretionary outlays for CMS. These funds will be distributed across several initiatives, including:

  • Extending Medicare solvency without cutting benefits
  • Making Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, more accessible
  • Investing in private insurance to expand healthcare coverage throughout the nation
  • Implementing new Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control resources
  • Program management needs

Notable allocations include $4.1 billion for Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control resources; $273 billion for investments in private healthcare; and $150 billion for expanding Medicaid home and community services.

NIH

NIH comprises 27 institutes, each dedicated to a specific health research area. HHS has requested $46.4 billion to fund these organizations in 2025.

The National Cancer Institute, which requested $7.8 billion, accounts for the largest portion of NIH’s budget. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has the second highest request at $6.6 billion, and the National Institute on Aging is third, with $4.4 billion requested.

Some of NIH’s top research priorities include:

  • Ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S.
  • Improving maternal health
  • Health disparities and inequalities
  • Artificial intelligence

CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s FY25 budget request totals approximately $9.7 billion, a $499.2 million increase from the FY 2023 enacted amount. Its most significant investments include:

  • $3.1 billion for protecting Americans from infectious diseases
  • $2.7 billion for preventing the leading causes of disease, disability and death
  • $943 million for defending Americans from natural and bioterrorism threats

Other major budget priorities include monitoring health and ensuring laboratory excellence; cross-cutting services; ensuring global disease protection; and keeping Americans safe from environmental and work-related hazards. 

A notable increase went to youth and community violence prevention, which was allocated $100 million more than it received last year.

Other Agencies

The CDC, NIH and CMS are just three of the many agencies that contribute to HHS’ mission. The department’s FY25 budget request also dedicates:

  • $18.7 billion to the Health Resources and Services Administration
  • $9.8 billion to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  • $9.4 billion to the Indian Health Service
  • $3.9 billion to the Food and Drug Administration
  • And billions more to additional organizations

Get a closer look at how HHS agencies are leveraging these funds to drive healthcare missions forward at the 2024 Healthcare Summit, where you will have the opportunity to learn from HHS officials and industry leaders. Join the 2024 Healthcare Summit to unlock all the insights these experts have to offer.

/
Treasury, IRS Announce Final Rules for Semiconductor Tax Credit
Published on
Treasury, IRS Announce Final Rules for Semiconductor Tax Credit

The Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service have published final rules for the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit, or CHIPS ITC, a part of the CHIPS and Science Act.

The Treasury Department said Tuesday that the final rules for CHIPS ITC include some changes to the proposed rules and provide more clarity on certain definitions.

CHIPS ITC offers businesses a tax credit equivalent to 25 percent of the basis of property qualified as an advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility. To qualify, the property must have been placed in service after Dec. 31, 2022 and construction must have begun after Aug. 9, 2022, the date of the CHIPS and Science Act enactment.

In addition, the guidance specifies that semiconductor wafer production also covers wafers used for photovoltaic solar energy generation

In total, the Commerce Department has provided $39 billion in CHIPS for America funding to strengthen domestic semiconductor supply chains, boost the employment rate and spur innovation. The IRS, Treasury and Energy Departments and other federal agencies will assess potential options to incentivize domestic production of the full solar supply chain.

“Semiconductors are vital to ensuring a stable supply of low-cost consumer goods and our investments continue to strengthen those supply chains, create good-paying jobs, and safeguard our national security,” said Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen.

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, added, “The Advanced Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, when paired with CHIPS direct funding and loans, provides a comprehensive set of federal incentives to drive the significant investment in semiconductor manufacturing capacity occurring in the United States important to meeting our national and economic security needs.”

1 … 184 185 186 187 188 … 2,621