DHS Warns of Data Security Risk Associated With Chinese-Made Drones
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DHS Warns of Data Security Risk Associated With Chinese-Made Drones


DHS Warns of Data Security Risk Associated With Chinese-Made Drones

The Department of Homeland Security issued an alert saying Chinese-built drones may be transmitting to manufacturers sensitive flight information that could be accessed by the Chinese government, CNN reported Monday.

The drones “contain components that can compromise your data and share your information on a server accessed beyond the company itself,” DHS’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said in the alert obtained by CNN.

“The United States government has strong concerns about any technology product that takes American data into the territory of an authoritarian state that permits its intelligence services to have unfettered access to that data or otherwise abuses that access,” CISA noted.

CISA warns users to practice caution when buying unmanned systems from China, remove digital cards and limit the drone’s access to networks to prevent data theft.

The DHS alert came days after President Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency to address foreign threats to the country’s information and communications technology supply chain.

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Anthony Robbins, VP of NVIDIA’s Public Sector, Receives Executive Mosaic’s Chairman’s Award
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Anthony Robbins, VP of NVIDIA’s Public Sector, Receives Executive Mosaic’s Chairman’s Award


Jeff Brody

Jim Garrettson, chief executive officer of Executive Mosaic, presented Anthony Robbins, vice president of NVIDIA’s public sector and 2019 Wash100 Award recipient, with the Chairman’s Award for his first year chairing the Artificial Intelligence 4×24 Group for Executive Mosaic’s 4×24 program.

Robbins is also a two-time Wash100 Award recipient as a result of his leadership and role in the development of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and machine learning. The Wash100 is the premier group of private and public sector leaders selected by Executive Mosaic’s organizational and editorial leadership as the most influential leaders in the GovCon sector.

Robbins joined NVIDIA in his current role in Oct. 2017. In the position, he’s responsible for building and leading the North American Public Sector business for the company and assists the governments across North America to leverage GPU’s and the CUDA programming model to usher in a new era of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Prior to joining NVIDIA, Robbins served as the vice president of AT&T’s Global Defense business between June 2016 and Oct. 2017. From Aug. 2011 to June 2016, Robbins was the vice president of Brocade and he was the senior vice president of Oracle Corp. between Feb. 2010 and Aug. 2011. He was also the vice president of Sales for Sun Microsystems from Jul. 2006 and Jan. 2010, and  served in a variety of senior leadership roles for SGI between 2006 and 1994.

In addition, Robbins has served as the executive vice president of AFCEA DC since Sept. 2013 and was chairman of the 41st, 42nd and 43rd AFCEA Winter Gala between 2016 and 2017. He attended Walker College, which was acquired by the University of Alabama Birmingham and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Marketing from Jacksonville State University in 1982 while also playing four years of college basketball on a full scholarship.

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USACE Baltimore District Awards $24.5M Architect/Engineer Contract to Dewberry
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USACE Baltimore District Awards $24.5M Architect/Engineer Contract to Dewberry


Jeff Brody

Dewberry announced on Tuesday that the company secured a potential five-year, $24.5 million maximum capacity architect/engineer contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Baltimore District to support predominantly sustainment, restoration, and maintenance projects.

Under the contract, Dewberry is responsible for comprehensive A/E services, including preparation of full plans and specifications, preparation of design-build requests for proposal, construction cost estimating, site investigations, analysis, planning, master planning, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, programming (1391), topographic and utility surveys, geotechnical investigations, stormwater management design, sediment and erosion control plans.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting to include obtaining all necessary state permits, charrettes, hazardous material investigations, building information modeling (BIM), energy modeling, and the preparation of reports, studies, design criteria/design analysis documents, LEED documentation, value engineering, coordination with various government agencies and commissions, and other general A/E services.

“We’re passionate about serving our nation’s military and intelligence communities to further sustain and enhance their missions as a trusted partner” said Dewberry Vice President Joseph Wells, AIA, NCARB.

Dewberry may also contribute to International and Interagency Services (IIS) projects, civil works, and larger value military construction projects for military and other non-military government agencies, including the Intelligence Community (IC) mission within the Baltimore District with incidental support to the North Atlantic Division.

Donald Parker: DISA’s Purebred Mobile Credentialing System ‘Doing Really Well’
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Donald Parker: DISA’s Purebred Mobile Credentialing System ‘Doing Really Well’


Jeff Brody

Donald Parker, head of the Defense Information Systems Agency’s Public Key Infrastructure branch, said that DISA’s Purebred tool is “doing really well as a capability to support mobile credentialing,” the agency said Monday. Parker told attendees at a recent AFCEA event in Baltimore, Md. that PKI has emerged as the foundation for internet security and secure data transmission.

“Identification and authentication, data integrity, confidentiality, and technical non-repudiation combined are elements that provide a secure, non-breakable environment for any type of electronic transaction,” he noted.

Purebred handles PKI credentialing for Department of Defense devices and enables encypted communications without constant Common Access Card user requirements. DoD devices supported by the tool include Apple iOS and Android platforms, Windows 10 tablets and Yubikey systems. DISA has deployed Purebred to support credentialing for over 100,000 DoD-issued mobile devices to date, according to Parker.

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Report: Poor Contract Handling Leads EPA to Pay ‘Unallowable’ Fees
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Report: Poor Contract Handling Leads EPA to Pay ‘Unallowable’ Fees


Jeff Brody

A new watchdog report shows the Environmental Protection Agency overpaid contractors in a $100 million information technology contract due to poor contract management controls. The audit issued Monday by EPA’s office of inspector general reviewed 11 of 64 invoices released between March 2018 and February 2019 through a single task order under the contract with SRA International. The IG said it received a complaint about EPA’s invoices and payments. 

All files reviewed “did not comply with contract requirements” and led to more than $5,100 “unallowable fixed fee” paid by the EPA, the report states. The IG associated the overbilling to staffing problems, high turnover, poor contract file management disorganization and inadequate oversight. 

“However, without adequate review of all invoices… the EPA does not know whether there are further unallowable costs that it has paid for under the task order,” the watchdog said. 

EPA’s Office of Acquisition Solutions plans to investigate the report and to require the contractor to refund the extra amount. 

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AAR Delivers First P-8A Poseidon to U.S. Navy Fleet; Capt. Tony Rossi and William Patton Quoted
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AAR Delivers First P-8A Poseidon to U.S. Navy Fleet; Capt. Tony Rossi and William Patton Quoted


Jeff Brody

The AAR Corporation announced on Monday that the company has completed its first planned overhaul, age exploration and planned inspection of its first Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

“Delivering a mission-ready aircraft means executing a successful maintenance-repair plan. Many thanks to the AAR team for a job well done,” said Capt. Tony Rossi, Program Manager for NAVAIR’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Program (PMA-290). “As expected, there have been no significant aircraft condition findings.”

As part of a seven-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract signed in 2018 with the Navy, AAR is providing heavy depot airframe maintenance, as well as year-round field support, for the U.S. fleet. The P-8A aircraft arrived at AAR for its first Age Exploration Plan Depot (AEPD) visit, which is part of a systematic, scheduled maintenance requirement.

In addition to the P-8A program, AAR has also performed service on the U.S. Navy’s C-40, Clipper, Harrier Jet Sustainment, C-9 Nightingale and H60R fleets. All of the maintenance for the P-8A Program is performed at AAR’s Indianapolis facility, which has serviced over 2,000 B737 aircraft both for commercial and government customers

“Our team is honored to perform maintenance on the P-8A Poseidon for the U.S. Navy and ensure its operational-readiness for the warfighter,” said William Patton, AAR P-8A Program Manager and 20-year U.S. Navy veteran. “With our vast experience in B737s and long standing working relationship with military programs, AAR’s P-8A Program has excelled in meeting strict government compliance standards and maintaining the quality of the aircraft.”

About AAR

AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR’s Aviation Services include parts supply; OEM solutions; integrated solutions; maintenance, repair, overhaul; and engineering. AAR’s Expeditionary Services include mobility systems and composite manufacturing operations.

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NIST Demos Experimental Atomic Clock
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NIST Demos Experimental Atomic Clock


Jeff Brody

The National Institute of Standards and Technology tested a miniature atomic clock designed to tick at optical frequencies. The experimental clock consists of rubidium atoms placed in a vapor cell and two frequency combs that function to link the ticks to low microwave frequencies, NIST said Friday.

The device operates at 275 milliwatts and is built to work at a handheld form factor. According to NIST, it can also potentially succeed traditional oscillators and assist in telecommunications and navigation applications.

“Ultimately, we expect this work to lead to small, low-power clocks that are exceptionally stable and will bring a new generation of accurate timing to portable, battery-operated devices,” said John Kitching, a fellow at NIST.

The clock was developed in partnership with Stanford University, Charles Stark Draper Laboratories and the California Institute of Technology. NIST plans to decrease the device’s size and integrate low-noise laser technologies in future updates.

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AFRL Launches ARCNet, Autonomy R&D portal
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AFRL Launches ARCNet, Autonomy R&D portal


Jeff Brody

The Air Force Research Laboratory unveiled an electronic system working to accommodate collaborative research and development initiatives for autonomous platforms. The Autonomy Research Collaboration Network is designed to rapidly carry out technology transition processes to further autonomous studies through the use of communication and speed functions, the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base said Friday.

AFRL developed ARCNet through a $196 million agreement with the SPG Institute and is eligible for usage by Department of Defense organizations. The laboratory also plans to use the platform to support the U.S. Air Force’s 2030 Science and Technology Strategy.

“The consortium platform allows for a deeper dialogue between the government and potential performers on research projects, allowing the potential performers to participate in defining the requirements and execution strategy for a project,” said Corey Schumacher, chief technology officer of ARCNet project at AFRL.

According to AFRL, the system has several scheduled research projects planned for release to the network’s members.

VA Incorporating Customer Experience Principles Into CFR’s Core Values Section
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VA Incorporating Customer Experience Principles Into CFR’s Core Values Section


Jeff Brody

The Department of Veterans Affairs is set to add a set of customer experience principles to the core values and characteristics section of its Code of Federal Regulations, Nextgov reported Friday.

“Maintaining a sustained organizational commitment to, and institutionalized focus on, the voice of the customer is a critical component of modernizing VA to meet the needs and expectations of veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors,” according to the final rule scheduled for publication on Federal Register Monday. “Codifying these principles will ensure that they receive the proper emphasis at all levels within VA, are clearly understood by the workforce, and, most importantly, become an enduring part of the VA culture.”

Under the final rule, VA will consider three factors – ease, effectiveness and emotion – to improve the way it delivers services to veterans. Lynda Davis, chief of VA’s veterans experience office, said research firm Forrester developed the “3 Es of CX” framework.

James Stewart: DoD Employs New Recruiting Approaches
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James Stewart: DoD Employs New Recruiting Approaches


Jeff Brody

James Stewart, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said the Department of Defense is working to grow its military force with new methods. DoD is using social media to advertise recruitment and applying artificial intelligence to build analysis-based engagement plans, according to an article published Friday on the department’s website.

“The services are on track to achieve their recruiting missions this year, but they continue to face an ever-changing recruiting environment with a robust economy, low unemployment and significant competition from the civilian sector,” Stewart said at a hearing with the House Armed Services Committee’s military personnel subcommittee. He added that the military is making efforts to support the families of servicemen for boosted retention. 

“So we’re making every effort to support our military families in ways that recognize and relieve the challenges that come with the military way of life,” he stated.

DoD’s family care efforts include spouse employment support, child care and scholarships.

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