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DLA-State Department Agreement Seeks to Streamline Acquisition Process
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DLA-State Department Agreement Seeks to Streamline Acquisition Process

The Defense Logistics Agency and Department of State have signed a 10-year, $600 million partnership agreement to unify acquisition processes across the two agencies.

The agreement, which went into effect Oct. 1, institutes governance standards for supply chains and enables the organizations to provide logistics support for over 250 embassies and consulates worldwide, DLA said Monday.

“To be able to say I want subsistence or fuel support, I don’t have to spend 90 to 180 days setting up a separate agreement with DLA Troop Support and [DLA] Energy,” Marc Gage, DLA’s liaison to the State Department, said in a statement published Monday.

“All I have to do is set up the payment, which can be accomplished in as little as 24 hours,” he added.

Kristin French, deputy director of logistics operations at DLA, and Seth Green, deputy assistant secretary of state for logistics management, signed the agreement on Oct. 7 at the State Department’s Office of Logistics Management in Rosslyn, Virginia. 

Gage noted that the agreement could assist the State Department in its contingency planning efforts and provide the agency with logistics support in areas where it may be difficult to get subsistence or fuel.

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DOJ’s Proposed Rule Seeks to Protect Sensitive Data
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DOJ’s Proposed Rule Seeks to Protect Sensitive Data

The Department of Justice has proposed a rule to launch a program designed to address national security risks associated with attempts by countries of concern to obtain and exploit U.S. citizens’ personal information.

The DOJ said Monday that the proposed rule includes categorical rules for specific types of data transactions that could release sensitive government data or bulk U.S. personal data to these nations or covered persons.

The proposed rule is part of the department’s efforts to implement a February executive order on the matter and identifies classes of restricted and prohibited transactions.

According to the fact sheet, vendor, employment and non-passive investment agreements are the three categories of restricted transactions. Data brokerage and coverage data transactions regarding bulk human genomic data or biospecimens are the two types of prohibited transactions.

The proposed rule also lists classes of exempt transactions, covered persons and countries of concern to which it applies, sets processes for licensing and advisory opinions, explains DOJ’s approach to setting bulk thresholds and addresses reporting, recordkeeping and additional due diligence obligations for covered transactions.

The DOJ’s National Security Division is soliciting public feedback on the proposed rule within 30 days of publication in the Federal Register.

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GovCon Index Rose for 5th Consecutive Week
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GovCon Index Rose for 5th Consecutive Week

Executive Mosaic’s GovCon Index rose by 2.00% last week, achieving its highest week-on-week gain since its December 2023 launch. This growth brought the average to $5,617.83.

GovCon Index is an aggregate index that tracks and presents stock market data from 30 key government contracting enterprises in real time. This information offers users a look into the performance of individual GovCon organizations and allows them to evaluate broad trends shaping the industry today.

The Carlyle Group, which grew by 7.67%, was last week’s top gainer, and Fluor (+7.16%) followed closely behind. Curtiss-Wright (+4.78%) and Accenture (+4.28%) took third and fourth place, respectively, and Jacobs (+3.78%) secured the fifth spot in the ranks.

GovCon Index grew every day last week except Tuesday. GovCon Index recorded its highest growth day of the week on Wednesday, when it rose by 1.21%. These increases kept GovCon Index in positive territory for the fifth week in a row.

For more information on daily GovCon Index performance, check out last week’s market reports. To access the full list of tracked companies, visit GovConIndex.com.

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GSA Seeks Industry Input on Open Radio Access Network Services
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GSA Seeks Industry Input on Open Radio Access Network Services

The General Services Administration is conducting market research on current and potential providers of open radio access network, or ORAN, products, services and versions, such as virtual radio access and open virtual radio access networks.

Through the RFI, GSA hopes to gain information that could support its efforts to meet the requirements of the National Strategy to Secure 5G and the Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2020, the agency said Friday.

The RFI is focused on four main areas, two of which are the identification of ORAN market leaders and risk factors. GSA also wants to evaluate current contract language and provisions as related to the government’s 5G strategy and discover areas in which GSA “should develop additional collateral on our vehicles and products for internal and external consumption.”

In support of this initiative, GSA’s Office of Information Technology Category will work to pinpoint current vendors with multiple award schedule contract awards and/or government-wide acquisition contracts for ORAN and associated services and products.  

The agency’s Office of Enterprise Technology Solutions and Technical Account Management Division will also participate in the research.

GSA will accept responses through 5 p.m. Oct. 31.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is also investing in ORAN. In July, Echostar established a lab for vendor ORAN testing, which was financed by a $50 million grant made through the agency’s Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund.

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NASA & Industry Partners Demonstrate Upper-Class E Traffic Management System
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NASA & Industry Partners Demonstrate Upper-Class E Traffic Management System

NASA and partners AeroVironment and Aerostar have demonstrated an air traffic management system that could enable aircraft to operate in higher altitudes.

The agency said Friday that the team tested Upper-Class E traffic management, or ETM, by simulating airspace operations in a laboratory setting at its Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley.

Operating at Upper-Class E Airspace

The demonstration, conducted in the Airspace Operations Laboratory at Ames, used data from multiple air vehicles to create a digital environment in which participants could study the relationship between AeroVironment’s slow fixed-wing vehicle and Aerostar’s high-altitude balloon.

Each aircraft was connected to the ETM traffic management system for high altitude and shared its real-time locations and flight plans with other aircraft. Using this technique, Aerostar and AeroVironment operators were able to coordinate and deconflict without needing approval from air traffic control. The elimination of this step allowed operators to achieve wireless communication relay during the experiment. 

According to NASA, the simulation marks the first time that a traffic management system facilitated diverse high-altitude aircraft operations in the same simulated airspace.

Benefits of Unlocking Higher Altitudes

The Upper-Class ETM was developed in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration as well as commercial organizations. It is part of NASA’s National Airspace System Exploratory Concepts and Technologies, or NExCT, which aims to integrate and scale air traffic across Upper Class E airspace. 

Today, altitudes of 60,000 feet and above are underutilized due to limitations in aircraft engine and propulsion systems, but recent advancements in aviation technology have made it possible for aircraft and airborne vehicles, such as airships and solar aircraft, to fly higher. Leveraging higher altitudes can provide benefits like improved disaster response and better internet coverage. It could also pave the way for advancements in supersonic air travel.

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PSC Provides Feedback on Proposed CMMC Contract Requirements Rule
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PSC Provides Feedback on Proposed CMMC Contract Requirements Rule

The Professional Services Council has responded to a Department of Defense request for comments regarding a proposed Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program rule.

The proposed rule, titled “Assessing Contractor Implementation of Cybersecurity Requirements,” establishes standards for CMMC 2.0, whose final rule has been published, and aims to incorporate new cybersecurity requirements into DOD contracts beginning in 2025, PSC said Thursday.

Improving CMMC Implementation

In the response, PSC called for the proposed rule to clarify guidelines on how CMMC requirements for DOD contracts will be decided by contracting officers and widen CMMC’s focus to secure operational and technical data. The association also questioned whether enough contractors can be certified using existing structures to stay within the three-year implementation schedule of the DOD.

PSC additionally asked how Level 3 certification requirements will be limited to the contracts that really need them.

Working With DOD

David Berteau, president and CEO of the PSC, said improving cybersecurity practices amid increasingly sophisticated threats is necessary, but challenges to the implementation of CMMC persist.

“[We] welcome the opportunity to collaborate further with the department, both within and outside of the rulemaking process … PSC looks forward to working with DOD and the administration on addressing these and other pressing cyber issues,” Berteau added.

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Air Force Seeks Research for Space Domain Awareness Project
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Air Force Seeks Research for Space Domain Awareness Project

The Department of the Air Force wants industry to submit research proposals to support the characterization and assessment of space domain awareness and space superiority.

According to the updated notice posted on Sam.gov Wednesday, the Air Force Research Laboratory is seeking submissions related to the design, development, demonstration and test of technologies for intelligent data tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, analysis and dissemination.

The AFRL expects to issue multiple awards for research services covering experimental techniques and applications from ground, orbital and cyber intelligence analysis. The awards have a combined estimated value of $99 million. Individual awards will likely fall between $1 million and $10 million and last up to four years, but exceptions could be made, provided they do not exceed the available contract ceiling amount.

Interested offerors may submit their proposals by Nov. 30 of each fiscal year beginning in fiscal year 2025 and ending in FY 2029.

Air Force Seeks Research for Space Domain Awareness Project

Want to learn more about key defense technology projects? Hear public and private sector experts discuss top Defense Department technology priorities at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 23.

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BIS Updates Export Controls for Space-Related Products
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BIS Updates Export Controls for Space-Related Products

The Bureau of Industry and Security within the Department of Commerce has issued a final rule amending the Export Administration Regulations, or EAR, to eliminate license requirements for specific space technologies sent to Australia, Canada and the U.K.

The rule aims to strengthen space collaboration with the three countries and covers spacecraft and other items involving remote sensing or space-based logistics, assembly or servicing, the BIS said Thursday.

At the same time, the bureau released an interim final rule updating the EAR to reduce export control requirements on certain space-related items sent to more than 40 U.S. allies and partners. The change is intended to support NASA programs and boost U.S. global leadership in space technology. Interested parties may submit comments on the rule to the Regulations.gov federal rulemaking portal.

The BIS is also seeking feedback on a proposed rule to transfer jurisdiction of certain space-related defense articles that have ceased to provide a significant military or intelligence advantage from the State Department’s U.S. Munitions List to the Commerce Control List. Target technologies include satellites designed to refuel other spacecraft and those built for autonomous collision avoidance.

According to Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, the EAR updates and the proposed rule are important to deepen international partnerships, enable a globally strong and competitive space industrial base and grow the economy.

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OSC Releases New Policy for Responsible AI Use
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OSC Releases New Policy for Responsible AI Use

The Office of Special Counsel has introduced a new policy to guide the management of artificial intelligence within the agency.

To support the policy, OSC compiled an inventory of existing and upcoming AI use cases and instituted a review process for the safe adoption of new covered AI tools, the agency said Wednesday.

According to Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger, OSC will protect fairness, transparency and accountability across the federal workforce.

“OSC will lead by example in the smart and responsible use of artificial intelligence in government,” he said.

The policy includes the creation of a chief AI officer position to supervise agency practices regarding AI capabilities. OSC also formed a task force to identify unlawful AI use and take corrective actions.

The OSC policy is built on the concept of transparency. To foster trust in government, the policy dictates standards for keeping inventories of AI use cases available for review by oversight entities. OSC also launched a website containing relevant information on the agency’s AI policy that is available to the public and U.S.-based watchdogs.

The policy acknowledges that AI will impact government programs and contributes to OSC’s efforts to carry out mission activities as technology advances. It also enables the office to leverage the technology to expand its capacity, accelerate its research efforts and become more efficient.

“Where AI has the potential to affect basic rights and safety, we will proceed responsibly and transparently,” Dellinger stressed.

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Jeff Baur Offers Glimpse Into Navy Logistics IT Modernization Progress
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Jeff Baur Offers Glimpse Into Navy Logistics IT Modernization Progress

The U.S. Navy is advancing a logistics IT modernization initiative intended to update the applications that shipyards, aviation units and other organizations across the service branch use to manage parts, products and equipment, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

This effort — known as Naval Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, or N-MRO — is part of the Navy’s broader LOG IT portfolio and aims to elevate the user experience so parts can be ordered more efficiently.

Jeff Baur, product director for logistics IT services within DON’s Program Executive Office for Manpower, Logistics and Business Solutions, said PEO-MLB is enhancing a commercial off-the-shelf, or COTS, platform to meet these performance goals.

“The sailors are telling us how they want this tool to be configured. So we have determined that, yes, the tool can meet all of our requirements from a technical standpoint. Now it’s a matter of improving the user experience so that it’s easy for them to use,” Baur said at a recent AFCEA event.

“We’re applying that COTS product broadly across the Department of the Navy, against all of the user requirements that we have for shipyards, ships, aviation,” he continued. “And we’re implementing that solution, first starting with organizational level maintenance, but then moving on to intermediate and depot level maintenance.”

In 2020, IFS and Lockheed Martin secured a $233 million contract to modernize and integrate 20 logistics systems in support of the N-MRO program. Through this contract, the companies will deliver a platform infused with predictive analytics, artificial intelligence and digital twin capabilities to address potential equipment failures before they occur.

According to Baur, PEO-MLB recently concluded the initial testing of the platform on a ship and will leverage the results to identify next steps for design and capability improvements.

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