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NIST Director to Step Down After Selection as ANSI CEO
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NIST Director to Step Down After Selection as ANSI CEO

National Institute of Standards and Technology Director Laurie Locascio will step down in early 2025 to serve as the new president and CEO of the American National Standards Institute.

ANSI announced Locascio’s election to the top post on Oct. 8 after the organization’s board meeting, noting that the incoming chief will take over from Joe Bhatia in January, Nextgov/FCW reported Thursday.

In a LinkedIn post, Locascio announced her upcoming transfer from government service to a nonprofit entity tasked with coordinating voluntary standards adoption across U.S. industries. The Department of Commerce undersecretary also thanked Bhatia for nearly “two decades of outstanding leadership” at ANSI.

A Commerce Department spokesperson confirmed on Thursday the NIST chief’s imminent departure, noting that Locascio will remain in her current posts until the scheduled move to ANSI.

Before she was appointed NIST head, Locascio served as vice president for research at the University of Maryland College Park and the University of Maryland Baltimore. Earlier, she worked as a research biomedical engineer at NIST, led the agency’s Material Measurement Laboratory and then served as its associate director for laboratory programs and principal deputy director.

Locascio earned a doctorate in toxicology from the University of Maryland Baltimore, a master’s in bioengineering from the University of Utah and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from James Madison University.

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Alteryx, Partners: AI Policies Must Recognize Role of Integrators
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Alteryx, Partners: AI Policies Must Recognize Role of Integrators

A group of companies comprising Alteryx, Salesforce, Twilio, Box, Kyndryl and Peraton has sent the Artificial Intelligence Task Force within the House of Representatives a letter calling for legislation that more accurately reflects the complexity of the AI ecosystem.

Recognizing AI Integrators

Alteryx said Thursday that most current AI policy proposals focus exclusively on AI developers and deployers while failing to recognize the role that integrators play. Such companies work to integrate existing models and make them more specialized or otherwise enhanced.

By taking integrators into account, policies would be able to provide a framework to benefit companies working on generative AI that can be classified as neither developer nor deployer.

Realizing the Potential of AI

Commenting on the matter, Tommy Ross, the head of global public policy at Alteryx, said, “The AI value chain is a vastly complex and intricate ecosystem with players who fulfill a spectrum of different roles and responsibilities in deploying generative AI models.”

“To accurately capture this complexity and put forth a clear, comprehensive, and workable framework for AI policy, future debates should clarify the roles of AI actors beyond deployers and developers, to include the multiple actors that are heavily involved in AI,” Ross added.

For his part, Peraton Chief Innovation Officer Chris Valentino said, “To realize the full potential of AI, we need a regulatory framework that recognizes the complex roles within the AI value chain.”

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NASA Forms Team to Review Mars Sample Return Program
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NASA Forms Team to Review Mars Sample Return Program

NASA has formed a new strategy review team tasked with evaluating potential architecture changes to the Mars Sample Return Program, an initiative to bring scientifically selected samples from Mars to Earth with the goal of understanding the planet further.

The agency said Wednesday the new team will evaluate 11 design studies proposing methods of bringing the samples to Earth in the 2030s. These NASA-commissioned studies will aim for lower costs and higher efficiency with zero risks and mission complexity.

The team will furnish NASA with a report by the end of 2024 giving its recommendation on a primary architecture for a complete mission design, along with estimated expenses and schedule.

Former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine, a former recipient of the Wash100 Award, will lead the Mars Sample Return Strategy Review team while David Mitchell, chief program management officer at NASA Headquarters, will head the NASA Analysis Team.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, a 2024 Wash100 Award winner, said the Mars Sample Return is vital to plans to launch a rocket off the planet and return safely to Earth.

“It is critical that Mars Sample Return is done in a cost-effective and efficient way, and we look forward to learning the recommendations from the strategy review team to achieve our goals for the benefit of humanity,” said the former senator.

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DOE Solicits Small Nuclear Reactor Proposals Under $900M Funding
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DOE Solicits Small Nuclear Reactor Proposals Under $900M Funding

The Department of Energy has issued a solicitation for project proposals on its $900 million program to deploy Generation III+ small modular reactors, or Gen III+ SMRs, across the United States. 

The solicitation, which follows through on the department’s notice of intent for the program announced in June, seeks to support the private sector in installing domestic Gen III+ SMRs that promote environmental protection, benefit the community, create jobs and boost U.S. nuclear industry leadership, DOE said Wednesday.

In addition, the funding aims to promote the secure and responsible development of advanced U.S. nuclear reactor technologies and spur follow-on projects to meet the demand for reliable, affordable and clean power supporting U.S. climate goals.  

The DOE funding is open in two tiers, with the first allotted $800 million for two teams composed of utility, building and other plant contractors for the first two Gen III+ SMRs. The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations will manage the first tier, which will also potentially involve the National Nuclear Security Administration for the projects’ safeguard and security design.

A $100 million funding is available for the second tier, which will be managed by the Office of Nuclear Energy, to fill key gaps seen as hindering domestic nuclear industry growth, such as design, supplier development and site preparation. 

According to the DOE’s solicitation, funding priority will be extended to proposals with the highest potential for successful deployment, development of a Gen III+ SMR orderbook and advancement of the U.S. nuclear industry’s resilience. The deadline for the submission of project proposals is Jan. 17, 2025.

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NRO to Enhance Data Capabilities With New Tools, More Satellites
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NRO to Enhance Data Capabilities With New Tools, More Satellites

The National Reconnaissance Office is enhancing its data-sharing capabilities by expanding its satellite network with over 100 additional payloads by the end of the year.

The expansion is intended to support warfighters, analysts and first responders by providing them with more reliable and efficient means of organizing and sharing unstructured data through advanced analytics and computing environments, the NRO said Thursday.

Speaking at the Mitchell Institute’s Schriever Spacepower Forum on Thursday, NRO Principal Deputy Director Troy Meink said the agency is leveraging whole-of-government and commercial partnerships to accelerate the adoption and development of new technologies necessary for increasing client demands.

According to Meink, the NRO is collaborating with more industry partners in the defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors to enhance its data science talent base. This has enabled the agency to access new tools such as advanced computing, digital engineering and data analytics, resulting in a boost in its supply chain and launch capabilities.

The NRO is working on expanding its proliferated overhead architecture to achieve what would reportedly be the largest government constellation in history. By increasing the number of satellites in orbit, the volume of data also increases.

“We have been dealing with rapidly growing data volumes almost since our inception more than 60 years ago,” said Meink. “The difference is the new tools we have available to apply to this challenge.”

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CISA, FBI Seek Product Security Bad Practices Feedback
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CISA, FBI Seek Product Security Bad Practices Feedback

The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have released the Product Security Bad Practices catalog for public comment.

CISA said Wednesday the catalog details the risky practices that should be avoided by software manufacturers because of the potential threat they pose against critical infrastructure or national critical functions. The bad practices are categorized into three areas—product properties, security features and organizational processes and policies. The catalog also provides recommendations on how to build secure software.

Public comments will be accepted through the Federal Register at the request for comment on Product Security Bad Practices guidance page until Dec. 2. CISA will evaluate the feedback and make the necessary revisions to the catalog.

CISA Director Jen Easterly, a 2024 Wash100 Award winner, highlighted the risks posed by preventable software defects against critical infrastructure.

“These product security bad practices pose unacceptable risks in this day and age and yet are all too common. We hope that by following this clear-cut, voluntary guidance, software manufacturers can lead by example in taking ownership of their customers’ security outcomes and fostering a secure by design future,” said Easterly.

According to National Cyber Director Harry Coker, Jr., product security bad practices result in wide-ranging consequences often felt by Americans.

“Our private sector partners must shoulder their responsibility and build secure products and I’m glad to see this document as another tool to help software manufacturers do just that,” stated Coker Jr. “We need to work together to prioritize best practices to better protect our nation.”

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Homeland Security Summit to learn more about the country’s most significant threats and what’s being done to thwart them.

CISA, FBI Seek Product Security Bad Practices Feedback
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BAE Systems, Kongsberg Unveil Situational Awareness Tool
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BAE Systems, Kongsberg Unveil Situational Awareness Tool

BAE Systems has partnered with Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace to introduce a new situational awareness tool intended to enhance threat response of warfighters on the battlefield.

BAE Systems said Wednesday the Integrated Combat Solution allows combat vehicles to transmit critical information such as video streams, metadata, target data and slew-to-cue commands during missions. These capabilities enable warfighters in the field to respond quickly to potential threats.

Under the agreement, Kongsberg will develop the ICS tool while BAE Systems will integrate it into the fleet of combat vehicles of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. The collaboration will also cover support for technology advancements throughout the product lifecycles. This includes developing advanced capabilities to keep up with the emerging technologies in the field of warfare.

The ICS utilizes an open-systems approach for seamless integration on any battlefield platform with a weapon system and built-in sensors, enhancing troop safety and survivability.

In addition, the tool’s integrated network enables it to link the sensors on different battlefield assets together. With this feature, users can control weapon stations, turrets, jammers and other effectors from a single interface inside the vehicle.

Andy Corea, vice president and general manager of combat mission systems at BAE Systems, stressing the importance of fast and seamless dissemination of information on the field, stated, “The combined talents of Kongsberg’s innovation and expertise in remote weapon systems and our lead systems integration capability provides the warfighter the opportunity to obtain fully integrated enhanced combat capability — helping them stay aware and unmatched in battle.”

 Kjetil Reiten Myhra, executive vice president of defence systems at Kongsberg, added, “This force multiplier streamlines complicated threat responses, networking mobility platforms and other assets for increased combat capability.”

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Commerce Department Announces CHIPS Funding for Infinera
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Commerce Department Announces CHIPS Funding for Infinera

Infinera could secure up to $93 million in CHIPS and Science Act funding from the Department of Commerce under a signed non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms.

The Commerce Department said Thursday Infinera plans to use the proposed CHIPS funding to support the construction of a new fab in San Jose, California, to increase the production of indium phosphide-based photonic integrated circuits, or InP PICs.

InP PICs are key components in optical network communications that help speed up the transfer of large data volumes in communications spanning broadband networks and data centers.

The funding will also enable the company to build a new test and packaging facility in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to meet the rising demand for InP PICs.

The proposed facility would include a research and development space focused on new optical packaging technologies and the proposed projects are expected to generate up to 1,200 construction jobs and 500 manufacturing jobs.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is taking meaningful steps towards achieving the economic and national security goals of the CHIPS and Science Act with proposed investments like this one, which will help us secure semiconductor manufacturing projects and create high-tech jobs across the country,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

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DLA’s Daniele Kurze on Support for SMBs, Mentor-Protege Program
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DLA’s Daniele Kurze on Support for SMBs, Mentor-Protege Program

Daniele Kurze, director of the Defense Logistics Agency’s Office of Small Business Programs, said helping small businesses address challenges related to the contracting market by helping them find opportunities for sustainment and growth is one of her near-term goals.

When it comes to long-term goals, one of Kurze’s priorities is establishing pilot programs like the one DLA initiated with the U.S. Air Force to establish a single entry point for source approval requests, DLA said Thursday.

“We are really creating a one-stop shop coming to Air Force or DLA, where we have different processes, but we are working to streamline our processes to reduce the administrative lead time to becoming an approved source,” she said Tuesday at a conference in Washington, D.C.

The former director of supplier operations at DLA cited the benefits of the Pathway to Supplier roadmap and offered updates on the agency’s first-ever mentor-protege program.

“DLA just awarded its first three mentor-protege agreements thanks to the collaboration of everyone here in helping us get there,” Kurze said. “We are excited about the program and intend on growing it this year.”

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Steven Nordhaus Takes Command of National Guard Bureau
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Steven Nordhaus Takes Command of National Guard Bureau

Gen. Steven Nordhaus took command of the National Guard Bureau during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia, replacing Gen. Daniel Hokanson, who retired in August.

Before assuming his new responsibility, Nordhaus received his fourth star, earning the general a seat at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the U.S. Air Force said Wednesday.

Navy Adm. Christopher Grady, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a 2022 Wash100 winner, presided over the turnover ceremony.

In his Tuesday acceptance speech, the new NGB chief vowed to focus on people, readiness, partnerships and modernization to ensure that the service remains postured for global competition and responsive in times of domestic crisis.

“Everything I do in this role will be in the service of our people so we can ensure mission success,” Nordhaus stressed.

Nordhaus most recently served as commander of the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and the 1st Air Force. He was responsible for planning and conducting air defense and air sovereignty operations in the continental United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

He also served as NGB’s director of operations and commander of the Air National Guard Readiness Center at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Earlier, the Air Force general was an executive assistant to Army Gen. Frank Grass, the 27th NGB chief.

Nordhaus is a command pilot with over 3,000 flight hours in various aircraft. He has flown combat missions in various operations, including Southern Watch, Vigilant Warrior, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The new NGB head will lead around 46,000 guardsmen spread across the U.S. and abroad to support homeland and international defense deployments.

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