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Report: US Military Seeks to Modernize Intell Database, Processes
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Report: US Military Seeks to Modernize Intell Database, Processes


Report: US Military Seeks to Modernize Intell Database, ProcessesDefense officials at the 2018 DoDIIS Worldwide Conference have said the U.S. military is set to leverage a new data analytics system that will help modernize intelligence databases and accelerate data processing operations, C4ISRNET reported Thursday.

The Machine-Assisted Analysis Rapid-Repository System or MARS will succeed the Modernize Intelligence Database, which has been collecting intelligence data for the defense intelligence enterprise over the past 20 years.

Jack Gumtow, chief information officer of the Defense Intelligence Agency, stated that MARS will help streamline data analysis processes, identify static and mobile military forces and advancements in adversary technology and boost collaboration with the private sector.

The new platform will also house data in a cloud environment and work to meet the needs of specific analysts and missions, according to MARS Program Manager Terry Busch.

Busch noted that MARS is in its early stages and that Congress still needs to approve the system before DIA moves forward with the development program.

DIA is currently seeking industry feedback on the new data analytics system based on a prototype that the agency developed.

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Intelligence Community to Adopt New IT Practices in Second Modernization Era
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Intelligence Community to Adopt New IT Practices in Second Modernization Era


Intelligence Community to Adopt New IT Practices in Second Modernization Era
John Sherman

John Sherman, chief information officer of the Intelligence Community, said the IC will implement new information technology practices as it enters the second modernization era to boost coordination across several federal agencies, C4ISRNET reported Wednesday.

Sherman noted during the DoDIIS Worldwide Conference that the new IT effort will help the U.S. keep pace with advancements over the next 10 years.

The modernization initiative will include developing new systems to meet user needs and boost the productivity of workers, as well as modifying the flexibility of the desktop environment for various architectures and standards.

Sherman stated that the Collaboration Reference Architecture will still help standardize services that agencies can deploy for their operational needs.

The second wave of IT modernization will also focus on maintaining a secret classification sphere, upgrading cybersecurity systems and forming collaborations.

Sherman added that he expects the effort to solidify a partnership with the Defense Department and the defense intelligence enterprise.

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Amy Hess Named FBI Executive Assistant Director for Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Operations
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Amy Hess Named FBI Executive Assistant Director for Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Operations


Amy Hess Named FBI Executive Assistant Director for Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Operations
Amy Hess

FBI has appointed Amy Hess to serve as the executive assistant director of the criminal, cyber, response and services branch of the agency.

The law enforcement organization said Tuesday Hess has left her position as special agent in charge of FBI’s office in Louisville, Ky., which she held for nearly two years.

She joined FBI in 1991 as a special agent assigned in the agency’s office in Kansas City, Mo.,  where she conducted investigations on violent crimes, gangs and drug trafficking organizations.

Over her 27-year career in FBI, Hess contributed to counterterrorism operations and led the agency’s inspection, international operations, operational technology, and science and technology divisions.

She also previously oversaw FBI’s offices in Washington, D.C.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Memphis, Tenn.

Hess graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering.

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IARPA Deputy Director Stacey Dixon Promoted to Director
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IARPA Deputy Director Stacey Dixon Promoted to Director


IARPA Deputy Director Stacey Dixon Promoted to Director
Stacey Dixon

Stacey Dixon, deputy director at the Intelligence Advance Research Projects Activity, has been appointed to serve as the agency’s director, succeeding Jason Matheny.

She has more than 15 years of science and technology experience in the intelligence community, having held positions at the CIA, the National Reconnaissance Office and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said Tuesday.

At the CIA, she contributed work on advanced satellite systems under the agency’s directorate of S&T.

Later on, Dixon led various NGA components such as the Office of Information Integration and Research directorate; she also served as the agency’s chief of congressional and intergovernmental affairs.

She then entered IARPA in January 2016 as deputy director.

“I look forward to her continued work in delivering breakthrough capabilities to partners throughout the national security community,” said Dan Coats, director of national intelligence.

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OIG: State Dept Failed to Perform OMB-Mandated Studies on New Programs
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OIG: State Dept Failed to Perform OMB-Mandated Studies on New Programs


OIG: State Dept Failed to Perform OMB-Mandated Studies on New ProgramsThe State Department’s inspector general recently called out the agency for failing to perform value engineering studies on numerous new programs worth more than $5 million as required by Office of Management and Budget‘s Circular A-131.

The inspector general said in an August 13 report that the State Department had, as of June 7, engaged in “532 procurement actions related to… contracts” that exceeded the $5 million threshold without conducting the requisite VE analysis, according to USASpending.gov.

OMB Circular A-131 describes value engineering as “a methodology for analyzing functions of an item or process” to determine “the lowest life-cycle cost while maintaining acceptable levels of performance and quality.”

The circular instructs agencies to carry out VE studies “to ensure realistic budgets” as well as “identify and remove nonessential capital and operating costs.”

The inspector general attributed the State Department’s lack of a VE program in part to the absence of a senior accountable official, whose appointment is also mandated by the OMB circular.

The government watchdog subsequently recommended that the agency appoint an SAO “with sufficient authority to… ensure the appropriate consideration and use of value engineering” and consult with the same official to implement an agency-wide VE program.

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Thomas McCaffery to be Nominated DoD Asst Secretary for Health Affairs
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Thomas McCaffery to be Nominated DoD Asst Secretary for Health Affairs


Thomas McCaffery to be Nominated DoD Asst Secretary for Health Affairs
Thomas McCaffery

President Trump intends to nominate Thomas McCaffery, acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, to assume the role on a full-time basis, the White House announced Monday.

McCaffery concurrently serves as principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for health affairs and oversees the Defense Health Program‘s $50 billion annual budget.

He oversees the delivery of healthcare services to approximately 9.4 million active-duty service members, military veterans and their families.

His public sector career also includes time as chief deputy director at the California Department of Health Services and a staff position staff at the Washington, D.C. Office of the state’s governor.

He also held vice president roles at California State Partnerships and Blue Shield‘s CalPERS sector, as well as served as chief operating officer and VP at the Alliance of Catholic Health Care.

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Report: Kay Ely to Work With GSA-OPM Merger Task Force Prior to Retirement
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Report: Kay Ely to Work With GSA-OPM Merger Task Force Prior to Retirement


Report: Kay Ely to Work With GSA-OPM Merger Task Force Prior to Retirement
Kay Ely

Kay Ely, assistant commissioner for information technology at the General Services Administration’s Federal Acquisition Service, is set to leave the agency by Sept. 30 to take a 90-day assignment related to the GSA-Office of Personnel Management merger, Federal News Radio reported Monday.

Ely will initially work with a task force in charge of the GSA-OPM merger over the three-month period before she goes into retirement by Dec. 31.

She joined GSA in 2011 after a five-year tenure at OPM, where she served as chief learning officer and deputy associate director for contracting, facilities and administrative services.

She previously worked at ASI Government and served four terms on the advisory board of the National Contract Management Association.

Ely also worked at the Office of Management and Budget’s office of federal procurement policy as associate administrator for acquisition implementation.

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Gen. John Hyten: Stratcom, SOCOM Depend on Intelligence, Data
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Gen. John Hyten: Stratcom, SOCOM Depend on Intelligence, Data

 

Gen. John Hyten: Stratcom, SOCOM Depend on Intelligence, Data
John Hyten

Gen. John Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, has said Stratcom and Special Operations Command are both warfighting commands that rely on intelligence and information, DVIDS reported Monday.

“If we don’t have intelligence information, all the capabilities [both commands have] are pretty much useless,” he said Monday at the 2018 Department of Defense Intelligence Information System Worldwide Conference.

Hyten, two-time Wash100 awardee, cited how technological developments and hostile threats have changed the way Stratcom looks at deterrence and warfighting and discussed the need for a flexible force.

“Success in the future is going to be when we apply capabilities through whatever domain we have to, through whatever means we have to, and we don’t care where it comes from or where it goes to as long as it dominates the adversary,” he added.

 

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VA Hires Retired Col. Pamela Powers in Series of Leadership Moves
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VA Hires Retired Col. Pamela Powers in Series of Leadership Moves


VA Hires Retired Col. Pamela Powers in Series of Leadership Moves
Pamela Powers

The Department of Veterans Affairs has appointed Pamela Powers, a more than 28-year U.S. Air Force veteran, as chief of staff and named three other senior officials to help implement President Trump’s priorities for the VA.

Powers is a retired Air Force colonel who previously held a similar position in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the department said Monday.

Chris Syrek, formerly executive director of VA’s state and local government affairs, will serve as deputy chief of staff.

Former acting VA Secretary Peter O’Rourke will assume a senior adviser role and Jacquelyn Hayes-Byrd, who most recently served as acting chief of staff, will be acting assistant for human resources and administration.

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Gen. Paul Selva Calls for US Nuclear Enterprise Modernization
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Gen. Paul Selva Calls for US Nuclear Enterprise Modernization


Gen. Paul Selva Calls for US Nuclear Enterprise Modernization
Paul Selva

U.S. Air Force Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during an Air Force Association breakfast event held Friday the military needs to recapitalize and modernize the U.S. nuclear enterprise, DoD News reported Friday.

He told event audience that nuclear triad recapitalization efforts should include replacing current intercontinental ballistic missiles and constructing the Columbia-class nuclear submarine and a new bomber aircraft.

Selva added the Nuclear Posture Review document released in February covered key elements and capabilities of nuclear deterrence.

Additionally, he noted that U.S. needs to sustain the country’s deterrence capability it achieved during the Cold War.

The military has used Minuteman III IBCMs since the missile technology’s launch in 1968.

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