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USS John Basilone Commissioned
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USS John Basilone Commissioned

The USS John Basilone was commissioned during a ceremony held on Nov. 9 and led by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, a Wash100 Award winner.

The Defense Visual Information Distribution Service said Saturday the USS Basilone became the 74th ship of her class at the commissioning ceremony. It is also the second ship to bear the John Basilone name.

The USS John Basilone

The Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer is named after Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, the only enlisted marine to receive a Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross for his exploits during World War II.

Basilone served in the Philippines earning him the the moniker “Manila John.” He then fought in Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, where his heroism earned him the Medal of Honor. Basilone later served in Australia and in Iwo Jima, where he was killed in action.

Diane Hawkins, niece of Basilone, spoke at the ceremony and detailed her journey of retracing her uncle’s heroic military past. Aside from highlighting Basilone’s heroism on the battlefield, Hawkins also talked about his wife, Lenah Riggi and thanked the crew of the newly commissioned ship.

Del Toro mentioned in his speech that the ship’s sponsors, Ryan Manion and Amy Looney Heffernen, both from Gold Star families, will guide USS Basilone and the crew, based on naval tradition. The Navy Secretary also reminded the crew that, “Service is not an obligation, it is a privilege, a chance to be part of something greater than ourselves and uphold the values that define us as a nation.”

The commissioning ceremony was attended by marines from John Basilone’s 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment.

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VA Plans Grants to Support Veterans’ Telehealth Program
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VA Plans Grants to Support Veterans’ Telehealth Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning a grant program for telehealth access portals in non-VA facilities, an initiative that will end copayments for all of the department’s telehealth services. 

Focused on rural and medically underserved veteran communities, the program—called Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations, or ATLAS—would fund nonprofits and private businesses offering veterans comfortable venues providing high-speed internet access for remote consultations with VA healthcare providers, the department said Monday.

The ATLAS grants would also allocate funds for training onsite support personnel for the program. 

Public Input on Grant Guidelines

The VA is publishing its proposed program guidelines in the Federal Register for public comment starting Wednesday. The department will release a notice on the ATLAS funding opportunity after the publication of the program’s final guidelines.

ATLAS is part of the U.S. government’s current efforts to expand healthcare access and lower its costs for veterans. In September, tele-emergency care was opened nationwide for all veterans enrolled in VA Health Connect, a phone service that enables immediate medical consultations with healthcare professionals. 

The VA has also started waiving copays for the first three outpatient mental healthcare consultations of veterans each year and expanded the clinic schedules available to them.

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NASA Seeks Comments on Draft EASS 4 Solicitation
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NASA Seeks Comments on Draft EASS 4 Solicitation

NASA’s Langley Research Center is inviting interested parties to comment on a draft request for proposal for a five-year Evaluations, Assessments, Studies, Services and Support 4, or EASS 4, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity recompete contract.

According to a presolicitation notice posted on SAM.gov on Friday, work under the potential contract, expected to be awarded in July 2025 to a small business, will support the research center’s Science Office for Mission Assessments responsible for the management and oversight of evaluations, assessments and studies of Earth and space science instruments for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, or SMD.

Contract Requirements and Competition Deadlines

Contract work includes proposal and concept study report evaluations; independent reviews of missions, investigations and programs; and studies of scientific, technical, schedule, cost and other aspects of SMD missions and investigations.

Comments regarding the draft solicitation, including about the requirements, schedules, proposal instructions and evaluation approaches, should be submitted via email by Nov. 14. NASA expects the final RFP to be released by Dec. 10, with proposals due approximately 60 calendar days later.

A pre-proposal conference will be held in mid-January 2025 after the final request is posted on SAM.gov.

Cornell Technical Services is the incumbent contractor on the $111.8 million EASSS 3 contract awarded in September 2020.

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DOC Invests in Corning & Powerex to Boost Chip Supply Chain
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DOC Invests in Corning & Powerex to Boost Chip Supply Chain

The U.S. Department of Commerce has invested up to $35 million for the expansion and modernization of two companies, aimed at enhancing the nation’s semiconductor industry.

The DOC said Friday it signed two separate preliminary memoranda of terms awarding Corning up to $32 million and Powerex up to $3 million in proposed direct funding to develop their respective facilities in Canton, New York and Youngwood, Pennsylvania. The proposed CHIPS and Science Act investment is expected to boost the production of key semiconductor components and create hundreds of jobs.

Goals of Commerce’s Investments

The expansion of Corning’s manufacturing facility will create 130 manufacturing jobs and over 175 construction jobs while Powerex’s back-end production facility will create more than 55 manufacturing jobs and 20 construction jobs.

Through the investment, Corning can boost production of its High Purity Fused Silica and EXTREME Ultra Low Expansion Glass, used in manufacturing deep ultraviolet and extreme ultraviolet lithography machines and photomasks. The company will also develop a novel technology manufacturing process to strengthen the domestic supply chain for these critical components.

Powerex, meanwhile, manufactures semiconductor power modules used in F-35 fighter jets and other defense applications.

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, remarked, “These proposed actions are creating quality jobs across the country while advancing U.S. technological leadership.” 

Wendell Weeks, CEO and chairman of Corning, said, “This proposed investment and the continued commitment in Canton will enable us to establish the next-generation manufacturing capabilities needed to produce vital materials for lithography tools that will develop the world’s most complex microchips, strengthening our commitment to advancing semiconductor technology and job creation in the United States.”

Powerex CEO Joseph Wolf, added, “This proposed investment allows us to meet rising demand with U.S.-made products while building a stronger future for our team and community.”

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DOD, NASA, GSA to Revise Pre-Award Registration Requirements
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DOD, NASA, GSA to Revise Pre-Award Registration Requirements

The Department of Defense, NASA and General Services Administration have issued an interim rule to amend the System for Award Management solicitation provision and its pre-award registration requirements.

In a Federal Register notice published on Tuesday, the agencies announced that the interim rule will revise the Federal Acquisition Regulation to clarify that contracting companies must be registered during bid submissions and the resulting contract awards. However, offerors will not be required to be registered between the two points.

Avoiding False Assumptions

The interim rule intends to update instructions for SAM registration and rectify an inconsistency regarding the timing of offerors’ registration. It clarifies that a registration lapse that occurred after a proposal submission but was corrected before the contract award will not make an offeror ineligible for award under FAR. The clarification should avoid false assumptions and prevent the unnecessary loss of resources for businesses.

The three agencies called on interested parties to submit written comments on the interim rule, noting that the input would be considered in finalizing the regulation.

The Regulatory Secretariat Division will accept submissions until Jan. 13, 2025.

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Immersive Wisdom Wins AFWERX Contract for Collaboration Software
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Immersive Wisdom Wins AFWERX Contract for Collaboration Software

Immersive Wisdom, a company that offers proven TRL-9 distributed communications and ops center software platform for digital war rooms in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited-bandwidth, or DDIL, environments, has booked a strategic funding increase contract from AFWERX and Air Combat Command for its low-bandwidth and no-bandwidth digital war room collaboration software.

The Boca Raton, Florida-based company said Tuesday the STRATFI contract, backed by funding from three DOD commands, expedites the deployment of the collaboration software worldwide.

Immersive Wisdom Collaboration Software

The low-bandwidth and no-bandwidth collaboration software enables disaggregated or decentralized communications in hostile conditions.

Mike Appelbaum, CEO of Immersive Wisdom, stated, “Three distinct DOD Commands participating in this STRATFI is a significant testament to the critical need for low and no-bandwidth communications capabilities across DOD. We are delivering digital war rooms worldwide that connect geographically distributed warfighters, closing massive time and distance gaps, regardless of underlying communications infrastructure.”

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FAA Seeks Vendors to Provide AI, Data Analytic Services
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FAA Seeks Vendors to Provide AI, Data Analytic Services

The Federal Aviation Administration is conducting market research to identify qualified sources that can provide artificial intelligence tools and data analytic services to improve aviation standards and practices.

The agency seeks experienced service providers to support its vision of developing advanced safety and non-safety analytics capabilities, according to a Wednesday notice posted on SAM.gov.

Upcoming Contract Requirements and Objective

The government expects the potential sources to demonstrate expertise in using analytics, AI and machine learning to modernize aviation safety and non-safety insights. The vendors should also be knowledgeable in aviation data and must provide analytics solutions to enhance operational safety and reduce errors.

Through the upcoming requirement, the FAA intends to proactively identify and mitigate safety and non-safety risks and deploy AI and ML for deep analysis of safety and non-safety data to generate actionable insights. In addition, the agency aims to integrate various data sources to create a comprehensive view of safety and non-safety factors in the National Airspace System.

Technical Expertise

Ultimately, the effort aims to accelerate the FAA’s safety and non-safety capabilities and use an industry partner’s advanced technical expertise to ensure continuous improvement in U.S. aviation standards and practices.

The collected feedback will inform the agency’s final acquisition approach for the requirement. Comments and questions will be accepted until Nov. 22.

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Joint Base Lewis-McChord Opens Information Systems Facility
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Joint Base Lewis-McChord Opens Information Systems Facility

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord, or JBLM, Network Enterprise Center has launched its new Information Systems Facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Nov. 6 at the military installation’s headquarters in Washington.

Information Systems Facility Purpose and Features

The U.S. Army said Saturday the construction of the new facility is meant to enhance the delivery of IT support to mission partners and JBLM staff. The ISF building will serve as the central hub for five other buildings and streamline IT operations, working to boost service response times.

The NEC currently manages around 40,000 trouble tickets a year. It also supports 37,000 voice lines and 15,000 workstations. The ISF is expected to strengthen IT support for users. Furthermore, the new facility will help enhance network operations and promote collaboration with modern workspaces.

The ISF building, which will house a team of professionals, is equipped with protective features that safeguard it against environmental and technological threats.

Retired Lt. Col. Amy Ridgeway, NEC director, remarked, “The building before us is more than just our new information Systems Facility; it’s the physical embodiment of our vision for the future and our commitment to continue to provide all of JBLM with superb support.”

Col. Kent Park, Joint Base Garrison Commander described the ISF as “an extraordinary achievement, given that NEC provides support to the largest Army-led joint base in the United States and one whose population ranks 4th largest worldwide.”

Col. Kathryn Sanborn, commander of U.S. Army Corps Engineers, or USACE, commended the parties involved in the creation of the ISF. She mentioned USACE, Seattle District’s ISF project delivery team, JBLM Directorate of Public Works, Network Enterprise Technology Command, Network Enterprise Center and the Walsh contractor team.

Tom Homan Chosen as Trump’s ‘Border Czar’
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Tom Homan Chosen as Trump’s ‘Border Czar’

Tom Homan, former director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has been appointed “border czar” by President-elect Donald Trump.

In a Sunday post on his social network Truth Social, Trump announced the selection of Homan to join his incoming administration to oversee borders and deportations. The President-elect wrote that Homan will oversee “all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin.”

“I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our borders,” Trump said. 

Gain insights from U.S. border officials on the future of border security at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 13. Reserve your spot for the event now, before it’s too late! 

Tom Homan’s Border Operations Work

In 2017, when Homan was acting director of ICE during Trump’s initial presidential term, the number of immigrants detained reportedly increased by 40 percent compared to the prior year. In recent years, ICE has received backlash due to reported cases of illegal mistreatment of migrants throughout deportation operations. 

In response to concerns, Homan said that ICE would work to institute Trump’s “Operation Aura” deportation plan humanely in an interview on Fox News Channel’s Sunday Morning Futures. 

“It’s going to be a well-targeted, planned operation conducted by the men of ICE. The men and women of ICE do this daily. They’re good at it,” Homan said. “When we go out there, we’re going to know who we’re looking for. We most likely know where they’re going to be, and it’s going to be done in a humane manner.”

Homan previously served as the assistant director of enforcement in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Additionally, Trump named Stephen Miller, a former senior adviser, as his deputy chief of staff for policy.

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Alvin Holsey Appointed SOUTHCOM Commander
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Alvin Holsey Appointed SOUTHCOM Commander

U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey has been appointed commander of U.S. Southern Command.

SOUTHCOM said Holsey officially took over Gen. Laura Richardson during a change-of-command ceremony on Nov. 7 at the SOUTHCOM Headquarters in Doral, Florida. Holsey, whose presidential nomination was confirmed by the Senate on Sept. 24, was also promoted to admiral before the event, which was overseen by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, a three-time Wash100 Award winner.

Alvin Holsey’s Military Career

Holsey most recently served as SOUTHCOM’s military deputy commander. The Naval officer’s 36-year career, which began in 1988, included several deployments aboard U.S. Navy frigates and cruisers. He also flew missions on SH-2F Seasprite and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters.

The new SOUTHCOM commander led a helicopter anti-submarine squadron and the first hybrid electric propulsion warship. He also commanded the USS Makin Island and Carrier Strike Group One aboard the USS Carl Vinson.

Holsey also served as deputy director for operations at the National Military Command Center for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and deputy chief of naval personnel at Navy Personnel Command.

The seasoned naval aviator is the first commander of the International Maritime Security Construct and Coalition Task Force Sentinel, a naval coalition responsible for ensuring maritime security in the Middle East. The coalition established freedom of navigation, free flow of commerce, stability of maritime commons and adherence to international law in the region.

Furthermore, Holsey is the first SOUTHCOM commander of African-American descent.

“We are making history today,” said Austin during the ceremony. “The first woman commander of SOUTHCOM passes the baton to the first African-American commander of SOUTHCOM.”

Holsey reaffirmed SOUTHCOM’s commitment to strengthen partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean, saying, “Partnerships are our best deterrence to countering shared security and economic concerns. We will always be there for like-minded nations, who share our values, our democracy, our rule of law and human rights.”

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