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DOE Seeks Proposals for AI Data Centers, Energy Projects at Savannah River Site, Oak Ridge
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Department of Energy logo. DOE is seeking private sector proposals to build AI data centers and energy projects.

The Department of Energy has opened new opportunities for private sector partners to develop artificial intelligence data centers and energy generation projects on federal land. Requests for proposals issued this week cover projects at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina and the Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee, DOE said Tuesday.

The solicitations align with executive orders aimed at advancing U.S. leadership in both AI and energy development by leveraging federal land for the rapid deployment of next-generation data and power infrastructure. 

Savannah River Site Opportunities

At Savannah River Site, the National Nuclear Security Administration has identified 10 land tracts totaling more than 3,100 acres for potential development. Proposals may integrate innovative energy generation and storage with AI data center construction. Selected organizations will enter into one or more long-term leases and assume full responsibility for building, operating and decommissioning infrastructure projects.

Proposals will be evaluated on technological maturity, financial feasibility and regulatory compliance plans. To support interested bidders, NNSA will host a virtual industry day for an overview of requirements and the submission process.

NNSA will accept responses to the RFP until Dec. 5.

Oak Ridge Reservation Projects

DOE’s Office of Science and Office of Environmental Management issued a parallel RFP for Oak Ridge Reservation. Two parcels of land are available for the  AI and energy generation projects: one at the East Tennessee Technology Park and another adjacent to Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“As one of the original Manhattan Project sites, Oak Ridge is now poised to play a role in what has been dubbed Manhattan Project 2.0 as the Department ushers in a golden era of American energy to fuel the AI race,” said DOE Acting Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management Joel Bradburne. “This is the next step forward in the transformation from nuclear remediation site to nuclear renaissance hub.”

As with Savannah River, industry partners must fund and manage all aspects of construction, operations and decommissioning, as well as obtain necessary interconnection agreements.

Proposals for Oak Ridge are due Dec. 1, with an industry day and site tours scheduled for Oct.15. 

The Savannah River Site and the Oak Ridge Reservation are two of the four federal sites designated for AI and energy initiatives involving private sector partners. 

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Army Completes First Launched Effects Technology Field Demonstration
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U.S. Army logo. The U.S. Army completed the first Launched Effects–Short Range Special User Demonstration, or LE-SR SUD.

The U.S. Army recently completed the Launched Effects–Short Range Special User Demonstration, or LE-SR SUD, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, from Aug. 4 to 22.

Operational Deployment of Launched Effects Technology

The LE-SR SUD, the first field use of Launched Effects by operational units, aimed to validate initial requirements and to gather soldier feedback after deploying the technology across various formations, the Army said Thursday. The demonstration is also intended to reduce risks and fast-track the deployment of LE technology across active-duty divisions by late 2026.

With Launched Effects, the Army presents a new method for addressing battlefield challenges. It works to enable forces to respond decisively, navigate complex scenarios and sustain a strategic edge in future large-scale combat operations.

“Launched Effects are a game-changing capability and will revolutionize how we operate in contested environments. Employed at echelon, they allow us to maneuver against enemy forces while striking decisively at key targets and safeguarding our formations,” stated Brig. Gen. David Phillips, program executive officer for aviation.

Soldier Training & Feedback

The LE-SR SUD implemented a phased “crawl, walk, run” training methodology, beginning with classroom education on system operation and upkeep, advancing to field exercises and concluding with immersive, use-case-driven scenarios. This structured progression strengthened soldiers’ mastery and confidence in employing the new system.

The participating soldiers provided feedback on system performance, training and integration. Their assessments will be used to evaluate the LE’s impact on materiel, doctrine and personnel planning.

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State Department Releases 2026 AI Strategy to Equip Diplomats With New Tools
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State Secretary Marco Rubio. The Department of State unveiled its 2026 Enterprise Data and Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

The Department of State unveiled its Enterprise Data and Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2026 on Sept. 30.

The plan aims to modernize diplomacy using data and AI, with two main goals: pioneering advanced statecraft and accelerating AI adoption across operations.

Advancing AI-Driven Statecraft

The initiative outlines plans to equip diplomats with AI tools for real-time insights and decision-making, including AI.State, a centralized repository of AI resources, and StateChat, the department’s first generative AI chatbot.

The department also intends to build secure and flexible AI-enabling infrastructure, foster collaboration across federal agencies, and future-proof the diplomatic workforce.

Enhancing Data Infrastructure

The 2026 AI plan also focuses on modernizing the State Department’s data infrastructure by adopting AI and data technologies. The department plans to broaden access to essential operational data and deploy autonomous AI systems capable of managing administrative tasks, emergency responses and oversight of foreign assistance. It aims to coordinate investments to optimize resources and streamline risk management processes for secure experimentation.

Remarks From State Department Leaders

“Winning the AI race is nonnegotiable,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “America must continue to be the dominant force in artificial intelligence to promote prosperity and protect our economic and national security,” added the 2025 Wash100 Award winner.

“With the launch of our combined Enterprise Data and AI Strategy, we are poised to unlock a new era of diplomatic innovation,” stated Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Michael Rigas. 

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Space Force Declares L3Harris’ ATLAS Operational, Boosting Domain Awareness
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Ed Zoiss, president of space and airborne systems at L3Harris. Zoiss comments on ATLAS' new milestone

L3Harris Technologies’ Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System, or ATLAS, has achieved operational status.

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Operations Command said Tuesday that ATLAS underwent a comprehensive assessment that tested the system’s capabilities, performance and operational readiness.

“The ATLAS team remains dedicated to continuous improvement, ensuring that the software is continuously evolved to meet emerging gaps in step with the evolution of space capabilities,” commented Shannon Pallone, program executive officer for battle management command, control and communications at SSC. “Achieving operational acceptance is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our teams and mission partners who worked together to deliver critical capabilities that advance USSF’s Space Domain Awareness mission.”

The system is meant to replace the Space Force’s Space Defense Operations Center, or SPADOC, which has been monitoring satellites, spacecraft and dangerous space junk since the ‘80s.

A spokesperson for the Space Operations Command told Breaking Defense that the Space Force has no timeline for SPADOC’s retirement, but Pallone noted that, when it happens, it will be a “major coup.”

What Is ATLAS?

In 2018, L3Harris received an initial contract valued at $53 million for ATLAS, which is intended to deliver enhanced situational awareness and decision-making capabilities for the increasingly complex space domain.

The system combines space domain awareness, command and control, intelligence, operational and system readiness-relevant data to enable warfighters to counter anti-satellite threats.

“The Space Force requires timely, accurate and relevant information to avoid operational surprise, and ATLAS meets this demand by providing essential and actionable space domain awareness,” Ed Zoiss, president of space and airborne systems at L3Harris, said in a company press release.

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Hung Cao Confirmed as Navy Under Secretary
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Hung Cao. The former Virginia Republican Senate candidate was confirmed by the Senate as the Navy under secretary.

The Senate on Wednesday voted 52-45 to confirm Hung Cao, a former Virginia Republican Senate candidate, as the next under secretary of the Navy.

In February, President Donald Trump nominated Cao to be the second-highest ranking civilian official in the Department of the Navy.

Who Is Hung Cao?

According to his LinkedIn profile, the retired Navy captain and deep sea diver most recently served as a vice president and Navy and Marine Corps client executive at CACI International.

Cao served in the Navy for 25 years, holding a wide range of leadership positions, including division chief of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, director of counter-improvised threats in Afghanistan and commanding officer of the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center. 

He founded a nonprofit organization for visually impaired children and created mentorship programs to develop leaders at various commands.

The former special operations officer has a bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master’s degree in applied physics from the Naval Postgraduate School.

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Appropriations Lapse Prompts NOAA to Issue Notice to Contractors
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration logo. NOAA issued a notice to contractors amid a funding lapse.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a notice to contractors clarifying how contracts and purchase orders should be handled amid a lapse in federal appropriations.

In a Wednesday memo to NOAA contractors, Acting NOAA Director Rafael Rivera said the agency authorizes contracts and purchase orders to continue provided that they are not impacted by the funding lapse.

According to NOAA, service and supply contracts may continue if they have already been funded and do not require active administration by government employees or access to government facilities.

NOAA Urges Vendors to Consult With Contracting Officers

Government personnel may not be available to accept delivery during the period of a funding lapse. NOAA is urging vendors to consult with a contracting officer before making a delivery.

“Contracts with unexercised options and contracts that are partially funded contain self-limiting terms and conditions that prohibit performance of unfunded work,” Rivera wrote in the memo.

Contracts Classified as ‘Excepted’ or ‘Non-Excepted’

According to the notice, some contracts that rely on government facilities, resources or personnel will require special attention. These may be designated as either “excepted” or “non-excepted.”

Contractors in this category are advised to contact their contracting officer for further guidance. If a contract is deemed “excepted,” vendors will be granted facility access through a list maintained by security personnel.

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DOD Launches Spectrum-Sharing Initiative With Industry & Academic Partners
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Katie Arrington, who is performing DOD CIO duties. The DOD launched the ASC Demonstration to advance spectrum-sharing tech.

The Department of Defense, in collaboration with the National Spectrum Consortium, has launched the Advanced Spectrum Coexistence, or ASC, Demonstration and selected the five initial project teams participating in the initiative.

The Office of the DOD Chief Information Officer said Wednesday the effort, previously known as the Advanced Dynamic Spectrum Sharing Demonstration, aims to rapidly develop innovative spectrum-sharing technologies that adhere to the guidelines detailed in the 2023 Emerging Midband Radar Spectrum Sharing report. The effort is intended to create 5G and next-generation technologies for military and national applications.

The project, conducted through an other transaction agreement with the NSC, aims to transform how the DOD utilizes the electromagnetic spectrum, enhancing national security and economic strength.

Katie Arrington, who is performing the duties of the DOD chief information officer and is a previous Wash100 Award winner, described the demonstration as a “critical investment” in strengthening national security and economic competitiveness.

“Innovative solutions for spectrum sharing promote warfighter lethality to ensure our military has access when needed,” Arrington said.

Diverse Industry and Academic Partnership

The ASC Demonstration teams comprise 26 U.S.-based companies and academic institutions, including 21 small, non-profit or non-traditional defense contractors. DOD subject matter experts selected their proposals after a rigorous evaluation process.

The five prime contractors that will lead the chosen project teams are:

  • Interdigital Communications
  • Kostas Research Institution at Northeastern University
  • Nokia Federal Solutions
  • Peraton Labs
  • RTX BBN Technologies
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VA Publishes AI Adoption Strategy to Enhance Veteran Services
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Department of Veterans Affairs logo. VA released a strategy to expand the use of artificial intelligence.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has released a strategy to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence, aiming to streamline workflows, improve healthcare delivery, accelerate benefits processing and strengthen veterans’ trust in the agency.

VA Publishes AI Adoption Strategy to Enhance Veteran Services

The Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Healthcare Summit will bring together government and industry leaders on Dec. 4 to explore innovations in federal healthcare technology, warfighter health and citizen services. Register now to connect with top decision-makers and shape the future of public health.

Modernizing Service Delivery

VA described artificial intelligence as a transformational capability that can reduce administrative burdens and give staff more time to focus on direct, high-impact services. Early pilots such as VA GPT, Teams Premium and GitHub Copilot have already demonstrated measurable efficiency gains, with some users saving up to 10 hours of work each month. Building on these results, VA intends to expand employee access to cost-effective AI applications, including virtual assistants, automated documentation and AI-supported claims adjudication.

Reshaping Core Workflows

A central element of the strategy is the redesign of major processes across VA’s three administrations: the Veterans Health Administration, Veteran Benefits Administration and the National Cemetery Administration. In VHA, clinicians will benefit from AI-enabled transcription, clinical documentation and real-time decision support tools. For VBA, AI will help automate eligibility determinations and claims processing. In NCA, AI assistants will aid in scheduling and eligibility reviews. Meanwhile, the Veterans Experience Office will use voicebots and AI-enabled identity verification to streamline routine inquiries and reinforce protections against fraud.

Building Data Infrastructure

VA’s vision is to establish a modern, flexible AI infrastructure that supports safe experimentation, rapid scaling of proven tools and alignment with broader enterprise data modernization. The initiative is expected to result in high-quality and authoritative data that will drive AI applications across the department, from early pilots to fully scaled implementations.

To reach this goal, VA is prioritizing improvements in access and governance. This includes reducing onboarding times for data scientists and engineers, expanding reusable tooling and shared services for responsible AI development, and accelerating the path from experimentation to production. The department also plans to use real-world AI deployments to shape infrastructure standards.

Central to this effort is strengthening stewardship of data. VA is assigning clear business and technical roles, expanding the enterprise data catalog to track AI-driven products and defining responsibilities tailored to AI-specific needs. At the same time, VA will ensure that authoritative data on veterans is consistently maintained, secure and available across systems, creating a reliable foundation for scaling AI responsibly.

Developing an AI-Ready Workforce

Recognizing that responsible AI adoption depends on both technical expertise and cultural readiness, VA is creating a workforce strategy that combines centralized leadership with distributed innovation. The department is establishing a hub-and-spoke model, anchored by two central organizations: the Office of the Chief AI Officer and the National Artificial Intelligence Institute. These hubs will set strategy, standards and governance, while local “spokes” — teams embedded in regional networks and program offices — will adapt and apply AI to mission-specific needs.

As part of this effort, VA plans to stand up an “AI Corps” of at least 10 dedicated subject matter experts recruited through direct hiring and federal technology fellowship programs. These specialists will lead development across data science, model design, standards and AI literacy. 

The strategy also emphasizes broad-based literacy. Every computer-based employee will receive general-purpose training on the use of generative AI in VA workflows, ensuring staff at all levels can engage with AI tools responsibly and effectively. By combining deep expertise with widespread literacy, VA aims to embed AI fluency throughout its 400,000-strong workforce.

Strengthening Governance and Building Trust

Transparency and responsible use stand at the center of VA’s AI strategy. The department is reinforcing governance frameworks to ensure that all AI projects meet federal requirements. These measures will be coupled with strict privacy protections and enterprise-wide risk management to safeguard veteran data across every use case.

To build and sustain public confidence, VA will maintain a publicly accessible inventory of AI projects, giving veterans and stakeholders visibility into how these technologies are being applied. The department is also conducting direct outreach and user research to incorporate veteran perspectives into deployment decisions.

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DOE Releases AI Strategy, Compliance Plan to Drive Secure, Efficient Adoption
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Department of Energy logo. The DOE published its AI adoption strategy and compliance plans

The Department of Energy has unveiled its Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Compliance Plan. The documents, published Wednesday, promote safe and secure AI adoption to address the nation’s energy-related challenges and ensure alignment with all federal requirements.

DOE’s AI Guidance

The strategy details how the department plans to harness the capabilities of AI to support its mission. The document provides possible use cases for the advanced technology in everyday operations, scientific discovery and innovation, energy efficiency, and national security. 

One example of an AI use case within DOE is for nuclear deterrence. According to the strategy, AI and machine learning can be deployed to accelerate the department’s stockpile stewardship mission. 

For scientific discovery, the department is looking into AI/ML techniques to speed up the discovery of new materials with desirable properties. 

The plan also emphasizes building AI-enabling infrastructure, adopting AI practices, providing opportunities for workforce development and collaborating with industry, academia and international partners.

Complementing the strategy, the DOE AI Compliance Plan ensures alignment with federal requirements outlined in the Office of Management and Budget’s Memorandum M-25-21 issued in April. The memo encourages agency-wide AI adoption and innovation and sets protections for the civil rights, privacy and civil liberties.

The plan details efforts to improve AI governance, strengthen oversight, manage risks and improve public trust in the government’s use of the technology.

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Army Discovers, Immediately Resolves NGC2 Cybersecurity Risks
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U.S. Army's logo. Army CIO Leonel Garciga said the service addressed cyber vulnerabilities

The U.S. Army has identified and resolved cybersecurity risks in an earlier iteration of its Next Generation Command and Control system, dubbed NGC2, Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.

Army Finds Faults in NGC2

A memo signed by Gabriele Chiulli, chief technology officer at the service’s chief information office, Sept. 5 revealed that the NGC2 “exhibits critical deficiencies in fundamental security controls, processes and governance.”

According to the document, the Army did not have the visibility and control required to ensure the security and integrity of the platform. Chiulli also called out a seeming “rush to get capabilities into the system without actual oversight” or an appropriate process to do it.

“These issues collectively create a significant risk to data, mission operations, and personnel by rendering the system vulnerable to insider threats, external attacks, and data spillage,” the official wrote at the time.

In a statement, Leonel Garciga, chief information officer of the Army and a two-time Wash100 winner, said the issues were immediately addressed through streamlined cybersecurity processes, which allowed the service to “quickly identify and assist the program office and vendor in triaging cybersecurity vulnerabilities and put mitigations in place.”

NGC2 works to provide commanders with a range of capabilities to support better and faster decision-making. 

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