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Holger Lueschow: European Govsatcom Demo to Commence Next Summer
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Holger Lueschow: European Govsatcom Demo to Commence Next Summer


Holger Lueschow: European Govsatcom Demo to Commence Next SummerHolger Lueschow, satellite communications program manager at the European Defense Agency, said the European Govsatcom demonstration project will begin to deliver Satcom services to government users next summer, Space News reported Wednesday.

The Govsatcom project will utilize pooling and asset sharing efforts to mitigate challenges related to the affordability, security and timeliness of Satcom services delivered to governmental users in Europe.

Lueschow noted the EDA now has a common understanding on how and what services should be offered to government agencies.

“Later this month, we will look at the question of how to finance the project, or more specifically, how to finance the services to be provided,” he added.

The report noted the Govsatcom demonstration will work to lay the foundations for future European Commission-led Govsatcom projects.

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Kirstjen Nielsen Eyes DHS Hiring Process Modernization as DHS Secretary Nominee
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Kirstjen Nielsen Eyes DHS Hiring Process Modernization as DHS Secretary Nominee


Kirstjen Nielsen Eyes DHS Hiring Process Modernization as DHS Secretary Nominee
Kirstjen Nielsen

Kirstjen Nielsen, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, has said she would help DHS implement a “holistic” approach to recruit border security and cybersecurity professionals if Congress approves her nomination, Federal News Radio reported Wednesday.

Nielsen told the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs during a meeting held Wednesday that she also aims to implement internal controls for hiring, retention and employee development efforts across DHS.

She added that DHS can address staffing and operational requirements through “a combination of both personnel and technology.”

Nielsen also vowed to study the needs for a physical barrier along the Southern border; protect against whistleblower retaliation; and work with the Justice Department and local governments to address radicalization in and outside U.S.

Nielsen currently serves as Trump’s deputy chief of staff and previously worked as chief of staff for former DHS Secretary John Kelly.

Hill Negotiators Agree on $692B Defense Authorization Plan for Fiscal 2018
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Hill Negotiators Agree on $692B Defense Authorization Plan for Fiscal 2018


Hill Negotiators Agree on $692B Defense Authorization Plan for Fiscal 2018A joint House-Senate conference committee has unveiled a compromise bill to authorize $692 billion in fiscal 2018 Defense Department spending, with $626 billion for base requirements and $66 billion for the overseas contingency operations account, Defense News reported Wednesday.

The report said the conference plan would top a Budget Control Act spending limit for FY 2018 defense budget by nearly $85 billion.

The compromise National Defense Authorization Act calls for a 2.4 percent military pay raise and the addition of more than 20,000 active-duty and reserve troops to the current U.S. military end strength.

Federal News Radio reported Wednesday the bill would require DoD to examine the potential implications of a proposal to establish a “Space Corps,” as well as to identify methods to simplify the department’s space-related acquisition process.

The bill also contains a procurement reform measure that seeks to encourage the department to use online marketplace platforms to buy commercial off-the-shelf technology products, the station noted.

Congress still needs to review and approve the compromise NDAA in coming weeks before lawmakers submit the bill to the White House for the president’s signature.

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Senate Approves Federal Customer Service Bill
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Senate Approves Federal Customer Service Bill


Senate Approves Federal Customer Service BillThe Senate unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday that would authorize federal agencies to collect voluntary feedback regarding public services, Nextgov reported Wednesday.

The Federal Agency Customer Experience Act of 2017, introduced by Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) and James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), also seeks to establish new approaches for the executive and legislative oversight of agency service delivery.

Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives and the legislation awaits a markup from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, according to the report.

The Senate-passed FACE Act would also require agencies to post customer responses through an online platform and incorporate the feedback in service improvement efforts.

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Trump Encourages Russia, China to Sever Ties with North Korea
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Trump Encourages Russia, China to Sever Ties with North Korea


Trump Encourages Russia, China to Sever Ties with North KoreaU.S. President Donald Trump has called on Russia and China to support worldwide efforts to isolate North Korea’s regime as well as implement U.N. security council programs to sever trade and technology ties with the DPKR, DoD News reported Tuesday.

Trump warned Jong Un not to belittle the collaborative will and power of the U.S. and South Korea and demanded the DPKR leader to dispose nuclear weapons in storage and under development.

“It is our responsibility and our duty to confront this danger together, because the longer we wait, the greater the danger grows and the fewer the options become,” said Trump.

“Today I hope I speak not only for our countries, but for all civilized nations when I say to the North: Do not underestimate us … We will defend our common security, our shared prosperity, and our sacred liberty.”

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DARPA Seeks to Establish Standards for In-Orbit Robotic Satellite Servicing
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DARPA Seeks to Establish Standards for In-Orbit Robotic Satellite Servicing


DARPA Seeks to Establish Standards for In-Orbit Robotic Satellite ServicingThe Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has established an industry consortium that will develop rules for the robotic servicing of satellites in space, Space News reported Tuesday.

Todd Master, a DARPA program manager, told the publication that the Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations will invite industry players such as satellite operators to participate in the creation of nonbinding rules.

DARPA expects companies to comply with the consortium’s rules on a voluntary basis to demonstrate the safety of their in-orbit robotic servicing to investors and customers.

Master noted DARPA welcomes the participation of foreign companies and that foreign space agencies have expressed interest in the consortium but DARPA is “still trying to figure out how to engage foreign governments.”

DARPA has chosen Summerville, South Carolina-based contractor Advanced Technology International to oversee the consortium.

Master hopes to see the first draft of in-orbit robotic servicing standards within a year.

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GAO: Agencies Should Address Inaccuracy on Incremental IT, Software Devt Reports
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GAO: Agencies Should Address Inaccuracy on Incremental IT, Software Devt Reports


GAO: Agencies Should Address Inaccuracy on Incremental IT, Software Devt ReportsThe Government Accountability Office has urged approximately 17 agencies to boost the accuracy of incremental development reports as well as create and update certification policies to bolster the certification of such development efforts.

GAO said in a report published Tuesday it discovered some agency errors led to incorrect reports on information technology software development investments while select officials listed inefficient governance processes, procurement delays and organizational changes as hindrances to incremental development.

The government watchdog agency noted only four of the 24 selected agency respondents have been able to fully define chief information officer incremental development certification policies and processes that defined the CIO’s role, the documentation of the CIO certifications, incremental development definitions and time frames that align with Office of Management and Budget guidance.

The report added OMB’s fiscal year 2018 capital planning guidance did not tackle a strategy on how agency CIOs should report compliance with incremental provisions under the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act, but the 2019 guidance discusses incremental certification reporting procedures.

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Report: Army Develops Plan to Accelerate Cyber Tech Buying Process
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Report: Army Develops Plan to Accelerate Cyber Tech Buying Process


Report: Army Develops Plan to Accelerate Cyber Tech Buying ProcessThe U.S. Army has begun to craft an acquisition modernization strategy meant to help the service branch accelerate its process for buying cybersecurity technology platforms, Federal News Radio reported Tuesday.

Gen. Mark Milley, Army chief of staff, said at the 2017 International Cyber Conflict Conference that was held in Washington the branch’s current procurement system has caused delays on the arrival of modern information technology systems.

The report noted the Army aims to reduce the buying process time to about 18 months with the use of multiple contracting vehicles and expects to implement its new procurement strategy by summer of 2018.

Army officials also want to involve soldiers earlier in the acquisition process to collect end-user feedback as part of an effort to avoid changes that can affect the technology development lifecycle.

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Federal Agencies Open 500 IT, Cybersecurity Job Opportunities
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Federal Agencies Open 500 IT, Cybersecurity Job Opportunities


Federal Agencies Open 500 IT, Cybersecurity Job OpportunitiesThirty-three federal agencies unveiled approximately 500 information technology and cybersecurity job vacancies through a two-day job fair administered by the Federal CIO Council, FCW reported Tuesday.

The Federal Tech/Cyber hiring event took place in Silver Spring, Maryland, featured career opportunities at civilian, military and intelligence agencies.

Preregistration had 2,500 sign-ups, with a total attendee count of 1800, according to the report.

The job fair also attracted college students and experienced professionals from 40 states.

More information on the event can be found here.

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John Gibson Confirmed as Pentagon’s Deputy Chief Mgmt Officer
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John Gibson Confirmed as Pentagon’s Deputy Chief Mgmt Officer


John Gibson Confirmed as Pentagon's Deputy Chief Mgmt Officer
John Gibson

The Senate voted 91-7 Tuesday to confirm John Gibson, former president and CEO at XCOR Aerospace, as the Defense Department‘s deputy chief management officer, Military Times reported Tuesday.

Gibson previously held the roles of DoD deputy undersecretary for management reform and  U.S. Air Force assistant secretary for financial management and comptroller.

The Senate Armed Services Committee also moved to advance the nominations of Mark Esper as secretary of the U.S. Army, Robert Wilkie as undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, Joseph Kernan as undersecretary of defense for intelligence and Guy Roberts as assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs.

Washington Examiner reported Wednesday the four nominations are still subject to final confirmation votes in the upper chamber and Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), chairman of the SASC, works to accelerate the hearing processes for DoD nominees.

Senate has so far confirmed 17 out of 57 positions within the DoD that President Donald Trump’s administration must fill, the report noted.

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