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NSF Invests in Ethical Development of Emerging Technologies
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NSF Invests in Ethical Development of Emerging Technologies

The U.S. National Science Foundation has awarded 44 multidisciplinary teams a combined total of more than $18 million under the NSF Responsible Design, Development and Deployment of Technologies, or ReDDDot, program.

NSF said Monday the inaugural investment aims to foster responsible and ethical development of emerging technologies, focusing on the public’s well-being, including legal, community and societal considerations.

For the Phase I funding, NSF awarded up to $300,000 to 21 teams to develop larger proposals. Another 9 teams will get $75,000 each to conduct workshops under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

The agency also selected 14 teams to receive up to $1.5 million for the Phase II funding. These teams demonstrated mature projects related to artificial intelligence, biotechnology or natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention.

The ReDDDot program was launched in partnership with Ford Foundation, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Siegel Family Endowment and other philanthropic organizations. 

Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for technology, innovation and partnerships at NSF, emphasized the agency’s commitment to creating mutually beneficial research collaboration in line with the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

“Through a robust public-private partnership with philanthropies, NSF’s investment in ReDDDoT aims to ensure that TIP advances the design, development and deployment of new technologies responsibly,” Gianchandani said.

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AFRL Awards Viasat Contract to Improve Satellite Communication
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AFRL Awards Viasat Contract to Improve Satellite Communication

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded Viasat a $33.6 million contract to advance military satellite communication for tactical aircraft.

Under the Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet—or DEUCSI—program, Viasat will leverage its active electronically scanned array, or AESA, technology and radio frequency integrated circuits to develop a phased array antenna for future military operations, the global communications company announced Tuesday.

Michael Maughan, Viasat Government’s vice president for space and mission systems, said, “Viasat has extensive expertise supporting the development of AESA phased array antenna technology across domains and we’re excited to bring that experience to the DEUCSI program.”

Viasat aims to produce a resilient AESA antenna that can efficiently communicate aboard tactical aircraft, including rotary-wing platforms, by facilitating connections across different frequencies, orbits and providers. The AESA system is meant to be used in military missions requiring multiple beams, demonstrate a low probability of intercept and feature jamming resistance capabilities.

“We believe hybrid resilient communication solutions are central to future government mobility operations and our teams are committed to continuing to help solve these multi-band, multi-orbit, multi-constellation interoperability challenges with high performance, cost-effective capabilities,” Maughan added.

The AESA antenna will reportedly provide streamlined services with zero moving parts, enhanced functionality and advanced aerodynamics for the aircraft.

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DIA Kicks Off Construction of New Intelligence Community Hub
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DIA Kicks Off Construction of New Intelligence Community Hub

The Defense Intelligence Agency has broken ground for the $185 million DIA Headquarters Annex at the Intelligence Community Campus-Fort Belvoir North Area in Springfield, Virginia. 

The agency’s Directorate for Analysis will consolidate at the new facility key foundational intelligence missions based in the D.C. area, the DIA said Monday.

Expected to open in 2028, the DIA annex is adjacent to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s headquarters and also near the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s offices.

Lt. Gen. Jeff Kruse, DIA director and a 2024 Wash100 awardee, emphasized the advantages of joining the NGA and DTRA at the Fort Belvoir campus. He said the new facility’s proximity to key mission partners will help DIA to support broader U.S. government goals.

“This facility will make it possible for geographically dispersed organizations and those with complementary objectives to coalesce and work in a central location, providing more opportunities for close collaboration to enable all of our mission success — not just DIA’s, but all of our mission partners as well,” Kruse added.

The DIA Headquarters Annex, designed to cover the NCR’s 630-seat space shortfall, will allow integration of country liaisons from the U.S. partners in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance — the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  

The DIA annex project calls for the construction of a building with nearly 119,000 square feet of space and over 172,000 square feet of covered parking. Clark Construction Group of McLean, Virginia, was awarded the project in June.

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Bipartisan Bill Could Bring New AI Tools to DHS Border Security Efforts
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Bipartisan Bill Could Bring New AI Tools to DHS Border Security Efforts

If signed into law, a bipartisan bill would order the Department of Homeland Security to craft a plan to find and integrate new technologies into border security operations, FedScoop reported.

Introduced by Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., and co-sponsored by Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, the Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act passed the House of Representatives unanimously on Monday, just over five months since it was announced.

The bill would require the secretary of homeland security to submit the plan to both the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs within 180 days of its enactment. Once approved, Customs and Border Protection would take charge of piloting new technologies in major border regions. 

Bipartisan Bill Could Bring New AI Tools to DHS Border Security Efforts

Join us at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 13 to learn more about DHS’ top priorities. At the event, you will have the opportunity to connect with public and private sector experts who will share their insights on today’s homeland security landscape. To learn more and secure your spot at the event, click here.

Artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation are some areas the bill wants DHS to explore. The plan would be required to provide information on how new technologies could contribute to border security and identify technologies already in use by the U.S. government that could be adopted for CBP operations. It would also be expected to include details on research and development efforts and metrics CBP would use to evaluate these new technologies.

Correa is “cautiously optimistic” about how the bill will perform in the Senate.

CBP is already using AI to screen cargo at ports of entry, validate identities on its CBP One app and detect threats at the border, according to the DHS website.

The agency is also looking at AI through an information technology lens. Its recently released IT strategy highlights AI as a major part of its transformation to a data-driven organization and a key element of building mission applications and advancing operational technology. The strategy also notes a focus on responsible AI principles, which promote the transparent and ethical use of AI.

To learn more about DHS’ modernization goals, register to attend the 2024 Homeland Security Summit.

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Air Force Seeking Solutions to Generate Electricity for US Bases
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Air Force Seeking Solutions to Generate Electricity for US Bases

The Department of the Air Force has issued a solicitation for commercial technologies to generate electricity and hydrogen for U.S. installations using geothermal energy.

The Air Force prefers geothermal energy because it can supply continuous, resilient and carbon-free electricity in all weather conditions, enabling the service to maintain mission continuity, according to the Monday notice posted on Tradewinds.

The solution will also allow the department to comply with congressional requirements to support energy resilience for important missions at USAF bases.

Through the solicitation, the government is looking to work with potential partners in developing prototypes to test if the desired electricity-generating technologies could be used at Air Force installations in the United States.

During the prototyping work at Travis Air Force Base in California, the selected vendors would collect data through geoscientific exploration and design a utility-scale facility to produce electricity and green hydrogen, the notice said.

The vendors are also expected to propose a deal structure to sell the generated electricity to the Air Force and other customers.

If the service determines that the proposed electricity production capability is technically and economically viable, the prototype would be considered in building a future facility to generate electricity and hydrogen.

Interested parties are invited to submit their proposals no later than Nov. 15.

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DHS Pledges $280M in Funding for FY24 State & Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
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DHS Pledges $280M in Funding for FY24 State & Local Cybersecurity Grant Program

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that $279.9 million in fiscal year 2024 grants will be distributed to help state, local and territorial government agencies mitigate cyber risks and develop resilience against cybersecurity threats.

DHS said Monday the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency jointly oversee the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, or SLCGP.

SLCGP was established as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and by the State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act.

The grant program provides $1 billion in funding over four years to help SLT agencies further develop their capabilities and platforms to manage and respond to cyberthreats.

“These cyber grants are an investment in the security of our nation’s infrastructure, helping to ensure that communities across the country have the tools they need to defend against cyberattacks,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. 

“CISA is proud to offer the SLCGP, helping governments lay a solid foundation for building a sustainable and resilient cybersecurity program for the future,” added Easterly, a 2024 Wash100 awardee.

In August 2023, CISA and FEMA announced the availability of $375 million in FY 2023 funding for the grant program.

According to DHS, eligible entities have until Dec. 3 to apply for funds under the program.

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 13 to learn more about U.S. technology initiatives to protect the country amid the evolving geopolitical landscape. Register now!

POC - 2024 Homeland Security Summit
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GovCon Index Reversed Downward Trend Last Week
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GovCon Index Reversed Downward Trend Last Week

Executive Mosaic’s GovCon Index rose by 0.71% last week, ending a two-week decline and raising the average to $5,293.78.

GovCon Index is an aggregate index that collects and presents real-time data on the stock market performance of 30 key government contracting companies. With this information, users can evaluate each organization’s standing in today’s GovCon marketplace while gaining insights into major financial trends in the industry.

Last week’s top performer was The Carlyle Group, which grew by 8.31%. V2X (+7.12%) followed, and Curtiss-Wright (+5.65%) claimed the third slot in the ranks. Fourth place was taken by Palantir, which rose by 4.33%, and Jacobs (+3.15%) was fifth.

GovCon Index began last week with notable gains, but dropped sharply on Tuesday and continued to fall on Wednesday. Despite these losses, increases on Thursday and Friday kept GovCon Index in positive territory overall.

Check out last week’s market reports to get the full story on daily GovCon Index performance. To view the full list of tracked companies, click here.

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CSC 2.0 Project Issues 2024 Report on Cyber Strategy Implementation
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CSC 2.0 Project Issues 2024 Report on Cyber Strategy Implementation

The CSC 2.0 project has released its report for 2024 detailing the progress being made by the government in implementing the recommendations of the original Cyberspace Solarium Commission on putting into effect a layered cyber deterrence strategy.

CSC 2.0 said Thursday that of the 82 original recommendations, 80 percent are either nearly or fully implemented, an accomplishment reached through legislation, policy or other innovative means.

The reported achievements of the executive branch include the White House’s issuance of a new national security memorandum on critical infrastructure and resilience, the Office of the National Cyber Director’s having completed 33 of the 36 initial initiatives for the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s having been appointed as the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience.

For its part, the ostensible achievements of Congress include the passage of the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022, which calls on CI entities to report cyber incidents to CISA; and the provision of funds to CISA and the ONCD through the fiscal year 2024 omnibus spending bill.

CSC 2.0 nevertheless noted that more work remains to be done, especially in light of increasing threats from nation-state adversaries and criminal organizations.

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NSWC Crane Unveils New Radiation-Hardened Microelectronics Testing Capability
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NSWC Crane Unveils New Radiation-Hardened Microelectronics Testing Capability

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division launched its new radiation-hardened microelectronics testing capability, called the Short Pulse Gamma, on July 31.

The NAVSEA said Friday the SPG, also known as “Bumblebee,” is intended to bolster the NSWC Crane’s ability to provide research, development, testing and evaluation data needed by systems designers and manufacturers.

NSWC Crane, which provides radiation testing support for the Navy Strategic Systems Programs, will utilize the new facility for testing multiple, concurrent and future nuclear modernization programs.

The new SPG system marks the initial phase of NSWC Crane’s $100 million radiation modernization initiative meant to provide a complete suite of strategic radiation environment requirements for microelectronics.

Angela Lewis, SES and technical director at NSWC Crane, expressed delight over the new SPG facility, saying, “This is a critical capability that will ensure continued resilience for the Department of Defense and the United States. Radiation-hardened microelectronics are a key enabling technology for Missile Defense, Nuclear Modernization, and Space missions. This new facility will provide important capacity to support testing for multiple, concurrent, and future nuclear modernization programs.”

Dev Shenoy, principal director for Microelectronics at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, described the new capability as an important step toward validating and verifying critical technologies in radiation environments.

“NSWC Crane has a strong understanding of radiation effects and expertise required in order to ensure proper execution of these deliverables,” said Shenoy.

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Jeff Harris Joins Federal Housing Agency as CISO
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Jeff Harris Joins Federal Housing Agency as CISO

Jeff Harris has been appointed chief information security officer at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, according to a LinkedIn post he shared Friday.

Harris joins the FHFA after six years at the U.S. Small Business Association, where he served as CISO and then as director of cybersecurity operations.

The information technology and cybersecurity executive also held the CISO position at the Department of the Navy.

Before that, Harris was with the Office of Naval Intelligence as deputy chief information officer for information assurance and cybersecurity and then director of defensive cyber operations while also serving as chief of the ONI Cyber Incident Response Center.

Harris also spent time at the Department of Homeland Security as the deputy director for IT applications. 

Before joining DHS, Harris worked as the senior security architect at Camber Corporation, which was acquired in 2016 by Huntington Ingalls Industries. He was also with General Dynamics for five years as a senior staff member of architecture, integration and engineering.

Earlier in his career, Harris served in the U.S. Army as a network switching systems operator and maintainer.

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