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NOAA Unveils Inaugural Advisory Committee on Excellence in Space
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NOAA Unveils Inaugural Advisory Committee on Excellence in Space

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Space Commerce has selected 17 space industry professionals to serve on a federal advisory committee that will provide NOAA with independent recommendations on matters related to commercial space policy and regulations.

NOAA said Friday the inaugural Advisory Committee on Excellence in Space, or ACES, will look at key issues associated with the leadership, sustainability and growth of U.S. commercial space activities.

ACES is set to hold its first public meeting in Washington, D.C., over the next two months, allowing the members to set priorities and develop strategies to address the issues facing the commercial space sector.

NOAA plans to name additional members to the advisory panel in 2025 to create a staggered cycle of two-year terms. 

The 16 ACES members who have accepted to serve on the committee for two years are:

  • Al Tadros, Redwire
  • Alex Gilbert, Zeno Power
  • Audrey Schaffer, Slingshot Aerospace
  • Blake Bullock, Northrop Grumman
  • Brien Flewelling, ExoAnalytic Solutions
  • Caryn Schenewerk, Georgetown University
  • Chris Kunstadter, Triton Space
  • Clare Martin, Astroscale U.S.
  • Danielle Pineres, Planet Labs PBC
  • Dave Cavossa, Commercial Spaceflight Federation
  • David Gauthier, GXO
  • El Gardner, Aperio Global
  • Kalpak Gude, Amazon Kuiper
  • Mary Lynne Dittmar, Axiom Space
  • Michael Nicolls, SpaceX
  • Tony Frazier, LeoLabs

Schenewerk and Gauthier will serve as the committee’s chair and vice chair, respectively.

NOAA is also in the process of naming Jared Hautamaki to ACES as a 17th member. He will serve as a space law expert in his personal capacity.

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Data Integrity Key to AI Systems in Nuclear Industry, Regulatory Agencies Say
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Data Integrity Key to AI Systems in Nuclear Industry, Regulatory Agencies Say

In order for artificial intelligence to be successfully integrated into the nuclear industry, the data upon which such systems depend must be meticulously curated, validated and governed throughout its lifecycle, according to a document jointly developed by nuclear regulatory organizations from Canada, the United Kingdom and the U.S.

The recently-released document, titled “Considerations for Developing Artificial Intelligence Systems in Nuclear Applications,” notes that because “reliability, safety, and security are paramount” within the nuclear industry, ensuring the adequacy of AI systems by guaranteeing the quality and integrity of data is equally crucial.

“Deficiencies in data, such as incompleteness, bias, or inaccuracies, could lead to erroneous AI outputs with potentially unacceptable consequences; flawed data may result in flawed output. Equally, AI systems receiving very different inputs in real-world deployment versus training or testing may not perform well,” the document warns.

Prepared by the the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the United Kingdom Office for Nuclear Regulation and the United States’ Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the document seeks to tackle “important topics that should be considered when deploying AI to ensure continued safe and secure operation of nuclear facilities, and other uses of nuclear materials.” The document is meant to benefit all parties involved in the lifecycle of AI systems, including developers, end users, regulators and their partners.

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DOE to Award $68M for AI Tech Development Projects
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DOE to Award $68M for AI Tech Development Projects

The Department of Energy has announced that 11 multi-institution projects focused on artificial intelligence will receive $68 million in funding.

DOE said Thursday the projects, comprising 43 awards, include the development of AI foundation models that could be used to speed up scientific programming and advance automation in laboratories, among other use cases.

The department will also fund the development of energy-efficient AI algorithms using next-generation microtechnologies and the creation of foundation models to advance science and preserve privacy.

The projects, which will run for up to three years, were selected through a competitive peer review process under DOE’s Funding Opportunity Announcement for Advancements in Artificial Intelligence for Science.

“These research efforts will make scientific AI both more trustworthy and more energy efficient, unlocking AI’s potential to accelerate scientific discovery. There is a huge variety in the number of applications where scientists can use AI, from the laboratory to the field to producing scientific research,” said Ceren Susut, associate director of science for advanced scientific computing research at DOE.

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Commerce Department Names New National AI Advisory Committee Members
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Commerce Department Names New National AI Advisory Committee Members

The U.S. Department of Commerce has revealed four new members of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, a group of experts advising the White House on various issues regarding AI.

The department said Thursday Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointments of Aneesh Chopra, Christopher Howard, Angie Cooper and Beth Cobert to the NAIAC. 

Chopra is the current chief strategy officer of Arcadia while Howard serves as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Arizona State University. Cooper is the EVP of Heartland Forward while Cobert, former president of the Markle Foundation, held vital roles at the Office of Management and Budget.

The new members will each serve three years with the committee and can be reappointed for a second consecutive term.

Raimondo expressed confidence in the new committee members, saying, “Empowering our nation’s top talent in AI across academia, industry, non-profits and civil society is fundamental to the responsible development and deployment of this generation-defining technology.”

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USMC Plans to Spend More on 5G Network Training System
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USMC Plans to Spend More on 5G Network Training System

The Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center are considering an additional $20 million investment in the Marines’ new 5G network training platform currently under testing in an exercise. 

MCAGCC is demonstrating the new 5G-based communication and training capability at the Service Level Training Exercise 5-24 scheduled from July 13 to Sept. 11, the U.S. Marine Corps said Friday.

The exercise deployed two refurbished Cell on Light Trucks to demonstrate multi-domain operation simulation among other 5G training activities.

Matthew Moreno, assistant chief of staff for MAGTF-TC/MCAGCC communications directorate, said the exercise’s use of the repurposed COLTs demonstrates cost savings and efficient utilization of available resources. “We’re turning tens of millions of dollars in government assets into a high-value training tool for a fraction of the original cost,” he stressed.

According to Moreno, the USMC’s goal is to invest in an additional 11 to 15 permanent 5G training network sites plus six deployable counterparts.

Besides providing live, virtual and constructive training, other potential capabilities cited in using the 5G network include technology testing and development. The network is part of the USMC’s Project Tripoli creating live, virtual, constructive environments—dubbed LVCE—for training on a persistent, global, all-domain and all-echelon scale.

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NRO Conducts 3rd Mission to Launch Proliferated Satellite Architecture
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NRO Conducts 3rd Mission to Launch Proliferated Satellite Architecture

The National Reconnaissance Office has launched NROL-113, the third mission supporting the agency’s effort to deploy a next-generation proliferated satellite architecture that NRO Director Chris Scolese said in May would “enhance our ability to collect and deliver critical information at the speed our users demand.”

NROL-113 was launched on Sept. 5 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the NRO said Friday. The launch was carried out in partnership with SpaceX and U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 30.

The agency aims to conduct about half a dozen launches within the year in support of its proliferated architecture. The first launch, NROL-146, took place in May while the second launch, NROL-186, took place in June.

Regarding the satellite architecture, Scolese, a four-time Wash100 awardee, said it is characterized by a diversity that “allows us to remain agile and resilient amid increasing competition and emerging threats, ensuring we are well positioned now and in the future to deliver on our mission of keeping our nation safe.”

NRO Conducts 3rd Mission to Launch Proliferated Satellite Architecture

The Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Intel Summit will bring together top Intelligence Community officials, government decision makers and industry executives to discuss the future of American intelligence. Register now to attend this important event!

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NASA Seeks Potential Partners for Plan to Develop New OSAM-1 Use Cases
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NASA Seeks Potential Partners for Plan to Develop New OSAM-1 Use Cases

NASA is seeking potential partners for its plan to develop new use cases for the On-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing 1 spacecraft.

The space agency said it requires information on possible uses for OSAM-1, which was designed to showcase space servicing capabilities and the technology’s transfer to U.S. companies.

The alternative uses should apply to flight hardware, test facilities and personnel associated with the OSAM-1 project, NASA said, noting that the property could be repurposed for different technology demonstrations.

OSAM-1 can also be integrated with other hardware for commercial applications or deployed to enable collaboration with other organizations for scientific research, the agency added.

NASA noted that OSAM-1 was originally designed to demonstrate autonomous and telerobotic technologies for in-space servicing, including the on-orbit assembly, disassembly and reassembly of communication antenna segments.

Interested organizations from the industry and academia and other stakeholders are encouraged to submit proposals that would advance U.S. commercial, civil and national objectives.

Submissions will be accepted until Sept. 30.

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PIA Authority Is Helping SOCOM Speed Up Transition of Projects Into SBIR Phase 3
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PIA Authority Is Helping SOCOM Speed Up Transition of Projects Into SBIR Phase 3

Lisa Sanders, director of science and technology for special operations forces, acquisition, technology and logistics at U.S. Special Operations Command, said adopting a partner intermediary agreement, or PIA, is enabling SOCOM to reduce the time it takes to transition projects into the Small Business Innovation Research program’s Phase 3, Federal News Network reported Friday.

Under the fiscal 2020 defense authorization bill, Congress authorized SOCOM to use PIA in conjunction with other transaction agreements.

“In fiscal 2023, our average time to production decision from the initial topic announcement to the award of a follow on in phase 3 is 18 months, which is compared to SOCOM’s average before using this authority was five years,” Sanders told FNN in an interview.

“We also transition about 50% of the projects that we do under this authority into phase three. Our program is structured in such a way that the program offices who are the transition partner are the ones that identify the topic, the ones that select the vendor, and they are the ones that do the SBIR contract management. There’s a built-in transition pathway, which is part of the reason that we have such a high transition rate,” she added.

Sanders noted that the command used the PIA authority in 2023 for SBIR awards worth about $2.4 million using its own funding and then another $16 million on more traditional approaches for SBIR awards.

She also discussed the impact of the PIA authority on the software acquisition process and how it has enabled SOCOM to attract non-traditional contractors over the last year.

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HHS CIO Jennifer Wendel to Keynote 2024 Healthcare Summit
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HHS CIO Jennifer Wendel to Keynote 2024 Healthcare Summit

On Dec. 11, GovCon industry luminaries, healthcare thought leaders and experts will gather at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Healthcare Summit to give insight into the challenges facing the industry, including the rise of artificial intelligence, navigating the changing regulatory landscape, harnessing the power of data analytics and more. 

As one of the event’s keynote speakers, Jennifer Wendel, acting chief information officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will share her thoughts on the future of the healthcare industry as it continues to transform. You won’t want to miss this conversation, so secure your tickets now!

Jennifer Wendel’s Background

HHS CIO Jennifer Wendel to Keynote 2024 Healthcare Summit

Wendel took on the position of acting chief information officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, in December 2023. In her role, Wendel manages the department’s $7 billion information technology portfolio and supports the agency’s expansion mission to improve Americans’ health and well-being.

Prior to being appointed acting CIO, Wendel served as deputy chief information officer for HHS, overseeing IT systems and security activities for a workforce of over 83,000. Wendel is also a member of the federal government’s senior executive service.

Wendel’s FBI Career

Before joining HHS, Wendel had a long and productive career with the FBI.

“For 26 years, I worked with talented and dedicated friends and colleagues to protect the American people and uphold the constitution at the FBI,” Wendel said in a LinkedIn post. “It was a bittersweet week as I packed up my office, said farewell to many, and celebrated a diverse and rewarding career.”

Wendel started her career with the FBI in 1996 and has held numerous other roles within the bureau, including section chief of enterprise IT management, chief of the executive staff unit within the criminal investigative division and supporting the assistant director in administering new initiatives for the unit.

During the early portions of her tenure with the FBI, Wendel served as a biologist managing forensic DNA cases, interpreting DNA profiles, reporting the results and testifying as a DNA expert in court. She then became the chief of the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, unit and the National DNA Index System. 

Wendel was tasked with developing, deploying and operating the CODIS software to federal, state and local crime laboratories in the United States.

Jennifer Wendel’s Notable Achievements 

Wendel has 20 years of experience leading digital transformation across various industry avenues and is using that knowledge to spearhead modernization at HHS. 

Here are some of the accomplishments Wendel has achieved during her career thus far:

  • Directed 192 U.S. federal, state and local crime labs and 88 international law enforcement labs.
  • Built a high-performance team to facilitate large-scale projects through sustainable personnel and business operations.
  • Exceeded FBI unit objectives following a 35 percent staffing loss due to a hiring freeze.
  • Reengineered daily reporting model to streamline operational workflow and enterprise-wide communications.
  • Led the development and deployment of advanced software packages and four service enhancements across 280 laboratories.

Jennifer Wendel to Keynote 2024 Healthcare Summit

Jennifer Wendel will deliver a keynote address on Dec. 11 to conclude the 2024 Healthcare Summit. The summit will feature officials from all facets of the healthcare world, and this conversation will be essential to advancing the healthcare industry in the future.

Register for your spot before it’s too late to join the conversation with Wendel and other healthcare leaders.

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Commerce Department Implements Export Controls on Critical Tech to Protect National Security
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Commerce Department Implements Export Controls on Critical Tech to Protect National Security

The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security has implemented export controls on critical and emerging technologies that U.S. adversaries can use for military applications.

Under a newly published interim final rule—or IFR—quantum computing items, advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturing, gate all-around field-effect transistor technology and additive manufacturing items are subject to worldwide export controls to ensure the products are not used for purposes contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy, the BIS said Thursday.

The agency implemented the controls as a result of a broad technical agreement with international partners.

“Aligning our controls on quantum and other advanced technologies makes it significantly more difficult for our adversaries to develop and deploy these technologies in ways that threaten our collective security,” said Alan Estevez, Commerce under secretary for industry and security.

The bureau has included exceptions in the IFR to eliminate the need for partners to submit export license applications for collaborations focused on advancing critical technologies.

Under the License Exception Implemented Export Controls, countries that have implemented equivalent technical controls are authorized to export and reexport the newly added products.

Eligible destinations identified by BIS include Italy, the United Kingdom, Australia and France. 

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