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Trump Taps Rep. Mick Mulvaney as OMB Chief
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Trump Taps Rep. Mick Mulvaney as OMB Chief


Trump Taps Rep. Mick Mulvaney as OMB Chief
Mick Mulvaney

Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-South Carolina) has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as director of the Office of Management and Budget, Roll Call reported Friday.

Ryan McCrimmon writes Mulvaney is a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus and is in his third term in the lower chamber.

“Right now we are nearly $20 trillion in debt, but Mick is a very high-energy leader with deep convictions for how to responsibly manage our nation’s finances and save our country from drowning in red ink,” Trump said in a statement.

Mulvaney helped draft the “Cut, Cap and Balance” plan in 2011 that seeks to reduce budget deficit and previously served as owner-operator of one of the outlets of restaurant chain Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina, McCrimmon reports.

He is likely to help advance tax and healthcare reforms once confirmed by the Senate, Roll Call added.

Eric Beech also reports for Reuters that David Malpass, a senior adviser to Trump and former chief economist at investment bank Bear Stearns, was also considered for the OMB post.

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Bonneville Power Administration Kicks Off Search for New CIO, IT Executive VP
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Bonneville Power Administration Kicks Off Search for New CIO, IT Executive VP


Bonneville Power Administration Kicks Off Search for New CIO, IT Executive VPThe Bonneville Power Administration has begun its search for a candidate who will serve as both chief information officer and executive vice president of information technology.

The chosen candidate will report directly to BPA’s chief operating officer and will oversee the development, maintenance and operation of the federal power marketing agency’s information systems and IT plans, budget and processes, BPA said in a USAJobs notice published Tuesday.

The incumbent will manage the administration’s cybersecurity programs, collaborate with the Energy Department’s CIO, take part in DOE’s IT and cyber governance boards, and serve as senior adviser to BPA administrator on cybersecurity and IT initiatives.

Other duties include coordination of electric grid operations with IT programs, administrative and technical supervision over the deputy CIO and chief technology officer, and provision of executive direction when it comes to the development of data management policies in compliance with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation – Critical Infrastructure Protection and other regulations.

BPA will accept applications for the position through Jan. 12.

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NIST Develops Subatomic-Scale Motion Detector for Robotic, Natl Security Uses
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NIST Develops Subatomic-Scale Motion Detector for Robotic, Natl Security Uses


NIST Develops Subatomic-Scale Motion Detector for Robotic, Natl Security UsesThe National Institute of Standards and Technology has created a tool that works to measure the motion of subatomic particles for potential use in robotic and homeland security operations.

NIST said Thursday the plasmonic gap resonator is designed to sense displacements of microscopic bodies which can help detect biological or chemical agents; fine-tune the movement of miniature robots; deploy airbags and track weak sound waves.

NIST physicists Brian Roxworthy and Vladimir Aksyuk provided details about the project in a joint article for Nature Communications.

Roxworthy and Aksyuk also hope the resonators can help miniaturize mechanical structures that support scientific measurements and practical sensors.

The scientists also developed a fabrication method to produce approximately 25,000 copies of the device on a computer chip and build each resonator’s motion detection features according to the manufacturer’s needs, NIST noted.

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Reports: China’s Navy Seizes US Unmanned Undersea Drone
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Reports: China’s Navy Seizes US Unmanned Undersea Drone


Reports: China's Navy Seizes US Unmanned Undersea DroneChina’s navy seized a U.S. unmanned underwater vehicle sometime Thursday in international waters around the South China Sea, various media outlets reported Friday.

According to CNN, the USNS Bowditch attempted to recover two undersea drones about 100 miles off a port at Subic Bay near the Philippines when a Chinese ship placed a small boat into the water that picked up one of the U.S. vehicles.

Chinese naval personnel on the ship did not respond to initial contact from the U.S. after the Bowditch crew said the drone was American property, CNN reported.

ABC News says the U.S. deployed the unclassified drone into the South China Sea for ocean research.

The U.S. State Department has filed a formal diplomatic protest with China over the incident.

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DoD IG: Dept Complies With 28 of 166 Open Cyber Recommendations
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DoD IG: Dept Complies With 28 of 166 Open Cyber Recommendations


DoD IG: Dept Complies With 28 of 166 Open Cyber RecommendationsThe Defense Department‘s Office of the Inspector General has summarized audit reports of the Pentagon and Government Accountability Office on potential DoD cybersecurity weaknesses and noted that the department has closed 28 out of 166 open cybersecurity-related recommendations

A DoD IG report published Tuesday says access and identity management, configuration management, contractor systems, risk management, security and privacy training were frequently cited as categories of potential cybersecurity weaknesses.

DoD must address cybersecurity weaknesses because of the current environment in which the department has become reliant on cyberspace for business, intelligence and military operations, the IG noted.

The Pentagon plans to invest a potential $34.6 billion to fund its cyber strategy over the next five years in a push to develop, equip and train the Cyber Mission Force and also create new technologies that can support and cyber defenses and bolster current capacities.

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Navy Conducts Autonomous Patrol Missions Through Unmanned Small Boat Swarm
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Navy Conducts Autonomous Patrol Missions Through Unmanned Small Boat Swarm


Navy Conducts Autonomous Patrol Missions Through Unmanned Small Boat SwarmThe U.S. Navy has demonstrated a swarm of unmanned small boats through autonomous patrol missions in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay for an effort to demonstrate the vehicles’ functions with remote human supervision.

The service branch said Wednesday the Office of Naval Research worked with industry, academia and government partners to gather a swarm of rigid hull inflatable boats and other small boats to conduct patrol missions.

“While previous work had focused on autonomous protection of high-value ships, this time we were focused on harbor approach defense,” said Luis Molina, military deputy at ONR’s Sea Warfare and Weapons Department.

The swarm worked to identify which boat would approach an unknown vessel, classify whether the vessel is a threat and subsequently communicate with swarm boats to track and trail the unknown vessel as others continue to patrol the area, the Navy said.

Swarm boats also sent status updates to a human supervisor during the demonstration.

ONR currently develops an autonomy technology dubbed Control Architecture for Robotic Agent Command and Sensing.

CARACaS was first demonstrated in 2014 on the James River in Virginia, multiple RHIBs used the autonomy package to operate with other unmanned vessels in efforts to intercept potential enemy ships and escort naval assets.

Robert Brizzolara, an ONR program officer, said additional functions have been added to CARACaS since the first demonstration such as automated vessel classification from imagery and unmanned surface vehicle behaviors and tactics.

NASA Kennedy Space Center Unveils New Ground Operations Demo Unit for Liquid Hydrogen
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NASA Kennedy Space Center Unveils New Ground Operations Demo Unit for Liquid Hydrogen


NASA Kennedy Space Center Unveils New Ground Operations Demo Unit for Liquid HydrogenNASA has established a new ground operations demonstrations unit for liquid hydrogen the agency built from a recycled shuttle storage facility at Kennedy Space Center.

NASA said Thursday the demonstration unit is composed of an internal cold heat exchanger supplied via a cryogenic refrigerator and a 33,000-gallon liquid hydrogen storage tank that was recycled from the Titan Centaur program.

Kennedy’s Cryogenic Test Laboratory, Glenn Research Center and Stennis Space Center along with civil servants and contractors teamed up to design, install and test the system that was tested for liquefaction, propellant densification and zero boil-off capacity.

“The goal would be to integrate the unit’s heat exchange system into the new tank, saving GSDO money by eliminating the loss of hydrogen,” said Bill Notardonato, principal investigator for the demo unit at Kennedy Space Center’s exploration research and technology directorate.

“By accomplishing zero boil-off of liquid hydrogen, we could save one dollar in hydrogen for every 20 cents spent on electricity to keep it cooled.”

Notardonato noted that the zero boil-off capacity can also support the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program at Kennedy Space Center.

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GSA to Conduct Environmental, Transportation, Historic Preservation Studies for New Labor Dept HQ
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GSA to Conduct Environmental, Transportation, Historic Preservation Studies for New Labor Dept HQ


GSA to Conduct Environmental, Transportation, Historic Preservation Studies for New Labor Dept HQThe General Services Administration plans to conduct environmental, transportation and historic preservation studies at candidate sites for the Labor Department‘s future headquarters.

GSA said Thursday the studies will inform the government’s decision and aid compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.

GSA shortlisted three Washington, D.C.-based sites for DOL’s future headquarters that include NOMA at the intersection of North Capitol Street and New York Avenue; Capitol Riverfront at the intersection of M Street and South Capitol Street; and Poplar Point in Anacostia.

DOL’s current headquarters at 200 Constitution Avenue NW is more than 40 years old and requires infrastructure upgrades such as modern heating, electrical, plumbing and elevator systems.

The government looks to develop a modern work environment, address taxpayer costs and foster economic redevelopment at the current site and at a new location.

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20 Veterans Groups Ask Trump to Retain Bob McDonald as VA Secretary
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20 Veterans Groups Ask Trump to Retain Bob McDonald as VA Secretary


20 Veterans Groups Ask Trump to Retain Bob McDonald as VA Secretary
Bob McDonald

The heads of 20 veterans organizations have asked President-elect Donald Trump to keep Bob McDonald as Department of Veterans Affairs’ secretary, Stars and Stripes reported Wednesday.

Nikki Wentling writes the groups said in a Dec. 14 letter to Trump the veterans community “cannot afford to start over” on VA reform efforts such as the MyVA program that McDonald has launched.

Some of the names that have emerged as potential candidates for the VA secretary post include former Sen. Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts); Pete Hegseth, former executive of the Concerned Veterans for America; Mitt Romney, former Republican presidential nominee; Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Florida); and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, Wentling reports.

Got Your 6, AMVETS and 18 other groups said in the letter that modernization efforts at the department under McDonald’s tenure have resulted in better experience for veterans, according to a report by Kellie Lunney for Government Executive.

Bill Rausch, executive director of Got Your 6, said he thinks McDonald’s commitment to veterans and experience as chief executive of Procter & Gamble make him the ideal candidate for the post at VA, Lunney added.

In addition to AMVETS and Got Your 6, other organizations that signed the letter include:

  • Community Solutions
  • Give an Hour
  • Institute for Veterans & Military Families
  • Marine Corps Reserve Association
  • Military Chaplains Association
  • Military Child Education Coalition
  • National Association of Drug Court Professionals/Justice for Vets
  • National Association of Veteran-Serving Organizations
  • National Military Family Association
  • Points of Light
  • Service Women’s Action Network
  • The Mission Continues
  • The 6th Branch
  • Travis Manion Foundation
  • Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
  • Veteran Artist Program
  • Warrior-Scholar Project
  • Wounded Warrior Project

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MDA Fires SM-6 Missiles Against Medium-Range Ballistic Missile Target
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MDA Fires SM-6 Missiles Against Medium-Range Ballistic Missile Target


MDA Fires SM-6 Missiles Against Medium-Range Ballistic Missile TargetThe Missile Defense Agency has fired two SM-6 Dual I missiles aboard an Aegis baseline 9.C1-equipped destroyer to engage a medium-range ballistic missile target.

MDA said Wednesday the salvo of two SM-6 missiles launched from the USS John Paul Jones off the coast of Hawaii in an effort to validate the system’s Sea-Based Terminal endo-atmospheric defensive capacity.

Navy Vice Adm. Jim Syring, MDA director, said the test worked to demonstrate SM-6 and the Aegis Weapon System as “critical components” of the U.S. ballistic missile defense system.

SM-6 is designed to use an explosive warhead to destroy ballistic missile threats.

Program officials will continue to assess system performance based on telemetry and test data, MDA noted.

The U.S. Navy and MDA co-manage the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System program.

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