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Aaron Allen Named Army Reserve Command CIO
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Aaron Allen Named Army Reserve Command CIO

U.S. Army Reserve Command has appointed Aaron Allen, an information technology leader, as chief information officer.

Allen announced his appointment in a LinkedIn post published Sunday.

He will bring to the position his experience in IT strategy, network administration, data analysis, IT infrastructure management, business process improvement and technical support, among other areas.

The newly appointed CIO most recently served as battalion commander within the Army Reserve Careers Group.

His military career includes time serving as acting commander for the Army Pacific Command Support Unit-FWD Japan within the U.S. Army Pacific, Brigade Operations S-3 officer in charge within the service’s 505th Signal Brigade and deputy CIO for the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

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Aerospace Corporation Study Cautions Against Exporting SDA Rapid Acquisition Model to Other Agencies
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Aerospace Corporation Study Cautions Against Exporting SDA Rapid Acquisition Model to Other Agencies

The Aerospace Corporation has released a new study that praises the speed at which the Space Development Agency has launched satellites or payloads since its establishment in 2019 using an acquisition model based on proliferation, or the creation and maintenance of a space architecture made up of many satellites that are periodically replaced, Breaking Defense reported Thursday.

The same study, titled “The Space Development Agency and the Future of Defense Space Acquisitions,” nevertheless also seeks to temper the enthusiasm expressed by some within the contracting world that has called for the broader adoption of the SDA’s rapid acquisition approach across the Department of Defense.

The study, authored by Center for Space Policy and Strategy Senior Policy Analyst Andrew Berglund, says that the SDA’s acquisition approach has not been sufficiently studied to determine whether it can be exported to other agencies, for whom a proliferation-based methodology might not be appropriate to begin with.

Also, the SDA has enjoyed legal exemptions from having to comply with select regulations governing government acquisitions, a benefit many other organizations have not received.

Equally important is the fact that the outcomes of the SDA’s acquisition model have not yet been proven. The study notes that the satellites SDA has launched have yet to demonstrate their capabilities.

The study also raises questions about the model’s ability to sustain the delivery of new satellite capabilities — every two years — as well as the model’s ability to sustain competition over time, especially as “the advantages of incumbency” becomes pronounced.

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Biden-Harris Administration Publishes Implementation Roadmap for Emerging Technology National Standards Strategy
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Biden-Harris Administration Publishes Implementation Roadmap for Emerging Technology National Standards Strategy

The Biden-Harris administration has laid out steps toward an industry-led development of standardization of critical and emerging technologies, or CETs, to protect and support national and economic security.

The White House said Friday that foreign adversaries see the strategic value of CETs and are working toward influencing international standards to their advantage and curtail American innovation.

The U.S. Government’s National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology implementation roadmap is based on feedback collected by the National Institute of Standards and Technology on a draft issued in June.

The document identifies short- and long-term objectives to engage with the private sector in creating an inclusive, research-backed standards system. According to the document, the Departments of Commerce and State and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will continue to work with private organizations such as the American National Standards Institute to engage with international partners on the standards.

The government will also evaluate current CET standards education grants and programs to remove barriers and encourage greater participation.

In the long term, the United States plans to offer sustained funding for CET research and development, and coordinate with the private sector and academia about standardization efforts.

“Standards are essential to commerce and to the safe, reliable, and interoperable functioning of a broad array of essential products and services,” the White House said in a press release. “Standards provide industries and innovators with a common language that facilitates trade, simplifies transactions, accelerates innovation, and enables people to work across disciplines and borders toward common goals.”

The USG NSSCET was published in 2023 establishes four guiding principles for standards development efforts.

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VA Seeking Vendors to Improve Trustworthiness of Government AI Solutions
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VA Seeking Vendors to Improve Trustworthiness of Government AI Solutions

The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking for qualified contractors to provide expertise and operational support for an agency project to develop advanced artificial intelligence capabilities.

The VA needs help from companies that can enable AI operations and enhance the trustworthiness of AI solutions, which will be used to ensure veterans’ health and welfare, according to a notice published on the System for Award Management website.

Specifically, the potential contractor will help the National Artificial Intelligence Institute optimize the implementation of VA’s AI programs.

The selected company is also expected to support the NAII’s goal of achieving excellence in AI operational healthcare and implementation.

The required services under the NAII program include program management, communications services, strategic planning, data management, studies and analyses, training development and supply chain optimization.

The government plans to award a contract with a one-year base performance period, which could be extended depending on the quality of responses and agency requirements.

Interested businesses are encouraged to submit their capability statements no later than Aug. 7.

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Navy Establishing PM Organization Focused on Shipbuilding Investments, Maritime Industrial Base; Frederick Stefany to Lead
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Navy Establishing PM Organization Focused on Shipbuilding Investments, Maritime Industrial Base; Frederick Stefany to Lead

The U.S. Navy will establish a direct reporting program manager for maritime industrial base next month, with Frederick Stefany having been appointed to the role.

As the very first DRPM-MIB, Stefany will be responsible for standing up his organization, which will be responsible for overseeing investments in ship and submarine shipbuilding, with a focus on ensuring the health of the maritime industrial base, the U.S. Navy said Friday.

The DRPM-MIB organization is also expected to help realize the vision of Secretary of the Navy and 2024 Wash100 winner Carlos Del Toro of rebuilding the comprehensive maritime power of the U.S. and positioning industry and the sea service in establishing a fleet that meets the requirements of the National Defense Strategy.

Stefany currently serves as principal civilian deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. When he transitions to his new role, he will be succeeded by Brett Seidle.

Regarding the selection of the inaugural DRPM-MIB, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition and previous Wash100 winner Nickolas Guertin said, “Jay Stefany has been at the forefront of developing the strategy and securing over $40B in industrial base investment to meet our submarine and ship building imperatives.”

“He is exactly the right person to expand on those great efforts for the largest shipbuilding industry mobilization in the Department of Defense since World War II,” added Guertin, who will speak at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Navy Summit.

Navy Establishing PM Organization Focused on Shipbuilding Investments, Maritime Industrial Base; Frederick Stefany to Lead

Naval leaders, experts and innovators from government and industry will discuss how they’re enhancing maritime security, driving technological advancements and fostering strategic cooperation during the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Navy Summit, which will take place on Aug. 15. Register now to attend this important event!

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Secretary Frank Kendall Leads Establishment of DAF Integrated Capabilities Office
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Secretary Frank Kendall Leads Establishment of DAF Integrated Capabilities Office

Frank Kendall, secretary of the Department of the Air Force, established the Integrated Capabilities Office, or ICO, in line with efforts to enhance DAF capabilities through modernization.

The Air Force said Thursday the ICO was officially launched on July 19 mainly to modernize the service and preserve its advantages over other countries. The ICO will support the Air Force’s objective of remaining competitive in terms of power projection capabilities in response to the great power competition.

Kendall, a 2024 Wash100 Award winner, stressed the importance of the ICO in the face of rampant military modernization of China and other countries. “The Integrated Capabilities Office will directly support the Department of the Air Force senior leadership team as we develop our integrated modernization plans for the Air Force and Space Force.”

The Air Force identified seven critical areas that needed a boost:

  • Resilient space order of battle and architectures
  • Joint All-Domain Command and Control
  • Moving target engagement at scale
  • Next generation air dominance
  • Resilient forward basing
  • B-21 long-range strike family of systems
  • Readiness for wartime posture

The ICO will build on the Operational Imperatives by codifying its achievements. The secretariat-level office will facilitate the Integrated Development Campaign Teams, composed of operational experts from the Space Force Space Futures Command and Air Force Integrated Capabilities Command.

Working on imperative problem sets, the teams are responsible for coming up with data-driven products and services as well as recommendations. The ICO will then add these recommendations to its modernization priority list and work with other organizations on their integration into budgeting process.

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USAID Introduces New Digital Policy
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USAID Introduces New Digital Policy

The U.S. Agency for International Development has released a new Digital Policy that promotes the secure adoption of digital and emerging technologies to accelerate development progress and humanitarian response.

New funding worth $14.6 million is expected to be awarded to support policy goals, including enhancing development and humanitarian outcomes through infrastructure investments; improving digital knowledge, skills, policies and technology; and promoting privacy, security, transparency, equity and human rights in USAID programming and across digital ecosystems, USAID said Thursday.

With the funding, the agency aims to achieve responsible AI adoption, build partner countries’ cybersecurity capacity and strengthen foundational digital connectivity infrastructure and financial services.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced the new Digital Policy during a keynote speech at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where she highlighted the role of technology in improving people’s lives.

In support of a vision to harness technology’s potential to advance development and humanitarian efforts, Power also announced the establishment of the DigitalDevelopment.org knowledge hub, which gives external stakeholders access to digital development resources from various countries to simplify how they support digital transformation efforts worldwide.

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Col. Fred Garcia Appointed Division Head at AFLCMC Cyber & Networks Directorate
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Col. Fred Garcia Appointed Division Head at AFLCMC Cyber & Networks Directorate

Col. Fred Garcia II is the new head of the Enterprise Information Technology and Cyber Infrastructure Division within the Cyber and Networks Directorate of Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, or AFLCMC.

The U.S. Air Force said Wednesday Garcia was named the successor to the retiring Col. Justin Collins during a July 19 ceremony at Hanscom Air Force Base. The new senior material leader will be leading a division under the AFLCMC directorate, which is responsible for developing IT and cyber capabilities for war-winning efforts and national defense.

Garcia brings years of experience as director of the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate. The Colorado native spearheaded a directorate responsible for developing and delivering advanced technology in the field of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence and cyber.

The new head’s experience, leadership abilities and dedication will “position the division well moving into the future,” according to Maj. Gen. Anthony Genatempo. The program executive officer for the Cyber and Networks Directorate said, “Col. Garcia has touched every aspect of Air Force leadership the service has to offer. He has not just been around the block but has defined the block.”

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Navy Tests VLS Missile Cannister At-Sea Rearming Capability
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Navy Tests VLS Missile Cannister At-Sea Rearming Capability

Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division has carried out a land-based demonstration of the Transferrable Rearming Mechanism, or TRAM.

The capability, which works to enable the reloading of missile canisters into MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems aboard U.S. Navy surface combatants while at sea, had been deemed a top priority by Secretary of the Navy and 2024 Wash100 awardee Carlos Del Toro, according to a news article posted Wednesday on the Navy website.

The land-based test involved the participation of Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group sailors as well as those aboard the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin.

The test involved the use of real-time analytics and direct monitoring through instrumentation, making it possible to rapidly carry out assessments and modifications.

An at-sea test will follow. According to Ryan Hayleck, technical director for the Naval Sea Systems Command Technology Office and technical lead for the demonstration, TRAM will receive improvements based on the inputs sailors provide.

Hayleck went on to say that with the improvements, “TRAM will only get better and faster from here. I am very excited to take TRAM to sea.”

Navy Tests VLS Missile Cannister At-Sea Rearming Capability

Naval leaders, experts and innovators from government and industry will discuss how they’re enhancing maritime security, driving technological advancements and fostering strategic cooperation during the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Navy Summit, which will take place on Aug. 15. Register now to attend this important event!

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Crane Army Ammunition Activity to Partner With Private Sector to Support Modernization Plan
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Crane Army Ammunition Activity to Partner With Private Sector to Support Modernization Plan

Crane Army Ammunition Activity aims to establish more partnerships with the private sector to support its 15-year, $285 million modernization plan.

CAAA, which produces and provides conventional munitions for warfighters, sees public-private partnerships as a way to finance, build and operate various projects quickly, the U.S. Army said Thursday.

The Army unit currently evaluates defense companies that could be its potential partners in ammunition manufacturing.

As CAAA partners, contractors will have access to Crane’s facilities, ammunition-peculiar equipment and skilled workforce.

The modernization plan, which is part of the overall Army Materiel Command modernization strategy, would include such partnerships in a business model that would involve companies in current munitions production and advanced munitions development to level out the Army’s Organic Industrial Base workload.

According to Patricia Staggs, director for CAAA’s Activity Support Directorate, munitions workload fluctuates depending on the requirements of the Army and the Department of Defense.

Under a public-private partnership, a company “could utilize our touch labor force and we could fill capacity gaps instead of idling some of our skilled workers,” said Staggs.

Besides enhancing manufacturing efficiencies, such collaboration could also stabilize raw material procurement and other business-related costs.

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