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Army CIO Robert Ferrell Talks Data Center Reduction Efforts, New RFP at AUSA Conference
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Army CIO Robert Ferrell Talks Data Center Reduction Efforts, New RFP at AUSA Conference


Robert Ferrell
Robert Ferrell

Lt. Gen. Robert Ferrell, chief information officer of the U.S. Army, has said that one of the service branch’s information technology programs is to reduce the number of data centers from over 200 to 10, C4ISRNet reported Wednesday.

Mark Pomerleau writes Ferrell said during a panel discussion at the Association of the U.S. Army conference that the military branch has awarded a contract for a data center pilot program at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

He also mentioned that the military branch has issued a request for proposals for a new platform that will work to provide voice and video capabilities for warfighters as part of the Army’s effort to establish a software-defined environment, Pomerleau reports.

Other IT projects that Ferrell cited at the AUSA conference include an initiative that seeks to automate security and patching efforts for the Army’s enterprise networks, migration to Windows 10 operating system and development work on the Network Integration Evaluation, the report added.

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DHS, NASA Develop Calculation Tool to Help Mitigate Solar Storm Impact on Electric Grid
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DHS, NASA Develop Calculation Tool to Help Mitigate Solar Storm Impact on Electric Grid


transmission tower against the sun during sunsetThe Department of Homeland Security and NASA have collaborated on the development of an online geoelectric field computing platform that will work to support solar storm preparation efforts.

DHS’ science and technology directorate and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center built the Online Geoelectric Field Calculation Tool to aid in the planning and preparation ahead of solar storms in effort to mitigate effects on the electric grid, DHS said Wednesday.

The tool works to compute localized geoelectric field data from uploaded historical inputs and ground conductivity models to help predict geo-magnetically induced currents from solar storms within specific areas in a grid.

Goddard’s partnership with DHS S&T also seeks to create a prototype of a real-time forecasting platform and builds on NASA’s joint efforts with the DHS First Responders Group to create a forecasting system that serves to help electric utility owners and operators alleviate the potential effects of a solar storm on the U.S. electric grid.

“By providing accurate and tailored forecasts specific to a utility’s location, utility operators will be better informed to make operational decisions in preparation for potential damage caused by solar storms,” said Sarah Mahmood, DHS S&T solar storm mitigation project manager.

She noted that decision-makers may use the forecasting information to reschedule maintenance work, reduce load or temporarily shut down grid components.

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Reports: White House Unveils Joint Armed UAV Export Declaration With Over 40 Countries
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Reports: White House Unveils Joint Armed UAV Export Declaration With Over 40 Countries


droneThe White House has introduced a joint declaration with more than 40 countries that sets five principles for the export and use of armed unmanned aerial vehicles, Defense News reported Wednesday.

Aaron Mehta writes that 43 countries have signed the joint statement that include the U.S., U.K., Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.

Brian Nilsson, deputy assistant secretary for defense trade controls at the State Department, told Defense News that the declaration is based on a framework used for the Hague Code of Conduct, an international agreement that seeks to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missiles.

Nilsson said the declaration seeks to serve as a platform for signatories to convene in 2017 in order to set up an organization that would establish standards for the use and import of drones, according to a report by Anthony Capaccio for Bloomberg.

The report added that Russia, Israel and China are among the countries that have not signed the joint statement.

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CMS Seeks CIO & Enterprise Info Office Director
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CMS Seeks CIO & Enterprise Info Office Director


JobAdThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services looks for a professional who can concurrently serve as chief information officer and director of the Office of Enterprise Information at CMS.

CMS said in a USAJobs notice posted Wednesday that the CIO is responsible for technology required to deliver Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and HealthCare.gov.

The Senior Executive Service position involves oversight of information technology management and modernization efforts as well as security of data and systems across the agency.

The incumbent will also represent CMS in IT-related discussions with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Management and Budget.

The CIO will also lead CMS’ efforts to implement key business and policy goals through modern technology and align business and system investments across Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and HealthCare.gov.

The selected applicant will promote national and regional health data and information exchange to support agency and industry-wide interoperability as well as develop performance measures for accountability and risk management programs.

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DHS, America’s Public TV Stations Team Up to Advance Datacasting Use by First Responders
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DHS, America’s Public TV Stations Team Up to Advance Datacasting Use by First Responders


partnershipThe Department of Homeland Security has partnered with America’s Public Television Stations in an effort to promote the availability of datacasting platforms designed to facilitate communications for first responders.

DHS said Wednesday a datacasting system works to help users transmit files, images, voice and videos to a specific audience through broadcast television signals during emergencies.

DHS science and technology directorate’s first responders group teamed up with APTS through a memorandum of agreement.

According to the department, the datacasting platform has been tested in several pilot programs, such as the flooding response efforts in April and the debate of Republican presidential candidates in Houston.

APTS is a nonprofit organization that runs approximately 350 public TV stations across the U.S. and territories.

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Presidential Memo Bolstered Diversity in National Security Workforce
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Presidential Memo Bolstered Diversity in National Security Workforce


workforcePresident Barack Obama has called for greater diversity in the national security workforce which includes the departments of State, Defense, Justice, Treasury, Homeland Security, the Intelligence Community and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Obama said in a presidential memorandum published Wednesday that the national security workforce is less diverse than the rest of the federal government based on data from associated agencies.

The memorandum’s guidance aims to encourage a data-driven approach to address transparency and accountability as well as the consideration of practices, research and experience from private and public sectors.

The guidance also seeks to support ongoing diversity and inclusion efforts under Executive Order 13583 and through the leadership of the Diversity and Inclusion in Government Council which includes actions on gender, race, ethnicity, disability status, veterans, sexual orientation, gender identity and others.

The memorandum aligns with government efforts to boost diversity in the national security workforce such as EO 13714, Foreign Service Act of 1980, Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013.

Obama directed agencies to publicly disclose the state of diversity and inclusion in their workforces; collect and analyze more voluntary applicant flow data to help agencies assess the inclusiveness of their recruitment process; and determine additional categories for voluntary employee data collection.

National security workforce entities shall also conduct stay and exit interviews or surveys; expand opportunities for professional development and career advancement; and form a review process for security and counterintelligence factors that cause assignment restrictions.

The memorandum also urged agencies to create a reward system for leaders and supervisors that support diversity and inclusion efforts; collect and distribute voluntary demographic data of external advisory committees and boards; and support training on unconscious bias, inclusion and flexible work policies.

Obama also required the assistant to the president for national security affairs to report on the national security workforce’s progress 120 days after the date on the memorandum and on an annual basis afterward.

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34 Private Sector Execs to Join Commerce Dept’s Renewable Energy Advisory Committee
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34 Private Sector Execs to Join Commerce Dept’s Renewable Energy Advisory Committee


transmission tower against the sun during sunsetCommerce Secretary Penny Pritzker has appointed 34 senior-level private sector representatives to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee.

REEEAC appointees advise the secretary on the development and administration of efforts to support the export competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

“The rapid increase in global demand for clean energy technologies and services provides a great opportunity for American businesses to introduce their world-class products and services to new markets,” said Pritzker.

She added the committee’s guidance will support Commerce’s efforts to mitigate climate change and expand U.S. exports.

REEEAC first launched in 2010 and has produced more than 30 recommendations on issues such as market conditions that affect the environmental technology manufacturing base; export financing gaps; and support and coordination from government and research programs.

The appointees are:

  • Adam Atkinson-Lewis – Natel Energy vice president of international business development
  • Bruce Bauchmire – DLZ Corp. director of renewable energy services
  • Vincent Bemmel – Tekpea Inc. chief technology officer
  • Mita Burke – Sunshine Industries USA CEO
  • Matt Card – Suniva executive vice president of commercial operations
  • Rani Chatrath – Geothermal Energy Association global initiatives coordinator, marketing and events manager
  • Mike Davis – North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association director of strategic partnerships
  • Kelly Davis – Renewable Fuels Association director of regulatory affairs
  • Jen Derstine – Capstone Turbine Corp. director of strategy and policy
  • Subhash Dhar – XALT Energy CEO
  • Michael Dwyer – U.S. Grains Council chief economist
  • Terry Fry – Nexant senior vice president for utility services
  • Svetoslav Gatchev – Delphos International partner and managing director
  • Seth Ginther – U.S. Industrial Pellet Association executive director
  • Philip Green – Green Powered Technology president and CEO
  • Arthur Haubenstock – 8minutenergy Renewables general counsel and VP of government and regulatory
    Praveen Kathpal – AES Energy Storage VP
  • Kusum Kavia – Combustion Associates president
  • Kenneth Kramer – Rushton Atlantic managing director
  • Joseph Mendelson III – SolarCity director of policy and electricity markets and regulatory counsel
  • Greg Merritt – Cree Inc. marketing and public affairs VP
  • Gary Rackliffe – ABB Inc. smart grid systems VP
  • Lloyd Ritter – Distributed Wind Energy Association federal policy director
  • Jorge Sanchez – Sana Inc. president, CEO and co-founder
  • Frank Shaw – Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom counsel for energy and infrastructure projects group
  • Scott Sklar – The Stella Group president
  • Kevin Smith – SolarReserve CEO
  • Paula Soos – Covanta Energy government relations VP
  • Jonathan Stewart – National Electrical Manufacturers Association government relations manager
  • Zolaikha Strong – Copper Development Association director of sustainable energy
  • Trey Taylor – Verdant Power Inc. co-founder and president
  • Cindy Thyfault – Westar Trade Resources founder and CEO
  • Laura VanWie McGrory – Alliance to Save Energy international policy VP
  • Frank Yang – Stion Corp. business development VP

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Ashton Carter, Defense Innovation Board Members Discuss Interim Recommendations for DoD
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Ashton Carter, Defense Innovation Board Members Discuss Interim Recommendations for DoD


PentagonDefense Secretary Ashton Carter and members of the Defense Innovation Board have discussed 11 interim recommendations to the Defense Department during DIB’s first public meeting held Wednesday at the Pentagon, DoD News reported Wednesday.

Cheryl Pellerin writes Carter established the 15-member independent advisory board to recommend strategies for defense officials to manage processes and people across the department with the help of technology.

“One of my core goals as secretary of defense has been to push the Pentagon to think outside our five-sided box, and be more open to new ideas and new partnerships that can help our military remain what it is today… as we confront a changing and fiercely competitive world,” he said.

The board suggested that DoD appoint a chief innovation offer, develop a career track for computer science and a digital Reserve Officer’s Training Corps program and implement incentive programs to spur innovation and creativity at the department.

DIB also urged the department to establish an institute for artificial intelligence and machine learning studies as well as infrastructure that will serve as a “human cloud” of computer programmers and software developers.

The report said the group also believes DoD should further invest in technological efforts at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Strategic Capabilities Office and Defense Innovation Unit Experimental.

The group also recommended the Cyber Command to work with the National Security Agency to review the security of every DoD system, Pellerin reports.

Profile: Lisa Blumerman, Census Bureau Associate Director for Decennial Census Programs
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Profile: Lisa Blumerman, Census Bureau Associate Director for Decennial Census Programs


headshot-lisa-blumerman-imageLisa Blumerman has served as associate director for decennial census programs at the U.S. Census Bureau since March 2015.

In this capacity, she provides executive leadership and direction for the bureau’s American Community Survey, geographic programs and the 2020 Census.

The 19-year bureau veteran also held the roles of assistant associate director for decennial census and chief of its government division, where she led data collection efforts and  managed the census of federal, state and local agencies as well as the 25 annual and quarterly surveys that examine government activity.

She also worked in various other leadership positions at the bureau, including service as chief of the customer liaison and marketing services office, deputy chief of the American community survey office, administrative records coordinator in the policy office, chief of the population estimates branch and assistant associate director for decennial census.

Before she joined the bureau in 1997, Blumerman was a senior analyst at the American Public Welfare Association.

She received an Arthur S. Flemming Award and a silver and bronze medal from the Commerce Department in recognition of her service in the federal government.

Navy Launches Online Credentialing Program for Civilian Workforce
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Navy Launches Online Credentialing Program for Civilian Workforce


websiteThe Department of the Navy has unveiled a new website in an effort to expand professional development opportunities for DON’s civilian workforce.

The DON Credentialing Opportunities On-Line site is designed to help civilian employees find certification and licensure programs based on their formal training and on-the-job experience, the U.S. Navy said Tuesday.

Civilian personnel can search the portal by federal occupation code or title in various fields such as information technology, human resources, administrative, financial, engineering, education, legal, supply and security.

The site also offers information about the different types of credentials and the four steps of the credentialing process, according to the Navy.

DON created its Civilian COOL portal in partnership with the U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Keith Boring, program director for Navy COOL, said the new program will be updated regular intervals to keep the credentialing prospects for more DON civilian occupations connected.

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