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SPACECOM Officials Discuss Advantages US Enjoys in Space Domain
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SPACECOM Officials Discuss Advantages US Enjoys in Space Domain

The joint nature of U.S. Space Command, along with the increasing space-related competency within the joint force, are a key advantage the U.S. enjoys over adversaries, according to officials from the geographical combatant command.

SPACECOM commander Gen. Stephen Whiting and command senior enlisted leader Chief Master Sgt. Jacob Simmons made this point during the National Defense Industrial Association Space Warfighting Forum, which took place in Colorado Springs on Aug. 15 and 16, according to a news article posted Thursday on the SPACECOM website.

“We benefit from, and are dependent upon, the integration of capabilities from every service as represented by our five component commands,” Whiting, a 2024 Wash100 winner, noted.

Another key advantage the U.S. enjoys is its relationship with responsible, like-minded nations.

“Coming together in teams, partnerships, coalitions and alliances, not only creates and promotes shared understanding and mutual respect in peace time, but also an undivided unity of effort, whenever dared,” Simmons commented.

A third advantage is delivered by the commercial aerospace industry, particularly commercial mission partners, whose “capabilities enhance our effectiveness, expand our capability, and increase our understanding of the space operational environment,” Whiting said.

The SPACECOM chief went on to underscore the fact that all stakeholders have a role in ensuring U.S. success in space.

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US Approves Potential Sale of Northrop-Built Precision Guidance Kits to Finland
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US Approves Potential Sale of Northrop-Built Precision Guidance Kits to Finland

The Finnish government has secured United States approval to procure M1156A1 Precision Guidance Kits and related equipment under a potential $70 million foreign military sale agreement.

Finland requested to purchase up to 5,500 M1156 PGKs manufactured by Northrop Grumman, in addition to the previously approved procurement of PGK spare parts, equipment training, and related elements of logistics and program support under an initial FMS case valued at nearly $1 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Monday.

According to Bernie Gruber, director of guided projectiles at Northrop, the PGK uses GPS technology to guide 155-mm shells to a target and is combat proven to show high accuracy and reliability.

The proposed sale is expected to provide Finland with enhanced artillery and mid-range fire capability to meet current and future threats and enhance its interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces.

Improving the security of a NATO ally supports the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the U.S., the DSCA said.

As the PGK manufacturer, Northrop will be the principal contractor of the potential FMS.

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s first GovCon International Summit on Oct. 10 to hear how international partnerships, coalition warfare and emerging technologies are reshaping the defense landscape. Register here.

US Approves Potential Sale of Northrop-Built Precision Guidance Kits to Finland
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Laura Stanton: GSA Working to Transform Federal Software Procurement Under Better Contracting Initiative Priority 2
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Laura Stanton: GSA Working to Transform Federal Software Procurement Under Better Contracting Initiative Priority 2

General Services Administration official Laura Stanton discussed GSA’s efforts to streamline the federal procurement and management of software assets under Priority 2 of the Better Contracting Initiative.

In a blog post published Monday, Stanton, assistant commissioner for the Office of Information Technology Category at GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service, wrote about the government’s strategic collaboration with original equipment manufacturers and the role of the IT Vendor Management Office, or ITVMO, in advancing the Governmentwide Acquisition Strategy initiative.

Stanton noted that ITVMO works by “developing partnerships with OEMs, conceptualizing solutions for governmentwide challenges, negotiating resolutions, and establishing guidelines that will serve as the benchmark for software procurement across federal agencies.”

According to the assistant commissioner, the agency has initiated efforts to improve cybersecurity measures, enhance software license flexibility and mobility, and implement cost-effective pricing strategies.

The GSA official added that ITVMO is developing a guide specific to critical OEMs to advance the adoption of best practices gained through the Governmentwide Acquisition Strategy implementation.

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USAID to Serve as OpenAI’s First ChatGPT Enterprise Customer
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USAID to Serve as OpenAI’s First ChatGPT Enterprise Customer

OpenAI has announced the first federal agency customer to receive the company’s ChatGPT Enterprise services, FedScoop reported Monday.

The U.S. Agency for International Development plans to use OpenAI’s ChatGPT artificial intelligence services to advance the agency’s operational workflow and improve external partnerships.

Anna Makanju, OpenAI’s vice president of global affairs, said, “I believe that the best way for government officials to understand advanced AI models is to use these tools.”

“These tools can also enable governments to serve more people more efficiently — and already, nearly 100,000 government users across federal, state, and local levels are utilizing the consumer version of ChatGPT,” Makanju added.

USAID is seeking a FedRAMP moderate accreditation for ChatGPT Enterprise, which would authorize the generative AI platform to handle moderately classified federal information. As artificial intelligence applications continue to be implemented throughout government agencies, USAID has put AI at the forefront of the agency’s critical initiatives.

“AI continues to evolve, so we hope to work closely with federal stakeholders to ensure that the FedRAMP security risk evaluation process allows government users to access the latest AI tools as they come online,” Makanju stated.

ChatGPT Enterprise will be accessible through the Microsoft Azure cloud offering the federal government currently uses.

During the Potomac Officers Club’s 10th annual 2024 Intel Summit, you can learn more about the recent implementations of AI systems and other evolving technologies amongst tenured Intelligence Community officials. Secure your tickets now! 

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William Streilein to Step Down as DOD Chief Digital and AI Office CTO
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William Streilein to Step Down as DOD Chief Digital and AI Office CTO

William Streilein, the inaugural chief technology officer of the Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, is stepping down from his role to return to academia.

In a LinkedIn post published Monday, CDAO said Streilein played a key role in forming the chief technology office within CDAO, helping shape DOD’s thinking on generative AI and communicating the department’s AI progress and priorities to government, industry and academic institutions.

According to CDAO, Streilein is preparing to rejoin MIT Lincoln Labs at the end of the summer.

In 2022, he joined CDAO, formerly the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, from MIT Lincoln Laboratory, where he served as principal staff of the biotechnology and human systems division.

He also served as head of the cyber analytics and decisions group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and worked as a software engineer for nearly a decade in the private sector.

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GovCon Index Jumped Back Into Positive Territory Last Week
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GovCon Index Jumped Back Into Positive Territory Last Week

Last week, consistent gains drove Executive Mosaic’s GovCon Index up by 2.36%. This growth brought the average to $5,342.51 and put GovCon Index back on a positive track that was disrupted the previous week.

GovCon Index offers users a real-time look into the stock market performance of 30 major government contracting organizations. Individuals can use the data it provides to evaluate the status of each tracked company and gain key insights into current GovCon market trends.

Mercury Systems showcased the strongest performance last week with gains of 11.22%. Aerovironment (+7.57%) came in second place, and Kratos (+6.76%) earned the third slot in the ranks. Booz Allen Hamilton, which rose by 6.71%, was fourth, and Palantir (+6.45%) was fifth.

For the first time since its December launch, GovCon Index grew every day within a one week period.

To get a closer look at daily GovCon Index performance, check out last week’s market reports. Click here to view the full list of tracked companies.

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SpaceX Launches Carbon Mapper Satellite Equipped With JPL-Built Imaging Spectrometer
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SpaceX Launches Carbon Mapper Satellite Equipped With JPL-Built Imaging Spectrometer

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has launched a satellite that carries an imaging spectrometer developed by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Tanager-1, the first satellite of the Carbon Mapper Coalition, will use the payload to precisely measure methane and carbon dioxide emissions globally and identify their sources to address climate change, NASA said Friday.

JPL and Planet Labs, which built the satellite, are members of the coalition led by Carbon Mapper, a nonprofit organization that aims to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and deliver significant data to fill gaps in the emerging global ecosystem of methane and carbon dioxide monitoring systems to enable science-based decision-making and action.

With the spectrometer, Tanager-1 will scan about 50,000 square miles of the Earth’s surface daily. Generated data, which will be publicly available online at the Carbon Mapper data portal, will enable the organization’s scientists and other researchers worldwide to analyze gas plumes.

“By detecting, pinpointing, and quantifying super-emitters and making this data accessible to decision-makers, we can drive significant action around the world to cut emissions now,” said Riley Duren, Carbon Mapper CEO.

Tanager-1 was deployed on SpaceX’s Transporter 11 rideshare mission from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Friday.

Carbon Mapper plans to launch another satellite with a JPL-built imaging spectrometer at a later date.

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Berkeley Lab Appoints Daniela Leitner as Chief Engineer, Engineering Division Director
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Berkeley Lab Appoints Daniela Leitner as Chief Engineer, Engineering Division Director

Daniela Leitner, deputy for science at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s engineering division, has been named director of the engineering division and Berkeley Lab’s chief engineer, effective Oct. 1.

The national lab said Friday Leitner will report to Berkeley Lab Director Mike Witherell and will coordinate and advance safety, diversity and recruitment initiatives and facilitate strategies to build new tools to support the lab’s engineering community and research partners.

“The success of all of our big science projects relies on excellent engineering, and I count on the Chief Engineer to help us maintain that level of excellence across the Lab. Daniela has the perfect experience and expertise for this job, and I am looking forward to working with her in this new role,” said Witherell.

In 1996, Leitner joined Berkeley Lab as a postdoctoral fellow in the Accelerator and Fusion Research division.

Her career at the Department of Energy-backed national lab has included research and operations positions supporting major projects, including DESI, LCLS-II, the 88-Inch Cyclotron, GRETA and the ALS Upgrade.

She spent five years at Michigan State University, where she oversaw the installation and commissioning of the superconducting post-accelerator linac ReA and its experimental hall as part of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB, project.

In 2015, Leitner returned to Berkeley Lab to form and oversee a cross-functional group focused on systems engineering processes, project management and quality assurance.

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FCC Looks to Modernize 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service Rules
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FCC Looks to Modernize 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service Rules

The Federal Communications Commission seeks to make improvements to Citizens Broadband Radio Service rules to benefit current and future 3.5 GHz band users and has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the effort.

The proposed changes to Part 96 of Title 47 within the Code of Federal Regulations include the addition of definitions for the protection of federal “Incumbent Access” users and the modification of other Part 96 rules concerning such definitions, the FCC said Friday.

The commission also seeks to sunset rules concerning the transition of grandfathered 3.65 – 3.7 GHz band wireless broadband services.

Comments are being sought regarding these proposals as well as additional issues, including the alignment of protection methodologies for the 3.5 GHz band with those in adjacent bands, the continued introduction of CBRS in areas outside of the contiguous United States and the revisiting of Environmental Sensing Capability approval procedures.

After the NPRM is posted on the Federal Register, interested parties will have 30 days to submit their comments.

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OMB’s Director of AI Conrad Stosz Moves to NIST to Lead Policy at AI Safety Institute
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OMB’s Director of AI Conrad Stosz Moves to NIST to Lead Policy at AI Safety Institute

Conrad Stosz has joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology as head of policy for the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute. He confirmed his new role in a post on LinkedIn.

“Excited to be working with a team of amazing scientists to push the boundaries of AI testing and evaluation and help ensure that AI is safe, secure, and trustworthy for everyone,” wrote.

Stosz previously served as policy adviser and then director of AI at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, where he played a role in policy and budget for AI deployment across the government. While at OMB, he co-authored Executive Order 14110 on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of AI and penned the OMB Memorandum M-24-10, which established the role of chief AI officers in federal agencies.

Before joining the OMB, the technologist also advised the secretary of defense on AI policy development related to data, digital infrastructures, privacy and civil liberties and was a staff member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

The NIST’s U.S. AI Safety Institute aims to advance research and promote AI safety and mitigate risks associated with the technology in national security, public safety and civil rights. It is home to the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium, a public-private collaboration of over 200 artificial intelligence developers and researchers to develop standards for responsible AI.

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