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Mary Davie: Federal Agencies Achieved 27% in FY 2015 Under Wireless BPAs
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Mary Davie: Federal Agencies Achieved 27% in FY 2015 Under Wireless BPAs


Mary Davie
Mary Davie

Federal agencies that used the General Services Administration’s Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative blanket purchase agreements to acquire wireless services experienced an average savings of 27 percent valued at over $10 million in fiscal year 2015.

Mary Davie, assistant commissioner of the integrated technology service office at GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service, wrote in a blog post published Friday that the use of the agency’s FSSI BPAs to purchase wireless services increased by 500 percent in FY 2015 compared with FY 2014.

GSA awarded positions on a wireless services BPA in 2013 to four telecommunications companies in an effort to centralize plans for agencies under a single purchasing vehicle.

According to Davie, the increase in savings was driven by the agencies’ work to manage workloads through the integration of mobile platforms with their information technology networks.

GSA also found that 85 percent of civilian and defense agencies at the cabinet level utilized FSSI Wireless BPAs in FY 2015 to consolidate task orders as they work to manage their wireless and mobile assets.

Davie also noted that the use of government-wide contracts for wireless services has helped agencies reduce overage costs through minutes and data pooling options and discounted pricing for wireless plans offered to agencies.

GSA also plans to launch this year the Mobility 2.0 initiative in an effort to help agencies acquire and manage mobile and wireless programs, Davie added.

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FDA Opens Comment Period on Medical Device Cybersecurity Guide
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FDA Opens Comment Period on Medical Device Cybersecurity Guide


cybersecurityThe Food and Drug Administration has released draft guidance to help manufacturers protect medical devices against cyber threats throughout the product lifecycle.

The guide outlines postmarket strategies for the medical device industry to monitor, identify and address cybersecurity risks that could affect the performance and safety of their technology offerings, the FDA said Friday.

“Medical devices that use software and are connected to hospital and health care organizations’ networks have vulnerabilities,” said Suzanne Schwartz, acting director of emergency preparedness/operations and medical countermeasures at FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

“Only when we work collaboratively and openly in a trusted environment, will we be able to best protect patient safety and stay ahead of cybersecurity threats,” Schwartz added.

The agency recommended that manufacturers integrate a National Institute of Standards and Technology-provided cybersecurity framework into their risk management efforts.

FDA will hold a public workshop on Wednesday and Thursday at the agency headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, to discuss medical device protection issues with industry.

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GAO Urges Federal Agencies to Reduce Unused Vehicles
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GAO Urges Federal Agencies to Reduce Unused Vehicles


GAOThe Government Accountability Office has called on federal agencies to reform their assessment processes for federally leased vehicles in order to help reduce underutilized fleets.

GAO said in a report released Thursday that the General Services Administration should establish a mechanism to facilitate discussion between fleet managers and their fleet service representatives over underutilized vehicles.

According to GAO’s findings, 18 of 51 fleet managers said they did not have the opportunity to identify unused vehicles with their FSRs.

GAO also found that the assessment processes used by the U.S. Air Force, Bureau of Indian Affairs, NASA, National Park Service and the Veterans Health Administration failed to reduce underutilized vehicles.

More than 1,500 vehicles leased by the Air Force, BIA, NPS and VHA failed to meet utilization criteria, according to GAO.

The government watchdog took into consideration the fleet size and vehicle records for the fiscal year 2014, surveyed fleet managers, assessed fleet policies and interviewed federal officials for the report.

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DARPA to Hold Proposers Day for Photon Detection Program
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DARPA to Hold Proposers Day for Photon Detection Program

photon detectionThe Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency will hold a Proposers Day on Jan. 25 to provide information on a new program that seeks to facilitate new imaging concepts and technology through the detection of photons.

DARPA said Wednesday the Fundamental Limits of Photon Detection or “Detect” program aims to use quantum models for proof-of-concept experiments.

“The goal of the Detect program is to determine how precisely we can spot individual photons and whether we can maximize key characteristics of photon detectors simultaneously in a single system,” said Prem Kumar, a program manager at DARPA.

“[Answers] to these questions could radically change light detection as we know it and vastly improve the many tools and avenues of discovery that today rely on light detection.”

The program will also look into differences between various technology platforms for photon detection.

DARPA said experts in the fields of quantum measurement theory, quantum information science, semiconductor and superconductor physics, system design and engineering, among others, can participate in the program.

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NASA Unveils New Office to Detect, Track Near-Earth Objects; Lindley Johnson Comments
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NASA Unveils New Office to Detect, Track Near-Earth Objects; Lindley Johnson Comments


deep_spaceNASA has launched a new office within the science mission directorate’s planetary science division that will work to detect and monitor asteroids and other near-Earth objects.

The planetary defense coordination office will also coordinate programs and craft plans with the Defense Department, Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal and international agencies in response to any potential threats posed by NEO-related impacts, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said Jan. 7.

PDCO will release notices of close approaches of asteroids and comets to Earth, issue warnings and oversee NASA’s NEO Observations Program.

Lindley Johnson, a NEO program executive at NASA, will lead the new office as planetary defense officer.

The creation of the new office reflects the space agency’s commitment “to perform a leadership role in national and international efforts for detection of these natural impact hazards and to be engaged in planning if there is a need for planetary defense,” Johnson said.

Willie May Unveils Blog Site for NIST’s Measurement Tech R&D Efforts
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Willie May Unveils Blog Site for NIST’s Measurement Tech R&D Efforts


Willie May
Willie May

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has launched a new blog site to inform people about the agency’s work to develop methods and tools for measurement of various materials.

NIST Director Willie May, also the commerce undersecretary for standards and technology, said Thursday the agency also wants to share a wide range of science and technology programs with the public through its Taking Measure blog.

“This blog will give you a glimpse into our labs and show you where science is today and where it might take us tomorrow,” he added.

The agency’s research team explores new technology to determine the proper dosage for medicines and calculate size of automotive and computer parts, according to May.

He noted the NIST also aims to develop forensic science and medical diagnostic methods as well as collaborates with multiple organizations and individuals worldwide to promote product design standards, safety and market opportunities for U.S.-based companies.

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NASCIO Vows to Support Govt Push for Cybersecurity, Data Sharing, FirstNet Programs
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NASCIO Vows to Support Govt Push for Cybersecurity, Data Sharing, FirstNet Programs


cybersecurityThe National Association of State Chief Information Officers plans to launch advocacy efforts this year to encourage adoption of cybersecurity strategies, a public safety broadband network and an information exchange framework at state government agencies.

NASCIO said Jan. 12 it will collaborate with federal regulators in a bid to address “silo” or “stove-pipe” funding of information technology infrastructure projects.

The association added it believes state government CIOs need regulatory flexibility to consolidate their agencies’ enterprise IT assets as well as implement shared business models and integrated citizen services.

The group also vowed to monitor the First Responder Network Authority’s initiatives toward development of a nationwide wireless communications network for first responders.

FirstNet, which issued a request for proposals on the project Thursday, has set a summer 2017 deadline for states to decide if they want to opt in or out of the emergency services network, NASCIO noted.

The group also promised to promote use of National Information Exchange Model at the state level.

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US Military Leaders Set Strategies to Defeat Islamic State Group
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US Military Leaders Set Strategies to Defeat Islamic State Group


PentagonDefense Secretary Ashton Carter and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. have met with other military commanders to discuss strategies on how to conquer the Islamic State organization, DoD News reported Thursday.

Terri Moon Cronk writes Carter, Dunford, U.S. Central Command head U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd Austin III and U.S. Special Operations Command chief Gen. Joseph Votel met at Centcom to set the course on furthering pressure on ISIS through anti-ISIL campaigns.

The U.S. military plans to destroy ISIS’ two power centers, counter the group’s worldwide campaign for support and secure the homeland, according to the report.

Carter told a conference, President Barack Obama also approved new military actions after he consulted with the four military leaders, DoD News reports.

The secretary told reporters the latest military actions “have allowed us to accelerate the campaign, gather momentum, and pressure ISIL in Iraq and Syria on more fronts than at any other point in the campaign,” DoD News reports.

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Deborah Lee James: Govt-Industry Collaboration Drives ’21st Century’ Air Force Acquisition System
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Deborah Lee James: Govt-Industry Collaboration Drives ’21st Century’ Air Force Acquisition System


Deborah Lee James
Deborah Lee James

U.S. Air Force Sec. Deborah Lee James has detailed the service branch’s Bending the Cost Curve acquisition system that seeks to support innovation and deliver cost savings and process efficiencies.

James wrote in a guest piece published Wednesday on Defense One that the Air Force worked with the defense industry as part of efforts to develop a “21st century” acquisition system.

“This is the future of acquisitions: fast, competitive, and affordable,” she said.

She noted that increased dialogue between government and industry has resulted in the formation of an IT Business Analytics Office, while corporate leaders have also contributed to cost-capability analyses on four acquisition programs.

The Open Systems Acquisitions activity has also helped open program competition beyond the traditional defense industrial base, James wrote.

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DISA’s Dave Mihelcic: Some Standard Cloud Definitions May Not Be Suitable for DoD
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DISA’s Dave Mihelcic: Some Standard Cloud Definitions May Not Be Suitable for DoD


cloudDave Mihelcic, chief technology officer at the Defense Information Systems Agency, has said that some definitions of cloud that the National Institute of Standards and Technology developed may not be applicable to the Defense Department, C4ISR & Networks reported Thursday.

“So I think the answer that you’re not going to always precisely have the same definition isn’t necessarily a bad answer,” he added.

“In particular, some of the metered billing pieces of [cloud] may not always be applicable to some of the things we need in the department.”

Amber Corrin writes Mihelcic also previewed some DISA’s plans for acquisitions of cloud platforms.

“We may want to use cloud-like technologies, but we may want to buy them in a slightly more dedicated fashion to ensure quality of service, for example,” he noted.

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