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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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Mac Thornberry: Cyber, Nuclear Deterrence, Special Ops Among HASC Priorities in 2016
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Mac Thornberry: Cyber, Nuclear Deterrence, Special Ops Among HASC Priorities in 2016


Mac Thornberry
Mac Thornberry

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) has said the panel will focus on cybersecurity, nuclear modernization, special operations and the Third Offset Strategy in 2016, Defense News reported Wednesday.

Jen Judson writes that the lawmaker noted the Defense Department‘s efforts to ensure U.S. technological superiority into the future and urged focus on matters beyond technology.

“We have to be able to fight and win in cyberspace so the committee is pushing issues related to people, organization [and] rules of engagement in that domain to try to make sure we close the gap between the threat and the policies we now have to deploy,” Thornberry said at a National Press Club event, according to the report.

He also cited nuclear deterrence as the foundation of U.S. defense efforts amid Russia’s work on nuclear technology and North Korea’s reported hydrogen bomb test.

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Brig. Gen. Erik Peterson: Army Needs Multi-Intelligence UAS for Special Operations
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Brig. Gen. Erik Peterson: Army Needs Multi-Intelligence UAS for Special Operations


droneThe U.S. Army aims to build an unmanned aircraft system that would employ multiple sensors for gathering of intelligence during special operations, Defense News reported Thursday.

Jen Judson writes Brig. Gen. Erik Peterson, head of the Army’s Special Operations Command, told audience at an Association of the United States Army-hosted forum Thursday in Virginia that the command maintains approximately 333 unmanned aircraft systems.

The command’s UAS fleet includes BAE Systems-built Silver Foxes and General Atomics-made Gray Eagles, Judson reports.

Peterson added the command aims to address data processing, exploitation and dissemination challenges associated with larger drone use.

In a separate report, Breaking Defense’s Richard Whittle wrote the Army seeks to procure up to 36 Gray Eagles to support military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Maj. Gen. Michael Lundy, commanding general of the Army’s Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker, said at the AUSA event the military branch should make vertical-takeoff-and-landing capability a requirement for drone programs.

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FBI Kicks Off Search for New CIO to Head Tech Program Budgets, IT Operations
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FBI Kicks Off Search for New CIO to Head Tech Program Budgets, IT Operations


FBIThe FBI is looking for a new chief information officer with a top secret-level sensitive compartmented information clearance.

A notice posted on the FBI’s employment website says the incumbent will oversee enterprise data centers, networks, computer program development and system operations, information sharing and cybersecurity functions.

The new CIO will also review technology program budgets, manage data resource acquisition efforts and recommend strategies to improve IT operations at the bureau.

The FBI noted it wants a professional who holds experience in managing large-scale technology development programs in the government and commercial sectors as well as possesses leadership, organizing, planning, collaboration, problem solving, judgment and interpersonal skills.

The selected candidate will be based in Washington and report to the FBI’s deputy director and associate deputy director.

GAO: GSA Should Increase Competition to Help Tenant Agencies Reduce Leasing Costs
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GAO: GSA Should Increase Competition to Help Tenant Agencies Reduce Leasing Costs


OfficeThe Government Accountability Office has recommended the General Services Administration to expand competition for GSA leases in order to reduce leasing costs.

GAO made the recommendation after an analysis showed that approximately half of 714 new office leases that GSA negotiated from 2008 through 2014 surpassed the average local market rate for similar office space by at least 10 percent, the congressional audit agency said in a report published Wednesday.

GSA should allow tenant agencies to change their building and geographic requirements as another way to promote competition, according to the report.

GAO also urged GSA to consider the adoption of Federal Buildings Fund balances in order to lower interest fees and cover costs that tenants incur on improvements made to newly leased offices.

The office said it believes agencies could save on tenant fees if GSA would provide them the option to sign occupancy agreements that are non-cancelable.

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