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NASA to Relaunch Mentor-Protégé Program
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NASA to Relaunch Mentor-Protégé Program

NASA is set to relaunch its Mentor-Protégé Program for contractors on Nov. 1 to boost the growth of commercial markets supporting the future of space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.

The agency said Tuesday the program aims to encourage NASA prime contractors to partner with small businesses on various contracts and subcontract awards to enhance the protégés’ performance through technical and developmental assistance from the mentors. The program also intends to help the mentors and protégés develop long-term business relationships and build more networking and contract opportunities while reducing gaps in the supply chain.

The relaunched program will be open to all small businesses, underserved communities and minority-serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Ability One entities. The program will also focus on North American Industry Classifications System codes and specific industry sectors like research and development and aerospace manufacturing.

NASA will manage each mentor-protégé partnership while the agency’s Office of Small Business Programs will oversee the program. Performance reviews will be held semi-annually to monitor the progress of each agreement.

Dwight Deneal, assistant administrator of the OSBP, stated, “The NASA Mentor-Protégé Program is a critical enabling tool that allows experienced companies to provide business developmental assistance to emerging firms. The program enables NASA to expand its industrial base of suppliers, as prime and subcontractors, to assist in executing the mission and programs throughout the agency.”

An online lunch and learn event will be held on Nov. 7 at 1:00 p.m. EST to provide more information about the program.

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DOD Shares Plan for National Defense Industrial Strategy Rollout
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DOD Shares Plan for National Defense Industrial Strategy Rollout

The Department of Defense has released a plan outlining the measures DOD will take to implement the National Defense Industrial Strategy, or NDIS.

DOD said Tuesday the NDIS Implementation Plan outlines six key implementation initiatives and associated lines of effort that will enable the department to mitigate risks and achieve a more resilient defense industrial base.

“This implementation plan offers industry, global allies, and partners clear direction on the Department’s priorities for industrial capacity building,” said Laura Taylor-Kale, assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy.

6 Key Implementation Initiatives

The initiatives outlined in the document are Indo-Pacific deterrence, production and supply chains, allied and partner industrial collaboration, capabilities and infrastructure modernization, new capabilities using flexible pathways, and intellectual property and data analysis.

Each initiative comes with specific lines of effort.

Under production and supply chains, lines of effort include assessing supply chain risk vulnerabilities, onshoring critical production capacity and advancing industrial cybersecurity.

“Implementing these initiatives will require coordinated efforts across the DoD, and support and cooperation from our interagency, industry, and international stakeholders, as well as our champions in Congress,” noted Taylor-Kale.

What Is NDIS?

In January, the Pentagon issued the inaugural National Defense Industrial Strategy, outlining the department’s four strategic priorities: resilient supply chains, workforce readiness, flexible acquisition and economic deterrence.

The strategy recommends several measures under each strategic priority and intends to guide DOD’s policy development, engagement and investment in the defense industrial base over the next three to five years.

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How Oracle Is Approaching Zero Trust
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How Oracle Is Approaching Zero Trust

Cybersecurity is essential in today’s rapidly evolving cyber landscape. And government agencies are getting serious about cybersecurity approaches like zero trust, especially as the Department of Defense moves toward making zero trust a requirement. In a new video interview, Executive Mosaic spoke with Steve Derr of Oracle to learn more about how the company is implementing zero trust and other cybersecurity measures.

Secure Cloud Computing Architecture Update

In September, Oracle announced the release of a second version of its Secure Cloud Computing Architecture, or SCCA. The update is designed to meet the DOD’s secure landing zone requirements for mission owners and cloud brokers, Derr explained.

“The capability is fully scripted and automated to expedite the speed of deployment of the landing zone, which allows both those cloud brokers and mission owners to deploy faster using cloud native capabilities to secure their workloads,” said Derr, vice president of Oracle’s JWCC program management office and Cloud Operations and Engineering.

Oracle’s Zero Trust Capabilities

According to Derr, Oracle’s focus on zero trust is centered around supporting the DOD’s and the Intelligence Community’s zero trust strategies, protecting workloads from insider threats and providing greater control of access privileges.

“We’ve taken lessons learned from the DOD zero trust testing that we accomplished in September 2023, and have created a zero trust-enabled landing zone that aligns with the seven principles of zero trust,” shared Derr.

“The DOD and the Intelligence Community benefit from the R&D that Oracle has done on their behalf to expedite both the security compliance, which is a heavy lift for most mission owners, and the speed to mission for critical workloads,” he added.

Dive Into Cloud With 4×24

Derr is the chair of the Cloud Group within Executive Mosaic’s 4×24 Executive Leadership program. Through the program, senior industry executives and government decision makers convene in a series of networking dinners to discuss the ins and outs of the cloud computing sector. 

“These events offer a great venue for in-depth discussions that lead to valuable outcomes for the government, as well as an avenue for business and industry partners to ask open questions about the needs, the requirements and the upcoming strategies of these government leaders,” Derr said.

Be a part of the Cloud Group! Learn more about 4×24 and see if you qualify for the program.  

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NASA Identifies Artemis III South Pole Landing Sites
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NASA Identifies Artemis III South Pole Landing Sites

NASA has identified nine potential landing regions on the lunar South Pole for the Artemis III capsule that is intended to bring humans to the moon for the first time in over 50 years.

A multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers analyzed data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and lunar science research together with science and industry partners to select the landing sites, which offer the potential to provide new scientific discoveries to better understand rocky planets, lunar resources, and the history of our solar system, NASA said Monday.

The selected landing regions for the third Artemis mission, scheduled to lift off in 2026, are Peak near Cabeus B, Haworth, Malapert Massif, Mons Mouton Plateau, Mons Mouton, Nobile Rim 1, Nobile Rim 2, de Gerlache Rim 2 and Slater Plain.

According to the space agency, the mission will also mark the first human landing on the lunar South Pole region, which remains unexplored by a crewed mission.

Sarah Noble, Artemis lunar science lead at NASA, said the South Pole “offers access to some of the Moon’s oldest terrain, as well as cold, shadowed regions that may contain water and other compounds.”

SpaceX is developing a human landing system, or HLS, version of its Starship space vehicle under a contract with NASA.

The space agency has yet to identify the two astronauts who will board the HLS and explore the South Pole for a week.

Artemis III was initially set for launch in late 2025 but was delayed to give more time to address development, operation and integration challenges.

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FEMA Issues Notice of Funding Opportunity for NSGP-NSS
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FEMA Issues Notice of Funding Opportunity for NSGP-NSS

The Grant Programs Directorate within the Federal Emergency Management Agency is now accepting applications for Nonprofit Security Grant Program – National Security Supplemental, or NSGP-NSS. The program seeks to finance enhancements and activities that bolster the physical and cybersecurity of nonprofit organizations at risk of terrorist or extremist attack, according to a notice of funding opportunity posted Monday on the FEMA website.

NSGP-NSS Funding Priorities

The top funding priority for NSGP-NSS involves enhancing the protection of soft targets or crowded places. Possible project types under this priority area include installing closed circuit television security cameras or screening equipment for people and baggage, providing access control equipment and delivering cybersecurity enhancements.

Secondarily, NSGP-NSS seeks to fund projects related to planning, training and awareness and exercises. Possible project types under these priority areas include the development of emergency or contingency plans, conducting public awareness or preparedness campaigns and carrying out response exercises.

Award Details

A total of $210 million is available for the funding opportunity. Half will be allocated for subapplicants located within high-risk urban areas as designated by the FY 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative while the other half will be allocated for subapplicants located outside high-risk urban areas.

Up to 56 awards are expected to be issued under the program. The period of performance begins on May 1, 2025, and ends on April 30, 2028, for a total of 36 months.

Application Deadline

Interested parties have until Jan. 24, 2025, to submit applications. Awards are expected to be issued no later than May 10, 2025.

FEMA Issues Notice of Funding Opportunity for NSGP-NSS

Hear from various speakers to learn more about the various security concerns facing the U.S. and what’s being done to address them at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Homeland Security Summit, which will take place on Nov. 13.

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Five Eyes Alliance Unveils Secure Innovation Guidance
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Five Eyes Alliance Unveils Secure Innovation Guidance

The members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance have released shared security guidance to help emerging technology companies protect their organizations from national security threats, including those from nation-state actors.

Secure Innovation

The joint security guidance issued by the Five Eyes member countries Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S. seeks to provide the tech sector with recommendations to help startups safeguard their ideas, reputation and future success.

Businesses across all Five Eyes countries can use a set of Secure Innovation resources and related products to safeguard their organizations amid the evolving security threat landscape.

Downloadable resources include documents containing security advice for emerging tech companies and investors, scenarios and mitigating actions, and due diligence guidance.

“The Five Eyes partners face unprecedented threats to our emerging tech ecosystems. So, today we’re arming tech firms across our nations with guidance on how to secure the innovation so critical to our future,” said Mike Casey, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

“This guidance is designed to help tech startups protect their innovation, reputation, and growth, while also helping tech investors fortify their portfolio companies against security risks,” Casey added.

State Dept OKs Swiss $450M Missile Sustainment FMS Request
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State Dept OKs Swiss $450M Missile Sustainment FMS Request

The State Department has approved the foreign military sale request of Switzerland for the purchase of PATRIOT sustainment support and related equipment worth $450 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Monday RTX, Lockheed Martin and Leidos will serve as the principal contractors for the potential deal.

The possible deal covers the procurement of five PATRIOT Fire Units and missile inventory, which are intended to strengthen Switzerland’s national and territorial defense and enhance interoperability with U.S. and other European forces.

Switzerland will also acquire non-major defense equipment, or MDE, items, including general electronic test station equipment and program sets, modification and upgrade kits, unclassified and classified repair and return, unclassified and classified spares and classified missile processing. The European country also requested for foreign liaison officer support, field surveillance program, international engineering services, publications and technical documentation, transportation, training and U.S. government and contractor technical, engineering and logistics support services.

Under the proposed deal, 10 contractor representatives will be assigned to Switzerland to provide technical support for an extended period.

The DSCA notified Congress of the potential sale Monday.

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DHA Director Discusses My Military Health, TRICARE Implementation
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DHA Director Discusses My Military Health, TRICARE Implementation

The head of the Defense Health Agency emphasized the importance of improving healthcare delivery to military patients and medical forces at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, a Wash100 awardee, said at the recent event that she has led efforts at the DHA to utilize the latest technologies to improve healthcare access and convenience. 

“Over the last several years, I’ve had an opportunity as a senior leader to hear from many of you on our health care system and things we can do better,” the agency director shared. “There is a consistent message—we all deserve good care, and we all have an expectation to be met where we’re at.” 

Digital Transformation

One key action that the DHA has undertaken to improve healthcare delivery is the launch of My Military Health, which provides a suite of online applications and tools that aim to improve patient physical and emotional well-being. According to Crosland, the DHA has identified and begun rolling out My Military Health to five locations as part of My Military Health’s pilot testing. 

The agency official revealed that each site has access to three My Military Health capabilities: SilverCloud, a behavioral health platform and a secure video tool for online medical appointments. 

TRICARE Contract Implementation

Crosland also discussed the next-generation TRICARE, or T-5, contract that is set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The DHA director pointed out that the T-5 “has been 10 years in the making” and the agency has made changes to address previous challenges, such as frustration over provider directories. 

The official revealed that T-5 will offer financial incentives to improve the accuracy of provider directories. Moreover, contractors will guide beneficiaries in navigating specialty care referrals.

Hear industry leaders and experts discuss the trends and innovations that are transforming the healthcare sector at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Healthcare Summit on Dec. 11.

DHA Director Discusses My Military Health, TRICARE Implementation
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MRIC Conducts Quick Reaction Assessment
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MRIC Conducts Quick Reaction Assessment

The U.S. Marine Corps’ Medium Range Intercept Capability, or MRIC, conducted a quick reaction assessment, known as a QRA, last month involving Marines from the ­­1st Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion.

The USMC said Monday the QRA supports the service’s initiatives to develop modern capabilities like ground-based air defenses, cruise missile defense, counter-small unmanned aircraft systems and counter-fixed wing and rotary wing to defend against rapidly emerging threats in the modern battlefield. The event marked the first time that the full kill chain was executed by the Marines using MRIC in a realistic operational setting.

During the assessment, the marines were able to set up and operate the MRIC system efficiently and managed to detect, track, assess and target cruise missiles and other targets. The next step is to analyze the data gathered from the QRA with the help of the Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity. The data includes system logs, photos and videos of the system performing and feedback from the Marines.

The results of the analysis will determine if the program executive officer will allow the MRIC to be fielded to marine units. A prototype is expected to be deployed by the second or third quarter of fiscal year 2025 to conduct complete training with Marine Corps operators.

Matthew Beck, MRIC product manager, said, “This was an important step towards delivering the much-needed capability to the fleet and we were able to collect critical data points, both qualitative and quantitative, which will continue to enhance the system.”

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NIST Selects 14 Digital Signature Algorithms for PQC Standardization
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NIST Selects 14 Digital Signature Algorithms for PQC Standardization

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has selected 14 candidates to advance to the second round of additional digital signatures for the post-quantum cryptography standardization process.

The advancing digital signature algorithms include CROSS, FAEST, HAWK, LESS, MAYO, Mirath, MQOM, PERK, QR-UOV, RYDE, SDitH, SNOVA, SQIsign and UOV, NIST said Friday.

For winning spots in the second round, the candidates will be allowed to update their encryption algorithms, such as specification adjustments and tweak implementations. During the second phase, the digital signatures will be evaluated and reviewed and the process will run up to 18 months.

The PQC standardization process is part of NIST’s efforts to produce quantum-resistant algorithms that would enhance the security of digital information in the United States. The program started gaining progress in July 2022 with the selection of the first batch of encryption algorithms designed to resist a future quantum computer attack.

NIST intends to integrate the selected digital signature algorithms into its evolving PQC standard, which is set to be finalized in 2024 at the earliest.

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