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Navy Establishing PM Organization Focused on Shipbuilding Investments, Maritime Industrial Base; Frederick Stefany to Lead
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Navy Establishing PM Organization Focused on Shipbuilding Investments, Maritime Industrial Base; Frederick Stefany to Lead

The U.S. Navy will establish a direct reporting program manager for maritime industrial base next month, with Frederick Stefany having been appointed to the role.

As the very first DRPM-MIB, Stefany will be responsible for standing up his organization, which will be responsible for overseeing investments in ship and submarine shipbuilding, with a focus on ensuring the health of the maritime industrial base, the U.S. Navy said Friday.

The DRPM-MIB organization is also expected to help realize the vision of Secretary of the Navy and 2024 Wash100 winner Carlos Del Toro of rebuilding the comprehensive maritime power of the U.S. and positioning industry and the sea service in establishing a fleet that meets the requirements of the National Defense Strategy.

Stefany currently serves as principal civilian deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. When he transitions to his new role, he will be succeeded by Brett Seidle.

Regarding the selection of the inaugural DRPM-MIB, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition and previous Wash100 winner Nickolas Guertin said, “Jay Stefany has been at the forefront of developing the strategy and securing over $40B in industrial base investment to meet our submarine and ship building imperatives.”

“He is exactly the right person to expand on those great efforts for the largest shipbuilding industry mobilization in the Department of Defense since World War II,” added Guertin, who will speak at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Navy Summit.

Navy Establishing PM Organization Focused on Shipbuilding Investments, Maritime Industrial Base; Frederick Stefany to Lead

Naval leaders, experts and innovators from government and industry will discuss how they’re enhancing maritime security, driving technological advancements and fostering strategic cooperation during the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Navy Summit, which will take place on Aug. 15. Register now to attend this important event!

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Secretary Frank Kendall Leads Establishment of DAF Integrated Capabilities Office
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Secretary Frank Kendall Leads Establishment of DAF Integrated Capabilities Office

Frank Kendall, secretary of the Department of the Air Force, established the Integrated Capabilities Office, or ICO, in line with efforts to enhance DAF capabilities through modernization.

The Air Force said Thursday the ICO was officially launched on July 19 mainly to modernize the service and preserve its advantages over other countries. The ICO will support the Air Force’s objective of remaining competitive in terms of power projection capabilities in response to the great power competition.

Kendall, a 2024 Wash100 Award winner, stressed the importance of the ICO in the face of rampant military modernization of China and other countries. “The Integrated Capabilities Office will directly support the Department of the Air Force senior leadership team as we develop our integrated modernization plans for the Air Force and Space Force.”

The Air Force identified seven critical areas that needed a boost:

  • Resilient space order of battle and architectures
  • Joint All-Domain Command and Control
  • Moving target engagement at scale
  • Next generation air dominance
  • Resilient forward basing
  • B-21 long-range strike family of systems
  • Readiness for wartime posture

The ICO will build on the Operational Imperatives by codifying its achievements. The secretariat-level office will facilitate the Integrated Development Campaign Teams, composed of operational experts from the Space Force Space Futures Command and Air Force Integrated Capabilities Command.

Working on imperative problem sets, the teams are responsible for coming up with data-driven products and services as well as recommendations. The ICO will then add these recommendations to its modernization priority list and work with other organizations on their integration into budgeting process.

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USAID Introduces New Digital Policy
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USAID Introduces New Digital Policy

The U.S. Agency for International Development has released a new Digital Policy that promotes the secure adoption of digital and emerging technologies to accelerate development progress and humanitarian response.

New funding worth $14.6 million is expected to be awarded to support policy goals, including enhancing development and humanitarian outcomes through infrastructure investments; improving digital knowledge, skills, policies and technology; and promoting privacy, security, transparency, equity and human rights in USAID programming and across digital ecosystems, USAID said Thursday.

With the funding, the agency aims to achieve responsible AI adoption, build partner countries’ cybersecurity capacity and strengthen foundational digital connectivity infrastructure and financial services.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced the new Digital Policy during a keynote speech at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where she highlighted the role of technology in improving people’s lives.

In support of a vision to harness technology’s potential to advance development and humanitarian efforts, Power also announced the establishment of the DigitalDevelopment.org knowledge hub, which gives external stakeholders access to digital development resources from various countries to simplify how they support digital transformation efforts worldwide.

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Col. Fred Garcia Appointed Division Head at AFLCMC Cyber & Networks Directorate
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Col. Fred Garcia Appointed Division Head at AFLCMC Cyber & Networks Directorate

Col. Fred Garcia II is the new head of the Enterprise Information Technology and Cyber Infrastructure Division within the Cyber and Networks Directorate of Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, or AFLCMC.

The U.S. Air Force said Wednesday Garcia was named the successor to the retiring Col. Justin Collins during a July 19 ceremony at Hanscom Air Force Base. The new senior material leader will be leading a division under the AFLCMC directorate, which is responsible for developing IT and cyber capabilities for war-winning efforts and national defense.

Garcia brings years of experience as director of the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate. The Colorado native spearheaded a directorate responsible for developing and delivering advanced technology in the field of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence and cyber.

The new head’s experience, leadership abilities and dedication will “position the division well moving into the future,” according to Maj. Gen. Anthony Genatempo. The program executive officer for the Cyber and Networks Directorate said, “Col. Garcia has touched every aspect of Air Force leadership the service has to offer. He has not just been around the block but has defined the block.”

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Navy Tests VLS Missile Cannister At-Sea Rearming Capability
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Navy Tests VLS Missile Cannister At-Sea Rearming Capability

Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division has carried out a land-based demonstration of the Transferrable Rearming Mechanism, or TRAM.

The capability, which works to enable the reloading of missile canisters into MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems aboard U.S. Navy surface combatants while at sea, had been deemed a top priority by Secretary of the Navy and 2024 Wash100 awardee Carlos Del Toro, according to a news article posted Wednesday on the Navy website.

The land-based test involved the participation of Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group sailors as well as those aboard the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin.

The test involved the use of real-time analytics and direct monitoring through instrumentation, making it possible to rapidly carry out assessments and modifications.

An at-sea test will follow. According to Ryan Hayleck, technical director for the Naval Sea Systems Command Technology Office and technical lead for the demonstration, TRAM will receive improvements based on the inputs sailors provide.

Hayleck went on to say that with the improvements, “TRAM will only get better and faster from here. I am very excited to take TRAM to sea.”

Navy Tests VLS Missile Cannister At-Sea Rearming Capability

Naval leaders, experts and innovators from government and industry will discuss how they’re enhancing maritime security, driving technological advancements and fostering strategic cooperation during the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Navy Summit, which will take place on Aug. 15. Register now to attend this important event!

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Crane Army Ammunition Activity to Partner With Private Sector to Support Modernization Plan
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Crane Army Ammunition Activity to Partner With Private Sector to Support Modernization Plan

Crane Army Ammunition Activity aims to establish more partnerships with the private sector to support its 15-year, $285 million modernization plan.

CAAA, which produces and provides conventional munitions for warfighters, sees public-private partnerships as a way to finance, build and operate various projects quickly, the U.S. Army said Thursday.

The Army unit currently evaluates defense companies that could be its potential partners in ammunition manufacturing.

As CAAA partners, contractors will have access to Crane’s facilities, ammunition-peculiar equipment and skilled workforce.

The modernization plan, which is part of the overall Army Materiel Command modernization strategy, would include such partnerships in a business model that would involve companies in current munitions production and advanced munitions development to level out the Army’s Organic Industrial Base workload.

According to Patricia Staggs, director for CAAA’s Activity Support Directorate, munitions workload fluctuates depending on the requirements of the Army and the Department of Defense.

Under a public-private partnership, a company “could utilize our touch labor force and we could fill capacity gaps instead of idling some of our skilled workers,” said Staggs.

Besides enhancing manufacturing efficiencies, such collaboration could also stabilize raw material procurement and other business-related costs.

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HHS to Streamline Cyber, Data, AI Policy Functions Through Reorganization
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HHS to Streamline Cyber, Data, AI Policy Functions Through Reorganization

The Department of Health and Human Services will rename the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology as the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, or ASTP/ONC, as part of a reorganization aimed at streamlining technology, data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity strategy and policy functions.

DHS said Thursday National Coordinator Micky Tripathi will assume the role of ASTP/ONC and acting chief AI officer.

Under the reorganization, oversight of AI, data and technology strategy and policy will transfer from the Assistant Secretary for Administration — a.k.a. ASA — to ASTP/ONC and the public-private initiative between the federal government and health sector on cybersecurity will move from ASA to the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.

ASTP/ONC will also form the Office of the Chief Technology Officer and reinstitute the role of CTO, which will oversee the offices of the Chief AI Officer and Chief Data Officer and the Office of Digital Services.

“For decades, HHS has worked across the organization to ensure appropriate and safe use of technology, data, and AI to advance the health and well-being of the American people. This reorganization builds on that success and prepares the Department for the challenges that lie ahead,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

ASTP/ONC has begun its search for permanent CTO, chief AI officer and chief data officer.

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GSA Awards $94M Contract to McGough Construction for Port Modernization
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GSA Awards $94M Contract to McGough Construction for Port Modernization

The General Services Administration granted a $94 million design-build contract to McGough Construction for the replacement of outmoded facilities at one of the ports in North Dakota.

GSA said Wednesday modernizing the Dunseith Land Port of Entry with more secure and efficient high-capacity facilities is aimed at boosting supply chains, generating more jobs and strengthening security and trade.

Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law- and Inflation Reduction Act-funded contract, McGough will be responsible for the design and construction of the facilities. Work includes labor, equipment and materials necessary for the modernization project.

McGough is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification for the project to guarantee safety for both employees and travelers. The construction company will also incorporate sustainability features and ensure that the upgraded port is net-zero ready.

The project will start in spring 2025 and is expected to be completed by late 2028.

GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan described the Dunseith Land Port of Entry modernization as a “once-in-a-generation investment” that will help drive job creation, taxpayer saving and a “stronger and more prosperous future.”

The fully electric port will have ample space for smoother and more efficient operations, less traffic congestion and more processing capacity to facilitate trade and travel volumes. These enhanced port features are meant to assist the Customs and Border Protection agency of the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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FedRAMP Receives Updated Guidance From OMB
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FedRAMP Receives Updated Guidance From OMB

Guidance for the Federal Risk and Authorization Program has been updated by the White House Office of Management and Budget.

The revamped guidance includes a new FedRAMP model, making good on OMB’s 2023 draft memorandum to modernize the FedRAMP program, the General Services Administration announced Friday.

Robin Carnahan, GSA administrator, said, “This highly anticipated guidance further equips GSA to make it safe and easy for federal agencies to deploy state-of-the-art technology to deliver better service to the American people.”

The new FedRAMP model will incorporate additional paths to authorization to enhance the process and allow agencies to integrate more cloud-based tools for operations and storage.

“This guidance will accelerate GSA’s roadmap for FedRAMP and create a stronger foundation for FedRAMP to meet its mission of empowering agencies to deliver better, safer government services,” Carnahan added.

GSA released a roadmap FedRAMP in March that lays out a plan for security, customer experience and expanding the FedRAMP marketplace. Two months later, GSA unveiled the final Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework, to direct how FedRAMP will manage newly flourishing tech.

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AI-Based GigEagle Platform Helps DOD Transform Talent Management; Brig. Gen. Michael McGinley Quoted
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AI-Based GigEagle Platform Helps DOD Transform Talent Management; Brig. Gen. Michael McGinley Quoted

An artificial intelligence-based talent matching platform launched by the Defense Innovation Unit is helping the Department of Defense identify across the joint force service members with the right skillsets to serve in specific positions.

DOD said Thursday the GigEagle platform uses AI and machine learning algorithms to find and match in real time Reserve and National Guard members with gigs at DOD organizations seeking specialty skills.

“The idea is that across the department, programs have real-time needs for specific support and skills, and by mapping the expertise across the Reserve and Guard force, who have in-demand expertise outside of their military occupational specialty, we are able to connect them in an easy-to-use environment,” Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael McGinley, director of the GigEagle Agile Talent Ecosystem Initiative.

According to the department, jobs on the platform range from four hours to three months across the Pentagon.

DIU’s Joint Reserve Detachment, AFWERX, Space Force Space Systems Command and Marine Innovation Unit are among the early adopters of the GigEagle platform.

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