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New USAID Acquisition Regulations Seek to Streamline Programmatic Information Collection & Submission by Contractors
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New USAID Acquisition Regulations Seek to Streamline Programmatic Information Collection & Submission by Contractors

The U.S. Agency for International Development has issued an update to the USAID Acquisition Regulation that implements requirements concerning digital information planning, collection and submission that must be met by contractors working with the agency.

The final rule, which incorporates feedback collected from the public, will go into effect on June 5, according to the issuance posted Monday on the Federal Register.

The requirements put into effect USAID’s policy of managing digital information as a strategic asset in order to inform and evaluate foreign assistance programs. They also seek to streamline the way contractors submit information, with the ultimate goals of reducing administrative burden on contractors and the government alike, improving data quality and interoperability and enhancing insights into programmatic performance.

Changes to the AIDAR include requiring the use of the USAID Digital Front Door as the means of submitting information; mandating the creation of a data management plan; and, if necessary, the preparation of an activity monitoring, evaluation and learning plan.

NGA Solicits Commercial Technologies to Track Illicit Maritime Activities in Indo-Pacific
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NGA Solicits Commercial Technologies to Track Illicit Maritime Activities in Indo-Pacific

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has released its first commercial solutions opening solicitation seeking commercially available technologies designed to identify and track illicit maritime activities in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility.

NGA said Monday that the Project Aegir initiative will involve multiple vendors working together to develop a commercial sensor architecture capable of monitoring illicit maritime activities in the region.

“By working with the commercial sector, we can drive automation that enables more rapid collections, allowing those on the front lines to move at speed to stay ahead of evolving global security threats,” said Devin Brande, director of commercial operations at NGA.

Under the program, commercial vendors will team up to create tasking algorithms for tipping and queuing multiple sensors, carry out data analysis, and provide unclassified intelligence on illicit maritime activities in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.

Vendors can submit their responses from May 6 to 24 and selected vendors will get invited to pitch their capabilities before the Defense Innovation Unit from June 24 to 28.

The selected vendors will participate in a $1.5 million pilot program to test their capabilities. Project Aegir is expected to launch a major acquisition effort based on the results of the pilot.

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Air Force Demos Ability to Create a 3D-Printed Drone in 24 Hours
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Air Force Demos Ability to Create a 3D-Printed Drone in 24 Hours

A U.S. Air Force-Titan Dynamics team has demonstrated the ability to develop and fly an unmanned aerial system within 24 hours.

The USAF said Thursday the week-long Black Phoenix project is part of the Blue Horizons fellowship, an Air Force Center for Strategy and Technology-led initiative aimed at fostering unique problem-solving approaches.

To build the six tested drones, the team 3D-printed the aerodynamic body parts of the aircraft. Using Titan’s automated design software, the team was able to create the body design in under 10 minutes.

The findings from the activities will be compiled and presented to the secretary of the Air Force secretary and chief of staff this month.

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State Department Introduces Strategy for Building Digital Solidarity
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State Department Introduces Strategy for Building Digital Solidarity

The State Department has introduced a new strategy that seeks to develop digital solidarity with U.S. allies and international partners.

Titled as the “United States International Cyberspace and Digital Policy Strategy: Towards an Innovative, Secure, and Rights-Respecting Digital Future,” the plan aims to drive collaboration in building cyber capacity and a resilient digital ecosystem, quickly responding and recovering from cyber incidents and holding threat actors accountable, the State Department said on Monday.

The document outlines three guiding principles for establishing digital solidarity: having an affirmative vision for a secure and inclusive cyberspace grounded in international law; integrating cybersecurity, technological innovation and sustainable development; and implementing a comprehensive policy approach that uses proper tools of diplomacy and international statecraft throughout the entire digital ecosystem.

It is intended to advance the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the National Security Strategy while cultivating international engagement in technology diplomacy.

Listed in the strategy are four areas of action the State Department will focus on to advance digital solidarity. The first two are promoting, building and maintaining an open, secure, inclusive and resilient digital ecosystem and aligning rights-respecting methods to digital and data governance with international partners.

Another area of action is advancing responsible state behavior in cyberspace and countering threats to cyberspace and critical infrastructure by developing coalitions and engaging partners, and the fourth is strengthening and building international partner digital and cyber capacity.

Potomac Officers Club - 2024 Cyber Summit

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Cyber Summit on June 6 to hear cyber experts, government and industry leaders discuss the latest trends and cyber’s dynamic role in the public sector. Register here.

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Rob Shriver Named OPM Acting Director
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Rob Shriver Named OPM Acting Director

Rob Shriver, an experienced government executive, was tapped to serve as acting director of the Office of Personnel Management, where he previously worked as deputy director, according to his LinkedIn post.

He will temporarily take over the responsibilities of Kiran Ajuha, the outgoing OPM director whose departure was announced in mid-April.

Shriver, during the Obama administration, served as OPM’s deputy general counsel for policy from 2009 to 2012 and assistant director for national health care operations from 2012 to 2014. He led the development and implementation of several governmentwide initiatives like hiring process reform while serving as deputy general counsel, and spearheaded the establishment of the Multi-State Plan program, a new program under the Affordable Care Act, during his time as assistant director.

Before returning to OPM in 2021, Shriver worked as director of marketplace innovation, policy and operations, as well as interim chief information officer at DC Health Benefit Exchange, and as vice president of business development at IdeaCrew.

He kickstarted his career at the National Treasury Employees Union, litigating cases on behalf of federal employees as an assistant counsel.

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NIST Launches $285M Funding Opportunity for Digital Twin-Focused CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute; Gina Raimondo Quoted
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NIST Launches $285M Funding Opportunity for Digital Twin-Focused CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute; Gina Raimondo Quoted

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has started soliciting proposals for a potential $285 million funding opportunity to create and manage a CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute.

With these funds, the awardee will establish a facility dedicated to the use of digital twins for semiconductor production, assembly, advanced packaging and test processes, the Department of Commerce said Monday.

“This new Manufacturing USA institute will not only help to make America a leader in developing this new technology for the semiconductor industry, it will also help train the next generation of American workers and researchers to use digital twins for future advances in R&D and production of chips,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

The proposed CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute will help address manufacturing challenges facing the semiconductor industry using physical and digital assets, advance basic and applied research related to chip-focused digital twin development and support demonstration projects and digital twin-related workforce training initiatives.

Upon completion, it will join a network of 17 Manufacturing USA institutes.

An informational webinar on the notice of funding opportunity will be held on May 8, Wednesday. The CHIPS Manufacturing USA Program will host a Proposers Day on May 16.

Concept papers are due June 20, and full applications for the proposed CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute will be accepted through Sept. 9.

Michael Monteleone: Army Eyes GPS Alternatives to Address Multidomain Navigation Requirements
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Michael Monteleone: Army Eyes GPS Alternatives to Address Multidomain Navigation Requirements

Michael Monteleone, director of Army Futures Command’s All-Domain Sensing Cross-Functional Team, said the U.S. Army is looking for alternatives to GPS satellites to provide positioning, navigation and timing, or PNT, signals for various domains, Breaking Defense reported Monday.

“From the Army perspective, it’s going to be a little bit different for us in every domain. So, if I’m on the ground, there are certain things I can take advantage of from just simply being on the ground that maybe I can’t if I’m airborne, or if I’m a precision-guided munition moving at an incredible speed, perhaps maybe spinning while I’m in the air,” Monteleone said.

He added that the service branch must carefully plan which sensors to put on certain platforms based on mission requirements and costs.

“I don’t want to take a very expensive, very, very capable [alternative] PNT system that belongs on a, let’s say, a Stryker platform or an Abrams tank or something like that, and … stick it on the robot that is the one that I’m training to take first contact,” Monteleone said.

To develop alternative GPS signals effectively, Monteleone is seeking to take advantage of commercial technologies, such as quantum sensors for PNT and magnetic navigation.

“Mag-nav is interesting because you can use it across multiple domains as well,” according to Monteleone.

Potomac Officers Club - 2024 Army Summit

Monteleone is set to speak at the Potomac Officers Club’s 9th Annual Army Summit on June 13. Register here to save your seat at the event and hear from Army officials about their most urgent priorities for 2024 and beyond.

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CISA Appoints 4 New Members to Cyber Safety Review Board; Jen Easterly Quoted
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CISA Appoints 4 New Members to Cyber Safety Review Board; Jen Easterly Quoted

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has appointed four new members to the Cyber Safety Review Board, an entity that advises CISA and the wider Department of Homeland Security on cybersecurity and incident response policy and practices.

New members include Jamil Jaffer, venture partner at Paladin Capital Group; David Luber, director of the Cybersecurity Directorate at the National Security Agency; Katie Nickels, senior director of intelligence operations at Red Canary; and Chris Krebs, chief intelligence and public policy officer at Sentinel One, CISA announced on Monday.

“I am also very pleased to welcome Jamil, Dave, Katie, and Chris to the Board. I know their cybersecurity expertise and experience will be instrumental in the continuing evolution of the CSRB as a catalyst for positive change in the cybersecurity ecosystem,” said Jen Easterly, director of CISA and a 2024 Wash100 awardee.

Luber will succeed Rob Joyce as the Federal CSRB representative from the NSA, and Joyce may remain on the board as a private sector member.

Current members Katie Moussouris, Chris Novak, Tony Sager and Wendi Whitmore will leave the board.

“I can’t thank Katie, Chris, Tony, and Wendi enough for the outstanding contributions they’ve made as CSRB members. I am truly grateful for their service on the Board,” Easterly said.

POC - 2024 Cyber Summit

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Cyber Summit on June 6 to hear from government and industry experts about the dynamic and ever-evolving role of cyber in the public sector. Register here!

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Steve Karp Promoted to Chief Innovation Officer at Unanet
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Steve Karp Promoted to Chief Innovation Officer at Unanet

Steve Karp has been appointed as Unanet’s first-ever chief innovation officer.

He previously served as the company’s senior vice president of financial solutions, and in his new role, he will shift his focus to center the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence from a customer service perspective, Unanet announced from its Dulles, Virginia headquarters on Tuesday.

Unanet CEO Craig Halliday, a 2024 Wash100 Award winner, said Karp is an ideal selection for the position “because he understands that AI and other developing technology must complement people rather than be a replacement for ingenuity, creative thinking, and problem-solving.”

“His ability to define a vision and execute against it will enable our customers to run their businesses faster and more efficiently,” Halliday added.

In his previous role at Unanet, Karp helped grow the company’s portfolio of financial offerings with the deployment of its AR Automation and AP Automation technologies.

As chief innovation officer, he will supervise the development of new tools to optimize Unanet’s enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management platforms while embracing novel technologies and updating processes.

“Businesses are grappling with the influx of new technologies while also trying to manage the evolving and growing operations within their own dynamic marketplaces,” noted Karp, who emphasized his commitment to keeping customer needs in mind when delivering technology products.

“We understand that any new technology Unanet delivers must be easy, simple to use, and help customers wrangle their challenges, not create added complexity,” he said.

Karp is a 30-year veteran of the software-as-a-service and financial technology industries. Before joining Unanet in late 2022, he served in leadership roles at a number of organizations, most recently as chief product officer at EverView. Other positions he has held during his career include general manager of payments at Upserve, senior vice president and head of retail relationship management at Cardtronics and vice president of strategy and operations at Fattmerchant, among others.

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DOD Offers a Look Into Initial Tranche of Replicator Program Capabilities; Kathleen Hicks Quoted
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DOD Offers a Look Into Initial Tranche of Replicator Program Capabilities; Kathleen Hicks Quoted

Uncrewed aerial systems, counter-UAS and uncrewed surface vehicles of various sizes and payloads are part of the first tranche of the Replicator program, the Department of Defense announced on Monday.

Launched in August 2023 by Kathleen Hicks, deputy secretary of defense and a 2024 Wash100 awardee, the Replicator initiative intends to field thousands of all-domain attritable autonomous systems, or ADA2 systems, within the next 18 to 24 months.

“I am pleased to announce that the Department will begin investing in scalable production for these critical capabilities,” said Hicks.

This is both “an important step toward strengthening our defense and technology industrial base” and a demonstration of the DOD’s “ability to break down barriers to scaling innovation at speed” for both ADA2 systems and new capabilities and processes, Hicks said.

Included in the first tranche are AeroVironment’s Switchblade-600 loitering munitions, which will deliver additional capability to U.S. troops and certain classified capabilities in the maritime domain and counter-UAS area.

In late January, the DOD launched the Production-Ready, Inexpensive, Maritime Expeditionary or PRIME Commercial Solutions Opening to diversify its USV vendor base. The department received over 100 applications from commercial companies through the PRIME CSO and is on schedule to award contracts this summer using fiscal year 2024 funding.

The DOD received approximately $500 million in FY 2024 funding for the initiative and sought an equal amount in funding for FY 2025.

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