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DOD Under Secretary Orders DTIC Force Reduction Under AI-First Digital Transformation Initiative
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Department of Defense logo. The DOD is reorganizing the Defense Technical Information Center.

The Department of Defense is downsizing the Defense Technical Information Center to 40 civilian positions as part of an artificial intelligence-first digital transformation initiative, which is expected to result in annual savings of over $25 million and better capabilities for meeting critical mission needs.

Silvana Rubino-Hallman, announced as acting administrator on July 29, will implement the personnel reduction, conduct core mission review for all contractor personnel augmenting DTIC staff, direct “cognizant contracting officers” to issue any stop-work orders as appropriate and oversee DTIC’s digital transformation, according to a memorandum from Emil Michael, the under secretary of defense for research and engineering.

Reducing Bureaucracy at DTIC

The reduction-in-force aims to refocus DTIC on its core statutory mandate of administering a library of technical information, while improving the user experience and eliminating duplicative functions.

Civilian personnel not selected for retention will receive specific notices of reduction-in-force by Aug. 25 and be placed on administrative leave with full rights. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said the decision is part of a broader reform effort to streamline operations and reduce bureaucracy.

DTIC will also be realigned under the assistant secretary of defense for critical technologies as part of its reorganization.

According to the memo, DTIC’s outdated information systems are no longer adequate to support global research and development trends or integrate with data and intelligence platforms. The restructured center is expected to improve knowledge-sharing and better support deterrence-related R&D investments.

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MITRE Outlines Steps to Enable Rapid Innovation Adoption at DOD
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MITRE logo. MITRE published a new paper on defense acquisitions

MITRE identified challenges preventing the Department of Defense from rapidly adopting commercial innovations and provided recommendations that would accelerate capability delivery to warfighters in a new paper published Monday. Titled Breaking Barriers: Accelerating Innovation Adoption for Defense Priorities, the paper guides the Pentagon to streamline processes and better leverage commercial capabilities to achieve its technology priorities.

What DOD Can Do to Accelerate Innovation Adoption

The paper, published, recommends that the DOD start by identifying specific mission gaps and communicating them with industry. By focusing on mission problem needs rather than requirement statements, the government can empower industry to identify novel and creative solutions that address urgent and complex operational challenges.

MITRE also promotes maturing commercial technologies and exploring dual-use applications. According to the paper, existing industry technologies present an opportunity for the DOD to deliver capabilities at speed and scale. The DOD must facilitate a transparent dialogue between the problem owners and the technology providers and ensure collaboration throughout the development process to validate that a proposed solution remain aligned with mission needs.

MITRE also advised the DOD to reduce barriers to data and facilities that industry can use to innovate. The organization explained that non-traditional industry partners often face limited or no access to classified computing resources classified or mission-relevant data. The DOD can address the issue by implementing best practices, such as applying a modular open systems approach and developing a full system-level digital twin.

Finally, the paper said the DOD must fast-track the procurement process by more widely utilizing flexible and agile acquisition or transition methods, such as other transaction agreements.

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NIST Releases SP 800-63-4 Revision to Enhance Digital Identity Security
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NIST logo. NIST released Revision 4 of SP 800-63-4, or the Digital Identity Guidelines.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released the fourth revision of Special Publication 800-63-4, or the Digital Identity Guidelines.

NIST said Monday the new revision is intended to address the evolving digital landscape that has taken shape since 2017, the last time the SP was revised.

Digital Identity Guidelines Proposed Changes

Revision four introduces updated guidelines defining the process and technical requirements to meet digital identity assurance standards for proofing, authentication and federation. This includes changes to security and privacy requirements and strategies that can be adopted to make digital identity systems more user-friendly. Furthermore, the entire suite of documents has undergone significant content revisions.

What Is Special Publication 800-63-4?

SP 800-63-4 is a set of guidelines designed to ensure the security and privacy of people using government services. The Digital Identity Guidelines manage and outline specific technical requirements for identity proofing, authentication, enrollment, management processes, authentication protocols and federation for government information system users, including employees and contractors. The guidelines also provide recommendations, although they are not meant to restrict the use or development of external standards.

Before the release of revision four, the NIST sought public comments on its draft version. The draft included input in 2023 by stakeholders across private industry, federal agencies, advocacy groups and the broader public.

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Trump’s Bill Makes Big Beautiful Investments in Naval Technologies
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An image of a F-35C with two LRASM munitions. Trump's Bill Makes Big Beautiful Investments in Naval Technologies

Naval aircraft, unmanned systems and munitions, not just shipbuilding, are set to benefit from the $150 billion appropriated for DOD spending in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” reconciliation legislation signed into law.

The U.S. Navy could receive $288 million of the $400 million provided for Lockheed Martin’s Long Range Anti-Ship Missile if lawmakers get what they want, according to Breaking Defense. LRASM is a precision guided munition capable of being deployed from aircraft or surface platforms that can penetrate sophisticated air defense environments and stop surface threats at long range. The One Big Beautiful Bill provided $400 million for LRASM, but didn’t specify how it would be divided among the U.S. armed services.

So what are the other naval technologies set for investment from the One Big Beautiful Bill? Let’s dive into the legislation.

Learn more about emerging naval technologies at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Navy Summit on August 26! Discover new naval unmanned system requirements at the Opportunities and Challenges in Delivering UXV to the Navy. Hear directly from Capt. Joel Uzarski, NavalX director, during his fireside chat on how the Navy is getting emerging technologies to sailors and marines faster. Sign up today for this highly-anticipated GovCon conference!

Navy Long Range Strike Aircraft

The One Big Beautiful Bill provided the U.S. Navy with $500 million for the development, procurement and integration of long range strike aircraft. What makes this interesting is that this funding line is not associated with a publicly-known program of record, Breaking Defense reports.

What are some other naval aircraft investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill?

  • The Navy’s new F/A-XX fighter aircraft received $750 million, a big boost for a program at risk of cancellation
  • $270 million for the development, procurement and integration of U.S. Marine Corps unmanned combat aircraft
  • $160 million to accelerate Bell-Boeing V-22 tiltrotor nacelle reliability and safety improvements
  • $100 million to speed up production of the Boeing MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueller
  • $20 million for upgrades to U.S. Marine Corps utility helicopters

Naval Nuclear Weapon Investments

Naval nuclear weapons also benefit greatly from the One Big Beautiful Bill.

  • $2 billion to speed up the development, procurement and integration of the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile, which was first proposed by President Trump in 2018, according to the Congressional Research Service.
  • $400 million to accelerate the development of Trident D5LE2, a Trident life extension program. The Lockheed Martin Trident II is a submarine-launched ballistic missile that serves as the sea-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad
  • $148 million for expansion of Trident II D5 missile motor production

What’s Next For DOD One Big Beautiful Bill Money?

So what is next for DOD appropriations from the One Big Beautiful Bill? The department has until Aug. 22 to provide lawmakers with an implementation strategy, according to Breaking Defense. Congressional defense committees, of course, have their own suggestions and hope DOD follows them as many funding lines in the bill were associated with broad categories and not specific programs.

Be the first to learn how the U.S. Navy plans to spend its One Big Beautiful Bill money at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Navy Summit on August 26! Hear directly from Vice Adm. Brad Skillman, deputy chief of naval operations for integration of capabilities and resources, N8, during his keynote address. Learn about partnership opportunities at the Accelerating Naval Capabilities: Partnering with Industry for Speed to Fleet panel. Secure your seat now for this elite GovCon conference specifically designed for GovCon technology professionals!

Trump's Bill Makes Big Beautiful Investments in Naval Technologies
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Sean Cairncross Confirmed as National Cyber Director
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National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross. Cairncross received Senate confirmation to lead ONCD.

The Senate on Saturday voted 59-35 to confirm Sean Cairncross, a former Republican National Committee official, as the next national cyber director.

With his confirmation, Cairncross succeeds Harry Coker as head of the White House Office of the National Cyber Director.

In this capacity, he will serve as the principal adviser to the U.S. president on cybersecurity strategy and policy in relation to the coordination of information security and data protection; efforts to deter malicious cyber activity; and programs and policies meant to improve the U.S. cybersecurity posture, among others.

In February, President Donald Trump nominated Cairncross to the role.

Who Is Sean Cairncross?

Cairncross previously served as CEO of the foreign aid agency Millennium Challenge Corp.

During Trump’s first term, the former RNC chief operating officer was senior adviser to the White House Chief of Staff.

In a statement published Saturday, Cairncross said he is honored to serve the country and the president as the national cyber director.

“As the cyber strategic environment continues to evolve, we must ensure our policy efforts and capabilities deliver results for our national security and the American people. The United States must dominate the cyber domain through strong collaboration across departments and agencies, as well as private industry. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will enter a new era of effective cybersecurity policy,” he added.

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Edward Forst Nominated as GSA Administrator
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GSA Administrator nominee Edward Forst. Edward Forst was nominated as administrator of the General Services Association.

Edward Forst has been nominated by President Donald Trump as the next administrator of the General Services Administration, succeeding Robin Carnahan, who resigned in January after serving for nearly four years. The White House announced the nomination on Sunday.

Who Is Edward Forst?

Forst is a seasoned executive and investor with vast experience in the global financial services and real estate industries. He most recently served as chairman of London-based private equity firm Lion Capital for three years. He was also the CEO of Cushman & Wakefield from 2013 to 2015.

He spent 17 years at Goldman Sachs serving various senior executive roles, including general partner, management committee member and co-CEO of Goldman Sachs Asset Management. He was also the executive vice president, chief administrative officer and chairman of the global capital commitments committee. He was a member of the board of GS Bank and chairman of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.

Forst served as EVP and principal operating officer at Harvard University during the financial crisis. He was also an adviser to the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Before that, he worked at Bankers Trust from 1982 to 1994, most recently as managing director.

He currently serves on the boards of the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, the Investment Committee of Roundabout Theater and the East Hampton Healthcare Foundation. He has also served on the boards of Carnegie Hall, Yale School of Management and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

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Senate Confirms Matthew Kozma as DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis
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Matthew Kozma. The Senate has confirmed Kozma for a DHS undersecretary role.

The Senate voted on Thursday 53-44 to confirm Matthew Kozma as the new undersecretary of the Department of Homeland Security for intelligence and analysis. In his role, Kozma would manage the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, which detects and addresses domestic and international threats, cyber risks and evolving national security issues, Homeland Security Today reported. He will lead the intelligence efforts to ensure the sharing of threat information between federal, state and local agencies. 

Senate Confirms Matthew Kozma as DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis

Find out more about the challenges and opportunities of the agency at the Potomac Officers Club 2025 Homeland Security Summit on November 12. Get insights into the key developments of homeland security and learn how you can support government security initiatives.

Who Is Matthew Kozma?

In 2020, Kozma served as the chief intelligence officer of the intelligence community, where he led efforts to oversee and align IT investments and operations across its 17 agencies, FedScoop said. He worked with CIOs and senior leaders in the community and supported the director of national intelligence. 

Before that, he took on intelligence and technology leadership roles in the Department of Defense and the IC. He was an executive agent at the DOD’s Unified Platform and Joint Cyber Command and Control. Kozma graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and applied physics. 

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Adm. Daryl Caudle Is New Chief of Naval Operations After Senate Vote
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Adm. Daryl Caudle. Caudle is chief of naval operations following Trump's nomination and an affirmative Senate vote.

Adm. Daryl Caudle, a decorated lifelong Navy officer and engineer, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate late Thursday as the new chief of naval operations, DefenseScoop reported.

Adm. Caudle is a native North Carolinian whose prior posts have included commander of Submarine Forces, Submarine Force Atlantic and Allied Submarine Command, before taking on his most recent role as commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Dec. 2021.

The best place to learn about the U.S. Navy’s most pressing priorities and acquisition plans is Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Navy Summit on August 26. This highly anticipated GovCon conference will feature keynote speeches from CIO Jane Rathbun and two of Caudle’s deputy chiefs of naval operations, Vice Adm. Brad Skillman and Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, among many other distinguished guests. Save your spot now to stay competitive in the industrial base; tickets are going fast.

What Will Caudle Focus On as CNO?

As CNO, Caudle succeeds Adm. Lisa Franchietti, who was relieved from her position by President Trump in February sans justification. Trump in turn nominated Caudle who is widely seen as an acceptable and qualified pick. (Adm. James Kilby has been serving as CNO in an acting capacity in the interim.)

When she was still in office, Franchietti laid out the CNO Navigation Plan, which Caudle told the Senate Armed Services Committee when questioned that he would support. The plan includes focus areas of unmanned systems, AI and methodologies for data deterrence and potential information warfare with adversarial powers in the Indo-Pacific.

Adm. Caudle is a four-star whose recognitions include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, four Defense Superior Service Medals, four Legions of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.

For more information on Adm. Caudle and what he plans to do as CNO, stay tuned for a longer article later this week on Potomac Officers Club’s website; sign up for the GovCon Daily newsletter to get it (and all the latest federal contracting news) delivered right to your inbox.

AI, unmanned systems and information warfare will all be central topics at the 2025 Navy Summit, from Potomac Officers Club. Catch fascinating panel discussions on these subjects and more on Aug. 26 at the Hilton McLean in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

Adm. Daryl Caudle Is New Chief of Naval Operations After Senate Vote
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Leonardo, Elbit, QinetiQ Book Army FALCONS Phase 0 Agreements
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Army logo. The U.S. Army is working with industry on the FALCONS program

The U.S. Army’s Product Manager Ground Sensors, or PM GS, has awarded other transaction authority agreements to Leonardo DRS, Elbit America and QinetiQ as part of Phase 0 development of the Future Advanced Long-range Common Optical/Netted-fires Sensor, better known as FALCONS, program.

PM GS said Friday that Phase 0 will have a 12-month period of performance, with each vendor receiving $2 million.

FALCONS Phase 0 Details

Under the agreement, the companies will perform preliminary system model development, system specification review and technology maturity assessments and receive soldier feedback on their proposed platforms.

“This initial phase will allow the Army and our industry partners to collaboratively establish the FALCONS prototype’s foundation before bending any metal,” explained Lt. Col. Ryan Welch, product manager for ground sensors at the Army. “During Phase 0, the Army will be able to set the conditions for a prototype development phase that will maximize competition and ensure an incredible warfighting capability is affordable and delivered to our Soldiers.”

What Is the FALCONS Program?

FALCONS will connect military scouts and fire supporters, facilitating coordination and shortening the kill chain. The platform will be equipped with the Army’s third-generation Forward-Looking Infrared, or 3GEN FLIR, system, which allows troops to see enemy forces through darkness, smoke, rain, snow or fog.  

FALCONS is expected to replace the Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System, or LRAS3, a platform that has been in operation since the start of the Iraq War.

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Senators Propose Bipartisan Bill to Establish National Strategy for Migrating to Quantum Computing Cybersecurity
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Post-quantum cryptography. A new bill calls for a coordinated strategy for migrating to quantum-safe security

Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., have introduced the National Quantum Cybersecurity Migration Strategy Act to ensure that the U.S. government is ready to face emerging cybersecurity threats posed by advancements in quantum computing. The proposed legislation calls for a coordinated national strategy to guide agencies to transition their systems to quantum-resistant cryptography.

“It’s critical that the federal government be prepared for any threat posed by quantum,” said Peters. “My bill would help keep Americans safe by ensuring we have a quantum cybersecurity migration strategy to remain ahead of our adversaries and protect Americans’ personal data.”

What Is the National Quantum Cybersecurity Migration Strategy Act?

Under the bipartisan bill, the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Science, or ESIX, will guide the development of a national cyber migration strategy and identify which systems should be prioritized for quantum-safe encryption. ESIX, which is part of the National Science and Technology Council, will also be tasked with establishing standardized performance measures for migration efforts and defining what makes a cryptographically relevant quantum computer.

In addition, the proposed legislation would launch a pilot program requiring all federal agencies to transition at least one high-impact system to quantum-proof protections.

“Quantum computing is a rapidly advancing and promising technology, but it also poses new cybersecurity threats. The United States must be prepared for these cybersecurity challenges and remain the world leader is quantum technology,” commented Blackburn. “The National Quantum Cybersecurity Migration Strategy Act would ensure the federal government creates a road map to protect sensitive data and national security from emerging data security threats fueled by quantum computing.”

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