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GovCon Index Jumped Back Into Positive Territory Last Week
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GovCon Index Jumped Back Into Positive Territory Last Week

Last week, consistent gains drove Executive Mosaic’s GovCon Index up by 2.36%. This growth brought the average to $5,342.51 and put GovCon Index back on a positive track that was disrupted the previous week.

GovCon Index offers users a real-time look into the stock market performance of 30 major government contracting organizations. Individuals can use the data it provides to evaluate the status of each tracked company and gain key insights into current GovCon market trends.

Mercury Systems showcased the strongest performance last week with gains of 11.22%. Aerovironment (+7.57%) came in second place, and Kratos (+6.76%) earned the third slot in the ranks. Booz Allen Hamilton, which rose by 6.71%, was fourth, and Palantir (+6.45%) was fifth.

For the first time since its December launch, GovCon Index grew every day within a one week period.

To get a closer look at daily GovCon Index performance, check out last week’s market reports. Click here to view the full list of tracked companies.

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SpaceX Launches Carbon Mapper Satellite Equipped With JPL-Built Imaging Spectrometer
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SpaceX Launches Carbon Mapper Satellite Equipped With JPL-Built Imaging Spectrometer

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has launched a satellite that carries an imaging spectrometer developed by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Tanager-1, the first satellite of the Carbon Mapper Coalition, will use the payload to precisely measure methane and carbon dioxide emissions globally and identify their sources to address climate change, NASA said Friday.

JPL and Planet Labs, which built the satellite, are members of the coalition led by Carbon Mapper, a nonprofit organization that aims to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and deliver significant data to fill gaps in the emerging global ecosystem of methane and carbon dioxide monitoring systems to enable science-based decision-making and action.

With the spectrometer, Tanager-1 will scan about 50,000 square miles of the Earth’s surface daily. Generated data, which will be publicly available online at the Carbon Mapper data portal, will enable the organization’s scientists and other researchers worldwide to analyze gas plumes.

“By detecting, pinpointing, and quantifying super-emitters and making this data accessible to decision-makers, we can drive significant action around the world to cut emissions now,” said Riley Duren, Carbon Mapper CEO.

Tanager-1 was deployed on SpaceX’s Transporter 11 rideshare mission from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Friday.

Carbon Mapper plans to launch another satellite with a JPL-built imaging spectrometer at a later date.

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Berkeley Lab Appoints Daniela Leitner as Chief Engineer, Engineering Division Director
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Berkeley Lab Appoints Daniela Leitner as Chief Engineer, Engineering Division Director

Daniela Leitner, deputy for science at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s engineering division, has been named director of the engineering division and Berkeley Lab’s chief engineer, effective Oct. 1.

The national lab said Friday Leitner will report to Berkeley Lab Director Mike Witherell and will coordinate and advance safety, diversity and recruitment initiatives and facilitate strategies to build new tools to support the lab’s engineering community and research partners.

“The success of all of our big science projects relies on excellent engineering, and I count on the Chief Engineer to help us maintain that level of excellence across the Lab. Daniela has the perfect experience and expertise for this job, and I am looking forward to working with her in this new role,” said Witherell.

In 1996, Leitner joined Berkeley Lab as a postdoctoral fellow in the Accelerator and Fusion Research division.

Her career at the Department of Energy-backed national lab has included research and operations positions supporting major projects, including DESI, LCLS-II, the 88-Inch Cyclotron, GRETA and the ALS Upgrade.

She spent five years at Michigan State University, where she oversaw the installation and commissioning of the superconducting post-accelerator linac ReA and its experimental hall as part of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB, project.

In 2015, Leitner returned to Berkeley Lab to form and oversee a cross-functional group focused on systems engineering processes, project management and quality assurance.

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FCC Looks to Modernize 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service Rules
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FCC Looks to Modernize 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service Rules

The Federal Communications Commission seeks to make improvements to Citizens Broadband Radio Service rules to benefit current and future 3.5 GHz band users and has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the effort.

The proposed changes to Part 96 of Title 47 within the Code of Federal Regulations include the addition of definitions for the protection of federal “Incumbent Access” users and the modification of other Part 96 rules concerning such definitions, the FCC said Friday.

The commission also seeks to sunset rules concerning the transition of grandfathered 3.65 – 3.7 GHz band wireless broadband services.

Comments are being sought regarding these proposals as well as additional issues, including the alignment of protection methodologies for the 3.5 GHz band with those in adjacent bands, the continued introduction of CBRS in areas outside of the contiguous United States and the revisiting of Environmental Sensing Capability approval procedures.

After the NPRM is posted on the Federal Register, interested parties will have 30 days to submit their comments.

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OMB’s Director of AI Conrad Stosz Moves to NIST to Lead Policy at AI Safety Institute
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OMB’s Director of AI Conrad Stosz Moves to NIST to Lead Policy at AI Safety Institute

Conrad Stosz has joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology as head of policy for the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute. He confirmed his new role in a post on LinkedIn.

“Excited to be working with a team of amazing scientists to push the boundaries of AI testing and evaluation and help ensure that AI is safe, secure, and trustworthy for everyone,” wrote.

Stosz previously served as policy adviser and then director of AI at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, where he played a role in policy and budget for AI deployment across the government. While at OMB, he co-authored Executive Order 14110 on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of AI and penned the OMB Memorandum M-24-10, which established the role of chief AI officers in federal agencies.

Before joining the OMB, the technologist also advised the secretary of defense on AI policy development related to data, digital infrastructures, privacy and civil liberties and was a staff member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

The NIST’s U.S. AI Safety Institute aims to advance research and promote AI safety and mitigate risks associated with the technology in national security, public safety and civil rights. It is home to the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium, a public-private collaboration of over 200 artificial intelligence developers and researchers to develop standards for responsible AI.

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Johns Hopkins APL, Coast Guard Sign MOU to Strengthen National Defense and Maritime Security
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Johns Hopkins APL, Coast Guard Sign MOU to Strengthen National Defense and Maritime Security

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center are collaborating to tackle challenges in national defense and maritime security.

The two parties signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding that builds on a previous agreement from 2019, Johns Hopkins APL said Thursday.

Under the MOU, APL and RDC will work together to develop initiatives in fields such as:

  • Additive manufacturing
  • Autonomous operations
  • Cyber defense
  • Critical infrastructure protection
  • Human factors engineering
  • Humanitarian assistance and disaster response
  • Sensor optimization
  • Supply chain assurance

The two organizations will also conduct joint research and development projects to further bolster maritime security and safety. This will allow APL staff members to observe the practical application of their technical work in the field.

The MOU enables APL to run a yearly workshop with RDC where they can talk about R&D perspectives, share project updates and discuss possible collaborations in the future. The Coast Guard, meanwhile, will provide field support for APL projects and help their staff members understand the maritime operational environment and the possible challenges they may encounter.

Tim Galpin, assistant director of APL, noted the importance of the MOU: “This agreement strengthens APL’s ties with the U.S. Coast Guard, and further enhances our ability to address critical maritime security challenges for the nation. We expect this continued collaboration with the Coast Guard RDC to drive innovation and enable a range of resourceful ideas and technical solutions to their pressing challenges.”

Capt. Michael Chien, RDC commanding officer, highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two organizations, describing it as one of the strongest links to the expansive national security enterprise.

“Renewing our MOU with APL is a cornerstone of our external partnership network. RDC has actively engaged with APL on a wide range of projects from cybersecurity, autonomous vessel operation and critical infrastructure protection to participation in Coast Guard Evergreen, our service’s strategic foresight program,” Chien said.

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s annual Homeland Security Summit to learn more about the country’s most significant threats and what’s being done to thwart them. Register here.

Johns Hopkins APL, Coast Guard Sign MOU to Strengthen National Defense and Maritime Security
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Navy Installs New MQ-25 Ground Control Station Aboard USS George HW Bush Carrier
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Navy Installs New MQ-25 Ground Control Station Aboard USS George HW Bush Carrier

The U.S. Navy has completed installing a new control room for the MQ-25 Stingray onboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier.

Called the Unmanned Air Warfare Center, the ground control station—a.k.a. GCS—features software and hardware systems and will be used to control the MQ-25 during refueling operations for strike fighters, the Naval Air Systems Command said a in press release.

Air vehicle pilots will use the UAWC to control the Stingray’s airborne operations moving forward.

According to Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Manager Capt. Daniel Fucito, the GCS will support the MQ-25 and upcoming unmanned systems, including the collaborative combat aircraft that the U.S. Air Force is developing.

The Boeing-made control system includes capabilities from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works, specifically the MDCX Multi Domain Combat System that powers the command and control functions of the GCS, Lockheed Martin said in a LinkedIn post.

USS George H.W. Bush will take part in the UAWC’s sea testing in early 2025, which will be the first time that AVPs will operate the control room from an aircraft carrier, said Joe Nedeau, head of PMA-268 Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System.

“They will use the actual GCS hardware and software aboard CVN 77 to communicate with a simulated air vehicle in the lab in Pax River,” he noted.

Boeing designed the MQ-25 to refuel combat planes and conduct specific intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

White House & Texas Instruments Agree on Potential $1.6B Semiconductor Production Investment
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White House & Texas Instruments Agree on Potential $1.6B Semiconductor Production Investment

The Biden-Harris Administration has revealed that the U.S. Department of Commerce and Texas Instruments, a global manufacturer of analog and embedded processing semiconductors, have agreed on a potential $1.6 billion investment to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the country.

The Department of Commerce said Friday the two parties signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms that will provide funds for the production of current-generation and mature-node chips. The investment aims to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs and generate investments in the industries.

The $1.6 billion in proposed direct funding will be under the CHIPS and Science Act. The Biden-Harris Administration has long championed the act, which is a major part of Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

The project covers the construction of three facilities — two in Sherman, Texas and one in Lehi, Utah. TI plans to invest over $18 billion by the end of the decade in the facilities, which are expected to boost domestic manufacturing capabilities for mature-node chips and generate over 2,000 manufacturing jobs and thousands more construction jobs.

Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Arati Prabhakar, a previous Wash100 Award recipient, said, “Americans across the country felt the impact of semiconductor shortages during the pandemic—from car and appliance scarcities, to manufacturing lines halted and jobs lost. With the CHIPS and Science Act, President Biden and Vice President Harris took action to strengthen our supply chains, create good-paying jobs, and advance U.S. competitiveness.”

The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology added, “Texas Instruments is a global leader in foundational chip manufacturing, and thanks to the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, TI is investing in our future here at home.”

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo pointed out that shortages of current-generation and mature-node chips during the pandemic resulted in a skyrocketing inflation rate and national security issues.

“With this proposed investment from the Biden-Harris Administration in TI, a global leader of production for current-generation and mature-node chips, we would help secure the supply chain for these foundational semiconductors that are used in every sector of the U.S. economy, and create thousands of jobs in Texas and Utah.”

Haviv Ilan, president and CEO of Texas Instruments, praised the CHIPS Act for enabling more companies to help strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem.

“Our investments further strengthen our competitive advantage in manufacturing and technology as we expand our 300mm manufacturing operations in the U.S.,” Ilan said, adding, “With plans to grow our internal manufacturing to more than 95% by 2030, we’re building geopolitically dependable, 300mm capacity at scale to provide the analog and embedded processing chips our customers will need for years to come.”

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DISA Prepares to Migrate Next Group of DAFAs to DoDNet
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DISA Prepares to Migrate Next Group of DAFAs to DoDNet

The Defense Information Systems Agency announced that eight defense agencies and field activities—known as DAFAs—are set to begin their migration to its updated network, DoDNet, in October as part of the Fourth Estate Network Optimization initiative, which seeks to improve user experience.

DISA said Friday six more DAFAs are expected to kick off the discovery phase by the end of 2024 as part of their transition to DoDNet.

DoDNet Generation 2 Release 1

In June, DISA achieved initial operating capability for DoDNet Generation 2 Release 1, which launched a secure cloud environment to support DAFAs.

“With DoDNet Generation 2 Release 1, we are positioned to accelerate DAFA migrations while meeting operational and cybersecurity requirements,” said Carissa Landymore, DoDNet program manager at DISA.

DoDNet Generation 2 Release 1 comes with several features, including unified endpoint management, virtual desktop-as-a-service, network management and automation and operational support systems and observability.

“We are using a multi-phased approach to accelerate the overall migration process to DoDNet by working in parallel to deploy the networks and user endpoints,” said Landymore.

DISA expects to add 100,000 users to the network over the next 18 months. Once the deployment is complete, the agency expects DoDNet to support up to 370,000 users.

“Pre-installing equipment and updates ahead of each migration ensures a smoother and more efficient transition, as demonstrated by our recent progress,” noted Landymore.

DoDNet Sustainment and Operations Support Task Order

Since 2022, DISA has worked with Leidos to move users from legacy systems to DoDNet.

In July, Leidos received a potential $823 million task order from DISA to provide DoDNet sustainment and operations services. Under this award, the company will provide systems engineering, cybersecurity, network architecture and management and other technical services to help DISA migrate 14 more Fourth Estate DAFAs and their legacy platforms to the consolidated DoDNet environment, expanding support to over 160,000 users.

The task order was issued under the 10-year, $11.5 billion Defense Enclave Services contract awarded by DISA to the company in 2022.

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DCMA Establishes Mid-Atlantic Contract Management Office as Part of Operation Consolidation Effort
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DCMA Establishes Mid-Atlantic Contract Management Office as Part of Operation Consolidation Effort

The Defense Contract Management Agency held a ceremony on July 26 to mark the establishment of DCMA Mid-Atlantic, which consolidates the personnel and operations of the agency’s contract management offices in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Manassas, New Cumberland and Pittsburgh.

According to a news article posted Thursday on the agency’s website, CMO consolidation forms part of DCMA Vision, an initiative that seeks to make it possible for DCMA to address U.S. military needs amid budget constraints.

DCMA Mid-Atlantic will be under the command of U.S. Navy Capt. Monica Tate. During the ceremony, she said, “To the Mid-Atlantic team, it will be your leadership, your dedication, your expertise, your energy, your innovation, and your mutual respect, that will build DCMA Mid-Atlantic into the team that it will become.”

For her part, Navy Capt. Nicola Gathright, who presided over the ceremony, described the establishment of DCMA Mid-Atlantic as “a pivotal moment in the history our agency” and underscored the need for the office’s personnel to remain cohesive.

“Let’s continue to stay the course during these changes. We want to continue improving the way we do business,” added Gathright, who took charge of the DCMA Eastern Regional Command last year.

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