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FCC Chair Seeks to Better Protect US Public Warning Systems From Cyberthreats
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FCC Chair Seeks to Better Protect US Public Warning Systems From Cyberthreats

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has proposed new standards to safeguard the United States’ public alert and warning systems against evolving cybersecurity threats.

In a draft document submitted to the commission, Rosenworcel urged agencies to adopt new rules for the Emergency Alert System, which warns the public through radio and television, and Wireless Emergency Alerts, which provides warnings through consumers’ wireless phones.

If accepted, the rules would require communications providers that employ the systems to develop, modify and implement cyber risk management plans and submit reports of equipment vulnerabilities within 24 hours of discovery. This reporting requirement would enable the commission to swiftly identify and address technical issues.

The proposed rules would also direct Emergency Alert System participants to prepare contingency plans for broadcasting warnings to the public.

The FCC finalized the draft rules, which aim to minimize risks associated with communications networks, after consulting with stakeholders in 2022 and 2023.

According to the commission, the rules would be published upon their adoption.

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Larry Bafundo Appointed Technology Modernization Fund Executive Director
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Larry Bafundo Appointed Technology Modernization Fund Executive Director

Larry Bafundo has been elevated to the role of executive director of the Technology Modernization Fund at the General Services Administration, Nextgov/FCW reported Tuesday.

Bafundo previously served as deputy executive director of TMF, and in January, he also assumed the position of acting executive director of the funding vehicle. He inherited the responsibilities from Jessie Posilkin, who served as the fund’s interim chief and is now director of TMF’s customer experience portfolio.

Raylene Yung, TMF’s last permanent head, stepped down in October to join the Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations as chief of staff.

Before TMF, Bafundo was director of information technology modernization strategy at the Department of Labor. Earlier, he served as deputy director of technology for unemployment insurance modernization at the organization.

He previously worked at Ad Hoc, where he most recently served as vice president of digital services. Earlier, he was a product manager for 18F, a role in which he led a digital transformation initiative with the FBI and supported multiple other agencies, including the GSA.

“Since returning to GSA in January, we’ve seen his thoughtful and strategic leadership that has set up the TMF team for future success,” Katy Kale, GSA’s deputy administrator and a previous Wash100 awardee, said of Bafundo in an email obtained by the publication.

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Pentagon’s DPC Changes Name to Defense Pricing, Contracting & Acquisition Policy
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Pentagon’s DPC Changes Name to Defense Pricing, Contracting & Acquisition Policy

The Department of Defense’s Office of the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment has issued a memorandum announcing that the Defense Pricing and Contracting organization has been renamed as Defense Pricing, Contracting and Acquisition Policy, or DPCAP.

Released on Tuesday, the memo said DPCAP will add a fifth directorate – Acquisition Policy and Innovation – to the established four directorates: Contract Policy, Contracting e-Business, Defense Acquisition Regulations System and Price, Cost and Finance.

“This new name reflects an expanded organizational portfolio to include both acquisition and contracting responsibilities, and synergies to be realized across these functions,” the memo says.

API will oversee acquisition data analytics, the adaptive acquisition framework acquisition policies, the IP Cadre, the Acquisition Innovation Research Center and the Defense Civilian Training Corps.

DPCAP is in charge of matters related to pricing and contracting policy across the DOD as well as implementing executive order and statute, keeping the Federal Acquisition Regulation and Defense FAR Supplement up-to-date and releasing guidance and memoranda. It also helps facilitate operations through standards and business systems.

The memo was digitally signed by John Tenaglia, principal director of DPCAP.

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Commerce Department Awards $504M in Grants to 12 Tech Hubs; Gina Raimondo Quoted
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Commerce Department Awards $504M in Grants to 12 Tech Hubs; Gina Raimondo Quoted

The Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has awarded implementation grants with a total value of around $504 million to 12 Tech Hubs.

With these investments, the organization aims to create jobs in innovative industries, improve U.S. economic competitiveness and national security and advance the production of critical technologies, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

“Through the Tech Hubs program, we are maintaining our competitive edge by advancing America’s leadership in commercializing critical emerging tech sectors. And we’re leveraging the diverse talent and resources that currently exist across the country to achieve this goal,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

The focus areas of the various Tech Hubs include quantum information technology, smart photonic sensor systems, biomanufacturing, lithium batteries and electric vehicle materials, clean energy supply chain and semiconductor manufacturing, among others.

In October, 31 Tech Hubs in geographically diverse regions across the U.S. were selected as part of the program’s initial phase. Under Phase 2, these organizations designed and proposed projects to drive their growth in globally recognized regions that manufacture cutting-edge technologies.

The 12 new Tech Hubs that received funding include:

Click here to view each Tech Hub’s lead agency, estimated award amount and technology focus.

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AFSOC Names Michael Conley as New Commander
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AFSOC Names Michael Conley as New Commander

Lt. Gen. Michael Conley took command of the Air Force Special Operations Command during a ceremony held at the Freedom Hangar on Tuesday.

He succeeds Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, who served as commander of AFSOC since December 2022 and will now become superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, the service branch said Tuesday.

At the ceremony, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said Conley is ready to take on his new role, citing the new AFSOC commander’s experience working with the Air Force, major command and joint staff.

Conley most recently served as director of operations for Headquarters AFSOC, where he led the implementation and execution of operational command policy for over 20,000 personnel comprising the Air Force component’s worldwide special operations unit.

He also held the roles of vice commander for AFSOC’s 27th Special Operations Wing and commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing.

“I am honored and humbled for this opportunity,” Conley said. “I am committed to making this command the best it can be in ensuring we are ready to go whenever you need us to.”

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Army CIO Leonel Garciga Releases Policy Guidance for Generative AI Software
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Army CIO Leonel Garciga Releases Policy Guidance for Generative AI Software

Leonel Garciga, chief information officer of the U.S. Army and a 2024 Wash100 awardee, has issued a memorandum detailing new policy guidelines for the development, deployment and use of generative artificial intelligence and large language models across the service branch.

Published on Thursday, the document instructs generative AI developers and system owners to comply with existing legal and security regulations, obtain necessary approvals for processing sensitive and classified data and ensure that users can effectively determine which systems rely on generative AI software.

Developers must also instill processes to document training data sources, test software controlled environments and make sure generative AI applications are authorized to operate within the Department of Defense Information Network.

Army commands are encouraged to develop appropriate processes to evaluate both the risks and benefits of generative AI tools rather than banning the use of these applications.

Command developers, system owners and users must also apply appropriate risk assessment frameworks for generative AI software.

Dan Ford Named CEO of Capgemini Government Solutions
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Dan Ford Named CEO of Capgemini Government Solutions

Dan Ford, who previously served as vice president of U.S federal and national security sectors at Capgemini Government Solutions, has been elevated to CEO of the company.

During Ford’s nearly 20-year tenure at Capgemini, he has worked to help government agencies evolve using new technologies, the McLean, Virginia-based organization announced Wednesday.

Jim Bailey, CEO of Capgemini in the Americas and group executive board member, said, “Dan has been a key driver behind the growth in the Capgemini Government Solutions business, and we have every confidence that he will successfully continue strengthening and deepening the company’s long-term value.”

Ford will succeed Bill Webner, who stepped down from the role to pursue new ventures.

“His leadership will bring a new perspective while we continue to innovate with our clients and compete in the federal marketplace,” Bailey added.

Throughout his career, Ford has worked within the civilian, health, national security and defense sectors. He received a Master of Engineering in Logistics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Davidson College.

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Senator Plans to Introduce AI Evaluation Standards Bill
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Senator Plans to Introduce AI Evaluation Standards Bill

Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., is planning to introduce legislation that would require the National Institute of Standards and Technology to help agencies develop voluntary guidelines for third-party AI evaluations.

The Validation and Evaluation for Trustworthy AI Act would mandate an interagency effort to set standards and recommendations for certifying third-party evaluators to collaborate with AI developers to assess and verify their systems, Hickenlooper’s office said Monday.

Under the bill, NIST would work in partnership with the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation to create AI testing specifications and guidelines with a focus on data privacy protections, mitigations against potential risks from an AI system, dataset quality and governance.

The VET AI Act would also establish an advisory committee to review and suggest criteria for auditors looking to receive certification to conduct internal or external AI evaluations.

“AI is moving faster than any of us thought it would two years ago,” said Hickenlooper. “But we have to move just as fast to get sensible guardrails in place to develop AI responsibly before it’s too late. Otherwise, AI could bring more harm than good to our lives.”

State Department Seeks Comments on Proposed Contractor & Grantee Counterterrorism Vetting Rule
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State Department Seeks Comments on Proposed Contractor & Grantee Counterterrorism Vetting Rule

The State Department has started soliciting public feedback on a proposed rule that seeks to amend federal regulations by including namecheck vetting provisions in solicitations and awards for both contracts and grants as part of counterterrorism mitigation efforts.

“This regulatory action will boost national security by helping the Department to mitigate the risk that agency funds and other resources do not inadvertently benefit terrorist groups, their members, or their supporters,” according to a notice posted Monday in Federal Register.

The State Department is asking the public to respond to several questions related to costs associated with namecheck vetting and the Office of Risk Analysis and Management’s current vetting procedures.

Questions include the estimated time an organization spends submitting the completed Risk Assessment Information Form—DS-4184—through the RAM Portal and whether vetting requirements have resulted in potential contractors and grantees choosing to drop out of the application process.

Comments are due July 31.

Mistral Initiates THOR UAS Production at Maryland Facility
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Mistral Initiates THOR UAS Production at Maryland Facility

Mistral has begun the production of a vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial system for the U.S. Army.

THOR, a commercial off-the-shelf Group 2 UAS, was created as part of an Army program to build medium-range reconnaissance drone systems, Mistral announced from Nottingham, Maryland on Friday.

This technology will be manufactured at the Bethesda-based company’s facility in Nottingham ahead of the planned demonstration of its capabilities at the Edge 2024 experiment at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona.

Mistral will also participate in the Project Convergence Capstone 5 joint and multinational force experiment, which will begin in January and run through March 2025.

Along with THOR, Mistral’s Nottingham location houses the production of Roboteam’s Micro Tactical Ground Robot for the U.S. Marine Corps and the Blast Mitigation Vessels for the government and law enforcement sectors.

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