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Final GSA Rule Updates Requirements for Use of Federal Supply Schedule Contracts by Non-Federal Entities
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Final GSA Rule Updates Requirements for Use of Federal Supply Schedule Contracts by Non-Federal Entities

The General Services Administration has released a final rule to update and better explain the requirements regarding the use of Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts by state and local government agencies and other eligible non-federal entities.

Under FSS, also referred to as the GSA Schedule and Multiple Award Schedule, qualifying government agencies can gain access and procure commercial products and services, according to a Federal Register notice published Thursday.

According to GSA, the changes outlined in the rule could improve the FSS program by removing antiquated and redundant information, clarifying the authorities providing use of FSS contracts by non-federal organizations and listing some of the programs established for the purpose of implementing certain authorities.

The final rule, which was issued as an amendment to the GSA Acquisition Regulation, is set to take effect on March 25.

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NSF Looking Into Availability of Capable Vendors for Potential Technical, Administrative Services BPA
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NSF Looking Into Availability of Capable Vendors for Potential Technical, Administrative Services BPA

The National Science Foundation seeks to establish a blanket purchase agreement titled Unified Network for Innovative Technology and Engineering and has issued a request for information to determine industry interest and capability in addressing the requirement.

Through the UNITE BPA, the NSF aims to consolidate, streamline and modernize its procurement processes for business administrative services, technical and engineering services, training and marketing and public relations, according to the RFI posted Thursday on SAM.gov.

The BPA allows the NSF to acquire services from pre-qualified teams of small business contractor teaming arrangements vendors. It is also expected to help the agency address the challenges it faces in terms of technology adoption and procurement management.

Interested parties are invited to submit capability statements by March 22.

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NARUC, DOE Release Cybersecurity Baselines for Electric Distribution Systems, Distributed Energy Resources
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NARUC, DOE Release Cybersecurity Baselines for Electric Distribution Systems, Distributed Energy Resources

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners has released a set of cybersecurity baselines to help strengthen the security of electric distribution systems and distributed energy resources infrastructure.

The cybersecurity baselines were developed based on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s cybersecurity performance goals under a new initiative funded by the Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response, DOE said Thursday.

“Americans want to know our electricity systems are safe and cyber secure. And companies want uniform expectations when it comes to cybersecurity,” said Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser and a two-time Wash100 awardee.

“The Department of Energy and NARUC have taken the first step to achieving both, with the release of these cybersecurity baselines,” Neuberger added.

In a separate announcement, NARUC said it will begin Phase 2 implementation of the cybersecurity baselines initiative by the end of 2024 to help operators prioritize assets to which the baselines might apply and set the order of implementation based on cyber risk assessments.

Catalyst Accelerator Announces 7 Companies for 13th Space Domain Awareness Cohort
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Catalyst Accelerator Announces 7 Companies for 13th Space Domain Awareness Cohort

The Catalyst Accelerator has announced a new cohort of companies that will utilize commercial data and tools to increase the U.S. Space Force’s awareness of the space environment.

The 13th Space Domain Awareness cohort is the first Catalyst Accelerator supported by The Space Domain Awareness Tools, Applications & Processing Lab, a Space Systems Command-run accelerator dedicated to advancing SDA innovations.

“The TAP Lab is partnered with Catalyst Campus to feed companies directly from the Catalyst Accelerator into the lab. They mature the business model, and the lab helps accelerate the product,” said Maj. Sean Allen, chief of the SDA TAP Lab.

In a December 2023 announcement, the Catalyst Accelerator said that the new cohort will focus on topic areas such as space launch custody, classifying uncorrelated tracks, classification of object types, operator decision aids, classification of satellite vehicle propulsion, event detection, hostility assessment and predictive analytics.

The 13th SDA cohort participants are:

  • Active Vigilance
  • Astra Ultra
  • Exclosure
  • iMETALX
  • Orbital Services Corporation
  • Quasar Satellite Technologies
  • TRL 11
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Michael Duffy on CISA’s Federal Enterprise Operations Cyber Alignment Plan
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Michael Duffy on CISA’s Federal Enterprise Operations Cyber Alignment Plan

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is launching the Federal Enterprise Operations Cyber Alignment Plan to enable federal agencies to discuss and share information on cyber incidents, issues and approaches and develop a unified strategy to address such issues, Federal News Network reported Wednesday.

“The concept of alignment is an important shift in the way that we’re approaching this,” said Michael Duffy, associate director of the cybersecurity division at CISA.

“We designed an operational cyber enterprise plan, which identified all of the areas that we think the federal government, as an enterprise, should be focusing on improvement actions. We had fantastic feedback from [chief information security officers] and agency teams,” he elaborated.

Duffy noted the known exploited vulnerabilities catalog as something agencies should monitor and shared his thoughts on the federal zero trust managers community of practice, which he called “an important step forward for CISA.”

“We’ve coupled that with a training program where we are able to provide a standard baseline of understanding for these zero trust managers so they can go into these conversations using the same terminology, using the same approaches, and applying the same tricks of the trade, the way that the zero trust managers are considering this challenge at the enterprise level,” he said of the group.

Duffy also mentioned the agency’s progress with the mobile app vetting service, which can pinpoint app vulnerabilities and risks and supports risk-based decision making.

POC - 2024 Cyber Summit

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

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Office of Space Commerce Turns to Industry for SSA Data Quality Monitoring Services
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Office of Space Commerce Turns to Industry for SSA Data Quality Monitoring Services

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration‘s Office of Space Commerce is planning to procure space situational awareness, or SSA, data quality monitoring services from commercial vendors through the Global Data Marketplace.

OSC said Thursday that the selected providers will act as independent evaluators for the Consolidated Pathfinder program and help the office assess the accuracy, quality and consistency of orbital products built by COMSPOC, LeoLabs and Slingshot Aerospace.

Under the Consolidated Pathfinder project, the three companies are expected to deliver SSA data and services in support of the Traffic Coordination System for Space program, which aims to build a cloud-based platform for SSA and traffic coordination services for commercial and civil space operators.

Registered vendors in the Global Data Marketplace have until Feb. 27 to submit proposals for the initiative.

POC - 2024 Space Summit

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Space Summit on March 5 to learn how new technologies, commercial investments and adversarial threats are shaping the future of space. Click here to register!

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Jonathan Mayer Becomes Inaugural AI, S&T Chief of DOJ; Merrick Garland Quoted
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Jonathan Mayer Becomes Inaugural AI, S&T Chief of DOJ; Merrick Garland Quoted

The Department of Justice has appointed its first-ever chief science and technology advisor and chief artificial intelligence officer, Jonathan Mayer.

He comes from Princeton University, where he is an assistant professor at the institution’s Department of Computer Science and School of Public and International Affairs, the agency said Thursday.

“Jonathan’s expertise will be invaluable in ensuring that the entire Justice Department — including our law enforcement components, litigating components, grantmaking entities, and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices — is prepared for both the challenges and opportunities that new technologies present,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.

In his new role, Mayer will work under the Office of Legal Policy, leading technical and policy experts in developing the department’s understanding of technology in various fields, such as cybersecurity and AI.

As chief AI officer, he will oversee the Emerging Technology Board, the DOJ’s new division for governing novel innovations across the agency, and oversee collaborative work on AI and related issues.

Jonathan Mayer Becomes Inaugural AI, S&T Chief of DOJ; Merrick Garland Quoted

Interested in learning more about how the U.S. government is approaching AI? The Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual AI Summit on March 21 will bring together public and private sector leaders to discuss the most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities in federal AI adoption. To learn more and register to attend the event, click here.

Carlos Del Toro: Department of the Navy Formed Maritime Economic Deterrence Executive Council
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Carlos Del Toro: Department of the Navy Formed Maritime Economic Deterrence Executive Council

Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the Navy and a 2024 Wash100 awardee, shared that the Department of the Navy established a new council to help address adversarial foreign investment risks, coordinate and defend research efforts, advance supply chain integrity initiatives and safeguard innovation and technology.

He announced the formation of Maritime Economic Deterrence Executive Council, or MEDEC, at a panel discussion held Thursday in New York City, the Navy said Thursday.

“While the work to protect our defense industrial ecosystem by each organization is not new, bringing them together as a unified, focused council to address Maritime Economic Deterrence allows us to better synchronize our efforts and be leaders in the larger DoD Economic Deterrence initiative,” Del Toro told attendees.

The Navy secretary emphasized the risks posed by the compromise or loss of key technologies and products to businesses as well as data privacy risks.

“MEDEC is our Department’s acknowledgement of these risks, and represents our commitment to helping you identify and address them early, for the safety of our personnel, as well as the security of our allies and partners, depends on us getting this right,” Del Toro said.

He said MEDEC is co-chaired by Vice Adm. Francis Morley, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, and Chief of Staff Chris Diaz.

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Gen. Stephen Whiting Emphasizes Increased But Responsible Space Dominance in New SPACECOM Strategic Vision
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Gen. Stephen Whiting Emphasizes Increased But Responsible Space Dominance in New SPACECOM Strategic Vision

The U.S. Space Command unveiled a new strategic vision toward its goal of expanding domain leadership and combat readiness by the year 2027.

U.S. Space Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting on Tuesday introduced the document, which lists four priority objectives to achieve the service branch’s vision.

Apart from maintaining space superiority and battlefield preparedness by 2027, SPACECOM intends to fortify its alliances while continuing to abide by the ethical rules of space exploration. The vision also stresses “laser focus” attention to complying with Title 10 of the United States Code for the armed forces.

“At end state, USSPACECOM conducts dynamic, partnered, and integrated space operations and transregional missile defense support to enable Joint Force lethality and effectiveness while protecting it from space-enabled attack, extending our advantage over competitors, and successfully operating in the face of the threats arrayed against us through all levels of conflict to deter aggression and defeat adversaries,” Whiting wrote. “Our unwavering commitment to the citizens of the United States and our Allies remains, ‘there will never be a day without space,” the 2024 Wash100 winner added.

Whiting will be one of the keynote speakers at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Space Summit on March 5. Register now for this special event to hear him and other experts share insights and updates on the future of the space sector.

POC - 2024 Space Summit
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MDClone’s Matthew Osucha Shares Thoughts on Leadership & Innovation Landscape
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MDClone’s Matthew Osucha Shares Thoughts on Leadership & Innovation Landscape

Matthew Osucha currently serves as vice president of MDClone’s North American Sales and Federal Sector, where he leads the company’s delivery of healthcare data analytics platforms. He began his career in the U.S. Army, where he served for over a decade, and has held leadership positions at other private sector organizations.

Osucha recently participated in an interview with the Potomac Officers Club in which he discussed his leadership style, highlighted his core values and offered his insights on the evolving federal technology ecosystem.

In this excerpt from the interview, Osucha shares his strategy for building a positive work culture:

“I have found that transformative leadership, a style built on identifying ways to inspire and motivate a team to reach higher levels of innovation, performance and execution, has several benefits. Applying this method leads to more inclusive teams, encourages creativity and fosters a sense of continuous learning. I always look out for the team by building the bench, rewarding and recognizing others – both internally and externally. I also believe in lifting as you climb. Promote people out of your organization – don’t keep them in the same place just because you have a great team.”

To learn more about Osucha’s leadership style, read the full Executive Spotlight interview on the Potomac Officers Club website.

Do you want to participate in your own Executive Spotlight interview? Potomac Officers Club members have exclusive access to this brand-building opportunity and many other benefits. To explore our membership options and discover which one is right for you, click here.

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