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GSA Solicits Comments on Draft PWS for Ascend Cloud Services BPA
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GSA Solicits Comments on Draft PWS for Ascend Cloud Services BPA

The General Services Administration is expanding market research for the cloud-focused Ascend blanket purchase agreement.

In doing so, the agency is accepting questions, recommendations and feedback on a draft performance work statement (PWS) for the multiple-award BPA that intends to meet the common cloud requirements of federal organizations, according to a SAM.gov notice published Tuesday.

Ascend is a competitive, multiple-award, multi-agency BPA that aims to address the demand for various cloud offerings, including infrastructure-as-a-service and platform-as-a-service cloud platforms; software-as-a-service cloud products; and cloud information technology professional services.

The draft PWS outlines the requirements for IaaS and PaaS offerings under the first pool and defines the general scope for SaaS and IT professional services under pools two and three, respectively.

The GSA sought feedback on the initial draft PWS for Ascend in May 2022.

Questions, recommendations and comments on the latest draft PWS are due Jan. 30, 2024.

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IRS Launches Pilot of New Digital Tax Filing Service
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IRS Launches Pilot of New Digital Tax Filing Service

The Internal Revenue Service launched a pilot for a new tax filing service designed to enable eligible taxpayers to file their federal tax returns online.

Taxpayers participating in the Direct File pilot program will need to authenticate their identity using ID.me, an Identity Assurance Level 2 verification service, the IRS said Wednesday.

Direct File pilot will join existing IRS products using ID.me, including Get Transcript Online and Online Account.

IRS said the Direct File pilot is open to taxpayers reporting specific varieties of income, credits  and deductions across the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

The agency is rolling out the system in stages and is collaborating with the U.S. Digital Service and 18F to further develop the service.

Direct File is free, available in English and Spanish and accessible on a computer, mobile phone or tablet.

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Tess deBlanc-Knowles Takes On Leading Role in AI at National Science Foundation
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Tess deBlanc-Knowles Takes On Leading Role in AI at National Science Foundation

Tess deBlanc-Knowles has been named special assistant to the director for artificial intelligence at the National Science Foundation.

DeBlanc-Knowles currently serves as strategic adviser for technology policy and strategy at the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, a position that she will continue to hold, the NSF said Wednesday.

In her new role, deBlanc-Knowles will serve as a member of the NSF leadership team and take the lead when it comes to issues concerning AI.

The new special assistant will also take the lead in the NSF’s implementation of the Executive Order on the Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, which the Biden administration released in October.

Regarding her new appointment, deBlanc-Knowles said, “I am honored to be working with the NSF leadership team to help harness AI for good and support the Foundation’s critical role in assisting our nation to realize AI’s myriad benefits while mitigating its substantial risks.”

For his part, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan described deBlanc-Knowles as “a recognized leader” whose expertise will help the Foundation in advancing AI-related research.

“I am thrilled that she will contribute her knowledge and experience in AI-related activities,” Panchanathan added.

Tess deBlanc-Knowles Takes On Leading Role in AI at National Science Foundation

Federal leaders and industry experts will converge to explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence at the Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual AI Summit. Register now.

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CISA Seeks External Input on Secure by Design Software Development White Paper
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CISA Seeks External Input on Secure by Design Software Development White Paper

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is seeking information from entities from the software industry regarding its Secure by Design principle campaign.

The agency on Wednesday released its white paper on the implementation of secure-by-design and secure-by-default principles into the software development life cycle.

The document is a proposed approach to weave better security into the life cycle, holding manufacturers and developers accountable instead of the customers.

CISA is interested in other perspectives on how the government can help companies invest in programs for eliminating recurring vulnerabilities. It also wants to learn more about the cost of adopting secure-by-design versus the cost of cyber incident response.

“While we have already received a wide range of feedback on our secure by design campaign, we need to incorporate the broadest possible range of perspectives,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. “The President’s National Cybersecurity Strategy calls for a fundamental shift in responsibility for security from the customer to software manufacturers, and input from this RFI will help us define our path ahead, including updates to our joint seal Secure by Design whitepaper,” added Easterly, a Wash100 winner.

Responses to the request for information are due by Feb. 20.

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Biden Administration Introduces Companion Framework for Novel Space Activities Bill
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Biden Administration Introduces Companion Framework for Novel Space Activities Bill

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a new policy updating the National Space Council’s regulatory framework for novel activities in space.

The United States Novel Space Activities Authorization and Supervision Framework suggests that the Departments of Commerce and Transportation create federal advisory committees to guide a subsector of the space industry that is not currently regulated by law, the White House announced Wednesday.

The framework accompanies proposed legislation submitted to Congress last month regarding the supervision and authorization of novel activities in the industry. The legislation directs DOC and DOT to lead efforts to ensure safety and security in the subsector.

The policies include provisions to address orbital debris and develop a knowledge repository of emerging space activities. The framework also makes the case for a Private Sector Space Activities Interagency Steering Group, which will be tasked to formulate longer-term best practices and regulations.

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SpaceX Closing in on Third Starship Rocket Flight Test
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SpaceX Closing in on Third Starship Rocket Flight Test

SpaceX has taken a step forward in its efforts to conduct a third flight of its Starship rocket, Ars Technica reported on Wednesday.

During a static fire test carried out in South Texas, the rocket’s six engines ignited for a few seconds, meeting target levels of functionality. After the test, the rocket and ground support equipment appeared to be undamaged.

Earlier this week, SpaceX delivered the booster for the next test to the Starbase launch site and placed it on the orbital launch mount, indicating that another static fire test will be performed in the near future. Upon the completion of these tests, it is likely that the Starship upper stage will be stacked on top of the booster, completing the vehicle.

In “Integrated Flight Test 3,” SpaceX aims to fly further than in previous tests and land in the ocean north of Kauai, Hawaii. An in-space propellant transfer test may also take place, but this is not yet confirmed.

On Nov. 18, Starship underwent its second launch attempt, which demonstrated improved engine reliability over the first test and provided data about a “hot staging” maneuver to detach the Super Heavy booster from the rocket’s upper stage. The first attempt was conducted in April.

According to Kathy Lueders, general manager for SpaceX’s Starbase launch site near Brownsville, the company hopes to carry out the third flight test in the first quarter of 2024.

SpaceX is still awaiting regulatory approval for a third launch from the Federal Aviation Administration.

SpaceX Closing in on Third Starship Rocket Flight Test

Learn more about U.S. activities in space at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Space Summit on March 5, 2024. At the event, government and industry experts will come together to discuss the federal government’s top priorities in the evolving domain and the ways in which the public and private sectors are collaborating to achieve these goals. Click here for more information, and click here to register to attend the event.

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Guidehouse Names New Partners to its Executive Team; Scott McIntyre Quoted
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Guidehouse Names New Partners to its Executive Team; Scott McIntyre Quoted

Guidehouse has made 17 new appointments to its senior leadership team.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, each of these executives will become a partner within the consulting firm, Guidehouse announced on Thursday.

Guidehouse CEO Scott McIntyre, a seven-time Wash100 Award recipient, welcomed the new partner class and highlighted their committed leadership that is “instrumental to Guidehouse’s growth and success.”

“Becoming a partner at Guidehouse is a significant accomplishment shared by the very best within our firm and in the consulting field, so it’s an honor to acknowledge our newest partners and their acts of client service and teamwork in delivering value,” he said.

When these changes go into effect, five individuals – Rebecca Carr, Steve Cubarney, Christine Etue, Kevin Shaw and Lindsay Sparks – will join the company’s defense and security arm. Patrick Di Gregory, Mark Livingstone, Rebecca McGregor and Chad Rheingans will be welcomed into the energy, sustainability and infrastructure unit.

Four leaders – Vivek Gursahaney, Andrew Kane, Lance Robertson and Rajiv Sheth – will enter Guidehouse’s health business, and Taimur Ahya-Ud-Din will join the digital services arm.

The organization’s financial services segment will embrace Matthew Moosariparambil and Cat Riddle. Guidehouse Chief Accounting Officer Marylyn Shinaberry was also selected as a partner.

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Anne Bonfante Gebhards Sworn in as Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Policy
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Anne Bonfante Gebhards Sworn in as Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Policy

Anne Bonfante Gebhards, who most recently served as senior adviser for international affairs at the Department of the Navy, has been sworn in as deputy undersecretary of the Navy for policy.

Gebhards was sworn into office by Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the Navy and a 2023 Wash100 awardee, during a ceremony held on Monday, the Navy said Wednesday.

In this capacity, Gebhards will be the principal civilian adviser on matters associated with defense and foreign policy, naval force posture, defense and naval strategy and security cooperation policy.

Earlier in her career, Gebhards served as country director in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as well as a foreign affairs specialist at the State Department. She additionally served as defense advisor to the former Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control.

Gebhards is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She gained a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the University of the West of England and completed the Senior Executive Fellows program at the Harvard Kennedy School.

EPA Selects Fordham University as Grantmaker on Environmental Justice Program; Michael Regan Quoted
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EPA Selects Fordham University as Grantmaker on Environmental Justice Program; Michael Regan Quoted

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued Fordham University a $50 million grant to support environmental justice programs.

With the funds, Fordham will award subgrants to community-based groups across EPA Region 2, which encompasses New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and eight Indian Nations, and uplift faculty-led environmental research, the EPA said on Wednesday.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the grant program is a response to a call for the U.S. government to focus on environmental justice concerns. The agency, he said, is addressing these issues by “removing barriers that have traditionally held communities and applicants back from accessing these historic investments in America.”

The goal of the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program is to provide underserved communities with pathways to access federal funds they can use to tackle climate-based issues. As a grantmaker on the initiative, Fordham will review applications for subgrants from community organizations that may consider local clean ups, emergency preparedness, environmental workforce development and air quality, among other matters.

Of the funding, $10 million will go to Fordham’s own research activities and $40 million will be split between subgrants valued at up to $350,000. In total, the program is valued at $550 million, and 11 universities were selected as grantmakers.

Lisa Garcia, administrator of EPA Region 2, said Fordham’s selection “will be the start of a fruitful relationship” that leverages the agency’s environmental justice work and the university’s “promise of equity and environmental stewardship.”

To issue the subgrants, Fordham will cooperate with the agency’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. Awards are set to become available by summer 2024.

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NASA Launches 14 Research Payloads to Support Technology Demonstration in Space
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NASA Launches 14 Research Payloads to Support Technology Demonstration in Space

NASA has launched 14 Flight Opportunities research payloads aboard Blue Origin‘s New Shepard reusable suborbital rocket to help researchers test new technologies and materials for space applications.

Among the payloads launched on New Shepard is a research project from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to evaluate in-space manufacturing techniques to turn wax-based products like paraffin and beeswax into alternative fuel options for small spacecraft, NASA said Tuesday.

The agency also sent to space a project from Ecoatoms to advance the production of biosensors in low Earth orbit and an experiment by researchers at Montana State University and the University of Colorado Boulder that explores the use of a yeast variant to understand how the impact of microgravity on humans.

New Shepard lifted off from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas and deployed the research payloads at an altitude of 351,248 feet.

“Working with commercial flight providers like Blue Origin allows the agency to make space exploration and commerce more accessible to a broader range of researchers,” said Danielle McCulloch, program manager for Flight Opportunities at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center.

NASA Launches 14 Research Payloads to Support Technology Demonstration in Space

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 operations. Register here to save your seat!

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