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Artificial Intelligence/News
EY Report: Federal IT Leaders Use Internal Data Repositories as Main Source for Training AI Models
by Jane Edwards
Published on February 28, 2024
EY Report: Federal IT Leaders Use Internal Data Repositories as Main Source for Training AI Models

An Ernst & Young report has found that 58 percent of federal respondents turn to internal data repositories as the key source used to train artificial intelligence models and that agencies are looking at various sources of data such as public datasets, third parties and internal data marketplaces to perform data analysis tasks.

EY collaborated with Market Connections to conduct an online survey of 200 federal government information technology decision-makers and influencers responsible for AI policy management in October and found that respondents are using various methods to build and train AI tools.

According to the survey, 51 percent of respondents said they are using supervised learning models and 41 percent noted that they are using natural language processing. The other methods used are hybrid and reinforcement learning models.

The report found that a lack of staff focused on data governance, data security and budget constraints are the top challenges to data discovery and access.

Sixty-five percent of federal IT leaders said their agencies have named a chief data officer, while 14 percent stated they are in the process of hiring a CDO, according to the survey.

The respondents noted that their organizations are exploring, building or using AI systems for about five use cases with data analysis tools, document analysis and process and predictive analytics as the most prevalent purposes.

The report also provided several measures agencies can take to advance AI adoption, such as developing a data management and governance plan to establish a foundation of reliable and trusted data, considering a hybrid approach and assessing and acquiring the right AI tool.

POC - 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit

Register here to attend the Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 21 and hear federal leaders and industry experts discuss the latest developments in the field.

Acquisition & Procurement/News
GAO Says DOD Needs Data Analytics to Improve Contract Fraud Detection, Investigation
by Jamie Bennet
Published on February 28, 2024
GAO Says DOD Needs Data Analytics to Improve Contract Fraud Detection, Investigation

The Government Accountability Office included the Department of Defense’s contract management practices in its high-risk list after finding gaps in its handling of potentially fraudulent vendors.

In a report released Tuesday, GAO found that DOD lacked data analytics tools such as information matching to prevent or detect fraud, despite having a Fraud Reduction Task Force.

The likelihood of fraud is high in DOD’s contracting activity due to the value of its contracts and scope of products and services. Although the agency had established a task force to address this issue, it failed to specify which DOD unit had the primary responsibility of planning, scheduling and implementing data analytics to detect dubious activity.

The government watchdog recommended that DOD review and analyze adjudicated procurement fraud cases and it mobilize its Office of Inspector General for collaboration on developing practices to maximize the use of data analytics to prevent contracting scams.

DOD agreed on some, but not all, of the recommendations.

Cybersecurity/News
JFHQ-DODIN Completes Pilot Testing of Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment Program; Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner Quoted
by Jamie Bennet
Published on February 28, 2024
JFHQ-DODIN Completes Pilot Testing of Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment Program; Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner Quoted

Joint Force Headquarters – Department of Defense Information Network is on track to commence its Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment program, previously known as the Command Cyber Readiness Inspection program.

JFHQ-DODIN said it plans a March 1st launch for CORA, which underwent a nine-month pilot run using MITRE ATT&CK tactics, techniques and procedures.

CORA will measure the security preparedness of DODIN areas of operation, including order execution, anomaly detection and use of adversary threat information.

“The assessment provides commanders and directors a more precise understanding of their high-priority cyber terrain and their overall cyber security and defensive posture enabling greater command and control and enhancing decision making,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner, JFHQ-DODIN commander and winner of the 2024 Wash100 award.

The Potomac Officers Club is building its lineup of speakers for the 2024 Cyber Summit in June. Wash100 inductee David McKeown, DOD’s deputy chief information officer for cybersecurity and senior information security officer, will be one of the honored guests at the event. Register now to learn from industry and government experts about the digital revolution in the federal procurement sector.

POC - 2024 Cyber Summit
News/Space
Space Force Plans to Tap Commercial Sector for Space Domain Awareness
by Naomi Cooper
Published on February 28, 2024
Space Force Plans to Tap Commercial Sector for Space Domain Awareness

Lt. Gen. David Miller, commander of Space Operations Command, said the Space Force is planning to strengthen collaboration with industry partners to achieve space domain awareness by acquiring commercial space tracking data and analytics capabilities, SpaceNews reported Tuesday.

Miller noted that commercial satellite services can support mission-critical space operations but the service branch has to consider the advantages and disadvantages of relying on private systems compared to government-owned devices.

“Where they can provide operational utility, mission resilience, rapid reconstitution and backstopping for core capability, I’m all in, and I want to see it happen,” Miller said. “I want to leverage capability for analytics, data interpretation, speed in decision cycles.”

The Space Force’s commercial strategy is being established to guide the service branch in working together with private satellite service providers.

“There’s more mission areas to be plowed, some to be provided by commercial partners and allies,” Miller said.

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!

Cybersecurity/News
DOD Issues Memo on Cybersecurity Activities for Cloud Service Offerings
by Jane Edwards
Published on February 28, 2024
DOD Issues Memo on Cybersecurity Activities for Cloud Service Offerings

The Department of Defense has released a memorandum detailing its policy, responsibilities and procedures for performing defensive cyberspace operations and other cybersecurity activities for cloud service offerings.

The DOD’s chief information officer will oversee the development and implementation of the department’s cybersecurity capabilities and architectures to safeguard the DOD Information Network and ensure that developed capabilities are integrated into the DOD Information Enterprise Architecture, according to the memo released Tuesday.

The document states that DOD component heads should ensure that the mission owner and authorizing official are responsible for ensuring all cloud service contracts include licensing agreements and accreditation boundaries for cybersecurity activities and requirements for cybersecurity service provider notification and acknowledgment procedures for cyber incidents.

The mission owner will address and ensure the performance of all cybersecurity activities for infrastructure-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service and software-as-a-service offerings.

The activities are classified into identify, protect, monitor and detect and respond categories. For the identify category, activities include vulnerability assessment and analysis, penetration testing and intrusion assessment.

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.

DoD/News
USAF Leaders Gen. David Allvin & Frank Kendall Call for Urgent Military Optimization
by Ireland Degges
Published on February 28, 2024
USAF Leaders Gen. David Allvin & Frank Kendall Call for Urgent Military Optimization

Warfighting today has reached “a time of consequence,” according to Gen. David Allvin, chief of staff for the U.S. Air Force.

During a Brookings Institution-hosted discussion, Allvin noted that though distractions and complexity in modern warfare may obscure this idea, those who can look ahead and make important decisions “will look back in at ourselves and be proud,” the Department of Defense said on Wednesday.

The Air Force recently introduced major changes designed to develop people, generate readiness, project power and develop capabilities in both the near- and long- term to stay at the forefront of great power competition.

“We are moving forward with a sense of urgency to ensure we are ready to deter and, if necessary, win,” said Frank Kendall, secretary of the Air Force and a 2024 Wash100 Award winner. He emphasized that the U.S. can no longer delay its military modernization.

Allvin said that in the future, the USAF needs to be able to operate in more contested environments at wider ranges, a transformation that calls for more agile force development and joint capabilities. He described this restructuring as a “different way of warfighting.”

USAF Leaders Gen. David Allvin & Frank Kendall Call for Urgent Military Optimization“It’s really about adapting our institution to be able to be more conducive for the environment, which is more fast paced, rapid, where opportunities come and go faster,” he said.

One way the DOD is shaping the future of the U.S. military is through the Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control initiative, which aims to enhance connectivity between DOD components and allies. Join us at the Potomac Officers Club’s Achieving Transformative Cooperation for National Defense Forum on March 14 for a deep dive into this major project. To learn more and register to attend the event, click here.

News/Wash100
Executive Mosaic Extolls Virtues of Amentum’s John Heller & SAIC’s Josh Jackson in 2024 Wash100 Profiles
by Charles Lyons-Burt
Published on February 28, 2024
Executive Mosaic Extolls Virtues of Amentum’s John Heller & SAIC’s Josh Jackson in 2024 Wash100 Profiles

Amentum CEO John Heller and SAIC Executive Vice President Josh Jackson have been appointed to the 2024 Wash100 by Executive Mosaic. Two profiles published today in EM properties outlined these leaders’ achievements and the milestones that resulted in their inductions.

The Wash100 Award has been an annual tradition for the last 10 years and is among the very highest honors in the government contracting industry. It has recognized C-suite executives, military generals, technology innovators and more and is committed to enshrining the work of those who are at the apex of their career, or working their way toward that point; these winners will be the leaders of tomorrow.

After winners are announced in January, EM holds a popular vote contest amongst the recipients of the award. Cast 10 votes now for your favorite honorees!

Heller was awarded for the eighth time this year in commemoration of his efforts to grow and reimagine Amentum through M&A deals — such as its impending combination with Jacobs — and a series of sizable contract award wins from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, the U.S. Navy and the Department of Energy. Learn about his impressive recent work in his GovCon Wire profile here.

Jackson earned his first Wash100 recognition this year due to his captainship of SAIC’s Army business unit, which is one of the five main segments that the company is newly focused around after its Q4 2023 reorganization. Jackson is a vocal proponent of counter unmanned aerial systems and of digital engineering and modeling to build those systems. Read about his tireless standout efforts in ExecutiveBiz here.

Executive Mosaic congratulates Heller and Jackson on this significant benchmark and toasts its glass to their continued success!

Artificial Intelligence
NVIDIA Hits $2T, Reflecting Major AI Boom in the US
by reynolitoresoor
Published on February 28, 2024
NVIDIA Hits $2T, Reflecting Major AI Boom in the US

Artificial intelligence company and chipmaker NVIDIA hit a stock market valuation of $2 trillion last week, marking a continuation of the AI market boom.

NVIDIA Hits $2T, Reflecting Major AI Boom in the US

What’s next for AI, and how will advancements impact the public and private sectors alike? Find out at the Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual AI Summit on March 21. Join us to hear insights from the Pentagon, the CIA, NGA, DARPA, DHS and other agencies leading the AI conversation. Register here.

“Accelerated computing and generative AI have hit the tipping point. Demand is surging worldwide across companies, industries and nations,” said NVIDIA CEO and Founder Jensen Huang.

The company reported a 126 percent jump in full-year revenue for fiscal year 2024 and a 22 percent jump from its third quarter revenue. Huang said he expects that the year ahead will “bring major new product cycles with exceptional innovations to help propel our industry forward.”

AI is taking hold beyond the private sector and into the U.S. federal government as AI shows promise in military applications. For example, the Pentagon is working on fielding thousands of autonomous unmanned systems as part of its Replicator program. And the Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and AI Office recently released a new AI strategy guiding the DOD’s investment in and adoption of AI.

Stay updated on the latest developments, trends and initiatives in the AI space at POC’s 5th Annual AI Summit on March 21. Register here.

Articles
Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton of the US Space Force Closes Keynote at the 2024 Space Summit
by Kaye Howard
Published on February 28, 2024
Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton of the US Space Force Closes Keynote at the 2024 Space Summit

Lieutenant General Shawn Bratton is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience working in different service branches of the US Department of Defense (DoD). He is a vital member of the US Space Force, having been involved in missions encompassing cybersecurity, leadership, weapon development, and space operations.

 

Lt. Gen. Bratton’s distinguished career in the Space Force earned him a spot among the keynote speakers at the upcoming 2024 Space Summit by the Potomac Officers Club (POC). 

 

Table of Contents

  • Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton: Who is he?
  • Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton’s Comprehensive Military Career Journey 
  • Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton: Closing Keynote at the 2024 Space Summit
  • Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton: A Space Leader Committed to Excellence

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton: Who is he?

 

Photo of Lieutenant Shawn Bratton
Photo by Eric Dietrich/ U.S. Air Force/ DVIDS

 

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton entered the US Air Force’s Space Command in March 2000. He began his career as a Staff Officer before venturing into another program in 2005. He returned to the Space Command in 2011 and took on various leadership roles. In January 2024, Lt. Gen. Bratton was named the Deputy Chief of Space Operations Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements (CSRO).

 

One of the highlights of Lt. Gen. Bratton’s career is becoming the first Space Force General Officer to hail from the Air National Guard. He enlisted in the Arizona Air National Guard in 1987, where he carried out tasks relevant to aircraft control and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems.

 

In 2001, Lt. Gen. Bratton was deployed to Iraq during the Iraqi War. After the conflict ended, he commanded the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group. He served as the Advisor to the Director of Operations and was actively involved in contingency response, cyber mission force stand-up, air force communication structures, and space and cyberspace operations.

 

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton’s career in space operations was further bolstered when he led the creation of the Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM), serving as its first commander in 2021.

 

Additionally, Lt. Gen. Bratton leverages his educational background to commit to his space operations responsibilities. The CSRO holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Master in National Security Policy Studies from the US Naval War College.

 

The lieutenant general also holds certification and programs such as National Security Policy Studies from George Washington University, Space and Tactics training from the United States Air Force Weapons School, and a Master’s Certificate Program from the Naval Postgraduate School.

 

Related article: NASA Names University Teams Selected to Conduct Aeronautical Research

 

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton’s Comprehensive Military Career Journey 

 

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton's Comprehensive Military Career Journey
Photo by 1st Lt. Gen. Charles Rivezzo/ STARCOM

 

Lieutenant Shawn Bratton’s experience in the military spans over 20 years. Outlined below is his military journey before becoming Deputy Chief at the US Space Command:

 

  • Deputy Director for Operations at the US Space, from August 2019
  • Deputy Director of Operations at the Joint Functional Space Component Command, from January 2019 to August 2019
  • Advisor to the Commander of the Air Force Space Command, from August 2017 to August 2019
  • Air National Guard Advisor to the Director of Operations at the Air Force Space Command, from July 2011 to April 2015
  • Advisor to the Commander of the 14th Air Force Squadron at the Air National Guard, from July 2007 to July 2010
  • Weapons and Tactics Officer at the Air National Guard, from July 2005 to July 2007
  • Staff Officer at the Air Force Space Command, from March 2000 to July 2005

 

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton: Closing Keynote at the 2024 Space Summit

 

2024 Space Summit banner

 

As a distinguished leader in the Space Force Command, Lieutenant Shawn Bratton was handpicked by the Potomac Officers Club to provide the closing keynote address at the 2024 Space Summit.

 

To be held on March 5, 2024, the 2024 Space Summit features the nation’s foremost experts and government leaders in space operations. They’ll discuss the future of space and the United States’ goals of harnessing the latest technologies to establish warfare advantage. In addition, the summit will shed light on the present and future capabilities that enable space exploration.

 

Lt. Gen. Bratton will be introduced by Robert Conrad, Vice President of Business Development at Kepler Communications. They will be joined by General Stephen Whiting, the opening keynote speaker, who will be introduced by David Sterling, CEO of Royce Geo. Register here to be part of the prestigious event.

 

You might also want to read: NorthStar Earth & Space To Support Saudi Space Industry Development

 

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton: A Space Leader Committed to Excellence

 

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton: A Space Leader Committed to Excellence
Photo by tawatchai07/ Freepik

 

Lieutenant General Shawn Bratton has made significant contributions to enhancing cyber operations and space digital infrastructure.

 

One of his compelling works was the construction of digital systems that trained satellite operators and tested the performance of new hardware for STARCOM. Then-Major General Bratton highlighted that this digital infrastructure was a priority for enabling efficient training and testing.

 

“In space, you don’t have the ability to carve out a piece of real estate for testing and training purposes, so we had to think a little bit differently on how we do these activities to increase the readiness of the force but also be safe and professional in our operations in the space domain,” Lt. Gen. Bratton said during the Mitchell Institute forum on May 10, 2023.

 

On September 12, 2023, then Maj. Gen. Shawn Bratton was awarded the Air & Space Forces Association’s (AFA) Jerome F. O’Malley Space Visionary Leadership Award. He was selected by the AFA as he exemplified the vision and passion to build the US Space Force, Space Command, and other relevant organizations dedicated to protecting the nation’s interests in space.

 

The 2024 Space Summit is one of the many prestigious events of the Potomac Officers Club. Click here to be an official POC member, get access to exclusive content, and meet other government contracting professionals.

Executive Moves/News
Dana Weigel to Succeed Joel Montalbano as ISS Program Manager
by Naomi Cooper
Published on February 27, 2024
Dana Weigel to Succeed Joel Montalbano as ISS Program Manager

Dana Weigel, deputy program manager of the International Space Station since April 2021, has been named program manager of the orbital laboratory, succeeding Joel Montalbano, who is transitioning to the role of deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate.

Weigel will assume her new role on April 7 and will be based at Johnson Space Center in Houston, where she will oversee the overall management, integration and operation of the 15-nation ISS program, NASA said Monday.

She has held various roles of increasing responsibility during her nearly two-decade career at NASA, including deputy chief of the Flight Director Office and Space Transportation Vehicle Division and overall lead for space station flight directors.

Montalbano took on the responsibilities of the ISS program manager in 2020 after serving as the orbital space station’s deputy program manager for eight years. He served as a NASA flight director from 2000 to 2008.

“NASA will continue to benefit from their human spaceflight knowledge as we maintain our unique capabilities in orbit and prepare for the future of the agency’s operations in space,” said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for space operations at NASA.

POC - 2024 Space Summit

The Potomac Officers Club will host the 2024 Space Summit on March 5 to discuss how new technologies, commercial investments and adversarial threats are shaping the future of space. Click here to register!

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