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ISS National Lab Requests Flight Concepts for Space-Based R&D Projects
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ISS National Lab Requests Flight Concepts for Space-Based R&D Projects

The International Space Station National Laboratory is seeking flight concepts that use the government-funded space facility to develop technology in areas such as translational medicine, chemical and material synthesis, edge computing and in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing.

ISS National Lab said Tuesday it aims to facilitate space-based technology development and demonstration projects that seek to advance hardware prototype testing, enable process improvements, conduct advanced materials research and demonstrate novel drugs and diagnostic services.

The latest research announcement will follow a two-step proposal submission process. Concept summaries are due March 4 while full proposals must be submitted by May 7.

The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, which manages ISS National Lab, has scheduled a webinar for Jan. 18 to provide further details on the research announcement.

ISS National Lab previously sponsored the development of Hewlett Packard Enterprise‘s Spaceborne Computer-2, which will launch on Northrop Grumman‘s 20th Commercial Resupply Services mission to enable high-performance computing in space.

ISS National Lab Requests Flight Concepts for Space-Based R&D Projects

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. Register here to save your seat at the highly anticipated event.

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House Bill to Advance Federal AI Risk Management Policy Implementation
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House Bill to Advance Federal AI Risk Management Policy Implementation

Reps. Ted Lieu, D-Calif.; Zach Nunn, R-Iowa; Don Beyer, D-Va.; and Marcus Molinaro, R-N.Y., have introduced bipartisan legislation to advance federal risk management guidelines for artificial intelligence technologies used by government agencies and vendors.

The Federal Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Act would require federal agencies to incorporate the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI Risk Management Framework into their AI management programs, Lieu’s office said Wednesday.

“The AI Risk Management Framework developed by NIST is a great starting point for agencies and vendors to analyze the risks associated with AI and to mitigate those risks. These guidelines have already been used by a number of public and private sector organizations, and there is no reason why they shouldn’t be applied to the federal government as well,” Lieu said.

Under the bill, the Office of Management and Budget must issue guidance requiring agencies to implement the framework and establish a workforce initiative to provide federal agencies with access to diverse AI risk management expertise.

The legislation would also require NIST to test and evaluate new AI acquisition capabilities.

Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Mark Warner, D-Va., introduced a companion bill in the Senate in November.

POC - 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 21 to hear more about cutting edge AI innovations from government and industry experts. Click here to register!

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Molly Just-Behr Named DOD CHIPS Coordination Cell Director
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Molly Just-Behr Named DOD CHIPS Coordination Cell Director

Molly Just-Behr, a defense and technology executive, has rejoined the Department of Defense as director of the CHIPS Coordination Cell.

She announced the move in a LinkedIn post published Wednesday.

Her appointment comes as DOD advances efforts to strengthen the U.S. semiconductor defense industrial base in support of national security and defense programs.

Just-Behr most recently served as a senior director at In-Q-Tel, where she led engagements across DOD and the Intelligence Community.

Prior to IQT, she was a senior director at Avascent, where she founded the DOD consulting practice and led business development, client engagement and growth strategies.

She previously worked at DOD as a special assistant within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, providing research, writing and analysis support.

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AFRL Seeks Industry Input on Development of Tech Enabling Secure Internetworking Capabilities
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AFRL Seeks Industry Input on Development of Tech Enabling Secure Internetworking Capabilities

The Rapid Architecture Prototyping and Integration Development Laboratory, a part of the Space Vehicles Directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, is seeking input from industry about technology approaches that can be used to develop a trusted network device, or TND, that would enable an overlay network providing the U.S. Space Force with cybersecure internetworking capabilities.

The envisioned TND will work to interconnect disparate existing networks, provide traffic management and performance monitoring and allow for, among other things, encryption, traffic flow authorization and user authentication, according to a request for information posted Tuesday on SAM.gov.

The device’s other characteristics include compliance with Department of Defense zero trust principles, a total traffic throughput of 1 Gigabit per second with an objective of 100 Gbps, and the use of modular systems architecture.

TNDs for terrestrial deployment are being sought, as well as TNDs for space flight, but both must possess identical functionality.

Responses to the RFI are due Jan. 31. Respondents may propose additional functional aspects. Respondents are also called on to identify aspects of the TND that may be challenging or altogether not feasible under current technologies.

AFRL Seeks Industry Input on Development of Tech Enabling Secure Internetworking Capabilities

Defense leaders, researchers, experts and decision-makers will discuss the latest technological developments for the U.S. military at the Potomac Officers Club’s 10th Annual Defense R&D Summit. Register now.

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Coast Guard Rear Adm. Christopher Bartz Appointed DHS Deputy CIO
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Coast Guard Rear Adm. Christopher Bartz Appointed DHS Deputy CIO

Rear Adm. Christopher Bartz, assistant commandant for command, control, communications, computers and information technology and chief information officer at the U.S. Coast Guard, has been selected to serve as deputy CIO at the Department of Homeland Security, Federal News Network reported Wednesday.

Bartz will officially assume the role on Feb. 5 as he succeeds Beth Cappello, who is set to retire on March 9 after 33 years of government service.

According to an email to staff obtained by FNN, DHS CIO Eric Hysen said Bartz has extensive experience in cybersecurity, serving as director of training and exercises at U.S. Cyber Command and chief information security officer at USCG.

“I have seen Chris’s technical and leadership acumen firsthand, and can’t wait to see him bring his skills and experiences to continue driving transformational change in OCIO and across the entire department,” Hysen added.

Bartz previously led software development efforts for the Coast Guard as commanding officer of the Operations Systems Center and served as chief of C4&IT capabilities with oversight of IT requirements for shore-based, aviation and afloat assets.

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Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting Becomes Commander of SPACECOM
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Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting Becomes Commander of SPACECOM

U.S. Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting has stepped into his new role as commander of the U.S. Space Command, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported on Wednesday.

He was sworn in during a change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, where he formally succeeded Army Gen. James Dickinson.

During the ceremony, Whiting called attention to SPACECOM’s “highest priority” of preserving freedom of action in space amidst adversary activities in the domain. He also noted his goal of fostering collaboration between the command, the military services and allies.

“No doubt there are tensions between services and combatant commands. But let me be clear, maximizing the outcomes for the nation in space ahead of any organizational equities will be my priority,” he said.

Prior to assuming this role, Whiting served as the first leader of the USSF’s Space Operations Command, a position in which he headed the preparation, generation and sustainment of combat-ready intelligence, cyber, space and combat support forces. Earlier, he was the first commander of the Combined Force Space Component Command, a previous SPACECOM component.

Whiting joins SPACECOM in the midst of a Space Force restructuring of its presentation of forces to combatant commands and a large Department of Defense-wide effort to launch many new satellites.

“Every day, (US)SPACECOM delivers tremendous value across our Joint Force … more than ever, space is integral to military operations. And our competitors know it,” Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, a three-time Wash100 Award recipient, said during the ceremony.

She noted that the U.S. is “committed to preventing conflict through deterrence by making clear to our competitors that the cost of aggression would far outweigh any conceivable benefits,” an endeavor that “everyone at this command” is a part of.

“It is my distinct honor to be entrusted with leading the patriots of this command,” said Whiting. “I have a sober appreciation of the tremendous responsibilities placed on our shoulders to ensure that space remains a sustainable, safe, stable and secure domain for all humankind.”

Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting Becomes Commander of SPACECOM

Interested in learning more about U.S. space activities? At the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Space Summit on March 5, you will have the opportunity to hear from both public and private sector space experts, who will come together to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving domain. To learn more and register to attend the event, click here.

Director Karen Howard of the Internal Revenue Service Participates in The CX Imperative Forum
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Director Karen Howard of the Internal Revenue Service Participates in The CX Imperative Forum

Karen S. Howard is a four-decade veteran in the private sector. She brings her expertise in retail, manufacturing, financial services, and consumer operations upon joining the public sector in August 2020. On January 25, 2024, Ms. Howard will speak on the panel for the Potomac Officers Club-hosted CX Imperative Forum.

 

Become a member of the Potomac Officers Club and catch Karen Howard sharing her insights at the CX Imperative Forum. Register for the forum today to learn about the current initiatives to reduce bureaucratic processes in government operations.

 

Delve into Karen S. Howard’s expertise, particularly in improving customer experiences in the private sector and citizen experiences in the public sector.

 

Who is Karen Howard?

 

Karen S. Howard boasts industry knowledge of consumer expectations, modern technologies, marketing, and brand strategies. She held a number of management positions in major retail enterprises, such as Home Depot, Phoenix Textiles, Tractor Supply Company, The Mast General Store Inc., and Renfro Brands. 

 

In Augusto 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Howard joined the public sector as the Executive Director for the Head Office of Online Services at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Joining at a critical period, she has helped the federal government improve its processes for tax collection, digital transformation, and Internal Revenue Code compliance.

 

Karen Howard completed her Bachelor of Science in Clothing, Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, Management, and Marketing at Western Carolina University in 1986. She also has several certifications related to project management, product management, human-computer interaction (HCI), and master data management.

 

Karen Howard’s 40+ year career focuses on driving more enjoyable customer experiences

 

Karen Howard's 40+ year career focuses on driving more enjoyable customer experiences
Photo by Thapana_Studio / Shutterstock

 

In her four decades of experience across the public and private sectors, Karen Howard has always centered her work around improving customer satisfaction and gratification at every contact point. She understands people’s needs and wants to deliver more enjoyable customer experiences across the board.

 

It’s this same ethos that Ms. Howard maintained upon transitioning to the public sector and joining the IRS. She aims to improve taxpayers’ online user experience and create a more streamlined process for tax payments.

 

Also read: How To Prepare a Business Plan for Government Contracting

 

Karen Howard, Executive Director of the Internal Revenue Service’s Head Office of Online Services

 

As the Executive Director for the Head Office of Online Services at the Internal Revenue Service, Karen S. Howard is responsible for ensuring easy access to all tax-related information, simplifying processes to accomplish tax obligations, and implementing digital tools, processes, and services on IRS.gov.

 

Ms. Howard leads a team of over 200 public servants in strategic guidance and tactical oversight. She manages the team’s objective of empowering user experience with digital capabilities through understanding the taxpayer community’s voice and behavior as well as internal stakeholder requirements.

 

Karen Howard, Panelist for the Potomac Officers Club’s The CX Imperative Forum

 

The CX Imperative Forum

 

Take a look at the initiatives of federal agencies to improve citizen experiences based on the Executive Order on Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government, passed by President Joe Biden in December 2021. Register for The CX Imperative Forum on January 25, 2024.

 

Karen Howard is participating as a panelist in the Radiant-sponsored CX Imperative Forum. She is set to discuss the digital transformational changes she has spearheaded in her IRS office. Ms. Howard is joined by other industry leaders, namely:

 

  • Dana Chisnell, Executive Director for the Customer Experience Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security (Keynote speaker)
  • Dr. Shankar Rachakonda, Chief Executive Officer at Radiant Digital (Keynote introducer)
  • Jeffery McLaughlin, Senior Vice President at Radiant Digital (Panelist)
  • Victor Udoewa, Service Design Lead for the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Panelist)

 

What is The CX Imperative Forum?

 

  • Organizer: Potomac Officers Club
  • Date: January 25, 2024 (7:00am – 10:00am/ ET)
  • Location: 2941 Restaurant, 2941 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, VA 22042
  • Sponsor: Radiant

 

The CX Imperative Forum discusses the technological advancements the government must harness to help redesign citizen experiences to better align with the agency’s goal and presidential directive. The forum addresses the current bureaucratic procedures and the steps to decrease the overwhelming paperwork citizens and workers must undergo.

 

Related article: The Impact of Government Regulations on Small Business Enterprises

DOE Awards Small Business Funding to Advance Clean Energy Goals
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DOE Awards Small Business Funding to Advance Clean Energy Goals

The Department of Energy’s Office of Science will award 111 grants worth $24 million to small businesses in 30 states and the District of Columbia to advance clean energy research and development.

DOE said Tuesday the selected projects will receive Phase I R&D funding under the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs to develop computing, advanced materials and scientific instrumentation in support of the department’s clean energy goals.

Among the selected small businesses are Caporus Technologies, which will develop new silicon-based detector technologies to enable radiation-hard sensors in high energy physics; EnviTrace, which will create artificial intelligence-powered software for urban data analysis; and Greenpath Systems, which will validate a virtual flow metering system for geothermal applications.

The Phase I awards are worth $200,000 on average and will run for a period of 6 to 12 months.

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USSF Selects 2 Universities for 2nd Space Strategic Technology Institute
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USSF Selects 2 Universities for 2nd Space Strategic Technology Institute

The U.S. Space Force has selected the University of Cincinnati and Texas A&M University to receive $50 million in funding to facilitate applied research for in-space operations as part of the service branch’s second Space Strategic Technology Institute.

USSF said Monday the lead institutes will advance spaceflight experimentation and space-related signal, energy and transportation technologies to enable in-space operations, which include space access, mobility and logistics.

The SSTI 2 research will focus on robotic servicing and associated modeling and simulation; developing testbeds, CubeSat berthing and refueling technologies; and expanding constructive operations, large-scale in-space assembly and debris mitigation.

The project is conducted in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory in support of the National Science & Technology Council’s In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing National Strategy.

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. Register here to save your seat at the highly anticipated event.

DIU Seeks Potential Contractors for Net-Zero Building Projects at DOD Sites
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DIU Seeks Potential Contractors for Net-Zero Building Projects at DOD Sites

The Defense Innovation Unit is seeking companies that provide novel turnkey design and construction services for net-zero buildings.

The agency announced Friday that it is looking for vendors with techniques to improve energy and water efficiency in new facilities owned by the Department of Defense.

DIU said it prefers a nine- to 12-month project that includes advanced energy and water metering and construction materials with “low” global warming potential. Companies with experience in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, principles and Energy Use Intensity standards are at an advantage.

The chosen contractors will be tasked to design, build and commission child development centers on about 40,000 square feet of space at either Joint Expeditionary Base in Little Creek, Virginia or Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts.

Proposals are due by Jan. 19, according to DIU.

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