New Personnel Vetting Questionnaire Gets OMB Clearance
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New Personnel Vetting Questionnaire Gets OMB Clearance

The Office of Management and Budget has approved the Personnel Vetting Questionnaire, or PVQ, to replace the Standard Form-86 used for federal jobs requiring security clearances and other legacy vetting questionnaires for non-sensitive and public trust positions, Federal News Network reported Friday.

The new form was cleared by OMB in November, according to a quarterly progress report on the Trusted Workforce 2.0 initiative.

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency has initiated efforts to integrate PVQ into a web portal called “eApp” as part of DCSA’s efforts to develop an information technology system, dubbed National Background Investigation Services.

“The PVQ interface in NBIS eApp is still in development, and we anticipate working with the Trusted Workforce executive agents to share a deployment timeline,” a spokesman for DCSA told FNN.

According to the report, the Office of Personnel Management is responsible for the PVQ and made changes to questions regarding mental health, marijuana use, foreign connections and activities and gender-inclusive terminology.

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Space Force Leads Adoption of Commercial Satellite Imagery for Military Use
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Space Force Leads Adoption of Commercial Satellite Imagery for Military Use

Steven Butow, director of the space portfolio at the Defense Innovation Unit, said the U.S. Space Force is opening up new opportunities to commercial companies to offer their products and services to the defense market, SpaceNews reported Monday.

According to Butow, satellite imagery is one area where the Space Force sees an opportunity to procure services directly from providers.

“We’ve been fighting really hard for the Space Force to be an executive agent to be able to go out and procure commercial remote sensing information that would be used by all the military services,” he said.

Butow explained that the Department of Defense traditionally works with the National Reconnaissance Office and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to fulfill the military’s satellite imagery needs.

However, this process takes too long and could disproportionately decrease the value of data. To address this, Space Force is looking for faster options to procure satellite imagery.

“The earlier you know something, the more time you have to make decisions, especially if you want to have diplomatic options or have other ways of mitigating a disaster,” Butow 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. Butow will be featured in a panel discussion. Click here to register!

GSA Awards Fearless Digital Contract to Support Enterprise Data Exchange; Alka Bhave Quoted
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GSA Awards Fearless Digital Contract to Support Enterprise Data Exchange; Alka Bhave Quoted

Fearless Digital secured an 18-month, $10 million contract to develop and deploy an automated data exchange for the General Services Administration’s Centers of Excellence.

The company announced Thursday that it will integrate existing data feeds and install next-generation authentication technologies to support the Enterprise Data Exchange.

The project, which was awarded through GSA’s Technology Transformation Services vehicle, will entail the installation of scalable, maintainable and enterprise-grade validation pipelines as well as an application programming interface focused on Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources.

“We are excited to leverage our capability as a digital services integrator, combining the scalability of traditional systems integrators with modern digital services capabilities, to support one of the government’s data modernization initiatives,” Fearless Digital President Alka Bhave remarked.

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Dwight Deneal Named New Head of NASA Small Business Programs
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Dwight Deneal Named New Head of NASA Small Business Programs

Dwight Deneal, formerly director of the Defense Logistics Agency’s Office of Small Business Programs, has been appointed assistant administrator for the Office of Small Business Programs at NASA headquarters in Washington.

He will succeed Glenn Delgado, who retired in December after 17 years of service at NASA, and will provide policy direction, management and oversight of programs that aim to promote the integration of small businesses into the space industrial base, NASA said Monday.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed confidence that Deneal’s experience and leadership will help the agency “promote and integrate America’s small businesses into every aspect of our missions.”

At DLA, Deneal provided executive leadership for all aspects of the agency’s small business programs and oversaw strategic partnerships that attract small businesses into the defense market.

He also implemented the small business program at the DLA’s contracting activities equating to $45 billion in annual contract spending and $18 billion in small business spending.

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MARCORSYSCOM & PEO Land Systems Reorganize, Aim for More Responsive Acquisition Enterprise
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MARCORSYSCOM & PEO Land Systems Reorganize, Aim for More Responsive Acquisition Enterprise

Marine Corps Systems Command, the acquisition command of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Program Executive Office Land Systems, which handles the acquisition and sustainment of Marine Corps ground systems, are undergoing a structural reorganization to address the challenges posed by an era of renewed great power competition.

MARCORSYSCOM said Monday the reorganization covers the streamlining of decision-making processes, the harmonization of organizational structures and the strategic alignment of programs, all with the aim of hastening the delivery of capabilities needed in order to ensure victory in future conflicts.

MCSC commander Brig. Gen. David Walsh noted the need to “pick up the pace of capability delivery,” adding, “We will provide the Marines with the right equipment at the right time.”

For its part, PEO LS will undergo “targeted realignments and deliberate consolidation” of programs to allow the organization “to better meet the evolving demands of modern warfare and operational efficiency.”

Land Systems Program Executive Officer Stephen Bowdren described the moves as “key first steps on a path to a more rapid and responsive Marine Corps acquisition enterprise.”

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OSTP Issues Updated List of Critical & Emerging Technologies; Stephen Welby Quoted
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OSTP Issues Updated List of Critical & Emerging Technologies; Stephen Welby Quoted

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has unveiled an updated list of critical and emerging technologies — dubbed CET — that are important to U.S. national security.

OSTP led an interagency deliberative process to develop the updated CET list through the National Science and Technology Council and in coordination with the National Security Council.

“This list supports our ongoing efforts to grow and strengthen U.S. technological leadership,” said Stephen Welby, deputy director for national security at OSTP.

“It will also be a useful resource as we continue to engage allies and partners to ensure that CETs yield tangible benefits for society and are aligned with our democratic values,” added Welby.

OSTP’s revised 18 technology areas:

  • Advanced computing
  • Advanced engineering materials
  • Advanced gas turbine engine technologies
  • Advanced and networked sensing and signature management
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Biotechnologies
  • Clean energy generation and storage
  • Data privacy, data security and cybersecurity technologies
  • Directed energy
  • Highly automated, autonomous and uncrewed systems and robotics
  • Human-machine interfaces
  • Hypersonics
  • Integrated communication and networking technologies
  • Positioning, navigation and timing technologies
  • Quantum information and enabling technologies
  • Semiconductors and microelectronics
  • Space technologies and systems

Each CET area includes a set of subfields. Under cybersecurity technologies, distributed ledger technologies, communications and network security and privacy technologies in augmented and virtual reality are some of the subfields.

For the space tech area, technologies include in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing, space propulsion, novel space vehicle thermal management and crewed spaceflight enablers.

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CISA Vows Greater Critical Infrastructure Protection in 2024 Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative Strategy
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CISA Vows Greater Critical Infrastructure Protection in 2024 Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative Strategy

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has set three focus areas and six priorities for the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative in 2024.

CISA on Monday published its 2024 objectives for JCDC, which includes raising its cybersecurity baseline, combating advanced persistent threats — or APTs — and anticipating the risks faced by emerging technologies.

JCDC will prioritize defense against APT actors supported by China to disrupt U.S. critical infrastructure. The public-private alliance will work with private sector partners and other agencies to detect and respond to malicious APT activity, such as living off the land techniques.

Other main objectives for this year are updating the National Cyber Incident Response Plan to reflect changes in the cyber operations and policy and to maximize resources and partnerships to reduce the impact of ransomware and data extortion on critical infrastructure.

NAVSUP, Army Contracting Command Partner to Enhance Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract
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NAVSUP, Army Contracting Command Partner to Enhance Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract

Naval Supply Systems Command and Army Contracting Command have agreed to enhance NAVSUP’s multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that provides support services to expeditionary forces deployed in austere locations, DVIDS reported Monday.

Under the partnership, ACC and NAVSUP will expand the Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract, or WEXMAC, by strengthening the performance work statement, adding places of performance within the U.S. and outlying territories and establishing a WEXMAC Joint Acquisition Team.

“A WEXMAC Joint Acquisition Team approach will support mutual contractor capability-building by establishing a shared vendor pool and processes,” said Mark Bennington, assistant commander for contracting at NAVSUP.

Established in 2021, the WEXMAC procurement vehicle provides agile contracting support to help naval expeditionary forces carry out missions in austere and remote locations worldwide.

NAVSUP will host industry days in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, on March 27 and 28 to discuss with industry partners the acquisition plan for the follow-on WEXMAC contract.

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Department of the Air Force Plans to Reoptimize USAF, Space Force for Great Power Competition; Frank Kendall Quoted
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Department of the Air Force Plans to Reoptimize USAF, Space Force for Great Power Competition; Frank Kendall Quoted

Senior leaders of the Department of the Air Force introduced plans to reshape the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force to enable the services to maintain superiority.

“Today, we are announcing 24 key decisions that are going to address the current force and our ability to stay competitive,” Frank Kendall, secretary of the Air Force and a 2024 Wash100 awardee, said in a statement published Monday.

“We need these changes now; we are out of time to reoptimize our forces to meet the strategic challenges in a time of Great Power Competition,” Kendall added.

The department proposed 24 changes and classified them into four key categories: develop people; generate readiness; project power; and develop capabilities.

For the first category, proposed measures include consolidating force development functions under an expanded Airman Development Command to provide Airmen a common, mission-focused development and training path and developing “Mission Ready Airmen” with training focused on a mix of skills needed for wartime operational mission readiness.

To generate readiness, the department calls for the implementation of large-scale exercises and mission-focused training and reorientation of Air Combat Command to focus on presenting ready forces to combatant commanders.

To project power, planned changes include formalizing Space Force Combat Squadrons as Units of Action and establishing the relationship between Combat Wings and Base Command.

To build capabilities, proposed actions include creating a Department of the Air Force Integrated Capabilities Office to lead capability development and resource prioritization to drive modernization investments and establishing an Integration Development Office within Air Force Materiel Command to provide technology assessments and roadmaps.

How to Position Your Company for Growth in the Space Market
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How to Position Your Company for Growth in the Space Market

The space domain is experiencing record-breaking growth with more commercial space companies than ever before entering the domain. As competition increases, it’s important for space companies to strengthen their brands, expand their addressable markets and build deeper relationships with key customers.

Potomac Officers Club events like the 2024 Space Summit on March 5 offer companies unparalleled opportunities to connect with government officials, communicate their messaging and make their voice heard in the government contracting sector. Register here to attend, or click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Here are the top four reasons to join the summit as an exhibitor sponsor:

1. Brand awareness and visibility

Sponsoring POC events can put your brand in front of a large, targeted audience. Your company’s logo, materials and other messaging will be seen throughout the event, increasing your brand recognition and awareness. You can also leverage the massive media footprint POC and its parent company Executive Mosaic have in the market to reach an audience of more than 300,000 government and GovCon professionals.

How to Position Your Company for Growth in the Space Market
TribalCo sponsored POC’s Annual Defense R&D Summit in January. Photo by Andrew Noh.

2. Lead generation and networking

POC events offer opportunities to connect with potential customers and partners face-to-face. Exhibitor sponsor booths allow you to showcase your company’s products and services while collecting leads from interested attendees. 100 percent of POC event attendees are director level are above, making our networking events among the most productive and elite in the sector.

How to Position Your Company for Growth in the Space Market
Booz Allen sponsored POC’s Defense R&D Summit. Photo by Andrew Noh.

3. Customer engagement

Sponsoring a POC event can help you build goodwill and positive associations with your target audience and customer base. By engaging with customers directly, sponsors can receive valuable feedback and insights into customers’ needs and preferences.

How to Position Your Company for Growth in the Space Market
Recorded Future representatives engage with attendees at POC’s Defense R&D Summit. Photo by Andrew Noh.

4. Thought leadership and industry positioning

POC books headline speakers that talk about headline topics, and we are well-known as an industry leader in GovCon events. Leaders from space agencies like NASA, SDA, MDA, Space Force, NGA, Space Command, NRO will be speaking at our Space Summit, and supporting the event gives your company a chance to be seen as a competitor in the market. Sponsoring POC events can help you establish your company and its executives as thought leaders in your field.

Ready to sponsor a POC event? Click here to learn more and get in touch with us.

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