DOD Challenge Winners Demo Manufacturing Technologies for Cold Environments
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DOD Challenge Winners Demo Manufacturing Technologies for Cold Environments

Winners of the Department of Defense’s Point-of-Need Manufacturing Challenge have demonstrated technologies designed to help the Pentagon address operational constraints in extreme cold temperatures at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Six project demonstrations from DOD Manufacturing Innovation Institute member companies were held during the event — hosted by ManTech in collaboration with Army Combat Capabilities Development Command — to demonstrate how warfighters can sustain operational effectiveness in extreme environments, DOD said Friday.

The technologies tested at the event included a portable, rugged manufacturing station for a self-administrable injectable applicator; an integrated “factory in a box” for employing additive electronics and mechanical part manufacturing; an intrepid expeditionary 3D printer; and a zero trust platform for machines.

“Material performance in the cold is different,” said Steven Wax, assistant secretary of defense for science and technology. “We must understand this to adapt to support current operations.”

POC - 10th Annual Defense R&D Summit

The Potomac Officers Club will host the 10th Annual Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 31 to discuss the latest developments in the defense technology sector. Register here and save a seat at the highly anticipated event.

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CISA Advisory Attempts to Guide Healthcare Sector Toward Cyber Resilience; Nitin Natarajan Quoted
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CISA Advisory Attempts to Guide Healthcare Sector Toward Cyber Resilience; Nitin Natarajan Quoted

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued an advisory to guide public health organizations and other healthcare entities in building a resilient IT defense infrastructure.

CISA announced Friday that the cybersecurity advisory is based on findings from a risk and vulnerability assessment conducted within the health and public healthcare, or HPH, sector in January.

The assessment found 16 vulnerabilities that can be addressed through the strict management and security of assets, identity and devices. CISA also recommended strategies for vulnerability, patch and configuration management. HPH organizations’ cyber weaknesses ranged from guessable credentials and passwords to active but unnecessary network services.

The agency reiterated the importance of secure-by-design principles to software manufacturers. It also recommended that HPH entities regularly test their cybersecurity infrastructure using Mitre‘s ATT&CK Framework.

“Exposure of common vulnerabilities and insecure configurations can result in detrimental cyber activity for U.S. healthcare organizations, such as ransomware, data breaches, or denial-of-service. The intent of this advisory is to help organizations maintain the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of their critical healthcare and public health systems, functions, and data,” CISA Deputy Director Nitin Natarajan said.

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PNNL Establishes New Center to Advance AI Research & Development
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PNNL Establishes New Center to Advance AI Research & Development

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has established a new research center dedicated to developing new ways to create trustworthy and secure artificial intelligence technologies to support science, national security and energy resilience projects.

The Center for AI @PNNL aims to advance AI technologies in critical missions by coordinating research and capability development, building up a skilled AI workforce, conducting autonomous experimentations and fostering industry partnerships and outreach, the laboratory said Thursday.

PNNL has been applying AI and machine learning to projects aimed at boosting energy resilience, improving the U.S. electrical grid, exploring new ways to power next-generation lithium batteries and countering the proliferation of nuclear materials.

“The time is right for PNNL to focus its AI-related efforts,” said Court Corley, chief scientist for AI at PNNL and director of the new center. “The field is moving at light speed, and we need to move quickly to keep PNNL at the frontier.”

POC - 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit

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Registration Open for DARPA Competition to Develop Software Vulnerability Detection AI-Powered Systems
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Registration Open for DARPA Competition to Develop Software Vulnerability Detection AI-Powered Systems

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is now accepting registrations for the AI Cyber Challenge, a.k.a. AIxCC, which seeks to develop AI-powered cyber reasoning systems, or CRS, that can identify and resolve vulnerabilities present in widely used software in real time.

DARPA said Thursday that the CRS to be submitted by competitors will be evaluated using a scoring system that measures four metrics—the ability of a CRS to: accurately identify vulnerabilities; submit patches that fix vulnerabilities without interfering with software functionality; avoid submitting too many inaccurate vulnerabilities or patches; and function across a range of vulnerability classes and languages.

Registrants will be entered into the AIxCC open track by default. Those aspiring to be part of the small business track would have to submit additional materials to determine eligibility. As many as seven small business will be chosen, with each to be awarded $1 million.

The small business track replaces what used to be called the funded track, which was financed by the Small Business Innovation Research program.

Up to seven competitors will advance to the AIxCC semifinals, which is set to take place in August 2024 during DEF CON. Each semifinalist will win $2 million each. Those that move on to the finals will win a total of $29.5 million.

AIxCC kicks off in March 2024.

Registration Open for DARPA Competition to Develop Software Vulnerability Detection AI-Powered Systems

Leaders in artificial intelligence, including those from DARPA, will be part of the Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit, which will take place on March 21, 2024. Register now.

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DOD Kicks Off CDAO Continuous Bounty; Jennifer Hay Quoted
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DOD Kicks Off CDAO Continuous Bounty; Jennifer Hay Quoted

The Department of Defense has launched the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office Continuous Bounty, a new hackathon-esque challenge meant to strengthen cybersecurity resilience that marks the first of its magnitude in the DOD.

The CDAO Continuous Bounty will run nonstop for a year with an option for extension and will begin with Defense Digital Service’s public-facing assets, DDS said Thursday.

“We hope to set an example in DoD that running continuous bounties strengthens our assets and sets a precedent that continuous checks on vulnerabilities is achievable and scalable to support obtaining quality data,” said Jennifer Hay, director of Defense Digital Service within CDAO.

Hay was appointed to the director role at DDS in August.

The CDAO-DDS Hack the Pentagon team has teamed up with Bugcrowd to operate the continuous bounty, which launched on Tuesday and includes a rapid response capability that intends to enable researchers to look for critical vulnerabilities across DOD’s infrastructure within 72 hours.

Laura Stanton Discusses GSA’s Agency Partnerships to Implement Post-Quantum Cryptography
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Laura Stanton Discusses GSA’s Agency Partnerships to Implement Post-Quantum Cryptography

The General Services Administration currently collaborates with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to ensure that its contract vehicles comply with security requirements, including the post-quantum cryptography standards.

In a blog post published Friday, Laura Stanton, the assistant commissioner for the Office of Information Technology Category at the Federal Acquisition Service, said agencies looking to explore quantum computing could use GSA’s IT Professional Services and Multiple Award Schedule contract vehicles.

These procurement vehicles offer access to IT vendors that provide relevant products and services to assess cryptographic risks and test safeguards to help agencies protect their sensitive information.

“We look forward to working with more agencies to help them prepare for this imminent post-quantum future,” Stanton said.

GSA is set to host a Quantum Summit on April 16 to familiarize agencies with post-quantum cryptography and quantum resilience.

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Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro Highlights Need to Restore Shipbuilding Landscape
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Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro Highlights Need to Restore Shipbuilding Landscape

Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the Navy and a 2023 Wash100 awardee, called on industry and academia to take part in efforts to reinstate the U.S. shipbuilding and repair landscape and said that doing so demands a multipronged approach.

He said Thursday at a conference that the approach includes building new technologies to maintain the country’s naval edge, fostering fair competition, investing in efforts to revitalize the shipbuilding industry and building up partnerships with key allies to address China’s growing influence.

Del Toro noted that the Department of the Navy’s commitment to rapid tech development and innovation offers an opportunity for industry to participate.

He cited the Talent Pipeline Initiative and the need to build up capacity in various fields.

“We must establish programs that build capacity in fields like naval architecture, engineering, and lifecycle management, as well as technical expertise in nuclear welding, robotics, software management, and additive manufacturing,” said Del Toro.

“Your work on these programs will be invaluable to developing and rebuilding our nation’s shipbuilding landscape. Everyone here has a part to play in these efforts—and it is a strategic imperative that we rise to the occasion,” he added.

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Nickolas Guertin Confirmed by Senate as New Navy Acquisition Chief
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Nickolas Guertin Confirmed by Senate as New Navy Acquisition Chief

The U.S. Senate on Dec. 13 confirmed via a voice vote Wash100 awardee Nickolas Guertin as the next assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition.

Guertin made an announcement on LinkedIn regarding his new appointment, saying, “I’m getting geared up for my next role as ASN(RD&A).”

Guertin is the first Senate-confirmed Navy RDA since the departure of James Geurts, who left the position in January 2021, USNI News reported Thursday.

The role has since been occupied on a temporary basis first by Jay Stefany, then by Tommy Ross since May 2022.

The plan to nominate Guertin to be the Navy’s next acquisition chief was announced in September 2022. Guertin’s confirmation hearings subsequently took place in March of this year.

The new ASN RDA previously served as director of operational test and evaluation at the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

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Ben FitzGerald to Take on CEO Role at Rebellion Defense
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Ben FitzGerald to Take on CEO Role at Rebellion Defense

Ben FitzGerald has been selected to assume the CEO role at Rebellion Defense, a position currently held by Interim CEO Barry Sowerwine.

FitzGerald, who was unanimously endorsed by the board and CEO search committee, will begin his new responsibilities effective Jan. 1, 2024, Rebellion Defense announced from its Washington, D.C. headquarters on Monday.

“Ben is a seasoned and thoughtful leader who has dedicated his professional life to advancing national security and protecting democracy,” said Sowerwine.

FitzGerald previously served as executive chair of Rebellion’s board, and Sowerine said his “proven leadership” in the role as well as his strong understanding of the organization’s people and offerings and knowledge of the defense industry “uniquely position him” to drive company growth.

Prior to joining Rebellion, FitzGerald spent more than two decades serving in positions within the U.S. Department of Defense, Congress and other industry organizations. His areas of expertise include business development, fundraising and strategic vision as well as mentoring startups.

During his time at the DOD, FitzGerald was executive director of strategy, data and design in the department’s Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, where he oversaw a major defense acquisition reorganization initiative. Earlier, he served as a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

FitzGerald has also held roles at the Center for a New American Security, Noetic’s North American business arm, IBM and Unisys.

He began investing in Rebellion in 2019, and in May 2023, he was appointed as executive chair of the company’s board. Rebellion expects his relationship with the company’s leadership and employees to enable a smooth CEO transition.

“I’ve seen firsthand how Rebellion software empowers our nation’s defense capabilities. I’m excited to build on this foundation and continue working alongside our incredible team to drive our vision forward,” FitzGerald said.

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IRS Calls on Public to Comment on Proposed Rules Covering Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit
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IRS Calls on Public to Comment on Proposed Rules Covering Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service are seeking public feedback on proposed income tax regulation amendments regarding the implementation of section 45X of the Internal Revenue Code.

Established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), section 45X governs the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit, which has facilitated increased investment in U.S. manufacturing and clean energy, the Treasury Department said in a notice issued Thursday.

The notice of proposed rulemaking, or NPRM, offers definitions of key terms that would help incentivize production in the U.S. and define situations in which the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit can be claimed. The NPRM also includes measures that would protect against fraud, waste or abuse.

National Economic Adviser Lael Brainard said the document issued by the Treasury Department “creates the framework for investing in a clean energy future here in America in ways that create good jobs for American workers.”

John Podesta, senior advisor to the president for clean energy innovation and implementation, noted that the IRA “has already fueled a clean energy manufacturing boom in America.”

The new guidance, he said, “gives the clean energy industry even more clarity and confidence to continue their momentum.”

Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm praised the Biden administration’s efforts to spur U.S. economic activity.

“The Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit will supercharge a new era of American manufacturing and bring good paying clean energy jobs back to American communities,” she added.

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposed section 45X rules.

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