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NSF Unveils $100M NQNI Program to Advance US Quantum, Nanotech Research
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Don Millard, head of engineering at NSF. Millard said the NQNI aims to develop technologies that will fuel the economy

The National Science Foundation has announced an investment of up to $100 million to establish the National Quantum and Nanotechnology Infrastructure, or NQNI, program, which aims to provide students, researchers and industry with resources to drive innovation.

The agency said Friday that the NQNI program will support up to 16 sites, creating a network of open-access facilities for research related to quantum information science and engineering, nanotechnology, semiconductors, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and other critical technologies.

“This NSF investment in research facilities will power U.S. discovery in quantum and nanotechnologies to fuel our economy,” Don Millard, head of engineering at NSF, stated. “With facilities open to students, faculty and small businesses, NQNI will enable transformative ideas to be explored, scaled, and translated.”

How Will NSF Select NQNI Program Sites?

In line with the funding announcement, NSF is requesting organizations to submit a letter of intent to participate in a planned network of university user facility sites. According to the agency, user facility sites will be selected based on technical capabilities and instrumentation.

The program emphasizes a regional network model that promotes partnerships with other universities, non-profit organizations and industry. Each site is also encouraged to establish formal partnerships with community or technical colleges for education initiatives and workforce development.

NQNI sites will receive $500,000 to $2,000,000 every year for up to five years.

NSF will also select a site to serve as the NQNI Coordinating Office, which will coordinate activities and develop strategic and operational plans across the network of user facility sites. The Coordinating Office will receive an additional $700,000 per year.

Letters of intent are due March 16. Proposals may be submitted until May 14.

How Is NSF Supporting Quantum Research Beyond NQNI?

Beyond the NQNI program, NSF is investing in additional efforts to accelerate quantum research and commercialization.

In September 2025, NSF selected four teams to receive a combined $4 million under the Foundation National Quantum Virtual Laboratory, or NQVL, initiative. The program is designed to expand researcher access to quantum hardware and software.

NSF is also advancing quantum innovation through the Regional Innovation Engines program, authorized under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. In July 2025, Quantum Connected, a Chicago-based coalition that includes the Chicago Quantum Exchange, advanced to the semifinal round of the competition. 

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Department of War Seeks Industry Input for FAR Overhaul Phase 2
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DOW seal. The DOW has requested input on Phase 2 of its Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul initiative.

The Department of War has released a letter to the defense industrial base and acquisition stakeholders, requesting input on phase two of its Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation, or FAR, Overhaul initiative aimed at reducing regulatory burden and accelerating defense procurement.

The War Department said Friday the letter, issued Feb. 10, outlines phase one class deviations under the initiative and reflects ongoing efforts to streamline acquisition regulations.

What Is the Purpose of Phase RFO Phase 2?

According to the letter, phase two seeks recommendations to revise or eliminate FAR and Defense FAR Supplement, or DFARS, provisions to accelerate technology fielding and system modernization. The effort aims to help the department outpace adversaries, expand production capacity to support wartime surge and place both the acquisition system and the industrial base on a wartime footing, consistent with recent executive orders on defense procurement reform.

What Are the Core Objectives of the FAR Overhaul?

More broadly, the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, launched in May 2025, aims to modernize the acquisition framework by reducing unnecessary regulatory requirements and increasing flexibility for program execution. Guided by Executive Order 14275, the initiative centers on three priorities:

  • Faster capability delivery: Streamlining procurement to deploy modern technologies more quickly.
  • Industrial readiness: Expanding production scalability to meet potential wartime demand.
  • Regulatory streamlining: Removing nonstatutory or outdated FAR and DFARS provisions.

The Department of War is coordinating with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy on implementation. Executive Order 14265 directs the Secretary of War to review and eliminate unnecessary supplemental regulations, while the department’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy calls for more agile acquisition processes.

The RFO initiative is also intended to simplify the registration process on the System for Award Management website, while the government can expect clearer, more traceable and procurement-specific terms and conditions.

What Has Been Implemented in Phase 1?

In phase one, the principal director for defense pricing, contracting and acquisition policy issued class deviations that may be used immediately, ahead of formal rulemaking. These deviations are designed to streamline compliance requirements for both the department’s acquisition workforce and its industry partners.

The overhaul follows a two-track approach. Agencies must implement standardized model class deviations—simplified, pre-approved versions of updated FAR provisions—within 30 days of issuance. Regulators will use feedback gathered during this interim period to inform and shape the subsequent formal rulemaking process.

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DOGE Reports 273 Contracts Worth $5.1B Terminated in 4 Weeks
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Department of Government Efficiency logo. DOGE said agencies cut 273 contracts over four weeks

Federal agencies have terminated or descoped 273 contracts with a ceiling value of $5.1 billion over the past four weeks, resulting in $1.4 billion in savings, the Department of Government Efficiency said in a post on social media site X on Saturday.

Which Contracts Are Affected in the Recent DOGE Cost-Saving Cuts?

The terminated awards include a $6.7 million consulting contract to provide the Department of Homeland Security with organizational transformation and strategic recommendations.

The government also canceled a professional services contract valued at $986,000 for leadership development training and a $10.2 million administrative management contract for outward mindset training at the Department of War.

A DOW consulting contract for social indicators research was also terminated in the past four weeks.

How Much Has DOGE Saved for the Government?

According to the DOGE website, total estimated savings across asset sales, contract and lease cancellations, fraud reduction and other efficiency measures have reached $215 billion. The department also tracks agency progress through an internal efficiency leaderboard, with the Department of Health and Human Services and General Services Administration achieving the most reported savings.

In late December, DOGE announced that agencies canceled 55 contracts with a total ceiling value of $863 million, resulting in about $261 million in savings. In November, agencies reported $103 million in savings after canceling 103 contracts valued at roughly $4.4 billion.

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DOE Unveils 26 Science & Technology Challenges Under Genesis Mission
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Department of Energy logo. DOE unveiled 26 science and tech challenges to advance the Genesis Mission and AI innovation.

The Department of Energy has announced 26 science and technology challenges intended to advance the Genesis Mission and accelerate artificial intelligence-enabled innovation across energy, discovery science and national security programs.

DOE Unveils 26 Science & Technology Challenges Under Genesis Mission

DOE’s newly announced Genesis Mission challenges highlight the growing role of AI in advancing federal science, energy and national security priorities. As agencies continue exploring how AI can improve mission outcomes, government and industry leaders will gather at the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18. Save your spot now!

DOE said Thursday the challenges align with executive orders issued by President Donald Trump focused on launching the Genesis Mission and eliminating barriers to U.S. leadership in AI.

The agency noted that the effort will be carried out in partnership with the agency’s national laboratories, industry stakeholders and academic institutions.

What Is the Genesis Mission?

According to DOE, the Genesis Mission is a national initiative that aims to develop a scientific platform to drive energy innovation, speed up discovery science and strengthen national security.

The platform is designed to connect leading supercomputers, AI systems, experimental facilities and unique scientific datasets to double the research productivity and impact of U.S. research and innovation within 10 years.

In December, DOE announced a $320 million investment to accelerate the development of AI capabilities in support of the Genesis Mission.

What Are the Core Focus Areas of the Genesis Mission Challenges?

DOE said the challenges cover energy, scientific, industrial and national security domains where AI is expected to accelerate discovery, design and deployment.

Key focus areas include advanced manufacturing and industrial productivity; biotechnology and bioindustrial scaling; critical minerals supply chain; nuclear energy acceleration; fusion energy delivery; and AI-driven autonomous laboratories.

Some of the challenges cited are Scaling the Grid to Power the American Economy; Harnessing America’s Historic Nuclear Data; Discovering Quantum Algorithms with AI; and Recentering Microelectronics in America.

What Did Federal Leaders Say About the Challenges?

DOE Under Secretary for Science and Genesis Mission Lead Dario Gil said the initiative is intended to accelerate discovery by combining AI capabilities with federal data and experimental infrastructure.

“These challenges represent a bold step toward a future where science moves at the speed of imagination because of AI,” Gil said. “By uniting the U.S. Government’s unparalleled data resources and DOE’s experimental facilities with cutting-edge AI, we can unlock discoveries that will power the economy, secure our energy future, and keep America at the forefront of global innovation.”

Michael Kratsios, assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said the Genesis Mission is designed to mobilize the country’s scientific infrastructure and AI capabilities to increase the pace of discovery.

“These 26 challenges are a direct call to action to America’s researchers and innovators to join the Genesis Mission and deliver science and technology breakthroughs that will benefit the American people,” noted Kratsios, a two-time Wash100 awardee. “We look forward to expanding the list of challenges across Federal agencies to bring even greater impact to the Mission.”

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Air Force Integrates A-GRA Across Multiple CCA Platforms
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U.S. Air Force logo. The Air Force is integrating and testing A-GRA across multiple platforms as part of the CCA program.

The U.S. Air Force is integrating and testing its Autonomy Government Reference Architecture, or A-GRA, across multiple vendor platforms as part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCA, program.

Air Force Integrates A-GRA Across Multiple CCA Platforms

As the Air Force advances open architecture and autonomy initiatives, such developments continue to shape the evolving national security environment. Sign up now for the 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30 to join government and industry leaders as they discuss the latest technologies, priorities, challenges and opportunities shaping the air and space enterprise.

The Air Force said Thursday the effort supports the National Defense Strategy and marks a key step in the service’s acquisition reform strategy that seeks to advance the use of modular open systems, promote competition and accelerate the delivery of capabilities to warfighters.

Mission autonomy vendors—RTX subsidiary Collins Aerospace and Shield AI—are integrating A-GRA and have begun semi-autonomous flight testing with General Atomics and Anduril on YFQ-42 and YFQ-44 CCA platforms.

What Is Autonomy Government Reference Architecture?

A-GRA is a government-owned modular open systems framework designed to establish a universal standard for mission autonomy across platforms to prevent “vendor lock” and enable the service to rapidly integrate autonomy algorithms from traditional and nontraditional defense contractors. 

“Verifying A-GRA across multiple partners is critical to our acquisition strategy,” said Col. Timothy Helfrich, portfolio acquisition executive for fighters and advanced aircraft. “It proves that we are not locked into a single solution or a single vendor. We are instead building a competitive ecosystem where the best algorithms can be deployed rapidly to the warfighter on any A-GRA compliant platform, regardless of the vendor providing the algorithm.”

According to the Agile Development Office director, integrating A-GRA onto multiple platforms in a short timeframe demonstrates that the Air Force’s open-systems approach is functioning as intended and enables the service to iterate tactics and capabilities across the fleet at an accelerated pace.

What Is the Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program?

CCA is the Air Force’s initiative to develop semi-autonomous aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed platforms, complement major weapons systems and serve as force multipliers for the joint force. As part of the Next Generation Air Dominance Family of Systems, the program seeks to integrate open-systems architectures to facilitate the continuous iteration of autonomy and mission systems capabilities.

In April 2024, the Air Force selected General Atomics and Anduril to build production-representative prototypes under the CCA program. 

In August 2025, the service announced that the YFQ-42A prototype, developed with General Atomics, completed its inaugural flight as the platform transitioned into flight testing.

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JHTO, NSWC Select Leidos, Kratos, 4 Others for S2MARTS Hypersonic Development
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Hypersonic missile. Six firms secured S2MARTS OTAs to accelerate hypersonic capability development

The Department of War’s Joint Hypersonics Transition Office and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division have awarded other transaction agreements to six companies under the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems, or S2MARTS, initiative to advance the development of hypersonic capabilities.

The National Security Technology Accelerator, which manages S2MARTS, said Thursday that the awardees will focus on JHTO science and technology priorities, including pilot-to-target capabilities, aerodynamic and propulsion system improvements, enhanced mission effectiveness and mission planning tools.

The companies will utilize modeling and simulation and relevant ground and flight experimentations to speed development.

JHTO, NSWC Select Leidos, Kratos, 4 Others for S2MARTS Hypersonic Development

Learn about emerging technologies revolutionizing naval operations and strengthening warfighter capabilities at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27. Get your tickets today.

Which Companies Won S2MARTS OTAs?

The six companies that were awarded S2MARTS OTAs are:

What Are Hypersonic Systems?

Hypersonic systems are vehicles capable of traveling faster than Mach 5. The technology offers strategic advantages for warfighters, such as rapid long-distance travel and in-flight maneuverability. Hypersonic systems can also outpace traditional missile defenses, NSTXL said.

What Is S2MARTS?

Created by NSWC Crane and the Department of War, S2MARTS is designed to streamline acquisition and accelerate defense prototype development. The OTA supports rapid access to advanced technologies, including trusted microelectronics and strategic mission systems, helping the department transition critical hypersonic and spectrum-related capabilities more quickly to operational use.

The S2MARTS team also reportedly provides round-the-clock support, networking events and teaming opportunities.

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Space Force Launches USSF-87 Mission on ULA Vulcan Rocket
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Space Systems Command logo. The U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command successfully launched the USSF-87 mission.

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command, in partnership with United Launch Alliance, successfully launched the USSF-87 mission aboard a Vulcan Centaur rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Space Force Launches USSF-87 Mission on ULA Vulcan Rocket

Register now for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit, scheduled on July 30, and join Air Force and Space Force officials as they discuss advanced technologies and strategies driving the future of air and space dominance.

This was the Vulcan rocket’s second National Security Space Launch, or NSSL, mission, SSC said Thursday.

What Happened During the USSF-87 Launch?

The Vulcan rocket delivered its payloads to their intended orbits after encountering an anomaly observed early in flight involving one of the four solid rocket motors. The mission flew in the “VC4S” configuration, which includes a Centaur V upper stage, four solid rocket motors and a standard payload fairing.

SSC’s System Delta 80, or SYD 80, will coordinate with ULA under its mission assurance and space flightworthiness processes ahead of the next Vulcan national security mission.

What Payloads Were Deployed With USSF-87?

The USSF-87 mission carried multiple payloads, including the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program, or GSSAP, spacecraft built by Northrop Grumman. The satellite, deployed approximately 6.5 hours after liftoff, will support the U.S. Space Command’s space surveillance operations. Additional research and training systems were included to support the refinement of on-orbit maneuver tactics and bolster the resilience and defensive posture of assets operating in geosynchronous orbit. The payloads are intended to advance space technologies and support current and future programs of record.

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Vast Wins NASA Order for Sixth Private Astronaut Mission to ISS
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Max Haot, CEO of Vast. Haot said commercial crewed missions is critical to unlocking the orbital economy

NASA has signed an order with California-headquartered aerospace company Vast to send a team of four astronauts to the International Space Station.

The space agency said Thursday that Vast will propose crew members for the sixth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory. Each crew member will undergo NASA review and training before launch, which is expected to take place in mid-2027.

NASA is in contract with SpaceX to bring the private astronaut mission to orbit and back to Earth.

Why Is NASA Sending Private Astronauts to Orbit?

According to NASA, all missions to the ISS contribute to advancing scientific knowledge and driving innovation of technologies that could support the agency’s long-term plans for low Earth orbit and future deep space exploration.

“The International Space Station plays an essential role in shaping the future of low Earth orbit,” Dana Weigel, ISS program manager at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, stated. “By hosting private astronaut missions, the station helps accelerate innovation, opens new commercial pathways, and advances research strengthening the foundation of a thriving space economy.”

The private astronaut team will spend 14 days on the ISS. As part of the agreement, Vast will purchase mission services from NASA, including crew consumables and cargo delivery. Meanwhile, NASA will purchase from Vast the capability to return scientific samples to Earth.

“Leveraging the remaining life of the space station with science and research-led commercial crewed missions is a critical part of the transition to commercial space stations and fully unlocking the orbital economy,” Max Haot, CEO of Vast, commented.

Which Companies Have Launched Private Astronaut Missions to the ISS?

Before the agreement with Vast, Axiom Space was the only company bidding for and had won NASA orders for private astronaut missions. The upcoming private astronaut mission marks the first time that Vast has been selected for the program.

Axiom secured an order for the agency’s first private astronaut mission to the ISS in 2021, Payload reported. Axiom’s next private astronaut mission will launch no earlier than January 2027 from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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War Department Seeks Scalable Counter-sUAS Sensors
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Drone swarm. DOW has issued a solicitation seeking scalable counter-small unmanned aerial system sensing technologies.

The Department of War has issued an area of interest solicitation seeking scalable counter-small unmanned aerial system, or C-sUAS, sensing technologies.

What Capabilities Is DOW Requesting?

The Defense Innovation Unit said the solicitation outlines two primary lines of effort focused on fixed and mobile C-sUAS sensing capabilities.

Line of Effort 1: Fixed-Site Homeland Defense Sensing

Line of Effort 1 calls for a fixed-site sensing capability able to persistently detect and track Group 1 UAS at ranges of 2 kilometers or more. The system, intended to replace or supplement legacy systems,  must incorporate a radar sensor and operate safely in populated areas, congested airspace and complex electromagnetic environments while replacing or augmenting legacy platforms.

Line of Effort 2: Mobile Tactical Sensing

Line of Effort 2 targets mobile, on-the-move tactical sensing capabilities that enable small units to detect, track and classify UAS while stationary and on the move in contested environments or areas where Global Navigation Satellite System signals are unavailable or disrupted. These systems should maintain low physical and electromagnetic signatures and integrate with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, Infantry Squad Vehicle, Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles and Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck platforms.

Both systems must integrate with counter-UAS fire control platforms, operate on standard military power sources, reduce operator burden and comply with DOW cybersecurity requirements. Proposals should outline detection ranges, tracking performance, coverage parameters, power requirements and system integration details.

How Will the C-sUAS Awards Be Structured?

Proposals must address the full requirements of at least one line of effort and include cost estimates across procurement tiers. Selected vendors may be invited to a Phase 2 live demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground in spring 2026. Awards will use other transaction authority and may lead directly to follow-on production without further competition.

Alignment With DOW Counter-Drone Strategy

The solicitation aligns with the War Department’s counter-drone initiatives, including the formation of a joint interagency task force, called the JIATF 401, dedicated to accelerating the development and deployment of c-UAS.

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Army Redesignates PEO STRI as CPE ST3 Under Acquisition Reform Initiative
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U.S. Army logo. The Army redesignated PEO STRI as CPE ST3 as part of acquisition reform efforts.

The U.S. Army has redesignated the Program Executive Office Simulation, Training and Instrumentation as the Capability Program Executive Simulation, Training, Test and Threat, or CPE ST3, DVIDS reported Friday.

Army Redesignates PEO STRI as CPE ST3 Under Acquisition Reform Initiative

The Army’s latest organizational change underscores the service’s continued focus on modernization and acquisition reform. As transformation efforts move forward, defense and industry leaders will convene at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Army Summit on June 18 to explore the priorities shaping the future force. Register now!

The move aligns the organization with the Army’s newly established portfolio acquisition executive, or PAE, structure, which aims to streamline the acquisition process and accelerate the delivery of weapons systems to warfighters.

Brig. Gen. Christine Beeler, capability program executive at CPE ST3, said the organization now operates under the PAE for Command and Control and Counter C2.

Orlando, Florida-based CPE ST3 employs more than 1,100 soldiers, Army civilians and contractors. The organization works with Army partners to deploy and sustain multidomain operations testing, information operations and training capabilities to improve operational readiness.

What Are the Key Programs & Capabilities of CPE ST3? 

CPE ST3’s key programs and capabilities include immersive live-virtual-constructive training that replicates complex modern battlefield scenarios; Synthetic Training Environment; and Next Generation Constructive, a scalable cloud-based simulation marketplace that supports large-scale multidomain exercises. 

The organization also provides threat replication capabilities for test and training through threat-unmanned aircraft systems, electronic warfare and cyber platforms, and opposing forces designed to replicate emerging threats. 

What Did CPE ST3 Leaders Say About the Redesignation?

Beeler said the redesignation supports unity of effort across the service branch.

“This reform will help to strengthen unity of effort across the Army enterprise and enable the Army and its workforce to refine requirements, develop, test and field cutting-edge capabilities faster than ever before,” the brigadier general added.

She noted that CPE ST3 will continue to establish an ecosystem of advanced training and testing platforms that leverage artificial intelligence, simulation technologies and modern game engines.

Lee James III, deputy capability program executive at CPE ST3, said the Army’s acquisition transformation aims to maintain technological superiority while accelerating delivery timelines.

“The current transformation is not just about efficiency, but also about maintaining technological superiority against peer competitors and delivering mission-critical systems faster than ever before,” James said. “This name change is a reflection that represents us moving forward and embracing and implementing acquisition reform to deliver capabilities to the warfighter faster.”

According to Beeler, subordinate project manager and project lead offices will retain their current titles and missions. The organization expects additional realignments in the coming months. Digital platforms, signage and other public-facing materials will adopt the new name and logo in the weeks ahead.

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