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CRDF Global to Support State Department Counterterrorism Program Under New Contract; Tina Dolph Quoted
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CRDF Global to Support State Department Counterterrorism Program Under New Contract; Tina Dolph Quoted

CRDF Global has been selected to participate in a U.S. Department of State program.

Under prime contractor Valiant, CRDF Global will support a Somalia-based initiative overseen by the department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, the Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit announced on Tuesday.

“CRDF Global’s vision of creating a safer world is realized through partnerships like this, and we are proud to work alongside Valiant on this program,” said Tina Dolph, president and chief operating officer of CRDF Global and a four-time Wash100 Award winner.

Wash100 will return for its 11th year next week! Visit Wash100.com to browse the full list of previous awardees and access more information about the 2024 Wash100 celebration.

Peter Capwell, general manager of Valiant’s mission support arm, said the enterprise is “honored to implement this program and play a role in the region.”

This award  follows CRDF’s October win of a five-year contract from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, under which the nonprofit is responsible for improving laboratory systems and services associated with HIV and tuberculosis testing.

CRDF has previously worked with the State Department. In September 2022, the nonprofit entered a $3.9 million cooperative agreement with the department intended to promote sustained dialogue between the U.S. and U.K. on possible applications for nuclear science.

Earlier that month, CRDF Global received a $7 million award to help the State Department cultivate cross-sector efforts to prevent the development of chemical and biological weapons.

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New NIST Special Publication Refines Guidelines for Organizational Cybersecurity Infrastructure Evaluation
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New NIST Special Publication Refines Guidelines for Organizational Cybersecurity Infrastructure Evaluation

The National Institute of Standards and Technology revised a special publication designed to guide organizations in the measurement of their cybersecurity infrastructure’s effectiveness.

NIST on Wednesday launched a solicitation for public comment for its draft guidance, which can be implemented alongside the institute’s Cybersecurity Framework.

The first of the two-volume special publication centers on quantitative and qualitative metrics, data analysis techniques and impact and likelihood modeling. NIST provides recommendations on the approach that best fits an organization. The second part of the document discusses the development and implementation of an information security management program.

“Everyone manages risk, but many organizations tend to use qualitative descriptions of their risk level, using ideas like stoplight colors or five-point scales,” said Katherine Schroeder, one of the publication’s authors. “Our goal is to help people communicate with data instead of vague concepts.”

The public comment period will close on March 18.

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NASA Demos Software Enabling Spacecraft Swarm Navigation
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NASA Demos Software Enabling Spacecraft Swarm Navigation

NASA recently used its Starling CubeSats to demonstrate a key component of the Starling Formation-Flying Optical Experiment, which is focused on developing a capability that would enable each member of a spacecraft swarm to achieve awareness of its location and the location of the other spacecraft within the group.

During the recent demo, a piece of StarFOX software was able to process imagery captured by Starling CubeSat sensors to distinguish members of the swarm from other spacecraft and the starfield in the background, and to estimate with accuracy the orbits of the other swarm members, NASA said Wednesday.

The processing was carried out on Earth, with the captured images being transmitted to the ground. A subsequent test will have to be carried out in orbit and achieve similar results.

The Starling mission comprises four CubeSats that were launched aboard Rocket Lab‘s Electron vehicle in July. The spacecraft completed commissioning in December and subsequently moved into swarm experiment configuration. The mission’s overarching goal is to test various technologies, including the Stanford University-led StarFOX, that would make it possible for spacecraft to work cooperatively in swarms.

Sue Gordon, John Kelly & Chris Stewart Added to INL Advisory Committee
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Sue Gordon, John Kelly & Chris Stewart Added to INL Advisory Committee

Idaho National Laboratory has added national security veterans Sue Gordon, John Kelly and Chris Stewart to its National and Homeland Security Strategic Advisory Committee.

The new committee members will help advise INL leadership on matters related to national and homeland security missions of the Department of Energy and other federal agencies, the laboratory said Wednesday.

Gordon most recently served as the principal deputy director of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. She previously held leadership roles within the intelligence community, including deputy director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, director of the CIA’s Information Operations Center and senior cyber adviser to the CIA director.

Kelly is a retired U.S. Marine Corps general and former commanding general of U.S. Southern Command. The previous Wash100 awardee served as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security during the Trump administration.

Stewart, a 14-year U.S. Air Force veteran, is a former U.S. representative and member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Appropriations Committee.

“The expertise that the Honorable Sue Gordon, Gen. John Kelly and Congressman Chris Stewart bring to the table is crucial to our mission,” said Zach Tudor, associate laboratory director at INL.

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CISA, FBI Post Guidance on Cybersecurity Risks From Chinese-Manufactured UAS
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CISA, FBI Post Guidance on Cybersecurity Risks From Chinese-Manufactured UAS

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI have released guidance warning organizations of potential cybersecurity threats posed by Chinese-manufactured unmanned aircraft systems.

CISA said Wednesday China has enacted laws to access and control data held by Chinese firms and the use of drone systems originating from Beijing could risk exposing sensitive information to the Chinese government.

“We encourage any organization procuring and operating UAS to review the guidance and take action to mitigate risk. We must work together to ensure the security and resilience of our critical infrastructure,” said David Mussington, executive assistant director for infrastructure security at CISA.

The guidance recommends that organizations use U.S.-made drones that are secure by design and implement cybersecurity measures as part of their UAS program, policies and procedures.

GSA, DOD, NASA Seek Public Comment on Proposed FAR Changes for Small Business Subcontracting
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GSA, DOD, NASA Seek Public Comment on Proposed FAR Changes for Small Business Subcontracting

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration and NASA are seeking public feedback on their proposed changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation’s ruling on small business subcontracting.

The draft amendment aligns with the Small Business Administration’s 2016 amendment that standardizes limitations on non-manufacturers and subcontractors participating in SB socioeconomic programs, according to a notice published Wednesday on Federal Register.

Under SBA rules, the prime contractor’s subcontracting limits will include service agreements with other companies considered as a similar situation entity to the lead vendor’s subcontractor.

Existing FAR regarding SBA contracting, specifically FAR 19.8, has not incorporated the administration’s final rule.

The deadline for responding to the request for comment is on March 18.

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Marine Corps Tests New Air Defense System Against Unmanned Aerial Threats
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Marine Corps Tests New Air Defense System Against Unmanned Aerial Threats

The U.S. Marine Corps’ Program Executive Officer Land Systems tested the capability of a low-rate initial production model of an air defense integrated system against unmanned aerial threats during a live-fire test held in December at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.

The Marine Air Defense Integrated System, also known as MADIS, is a short-range, surface-to-air platform designed to help low altitude air defense battalions deter and counter fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems, USMC said Wednesday.

MADIS can be mounted on joint light tactical vehicles and comes with surface-to-air missiles, radar systems, command-and-control elements and other disparate systems.

“MADIS can complete the entire kill chain, and we witness that during this event,” said Col. Andrew Konicki, program manager for Ground Based Air Defense.

“It is a linchpin for mission success and our ability to neutralize airborne threats…which in turn, increases our lethality,” added Konicki.

During the test, MADIS detected, identified, tracked and hit several drones and other unmanned aerial targets using a 30mm cannon and Stinger missiles.

The 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion will be the first MADIS recipient within the Marine Corps.

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John Plumb on DOD’s Classification Memo for Secret Space Programs
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John Plumb on DOD’s Classification Memo for Secret Space Programs

John Plumb, assistant secretary for space policy at the Department of Defense, said a new memorandum “completely rewrites” a classification policy for secret space programs, Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.

He noted that the memo signed by Deputy Defense Secretary and Wash100 awardee Kathleen Hicks in late 2023 seeks to reduce the use of Special Access Program status, or SAP, as part of efforts to share more information on secret space initiatives with U.S. allies and industry partners.

“What the classification memo does, generally, is it overwrites — it really completely rewrites — a legacy document that had its roots 20 years ago, and it’s just no longer applicable to the current environment that involves national security space,” Plumb said.

“So, anything we can bring from a SAP level to a Top Secret level for example, brings massive value to the warfighter, massive value to the department, and frankly, my hope is over time [it] will also allow us to share more information with allies and partners that they might not currently be able to share,” he added.

Plumb noted that there must be technical aspects for designating a space program as special access.

According to the report, the policy marks a key step in developing a new DOD strategy for international space cooperation meant to help the U.S., along with its partners and allies, conduct collective military space operations.

POC - 2024 Space Summit

Hear government leaders, space experts and industry executives discuss the latest space technologies, commercial investments and urgent issues facing the space domain at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Space Summit on March 5. Register here.

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Lt. Gen. Michele Bredenkamp Confirmed as ODNI’s Adviser for Military Affairs
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Lt. Gen. Michele Bredenkamp Confirmed as ODNI’s Adviser for Military Affairs

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michele Bredenkamp, former commanding general of U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, has been confirmed by the Senate to serve as the director’s adviser for military affairs at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Avril Haines, director of national intelligence and a three-time Wash100 awardee, said in a statement published Wednesday that Bredenkamp will advise her on all military matters related to the intelligence community’s work.

She will also promote institutional activities and structures to better align the IC’s national security efforts with the Department of Defense, according to Haines.

Bredenkamp’s general officer assignments include time as director of intelligence for U.S. Forces Korea, vice director for intelligence for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and deputy director of program analysis and evaluation for the Army.

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DOD Aiming for ‘Generational Change’ With New National Defense Industrial Base Strategy, Says Laura Taylor-Kale
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DOD Aiming for ‘Generational Change’ With New National Defense Industrial Base Strategy, Says Laura Taylor-Kale

The U.S. Department of Defense recently released its first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy, and according to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy Laura Taylor-Kale, consistent collaboration is a requirement to achieve its objectives.

In a discussion hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies last week, Taylor-Kale highlighted the need for cooperation that extends beyond just the next few years to successfully transform the defense industrial base, the DOD said Tuesday.

Though the strategy is designed to guide the DOD through the next three to five years, Taylor-Kale said the department is “also very much talking about having a generational change.”

“We understand that there’s a lot that is part of the current state of the industrial base,” she said. “You can’t make those changes over one or two years. It’s going to take concerted effort over time, not just within the Department of Defense.”

The NDIS is built around four focus areas: resilient supply chains, workforce readiness, flexible acquisition and economic deterrence. It identifies priorities, challenges and approaches that the DOD should consider when carrying out industrial base engagement goals. The strategy incorporates over 1,000 comments from stakeholders and was developed in collaboration with elected leaders.

“I want to emphasize that the DOD can’t do it alone,” said Taylor-Kale. “It will need the interagency. It will need our industry partners. It will need our global allies and partners, as well as our people on [Capitol Hill].”

Taylor-Kale said the department “can’t afford to wait.” Recent years, she noted, have demonstrated “the importance of why we need resilient supply chains,” both for the U.S. and for its allies and partners.

“We’re wanting everyone to join with us so we can move forward, implement and meet the needs of warfighters today as well as for the future,” she added.

According to Taylor-Kale, the DOD is currently working on an implementation plan that identifies measurable actions and metrics to keep track of NDIS progress.

DOD Aiming for ‘Generational Change’ With New National Defense Industrial Base Strategy, Says Laura Taylor-Kale

The industrial base is a core part of all DOD technology initiatives. Learn more about the department’s approach to developing next-generation capabilities at the Potomac Officers Club’s 10th Annual Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 31, where key leaders will come together to discuss the current defense R&D landscape. To learn more and register to attend the event, click here.

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