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FCC Considers Implementing Voluntary Cybersecurity Mark for Smart Devices
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FCC Considers Implementing Voluntary Cybersecurity Mark for Smart Devices

The Federal Communications Commission is soliciting public feedback on its plan to give smart device manufacturers the option to qualify for a U.S Cyber Mark on their products.

The agency on Thursday released a factsheet on the voluntary cybersecurity labeling program, three weeks after it issued a notice of proposed rulemaking.

The program would cover Internet of Things devices which, if approved, will bear the Cyber Mark declaring their safety and security for data privacy.

FCC is inviting recommendations on how to develop and qualify compliance with security standards that apply to different devices. The agency is also welcome to suggestions to ensure that the labels will not be exploited for unauthorized purposes.

“[N]ew devices—from smart televisions and thermostats to home security cameras, baby monitors, and fitness trackers…provide huge benefits because they can make our lives easier and more efficient. But this increased interconnection brings more than just convenience; it brings increased security risk,” FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement. “That is why the Commission is proposing to put in place the first-ever voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for connected smart devices.”

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USAF Commercial Venture Arm Opens Solicitation Process for Strategic Funding Increase Program
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USAF Commercial Venture Arm Opens Solicitation Process for Strategic Funding Increase Program

The U.S. Air Force is inviting small businesses to bid on its Strategic Funding Increase and Tactical Funding Increase programs for fiscal year 2024.

The notice of opportunity was issued Friday by AFVentures, a commercial investment program established by the Department of the Air Force and AFWERX.

The service branch established STRATFI/TACFI to fill development gaps between Phase II and Phase III projects under the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. The funding initiative is open to companies that have ongoing or completed Phase II contracts within two years of their submission of a capability package.

Interested parties may submit their capability packages for STRATFI until Sept. 27. The branch has yet to announce the submission deadline for the TACFI program.

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CISA Cyber Safety Board Launches 3rd Cloud Computing Review
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CISA Cyber Safety Board Launches 3rd Cloud Computing Review

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Cyber Safety Review Board will conduct a study on private and public sector approaches to protecting cloud-based identity management and authentication.

The review marks the third such audit initiated by CSRB to address attacks on cloud computing environments, the Department of Homeland Security said Friday.

The board will investigate the malicious targeting of Microsoft Exchange Online in July 2023, which affected accounts owned by U.S. government agencies. After the review, CSRB is expected to make recommendations to improve cyber defense practices of government, industry and cloud service providers.

“Cloud security is the backbone of some of our most critical systems, from our e-commerce platforms to our communication tools to our critical infrastructure,” DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas commented. “Actionable recommendations from the CSRB will help all organizations better secure their data and further cyber resilience,” the previous Wash100 award winner added.

CISA Director Jen Easterly, another Wash100 inductee, echoed Mayorkas’ remarks. “The Board’s findings and recommendations from this assessment will advance cybersecurity practices across cloud environments and ensure that we can collectively maintain trust in these critical systems,” she said.

Earlier this month, the board released a report and corresponding actions needed in response to the hacking of federal and business accounts by ransomware group Lapsus$, which occurred between 2021 and 2022.

Army V Corps Introduces HIMARS Capabilities to Allied Partners in Germany
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Army V Corps Introduces HIMARS Capabilities to Allied Partners in Germany

U.S. Army V Corps hosted an event in Grafenwohr, Germany to enhance High Mobility Artillery Rocket System interoperability with allied forces.

The European HIMARS Summit brought together representatives from NATO countries to discuss how they utilize, operate and maintain the M142 HIMARS and to explore ways to improve their operability and sustainment of the air-transportable multiple rocket launcher, the Army said Friday.

“European HIMARS initiative operation is for training and sustainment, part of V Corps’ initiative focus on our allies and partners is to develop their capability and capacity for HIMARS,” said U.S. Army Col. Wilbur Hsu, commander of 41st Field Artillery Brigade.

During the event, V Corps showcased how to transport HIMARS using a replica C-130 aircraft, highlighting the flexibility and transportability of the launch rocket system.

HIMARS is part of Lockheed Martin’s multiple launch system portfolio and carries six guided MLRS rockets or one tactical missile system mounted on a 5-ton medium tactical vehicle.

NSF’s Sethuraman Panchanathan, OSTP’s Arati Prabhakar Highlight CHIPS Act Investments in Nevada Roundtable
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NSF’s Sethuraman Panchanathan, OSTP’s Arati Prabhakar Highlight CHIPS Act Investments in Nevada Roundtable

Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the National Science Foundation, and Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, underscored the impact of President Biden’s bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act on accelerating U.S. leadership in innovation during a roundtable discussion at the University of Nevada, Reno.

During the event, the officials highlighted projects and programs authorized by the bipartisan legislation, including NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines, which support projects across key technology areas, NSF said Friday.

UNR leads one of the 44 projects selected for the first class of the NSF Engines Development Award. Each awardee team will receive up to $1 million to develop ways to support the local innovation ecosystem.

The UNR-led project aims to use the funding to advance the lithium battery supply chain in Nevada to support the production of renewable energy.

“Boosting the domestic supply chain of advanced lithium batteries, at the core of technologies like electric vehicles and solar panels, is critical to accelerating the U.S. transition away from fossil fuels, toward a clean energy future,” Panchanathan said.

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Ignatius ‘Buck’ Liberto on DOE’s Zero Trust Adoption
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Ignatius ‘Buck’ Liberto on DOE’s Zero Trust Adoption

Ignatius “Buck” Liberto, director of cybersecurity risk management and compliance at the office of the chief information officer at the Department of Energy, discussed how DOE has shifted from a perimeter security approach to zero trust to better protect sensitive data and critical facilities from cyberthreats, according to an article published Saturday in Forbes.

“At some point we got very wise, we the federal government, and said stop,” Buck said in a podcast.

“We need to make this a ‘deny all allow by exception’, and that certainly helped out a lot as we moved forward. And that’s really part of the zero trust architecture at an enterprise level and not at an enclave or lower level and enterprise level,” he added.

Buck said adopting zero trust will require DOE to advance innovation, partner with vendors and launch an education program that could help meet security goals.

He highlighted the need for a training awareness program and importance of adopting emerging technologies to help DOE improve its incident response capabilities.

“Network engineers and security defenders doing their job checking the logs looking for the anomalies is machine learning is automation helping absolutely when you look at the progression of just intrusion protection systems and next generation firewalls,” Buck noted.

“From a technology standpoint, we’re certainly helping so we’re looking for those anomalies that will then trigger alerts that will help the defenders,” he added.

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Navy Capt. Thomas Dickinson Assumes Leadership of NAVSEA Warfare Centers
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Navy Capt. Thomas Dickinson Assumes Leadership of NAVSEA Warfare Centers

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Kevin Byrne has relinquished command of the Naval Surface Warfare Center and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center to Capt. Thomas Dickinson during a change of command ceremony held Friday at the Washington Navy Yard.

NAVSEA Commander Vice Adm. William Galinis presided over the ceremony and said Dickinson is well-positioned to build on the successes of Byrne, who retired after three decades of service, including three years as head of NAVSEA Warfare Centers.

Dickinson most recently served as principal military deputy and chief operating officer for NAVSEA’s Director of Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization and Sustainment and commander of the Navy Regional Maintenance Center.

In his new capacity, Dickinson will oversee over 29,000 civilian and active duty personnel at eight Surface Warfare Divisions and two Undersea Warfare Divisions.

The NAVSEA Warfare Centers supply technical operations, engineering services and technology needed to equip and support the Navy’s operational surface and submarine forces.

Dickinson’s military career includes time as the AEGIS BMD weapon systems program manager at the Missile Defense Agency and executive assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition.

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Battelle to Conduct Health Analysis for Navy & Marine Corps Under $107M Task Order; Greg Kimmel Quoted
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Battelle to Conduct Health Analysis for Navy & Marine Corps Under $107M Task Order; Greg Kimmel Quoted

Nonprofit science and technology company Battelle recently landed a $107 million task order from the Department of Defense to accomplish analysis, assessment and evaluation for the cause of force health protection.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company said Monday that under the DOD Information Analysis Center multiple-award contract, it will work to help provide information and evaluations to strengthen the Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command.

“Battelle has a long-standing relationship with NMCFHPC that encompasses over two decades of demonstrated success in support of military public health requirements and a shared vision and commitment to success. We are proud to continue this work,” said Greg Kimmel, general manager of the health business unit at Battelle.

The contract dictates that Battelle utilize high-quality, low-risk scientific analysis to realize the NMCFHPC’s objective of mitigating disease and raising health standards and averages within the U.S. military. The company intends its work to help deter injuries, sickness and health hazards and encourage health and wellness across the service branches.

Battelle is expected to conduct scientific analysis for FHP aspects like health risk assessments, deployment health, health surveillance, population health and health information.

In April, Battelle won a contract to aid the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with national consensus development and strategic planning for health care quality management, on which it will collaborate with Chickasaw Health Consulting and Rainmakers Strategic Solutions, as well as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Earlier this year, Battelle CEO and Wash100 Award winner Lou Von Thaer participated in a January video interview with Executive Mosaic’s Summer Myatt. You can watch the full conversation here.

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White House Seeks $40B in Emergency Capital for Disaster Relief, Ukraine Aid
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White House Seeks $40B in Emergency Capital for Disaster Relief, Ukraine Aid

The White House is requesting approximately $40 billion in emergency funding to support Ukraine and add additional money to the federal disaster relief budget, Politico reported Thursday.

The emergency funding request includes over $24 billion in military aid to Ukraine, $12 billion for disaster relief and $4 billion to address Southern border-related issues, including services and shelter for migrants.

The Biden administration’s emergency aid request comes as Congress faces a tight deadline to prevent a government shutdown by the end of September.

Amid the push of House Republicans for further cuts to government funding, disaster relief and military assistance to Ukraine have bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, which could help strengthen support for a continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown by the end of fiscal year 2023.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said there is strong support from both sides of the aisle in the upper chamber to fund the president’s request for emergency money.

“We hope to join with our Republican colleagues this fall to avert an unnecessary government shutdown and fund this critical emergency supplemental request,” Schumer noted.

Top Government Contracts Won by Advanced Technology International
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Top Government Contracts Won by Advanced Technology International
Photo by VideoFlow from Shutterstock.com

Advanced Technology International (ATI) is a consortium management firm with a distinguished track record in government contracting for the Department of Defense. The company’s expertise is deeply rooted in innovative research, development, and collaboration management in current and emerging technologies across diverse focus areas.

Top Government Contracts Won by Advanced Technology International

Here’s a list of the top government contracts won by Advanced Technology International.

 

1. SMC Secured a Contract with ATI to Manage Space Enterprise Consortium and Prototyping Space-Related Technologies

 

Space Enterprise ConsortiumImage by (Space and Missile Systems Center) from C4ISRNET  

 

  • Contracting activity: The Space and Missile Systems Center
  • Contract type: Other transactions agreement
  • Value: $500 million
  • Contract date: November 2, 2017

The Space and Missile Systems Center contracted Advanced Technology International to manage the Space Enterprise Consortium of government customers within the Department of Defense. The scope of work encompassed prototyping space-related technologies, such as ground, launch, and space segments, software solutions, and other processes.

ATI’s initial contract was awarded on November 2, 2017, worth $100 million. A modification to this contract was granted less than a year later, on September 11, 2018, worth $400 million, bringing the cumulative face value to $500 million. Work for both contracts commenced in Summerville, South Carolina, through the completion on November 1, 2022, and November 1, 2023, respectively.

The modification to the initial contract was finalized to minimize entry barriers, foster integrated research, and improve prototyping efficiencies while reducing development costs. In addition, it allowed small and non-traditional vendors to collaborate, identify, and realize teaming opportunities with the Space and Missile Systems Center and other government agencies.

 

2. ACC Tasked ATI to Help Pharmaceutical Companies in the Research and Development of COVID-19 Antibodies

Janssen Pharmaceuticals' COVID-19 Antibodies
Photo by rarrarorro from Shutterstock.com
  • Contracting activity: U.S. Army Contracting Command
  • Contract type: Modification to contract
  • Value: $450.4 million
  • Contract date: July 6, 2020

Advanced Technology International was tasked to aid in the research and development of large-scale manufacturing of antibodies to combat the spread of COVID-19. Under the $420.4 million contract modification, the company was set to collaborate with various pharmaceutical giants, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

A month prior, on August 5, 2020, an earlier contract was awarded to Janssen Pharmaceuticals for the manufacturing and delivering more than 100 million doses of Ad26.COV2.S vaccine. The pharmaceutical company received milestone payments on a firm-fixed-price basis and was covered by the scope and liability of the PREP Act.

Work performance commenced in Summerville, South Carolina, and Tarrytown, New York, with the funding coming from the fiscal 2020 research, development, test, and evaluation of the Army funds. The United States Army Contracting Command served as the contracting activity through completion by June 30, 2021.

 

3. NAVWAR Extended the Period of Performance for Information Warfare Research Project

Information Warfare Research Project
“SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic IWRP Consortium,” by Joseph Bullinger, www.dvidshub.net, licensed under Public Domain
  • Contracting activity: Naval Information Warfare Systems Command
  • Contract type: Period of Performance extension for expenditure-based other transaction agreement
  • Value: $500 million
  • Contract date: August 17, 2020

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command’s Information Warfare Research Project (IWRP) was approved for a period of performance (PoP) extension by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition James Geurts. As the lead contractor for the project, Advanced Technology International was awarded $400 million to continue operations for another two years.

On June 26, 2018, ATI started work for NAVWAR, then known as the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, IWRP’s prototype development and Navy acquisition process simplification. The contract was initially set for a $100 million three-year contract. This has increased the cumulative amount to $500 million and extended the duration to five years.

NAWAR’s IWRP used a consortium-based approach for its user base, including NAVWAR, Naval Information Warfare Center, Naval Sea Systems Command, Program Executive Office, Marine Corps Systems Command, and Office of Naval Research.

 

4. ACC Awarded an Agreement for Various Improvements and Developments Related to Precision Strike Missile

Precision Strike Missile
Photo from Lockheed Martin Official Website
  • Contracting activity: U.S. Army Contracting Command
  • Contract type: Other transaction authority agreement
  • Value: $180.8 million
  • Contract date: June 12, 2020

Advanced International Technology secured a $180.8 OTA agreement for enhancing technology maturation and risk reduction for Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). PrSM was developed as a surface-to-surface precision-strike guided missile for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, possibly doubling the flying capacities of the U.S. Army to more than 1,000 km over the waters of the Indo-Pacific Region.

Work for the contract occurred in Grand Prairie, Texas, and Summerville, South Carolina, through completion on November 20, 2021. The Army Contracting Command finalized the funding from fiscal 2020 research, development, test, and evaluation of the Army funds, with the total contract amount of $180.8 million obligated at the time of award.

To fulfill the maturation and risk reduction phase, the U.S. Army has also contracted other companies to bolster a new missile form factor and propulsion system for PrSM Increment 4. Lockheed Martin and the joint venture between Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman have been tasked as the prime contractors for PrSM’s Increment 4, named the Long Range Maneuverable Fires (LRMF) missile.

 

5. ONR Awarded Several IDIQ Contracts to Support Work for Navy Manufacturing Technology

Navy Manufacturing Technology (ManTech)
Image by (Liane Nakahara/U.S. Navy) from C4ISRNET
  • Contracting activity: The Office of Naval Research
  • Contract type: Indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract
  • Value: $99 million
  • Contract date: February 9, 2016; January 19, 2017; August 14, 2019; and May 28, 2021

The Office of Naval Research awarded Advanced Technology International four separate IDIQ contracts to support Navy Manufacturing Technology (ManTech). Each contract was granted two task orders and $99 million in funding from the research, development, test, and evaluation of the Navy funds, coming from the fiscal year in which the contract was finalized.

  • On February 9, 2016, ATI, doing business as SCRA Applied R&D, was tasked to support the Navy Metalworking Center (NMC) of Excellence in its mission to deploy potential solutions to U.S. shipyards and other industrial facilities.
  • On January 19, 2017, ATI was contracted to support the Composites Manufacturing Center of Excellence in the facilitation of solution sets for U.S. shipyards and other industrial facilities to build key naval platforms while reducing costs.
  • On August 14, 2019, ATI supported work for the Center for Innovative Naval Shipbuilding and Advanced Manufacturing in Summerville, South Carolina, through the estimated completion by August 2024.
  • On May 28, 2021, ATI secured a contract to support the Composite Manufacturing Center in the transition of composite, polymeric, and non-metallic technologies to composites fabricators and other industrial facilities.

 

About Advanced Technology International

ATI overlayed
Photo by asharkyu from Shutterstock

Advanced Technology International (ATI) is responsible for the most innovative research and development initiatives to lessen the federal government’s burden on its R&D efforts. The company handles portfolio management in shipbuilding, metal parts manufacturing, healthcare, composite applications, electromagnetic spectrum, and prototypes for the Department of Defense (DoD).

ATI’s expertise is an industry leader in the defense sector, boasting a demonstrated history in managing Other Transaction Agreement (OTA)-based and Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR) for the DoD. The company has evolved from its initial mission of facilitating technology development into executing defense research, development, and prototyping efforts.

 

What is the history of Advanced Technology International?

Advanced Technology International traces its earliest projects with the Department of Defense as an operating division of the South Carolina Research Authority. The predecessor company mainly focused on the early consortium management practice of supply chain sustainment and development of legacy weapons systems parts.

In 1980, ATI managed the Rapid Acquisition of Manufactured Parts (RAMP) Program, thanks to a collaborative effort from engineers in five companies focused on revolutionizing manufacturing in the Army and the Navy. Four decades later, the company continues to foster collaboration in championing research and development management across diverse focus areas.

 

What are the core values of Advanced Technology International?

Advanced Technology International’s core value lies in the service to the country, its customers, and each other. These align with its mission to carry the burden of the federal government in research and development initiatives and vision to create the best R&D teams in solving the toughest challenges of the United States.

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