A NATO official said the military alliance expects the development of dual-use technologies backed by a new defense innovation accelerator to result in the creation of an “innovation engine” to keep ahead of potential adversaries’ technological advancements, Breaking Defense reported Friday.

In 2022, NATO established a $1 billion innovation fund, which seeks to support tech development efforts of startups, and the Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, which will transition to a full operational phase in June.

“We’re aiming to support the best and brightest innovators to develop dual-use technologies to solve security and defense problems,” said Deeph Chana, managing director of NATO’s DIANA initiative.

DIANA will collaborate with 30 startups focused on three areas: sensing and surveillance; energy and resilience; and secure information sharing.

Chana said the alliance is “very explicitly encouraging startups to have applications in the more traditional tactical military domain, as well as…in a sort of civil space, such that they have a diverse opportunity for revenue which we think builds more resilient, more investable companies in this space.”

The Department of Commerce has issued a final rule amending the department’s authority to determine whether certain transactions involving information and communications technology and services pose risks to national security.

Based on feedback received from the public, the Commerce Department has ruled to revise its interim rule to include potential risk indicators related to connected software applications, according to a notice published in the Federal Register.

Among the indicators are a lack of thorough and reliable third-party auditing of connected software applications, the scope and sensitivity of data collected by connected such applications and the use of these applications to conduct surveillance that enables espionage.

The final rule also specifies “end-point computing devices” and “via the internet” to clarify the terminology of connected software applications.

The Department of Defense has released its inaugural plan meant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the enterprise.

The plan outlines ways to lower GHG emissions from installation energy use, such as reducing DOD’s dependence on offsite energy sources by focusing on increasing energy measures and on-site clean energy generation and storage and leveraging available data to inform decisions and evaluate progress.

The document also details measures to mitigate emissions associated with the use of operational energy.

These include reducing OE demand by strengthening platform efficiency; exploring new operating concepts and deploying new equipment; advancing technology innovation and adoption; and substituting current fuels with sustainable liquid fuels.

The plan also offers information on DOD’s tech innovation efforts, such as the Environmental Security Certification and Technology Program.

According to the document, ESTCP supports initiatives that seek to enhance energy efficiency by adapting commercial lighting, heating/ventilation/air conditioning; building envelope and energy management and controls; prototyping low carbon-footprint building materials; and improving control systems cybersecurity.

The National Science Foundation has selected 34 semifinalists for an inaugural competition that seeks to promote regional growth, teaming and innovation in several technology areas, including advanced manufacturing, bioeconomy, microelectronics, quantum, logistics and supply chain and sustainable energy.

NSF said Wednesday it received 188 concept outlines for the Regional Innovation Engines competition and selected the semifinalists after a review of proposals.

The semifinalists are led by companies, universities, nonprofits and other organizations from various U.S. states and territories.

The agency will assess each team’s competitive advantages, workforce development efforts and resources and budget for proposed research initiatives.

NSF plans to announce the teams that will transition to the final round in July.

Each awardee under the NSF Engines competition, which was authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, will initially receive approximately $15 million over a two-year period.

According to the agency, semifinalists not selected to secure an award through the contest may be eligible for up to $1 million in NSF Engine Development Award for two years to help develop their initial ecosystems, compete for additional funding and further develop partnerships.

Click here to see the full list of NSF Engines semifinalists.

Laura Stanton, a General Services Administration official, said federal agencies looking to improve employee performance, offer compliance-related courses and flexible learning options and provide training on cloud, software and other information technology areas should consider using the Training Courses Special Item Number on the Multiple Award Schedule.

The departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Social Security Administration and other federal agencies spent more than $46 million on services through the Training SIN in 2022, Stanton, assistant commissioner for the office of IT category at GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service, wrote in a blog post published Thursday.

Stanton discussed how a government agency used the IT Training SIN to facilitate the installation of distance learning options in support of its employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She cited how the special item number enabled a military base to immediately deploy virtual courses for enlisted personnel and officers and tap the services of small businesses.

“This meant that even during an almost two-year pandemic, more than 75 critical employees received training through one thousand hours of CLP-accredited courses. It also allowed the base to track certificates of completion in real-time,” Stanton wrote.