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South Dakota Officials to Take on New Roles at DHS
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DHS taps South Dakota officials

Two South Dakota public officials will leave their current roles and take on different positions at the Department of Homeland Security.

David Flute, secretary of the state’s Department of Tribal Relations, was appointed as DHS senior tribal adviser on Indian affairs, while Bureau of Information and Technology Commissioner Madhu Gottumukkala was named deputy director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, SD.gov reported.

Flute and Gottumukkala will serve under DHS Secretary and Wash100 Award winner Kristi Noem, who previously was South Dakota’s governor. State Gov. Larry Rhoden said the two will add value to Noem’s efforts to protect homeland security as DHS head, noting Flute and Gottumukkala’s role in keeping South Dakota strong, safe and free.

Who Is David Flute?

Flute is a member of Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, a federally recognized tribe located on the Lake Traverse Reservation in northeast South Dakota. Noem appointed him as chairman of the Department of Tribal Relations in 2018 to foster relationships with the state’s nine tribal nations.

Who Is Madhu Gottumukkala?

Gottumukkala, a Dakota State University graduate, was appointed as Bureau of Information and Technology commissioner for the state in September. He previously served as senior director of business solutions at Sanford Health, chief technology officer at CallHealth and director of central engineering at Polycom.

He will remain as BIT commissioner until May 16.

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Find Out How Data Is Making S&T’s Societal Impacts Measurable
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Find Out How Data Is Making S&T’s Societal Impacts Measurable

Information analytics company Elsevier is building on a two-year collaboration with the National Science Foundation to jointly host a webinar highlighting how data is playing a crucial role in science and technology research.

Scheduled for this Wednesday, April 30, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., the session will explore topics like how data enhances research visibility, speed and resilience and the importance of both regional and international partnerships, Elsevier told ExecutiveGov. Interested parties can register here.

“We hope this webinar sparks new ideas and inspires other agencies and institutions to explore innovative ways to track, measure and amplify research impact,” the company shared. In addition to NSF, the Government-University-Industry-Philanthropy Research Roundtable is also helping to put on the event.

Elsevier-NSF Webinar Focus Areas & Purpose

The webinar, entitled “Data-Informed Decision-Making: Shaping the Future of Science & Technology,” is motivated by the fact that practitioners and civilians are looking for measurable societal impacts to S&T projects. Thus, data provides a legible and potentially actionable metric for tangible societal shifts as a result of S&T initiatives.

Participants will cover a range of topics, including funding strategies for such projects, location-centered data efforts and how to intentionally bring about societal change.

It is the organizations’ view that data-based approaches are making S&T more accessible, flexible and competitive and allowing for experimentation that draws resources and participation from across industries.

Who Are the Panelists?

For the discussion, two Elsevier executives will be joined by two NSF representatives. Ann Gabriel, senior vice president of global strategic networks and Randy Love, a senior solutions engineer, will represent Elsevier while Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, or TIP, and Grace Yuan, data analytics officer for TIP, will offer insights from NSF. 

TIP Portal

An additional focus of the webinar—and a key facet of Elsevier and NSF’s ongoing work together—is the Technology, Innovation and Partnership directorate’s portal, dubbed the TIP Portal. This database was constructed utilizing Elsevier’s Research Information Management System, a.k.a. RIMS platform. Tune into the webinar to learn about the impetus behind its development, what the creation process looked like and how it’s being used today.

Elsevier encourages audience members from the public and private sectors, academia, the philanthropic world and beyond to listen in on April 30 at 1 p.m. Sign up here!

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Pentagon Unveils Policy on Missile Defense Tech Acquisition
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DOD issuing a directive on missile defense system acquisition

The Department of Defense has released a directive establishing policy, assigning responsibilities and stipulating procedures for acquiring missile defense systems by the Missile Defense Agency.

The DOD directive, which took effect Friday, designates the director of MDA as the department’s executive agent for hypersonic defense.

Issued by the DOD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, or USD R&E, the document describes the missile defense system, or MDS, as a major defense acquisition program comprised of elements that provide command and control, sensors and weapons that contribute to the Pentagon’s missile defense and defeat capabilities.

Responsibilities of DOD Officials

Under the directive, the USD R&E should conduct an independent technical risk assessment before the product development decision, or PDD, and production decision, or PD, for MDS elements; serve as chair of the Missile Defense Executive Board or MDEB; and provide developmental test and evaluation oversight of missile defense development.

The director of MDA will serve as the milestone decision authority; provide a briefing with recommendations to the USD R&E and the USD for Acquisition or Sustainment, or USD A&S, before any acquisition decision is made; and develop a program plan to address MDS-required capabilities and operational support demands in coordination with MDEB member organizations.

The document also outlines the responsibilities of USD A&S, the director of cost assessment and program evaluation, secretaries of military departments, the head of operational test and evaluation, and principal staff assistants and DOD component heads, among other officials.

MDS Acquisition System

The directive outlines several phases of the MDS acquisition system: material solution analysis, technology development, product development, and initial production and production.

According to the document, there are “off-ramps” from the tech development and product development phases for software-intensive, limited fielding, demonstration and prototype MDS elements. Elements that are cleared to use the off-ramps do not proceed to a PD and enter the production phase.

The DOD directive also presents a decision authority matrix for hardware-intensive, software-intensive, limited fielding, demonstration and prototype MDS elements falling under the phase transition decision points: technology development decision, PDD and PD.

The document was approved by Lloyd Austin, former secretary of defense and a three-time Wash100 awardee.

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Army Exhibits New Warfighting Capabilities at Project Convergence
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US Army seal

The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office-Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors has demonstrated new capabilities at the joint Project Convergence Capstone 5, or PC-C5, experimentation event.

PEO IEW&S participated in Scenario A of PC-C5 and showcased several intelligence, electromagnetic warfare and surveillance products, the Army said Friday. The event allowed decision makers to evaluate, identify and refine requirements that advance future Army readiness.

Warfighting Capabilities to Advance Army Readiness

Among the technologies exhibited at PC-C5 is the Army Intelligence Data Platform, which organizes data for faster information processing and decision-making. PEO IEW&S also demonstrated the Common Sensor Payload, a technology that provides reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and intelligence-gathering capabilities to the MQ-1C Gray Eagle uncrewed aircraft system. In addition, the office supported an experiment that used small balloons able to transmit data at high altitude to see the differences between platforms from multiple vendors.

The event highlighted key warfighting technologies, such as the Electronic Warfare Planning and Management Tool, which reportedly enables EW assets to operate, target and maneuver by synchronizing spectrum management operations across multiple domains. Meanwhile, the Transformation in Contact Mobile Node-Terrestrial system proved its ability to meet commanders’ priority information requirements while integrating with other sensors and systems. PC-C5 also showcased the Electronic Warfare Arsenal, a repository of information to enhance EW mission planning and execution capabilities.

Aside from the Army, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps and military forces from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and France took part in PC-C5.

POC - 2025 Army Summit

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Space Force, NASA Resupply ISS With 6 Experiments
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Space Systems Command agency logo

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command and NASA have collaborated to launch a mission carrying six experiments to the International Space Station.

The SSC said Friday the Space Test Program-Houston 10, or STP-H10, mission was launched aboard SpaceX’s Commercial Resupply Service-32 mission on April 21 from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Resupplying ISS With Experimental Science Payloads

The STP-H10 mission, installed on the European Space Agency Columbus module’s exterior, deployed five Department of Defense and one NASA experimental science payload to the ISS. The ISS resupply mission is intended to help enhance warfighter capabilities through broadened scientific knowledge.

The six experiments, secured inside a Cargo Dragon spacecraft, were provided by the DOD Space Experiments Review Board and collaborations among the SSC, NASA, Naval Research Laboratory, Air Force Academy and Missile Defense Agency. They are:

  • Neutron Radiation Detection Instrument-1B, or NeRDI-1B
  • Falcon Optical Defense and Intelligence through Neuromorphics, or Falcon ODIN
  • Cadmium zinc TElluride Radiation Imager, or TERI
  • Space Edge Experiments and Demonstrations, or SEED
  • Space Plasma Diagnostic Suite 3, or SPADE-3
  • Solar Flare X-Ray Timing Investigation, or SFXTI (which will study the temporal dynamics of solar flares)

“The Space Test Program provides a vital pathway for the Department of Defense to explore new technologies in the harsh environment of space,” said Lt. Col. Brian Shimek, director of the DOD Space Test Program. “STP-H10 represents our commitment to innovation, and the data gathered from these six experiments will directly contribute to the development of future Space Force capabilities.”

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Leidos Advanced Training Complex in Huntsville Now Operational
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Tom Bell, CEO at Leidos

The newly built Leidos Advanced Training Complex at Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama, is now open to support education and training for the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries.

Drake State said Friday that the building was named in recognition of Leidos’ $1.75 million donation to the community college in 2024 for advanced manufacturing and IT programs, student apprenticeships, campus technical and infrastructure upgrades, a new scholarship endowment and faculty development opportunities.

Building a Talent Pipeline

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Leidos CEO Tom Bell, a two-time Wash100 awardee, said the company’s partnership with Drake State “will grow the pipeline of talented people who will solve our nation’s most vexing challenges in smarter and more efficient ways.”

The 50,000-square-foot facility, constructed through a statewide bond issue in 2020 in support of Alabama’s education system, offers precision machining and welding training and other skill development programs. It also features dedicated space for additive manufacturing, mechatronics, electrical technology and engineering design.

A new cohort of students selected to participate in Drake State’s Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education will use the complex throughout the apprenticeship-style program.

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Joint House-Senate Bill Seeks $150B for Defense Spending
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Joint House-Senate Bill Seeks $150B for Defense Spending

A newly released bill reconciling versions of the House and Senate armed services committees seeks $150 billion funding for U.S. defense priorities. The White House was closely consulted on the proposed legislation wherein naval, missile and munition capabilities buildup lead the planned spending on 11 priority areas, according to the House committee’s announcement of the unified bill Sunday.

Aimed overall at military modernization and strengthening national security, the bill recommends investing $34 billion for the expansion of the U.S. Navy fleet and its capabilities. Specific items include budgeting for autonomous surface and subsurface technology systems to build capacity and grow the maritime industrial infrastructure base.

Golden Dome and Other Priorities

The draft legislation also proposes $25 billion to support President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome for America for a layered U.S. missile defense shield with space-based assets for defending against hypersonic threats. 

In addition, the House-Senate committee proposal eyes $21 billion to restock U.S. munitions supply through the capacity expansion of the American industrial base, including a ramp-up on domestic production of rare earth and vital ammo materials.

Other priority investments that the bill outlined include $14 billion for expediting warfighter technology innovation at low cost, $13 billion for improving nuclear deterrence and readiness, and $11 billion for expanding military exercises and improving readiness of U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific region.

Record-Setting Defense Initiatives

The House committee chairman, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., described the bill’s funding proposal as a “historic investment” for restoring U.S. military capabilities and strengthening national defense. “Our military’s resources have declined over the years, and defense spending as a percentage of GDP has dropped to the lowest levels since before WWII,” the Alabama congressman noted.

The Senate committee head, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said the proposed legislation brings a “generational upgrade” to U.S. defense capabilities. “(The bill) is about building the future of American defense, achieving peace through strength, and ultimately deterring war,” the Missouri senator commented.

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Scott Heitmann Named Air Force CTO
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Scott Heitmann, CTO of the Department of the Air Force

The Department of the Air Force has appointed Scott Heitmann, acting chief technology officer, as permanent CTO within its Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Heitmann announced his promotion in a LinkedIn post published Wednesday.

In this capacity, he provides technical leadership and oversight of department-wide IT initiatives and ensures the interoperability, integrity and cost-effectiveness of DAF’s IT capabilities, among other responsibilities.

Scott Heitmann’s Career Background

As the Air Force’s acting CTO, Heitmann led several programs, including the Shrink the AFNET and Direct-Patching initiatives. He also led the migration of over 500,000 NIPR systems to the M365 office in 10 days.

He previously served as CTO of the Air Force’s Cyberspace Capabilities Center and technical director for the 375th Communications Group at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

In 1996, Heitmann started his civil service career with the 38 Engineering Installation Wing at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma, serving as a network administrator, systems telecommunications engineering manager and information system security officer, among other roles.

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma Christian University.

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Sethuraman Panchanathan Resigns as National Science Foundation Director
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Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of National Science Foundation

Sethuraman Panchanathan announced his decision to resign as director of the U.S. National Science Foundation, effective April 24.

In a statement released by NSF Thursday, Panchanathan expressed his gratitude to Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Congress and NSF personnel.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the director of NSF for the last five years,” said Panchanathan. “I believe I have done all I can to advance the critical mission of the agency and feel that it is time for me to pass the baton to new leadership,” he added.

Panchanathan was unanimously confirmed by the Senate as the 15th director of the NSF in June 2020 after President Trump nominated him for the leadership role in December 2019. He continued to serve under President Biden.

NSF Achievements Under Panchanathan

In an internal email obtained by Nextgov/FCW, the outgoing NSF director highlighted some of the agency’s achievements during his tenure. This includes the deployment of 27 artificial intelligence institutes and the advancement of multiple scientific research discoveries.

“I wish the very best for the agency and will always look proudly at the numerous accomplishments and impact we have had,” added Panchanathan.

Panchanathan’s Career History

Before joining NSF, Panchanathan spent over 27 years at Arizona State University as a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. He held other significant positions at the university, including executive vice president for knowledge enterprise development and chief research and innovation officer. He was also the founder and director of the Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing, director of the Institute for Computing and Information Science and Engineering and founder of the School of Computing and Informatics and the Biomedical Informatics Department.

Earlier in his career, Panchanathan co-founded MotionEase and taught at the University of Ottawa as an associate professor for eight years.

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Government Cloud Security Program Offers Update on FedRAMP 20x
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FedRAMP providing updates on FedRAMP 20x cloud-native authorization framework

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program has provided updates on efforts launched and upcoming initiatives for FedRAMP 20x, a cloud-native authorization framework that seeks to advance the use of automation to accelerate secure cloud adoption across federal agencies.

FedRamp 20x Launched in March–What’s Next? 

Since launching FedRAMP 20x in March, the program said Thursday the FedRAMP team has executed several initiatives to deliver authorizations, facilitate community engagements, improve standards and support the General Services Administration’s artificial intelligence priorities.

When it comes to the authorization aspect, the program has granted FedRAMP Ready designations to seven new cloud services, recognized two new third party assessment organizations and listed five new In Process cloud services for Rev 4 agency authorizations, among other efforts.

Under the standards improvements category to advance FedRAMP 20x, the FedRAMP team has finalized eligibility criteria for the first 20x pilots using stakeholder feedback, prepared a draft standard to demonstrate FedRAMP 20x with explicit criteria for achieving an automated FedRAMP Low authorization and proposed a standard for defining the boundary of FedRAMP authorizations based on public comment.

To improve FedRAMP’s use of AI tools, the program has created a lab environment with resources for generative AI-based learning and prototyping and developed an internal system using GitHub API and GSAi internal tool to review GitHub comments and create executive summaries.

FedRAMP 20x Phase One Pilot

In May, the program will launch the initial phase of the FedRAMP 20x pilot to test how cloud service providers can meet FedRAMP Low authorization requirements using automated technical validation, simple documentation requirements and existing commercial certification to produce machine-readable packages that can be evaluated by trusted third parties.

Qualifying cloud services that complete the first phase will secure a 12-month FedRAMP Low authorization. The program will prioritize such service offerings for FedRAMP Moderate authorization in the pilot program’s second phase.

The program is seeking public comments on proposed key security indicators for FedRAMP 20x Phase One pilot. Responses are due May 24.

FedRAMP is also soliciting feedback on the proposed Significant Change Notification Standard and Minimum Assessment Scope Standard.

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