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DOE’s Latest Grid Modernization Lab Call Earmarks $38M for Cybersecurity, Energy Justice Projects
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DOE’s Latest Grid Modernization Lab Call Earmarks $38M for Cybersecurity, Energy Justice Projects

The Department of Energy is awarding $38 million in grants to projects that will collaborate with national laboratories to develop electric grid resilience technologies.

The funding opportunity is part of DOE’s Grid Modernization Initiative, which has distributed over $330 million and teamed national labs with more than 100 utilities and organizations since 2016, the agency said Tuesday.

The latest GMI lab call is interested in proposals that can advance medium-power voltage electronics, as well as cybersecurity of electric utility infrastructure. The DOE is also looking for innovations in quantum computing to keep up with evolving grid operations.

Other areas of interest are grid energy justice through equitable operation and planning, and technologies for understanding and using climate data in load forecasting.

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NSF Selects 5 Teams to Advance AI Research & Development Infrastructure
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NSF Selects 5 Teams to Advance AI Research & Development Infrastructure

The National Science Foundation has selected five university teams to receive a total of $16.1 million in funding to create, advance and democratize access to artificial intelligence research and development resources, including data on human-machine collaboration.

NSF said Tuesday it will support projects that conduct AI research on a shared news recommender system, immersive virtual environments and social robotics as part of its Computer and Information Science and Engineering Community Research Infrastructure program.

The agency selected research teams led by the University of Central Florida; the University of Pennsylvania; the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; the University of California, Los Angeles; and the Pennsylvania State University.

Each team will provide AI researchers and students with hands-on training opportunities and educational resources to enable knowledge sharing and collaboration.

“A critical element to the success of the AI research revolution is ensuring that researchers have access to the data and platforms required to continue to drive innovation and scalability in AI technologies and systems,” said Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of NSF.

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4 Federal Agencies Issue Joint Statement Vowing to Protect Consumers From AI Misuse; Lina Khan Quoted
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4 Federal Agencies Issue Joint Statement Vowing to Protect Consumers From AI Misuse; Lina Khan Quoted

The Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau pledged to enforce laws to protect consumers against the misuse of automated systems and artificial intelligence.

FTC distributed the joint statement, which was signed by its chair, Lina Khan, on Tuesday. It was cosigned by Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general of the Civil Rights Division, EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows and CFPB Director Rohit Chopra.

AI and other software and algorithmic processes have been instrumental in modernizing civil and economic practices, but bad actors have also discovered their use in unlawful bias and discrimination, according to notice.

The four agencies stressed that they have separately taken action to prevent discrimination and abuse of automated systems. The FTC released a report detailing how automated tools can cause businesses to breach data privacy and provide inaccurate information.

CFPB issued a circular emphasizing that consumer financial laws will still apply in cases of unfair or deceptive actions, even if the technology used is deemed old or too complex. 

“Technological advances can deliver critical innovation—but claims of innovation must not be cover for lawbreaking,” Khan stated. “There is no AI exemption to the laws on the books, and the FTC will vigorously enforce the law to combat unfair or deceptive practices or unfair methods of competition.”

NASA Utilizes Reliable Robotics Aircraft to Test Safety Impact of FAA’s Surveillance Radars
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NASA Utilizes Reliable Robotics Aircraft to Test Safety Impact of FAA’s Surveillance Radars

NASA has completed coordinated flights of two aircraft monitored by the Federal Aviation Administration’s primary surveillance radars as part of an aviation safety project.

The space agency tapped Reliable Robotics, manufacturer of the remotely piloted aircraft, to test the potential of PSR data in improving detect and avoid systems, the company said Tuesday.

Reliable Robotics joined NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign in 2021 to enhance the safety and security of unmanned aerial vehicles in the National Airspace System. The space agency obtained limited access to FAA’s PSR data in order to analyze and characterize their accuracy.

Researchers believe allowing pilots to securely access FAA’s medium and long-range PSR network will help avert mid-air collisions and significantly bolster situational awareness.

“We appreciate the close collaboration with the FAA and Reliable Robotics to collect meaningful data from flights to improve our collective understanding of using radar for DAA,” said Brad Snelling, partner chief engineer for the AAM National Campaign. “These landmark flights will help the entire AAM industry further their understanding and future use of PSR data to enhance aviation safety.”

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Navy Fields Commercial Off-the-Shelf Helmet for Marine Corps Aviation Maintainers
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Navy Fields Commercial Off-the-Shelf Helmet for Marine Corps Aviation Maintainers

The U.S. Navy’s Aircrew Systems program office is fielding a new commercial off-the-shelf headgear that provides impact and hearing protection for U.S. Marine Corps aviation maintainers.

The Exfil Light Tactical Polymer helmet from Team Wendy is available in two sizes with an alternate, adjustable H-shaped back retention system and features two different styles of hearing protection, both rail-mounted to the headgear, Naval Air Systems Command said Tuesday.

“Through research, test and fleet assessments, our team was able to determine the best possible solution for improved head and hearing protection, taking into account cost, performance and user feedback,” said Jennifer Bartnick, team lead of PMA-202.

The office also incorporated feedback from squadrons that received the Head Gear Unit Number 98/Personal Use flight deck helmet system in October 2022.

Fielding of the new headgear will continue through the end of the year, while upgraded units will be delivered beginning in 2024.

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CISA, US Cyber Command Collaborate on Defending Critical Infrastructure
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CISA, US Cyber Command Collaborate on Defending Critical Infrastructure

Officials from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command gathered at the ongoing RSA Conference in San Francisco and highlighted the importance of collaboration and partnership to safeguard the U.S. critical infrastructure sector from cyberattacks.

Eric Goldstein, executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA, said the agency works with USCYBERCOM’s Cyber National Mission Force to share information, insights and expertise to build a collective defense against emerging cyberthreats.

“Our work with CNMF enables us to not only more effectively defend our nation’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks but also clearly demonstrate to our adversaries that there is a price to pay if you decide to attack American infrastructure,” Goldstein said.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Hartman, commander of CNMF, said the force shares threat intelligence from operations relevant to CISA’s mission, while the agency provides information from domestic cyber incidents to support the Department of Defense.

The officials said the partnership disrupted an Iranian targeting of an election reporting website prior to the 2020 elections. CNMF notified CISA that an Iranian actor had access to the website. The agency then took action to mitigate the threat.

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Hitachi Vantara Federal Makes Multiple Leadership Appointments to Expand Public Sector Market Presence
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Hitachi Vantara Federal Makes Multiple Leadership Appointments to Expand Public Sector Market Presence

Hitachi Vantara Federal has selected three new leaders to further company expansion within the public sector market.

New appointees include Chris Garner, Melissa Hardt and Wendy Noker, who will serve as director of federal integrator sales, director of marketing and director of channel and alliances, respectively, Hitachi Vantara Federal announced from its Reston, Virginia headquarters on Wednesday.

“I am excited to welcome Chris, Melissa, and Wendy to the team. As we continue to embody excellence in comprehensive data management solutions for federal agencies, these three executives will help us drive revenue growth, strengthen partner relationships, and elevate our market presence,” said Mark Serway, president and CEO of Hitachi Vantara Federal.

He said that with their combined information technology, sales, marketing and strategic planning experience, the company newcomers will “undoubtedly play a key role” in propelling Hitachi Vantara Federal toward its next phase of success.

“We look forward to seeing the impact they will make as we move forward in our mission to support the Federal government’s data management needs,” said Serway.

Garner’s business expertise primarily centers information technology and sales, with a focus on creating and implementing strategic, value-driven IT products for both public and private sector markets. Most recently, he served as senior director of Proofpoint’s federal arm.

In his new position, Garner will contribute his experience in identifying and fostering relationships with systems integrator partners to drive revenue growth for Hitachi Vantara Federal.

Prior to joining the organization, Hardt served as chief owner and operator of Red Panda Marketing and vice president of demand generation at Bizzabo. Earlier in her career, she held marketing positions at Splunk, Oracle and SAP.

At Hitachi Vantara Federal, Hardt will leverage her extensive industry knowledge to oversee all marketing initiatives and revenue generating activities within the areas of customers, resellers, distributors and strategic alliances.

As director of channel and alliances, Noker will drive the design, management and execution of the company’s Channel, Distribution and Alliance Partner Programs. She will also be responsible for strategy spanning deal registration, sales engagement, partner training and partner enablement.

Noker previously held strategic planning and execution-focused technology industry roles at a number of companies, including VMware, Riverbed Technology and Qumulo.

All three appointees will report to Phil Fuster, chief revenue officer of Hitachi Vantara Federal.

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Frank Calvelli Assesses Performance of Space Acquisition Programs Through Scorecard
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Frank Calvelli Assesses Performance of Space Acquisition Programs Through Scorecard

Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisitions and integration, has concluded and submitted to Air Force Secretary and 2023 Wash100 awardee Frank Kendall his first “scorecard” on the performance of Space Force acquisition programs, Breaking Defense reported Tuesday.

A senior official with the Space Force told the publication the scorecard includes five acquisition programs that are in the “red” category or are struggling to meet the service’s requirements.

“The intent of the report was to provide a portfolio-level overview on Space Force programs and track year-over-year changes in the number of programs meeting their cost, schedule, and technical performance commitments,” Calvelli said in a statement to the website.

“Looking at the data, there is more work to be done to meet the desired cost and schedule results, and we continue to drive program management discipline in line with my nine acquisition tenets and simple formula for going fast in space acquisition,” he added.

In October, Calvelli released a memo outlining nine “space acquisition tenets” meant to transform the way the service procures space systems. These tenets include advancing the development of smaller satellites, getting the acquisition strategy correct and awarding contracts with realistic cost and schedule targets.

POC - 2023 Industrial Space Defense Summit

Calvelli will deliver a keynote speech at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2023 Industrial Space Defense Summit on Thursday, April 27. Click here to register for the upcoming event at Hilton-McLean.

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NIST Releases Strategy Paper for National Semiconductor Technology Center
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NIST Releases Strategy Paper for National Semiconductor Technology Center

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has issued a paper detailing its strategy and vision for a national center that seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership and competitiveness in semiconductor research, engineering, design and manufacturing in accordance with the CHIPS and Science Act.

The strategy paper outlines the three goals of the National Semiconductor Technology Center. The first is extending U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology through tech design and prototyping efforts, NIST said Tuesday.

The other two goals are reducing the time and cost of transitioning design concepts to commercialization and building and sustaining a semiconductor workforce development ecosystem.

“The NSTC will be an ambitious public-private consortium where government, industry, customers, suppliers, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and investors will come together to innovate, connect, and solve problems,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

The center will help facilitate access to process technologies and emerging materials, chiplet stockpile, design tools and digital assets and provide incubation support for startups and opportunity to take part in technical exchange, road mapping, industry grand challenges and workforce training programs.

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John Sherman Directs DOD Components & Services to Review Access Control, UAM Implementation
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John Sherman Directs DOD Components & Services to Review Access Control, UAM Implementation

John Sherman, chief information officer of the Department of Defense and a 2023 Wash100 awardee, has issued a memorandum directing DOD component agencies to assess their compliance with several measures for handling and protecting classified national security information.

CIOs at military services and component agencies should report to the department’s CIO through the CyberScope tool their implementation of least privilege and access control security controls, auditing capabilities and deployment of user activity monitoring by May 26, according to the memo signed by Sherman on Monday.

The directive also requires the services and components to report their compliance with cybersecurity controls outlined in Committee on National Security Systems Instruction 1253.

Sherman said his office will work with the undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security and the intelligence community CIO to guide the implementation of the measures on platforms that host sensitive compartmented information data.

The move came a week after DOD Secretary and 2023 Wash100 inductee Lloyd Austin issued a memo requiring component agencies to immediately assess their compliance with the department’s procedures and standards for safeguarding classified national security data.

POC - 4th Annual CIO Summit

Sherman will serve as one of the keynote speakers at the Potomac Officers Club’s 4th Annual CIO Summit on May 16. Click here to register for the upcoming event and hear government and industry CIOs as they share their insights on emerging technologies and efforts to address IT challenges facing their organizations.

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