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OPM Unveils US Tech Force to Accelerate Federal AI Implementation
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Artificial intelligence. OPM unveiled the U.S. Tech Force to recruit top technologists to advance federal AI adoption.

The Office of Personnel Management has launched a cross-government program that aims to recruit top technologists to advance artificial intelligence adoption and help the federal government address the most critical technological challenges.

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OPM said Monday it coordinated with the Office of Management and Budget, the White House Office of Science Technology and Policy, General Services Administration and other agencies to establish the U.S. Tech Force.

“GSA is proud to partner with OPM and the Trump Administration to answer the president’s call to fast-track AI adoption across the federal government,” said Josh Gruenbaum, commissioner of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service. “Tech Force will be a true force multiplier, creating a pathway to bring in top private-sector talent to help drive a new era of American AI leadership inside the federal government and deliver for the American taxpayers.”

“Tech Force is America’s elite corps for the AI revolution, mobilizing the nation’s best minds to lead on digital frontlines, defend our global edge and secure our future in technological leadership,” said Gregory Barbaccia, U.S. federal chief information officer. “It is a call to service for our nation’s best technologists to join a mission-critical corps that will ensure our competitiveness, modernize our government infrastructure and lead the world in innovation from education to medicine.”

Gruenbaum and Barbaccia are both 2025 Wash100 awardees.

What Is the US Tech Force?

The U.S. Tech Force aims to recruit early-career technologists to serve two-year employment terms in the federal government.

Participants will engage with industry leaders, receive technical training and work with senior managers from tech companies partnering with Tech Force.

The initiative is looking for individuals with expertise in AI, software engineering, data analytics, cybersecurity or technical project management.

According to OPM, Tech Force delivers on the White House’s AI Action Plan, which seeks to advance private sector innovation and give the federal government access to technical talent to accelerate tech modernization.

Who Are Tech Force’s Initial Private Sector Partners?

OPM said Tech Force’s initial partners in the private sector include Adobe, Amazon Web Services, Anduril, AMD, Apple, Box, C3.ai, Coinbase, Databricks, Dell Technologies, Docusign, Google Public Sector, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, Oracle, Palantir, Robinhood, Salesforce, SAP, ServiceNow, Snowflake, Synopsys, Uber, Workday, xAI and Zoom.

NobleReach Foundation will also help recruit technologists in support of the program, the company said Monday.

According to the agency, the list of partners will expand over time.

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Army Completes Data Center-as-a-Service Rollout at Joint Base Lewis-McChord
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The U.S. Army's official seal. The Army has implemented data center-as-a-service at its Washington installation

The U.S. Army has completed the implementation of a data center as-a-service, also known as DCaaS, for service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, or JBLM, in Washington state.

The U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command is expected to authorize JBLM’s move from the installation’s data center to the new environment in the coming days, the service said Monday.

Army Completes Data Center-as-a-Service Rollout at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

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How Did the Army Build a DCaaS at Joint Base Lewis-McChord?

The Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Enterprise Systems and Services, or ALTESS, product office within the Program Executive Office Enterprise built the compute and store stack that will provide a virtual computing environment for the JBLM.

ALTESS also equipped the JBLM’s data center with a backup generator, hot aisle containment system, 40-ton chillers and new flooring to enhance the facility’s efficiency and reliability for the installation’s area of responsibility.

“A lot of data passes through and is hosted by JBLM,” commented Barry Nichols, acting product lead for ALTESS. “By providing redundant power and cooling systems and a better space for IT equipment, we’re positively impacting the services soldiers get from that AOR.”

ALTESS also supports NETCOM’s DCaaS rollout and facility improvement at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr in Germany.

Why Is the Army Building a Shared IT Environment?

The effort is part of a service-wide initiative to transition to shared compute and store services in 2026.

A 2016 directive issued by then-Army-Secretary Eric Fanning called for the consolidation of 1,157 Army Enterprise Data Centers across the nation. According to A.J. Bognar, who led the service’s data center consolidation in 2017, the initiative is expected to increase efficiency and mission efficacy. 

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VA Unveils Plan to Restructure Veterans Health Administration to Cut Bureaucracy
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VA Secretary Douglas Collins. Collins said the VHA's "leadership structure is riddled with redundancies"

The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to reorganize the Veterans Health Administration, also known as VHA, to reduce bureaucracy, ensure a consistent policy application across medical facilities and improve healthcare for veterans.

The agency said Monday that it will reveal organizational and personnel changes in early 2026.

VA Unveils Plan to Restructure Veterans Health Administration to Cut Bureaucracy

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“The current VHA leadership structure is riddled with redundancies that slow decision making, sow confusion and create competing priorities,” VA Secretary Douglas Collins explained.

“Under a reorganized VHA, policymakers will set policy, regional leaders will focus on implementing those policies and clinical leaders will focus on what they do best: taking great care of Veterans,” the official added.

What Will Change at VHA?

Under the proposal, VHA Central Office will set policy goals and oversee financial management, compliance and oversight. Meanwhile, Operations Centers and Veterans Integrated Service Networks will translate that direction into operational, quality and performance standards for 1,300 VA medical facilities.

The department said the initiative is not a reduction in force and is not expected to significantly change overall staffing levels.

The changes will be implemented over 18 to 24 months.

Why Is the VA Restructuring?

The VA is undergoing a department-wide restructuring with plans to eliminate tens of thousands of positions, the majority of which are unfulfilled roles.

A report from the Washington Post Saturday revealed that the agency will eliminate as many as 35,000 healthcare positions, most of which were described as “unfilled jobs, including doctors, nurses and support staff.” VA is aiming to reduce its healthcare workforce to 372,000 employees, a 10-percent decrease compared to 2024.

VA spokesperson Pete Kasperowicz explained that the positions that will be eliminated are “mostly COVID-era roles that are no longer necessary.” He also assured veterans that the workforce reductions will not affect VA operations and the agency’s delivery of care.

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Treasury Seeks FedRAMP-Authorized Cloud Platform for FOIA & eDiscovery
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Treasury Department logo. Treasury issued sources sought for cloud platform to support FOIA and eDiscovery requests.

The Department of the Treasury, through the Internal Revenue Service, has initiated market research to explore the availability of a cloud-based platform that can handle Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, requests and eDiscovery activities.

What FOIA & eDiscovery Capabilities Is Treasury Seeking?

According to a sources sought notice published Monday on SAM.gov, Treasury plans to implement a department-wide blanket purchase agreement for a cloud platform capable of streamlining the processing of electronically stored information, or ESI. It seeks to adopt advanced commercial technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and analytics, to enhance transparency, optimize operations and reduce FOIA backlogs across all bureaus.

The platform must be authorized under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program to support the full lifecycle of information requests, from intake and processing to review, redaction, production and archival. It must also comply with the Federal Information Security Modernization Act, Section 508 requirements and Treasury cybersecurity directives. Responses are due by Dec. 30.

Why Does Treasury Need a Centralized Cloud-Based Platform?

The platform is intended to address operational inefficiencies and compliance gaps in the Treasury’s management of vast volumes of ESI across 50 bureaus. It will replace fragmented FOIA and eDiscovery systems that drive redundant investments, inconsistent compliance and workflow challenges, enhancing transparency and department-wide regulatory adherence.

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Ravi Dankanikote Returns to SAIC as Chief Growth Officer
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Ravi Dankanikote. The GovCon veteran is returning to SAIC as chief growth officer after a short stint at Peraton.

Ravi Dankanikote, an Executive Mosaic 4×24 Leadership Series member, is returning to SAIC as chief growth officer after spending four months at Peraton, SAIC announced Tuesday.

Dankanikote, in this role, will oversee SAIC’s enterprise growth plans and go-to-market strategy. He was previously SAIC’s senior vice president for business development from 2021 until August, when he left for Peraton to become chief growth officer.

Who Is Ravi Dankanikote?

Prior to coming to SAIC in 2021, Dankanikote spent 27 years at CACI in various positions, including senior vice president for business development and vice president of operations. He’ll report to SAIC interim chief Jim Reagan.

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“Ravi doesn’t just know SAIC, he knows the industry,” Reagan said. “He is deeply attuned to industry trends and the transformation that is occurring right now in the market in terms of what customers want and how they want to purchase it. He is the right choice to lead our business development and growth strategy.”

Dankanikote holds a master of science degree in computer science from Shippensburg University and a bachelor of engineering degree from R.V. College of Engineering in Bangalore, India.

“SAIC’s market leadership, deep mission expertise and world-class talent uniquely position us to shape the future of national security,” Dankanikote said. “By fusing cutting-edge commercial innovation with trusted delivery customers, we have a powerful opportunity to drive mission outcomes, accelerate modernization and deliver sustainable growth for all stakeholders.”

Ravi Dankanikote Returns to SAIC as Chief Growth Officer
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Coast Guard Forms New Division to Oversee Maritime Nuclear Policy
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U.S. Coast Guard logo. USCG established the Maritime Nuclear Policy Division.

The U.S. Coast Guard has formed the Maritime Nuclear Policy Division within the Office of Design and Engineering Standards as part of its Force Design 2028 initiative, which aims to modernize the service’s organizational structure and improve mission readiness.

What Are the Responsibilities of the Coast Guard’s Maritime Nuclear Policy Division?

The Coast Guard said Friday the new division will serve as the primary point of contact for developing and implementing policies to ensure the safe and secure integration of nuclear technology into the Marine Transportation System.

The division will also develop a comprehensive framework of standards and requirements to guide the safe adoption of modern nuclear reactors and other advanced technologies.

In addition to policy development, the Maritime Nuclear Policy Division will partner with federal agencies, industry and the International Maritime Organization to update agreements and regulations regarding maritime nuclear advancements.

The new organization will also maintain relationships with nuclear industry leaders, national laboratories and academia to stay informed of reactor tech advancements and maritime applications.

“The creation of the Maritime Nuclear Policy Division ensures the Coast Guard is fully engaged with stakeholders so we can safely integrate maritime nuclear technology, while also maintaining a security posture through coordination with other agencies” said Rear Adm. Wayne Arguin, assistant commandant for prevention policy. “Staying aligned with industry and federal agencies is critical to promote and safeguard the maritime sector.”

The new division marks the latest organizational development at the Coast Guard in support of Force Design 2028. In August, the service launched a new program executive office for robotics and autonomous systems.

In September, the Coast Guard established the new Office of Coordination, Programming and Accountability and the Futures Development and Integration Directorate, which will serve as the central hub to advance the modernization of capabilities.

What Is Force Design 2028?

Unveiled in April, Force Design 2028 aims to serve as the Coast Guard’s blueprint that would ensure the service’s readiness for future national requirements. It focuses on four campaigns: people; organization; acquisition and contracting; and technology.

The acquisition and contracting campaign, for instance, aims to establish a system that will accelerate the delivery of capabilities needed by the Coast Guard to accomplish its mission. Efforts under this campaign include the elimination of acquisition bureaucracy and the development of a contract tracking system for improved transparency and accountability. 

The technology campaign aims to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Coast Guard through the adoption of secure technologies.

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OMB Memo Outlines Contractual Requirements to Ensure Compliance With Unbiased AI Principles
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Artificial intelligence. An OMB memo details contractual requirements to ensure that LLMs comply with unbiased AI principles.

The Office of Management and Budget has released a memorandum outlining contractual requirements to ensure that large language models, or LLMs, procured by the federal government comply with unbiased artificial intelligence principles.

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In the seven-page memo dated Thursday, OMB Director Russell Vought wrote that the executive order signed in July identifies two unbiased AI principles. According to the EO, LLMs must be “truth-seeking” by prioritizing historical accuracy, objectivity and scientific inquiry and have “ideological neutrality” by not integrating partisan or ideological judgments into a model’s outputs.

What Are OMB’s Contractual Requirements for Agencies Procuring LLMs?

According to the memo, agencies must secure sufficient information from the vendor to determine whether an LLM complies with unbiased AI principles.

OMB noted that agencies should avoid requirements that force a vendor to divulge specific model weights and other sensitive technical data.

In LLM solicitations, OMB directs agencies to request information from a vendor, including acceptable use policy; information about the model, system or data cards; end user resources; and mechanism for end user feedback.

For enhanced LLM transparency, agencies may seek additional information regarding pre-training and post-training activities, model evaluations, enterprise-level controls and third-party modifications.

According to OMB, agencies must update their procedures and policies by March 11 to ensure that LLM procurement contracts include contractual requirements addressing compliance with unbiased AI principles.

How Does the New OMB Memo Build on the AI Action Plan?

The latest OMB memo delivers on the AI Action Plan released by the White House in July. The plan outlines over 90 federal policy actions across three pillars: accelerating AI innovation; building American AI infrastructure; and leading in international AI diplomacy and security. One of the recommended policy actions cited in the document is to update federal procurement guidelines to ensure that agencies only deal with frontier LLM developers that ensure that their offerings “are objective and free from top-down ideological bias.”

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Texas Lawmakers Propose GUARD Act to Boost Defense AI Capabilities
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An image of Capitol Hill representing the U.S. legislation. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz proposed a new AI legislation

Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, have introduced a bill that aims to strengthen artificial intelligence research and development and create an AI-ready workforce.

Called the Growing University AI for Defense, or GUARD, Act, tasks the Department of War to establish and oversee a National Security and Defense AI Institute, Cornyn’s office said Friday.

Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, will introduce the GUARD Act’s companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Texas Lawmakers Propose GUARD Act to Boost Defense AI Capabilities

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What Is the GUARD Act?

According to Cornyn, the GUARD Act’s proposed AI institute is expected to accelerate the adoption and integration of advanced technologies for defense and intelligence missions and ensure that the United States will maintain a decision-advantage over adversaries.

The National Security AI Institute, specifically, will serve as a testbed for AI-powered capabilities and support reliable AI.

Cruz added that the bill will expand AI research and talent development at senior military colleges and Department of War universities.

“The Chinese Communist Party poses the most significant national security risk to the United States over the next century, and allowing the CCP to win the race to AI would be catastrophic for American interests,” he warned. “Winning that race requires developing a skilled AI workforce here in the United States, which in turn requires teaching core AI skills to students and strengthening U.S.-oriented AI capabilities.”

Cruz also introduced the Strengthening Artificial Intelligence Normalization and Diffusion By Oversight and eXperimentation, or SANDBOX, Act in September to establish principles that would guide Congress’ actions on AI. 

How Will the GUARD Act Support America’s AI Goals?

The GUARD Act is in line with President Donald Trump’s AI Action Plan, which the White House unveiled in July to achieve U.S. leadership in AI. The AI Action Plan called for Senior Military Colleges to become hubs for AI R&D and talent pipeline.

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DOT to Deploy Salesforce’s AI Platform Agentforce for More Efficient Transportation Services
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Salesforce's logo. Salesforce will provide DOT with its Agentforce AI agents

The Department of Transportation is adopting Salesforce’s artificial intelligence agent platform Agentforce to deliver round-the-clock support to the public, generate alerts and proposed mitigation strategies for traffic incidents, and create an overall more efficient transportation system.

Salesforce said Thursday that Agentforce’s intelligent AI agents will assist agency employees by automating manual tasks across the agency.

“To deliver on our mission of building a safe, efficient, and modern transportation system, we have to start with making technology our biggest asset,” Pavan Pidugu, chief digital and information officer of DOT, stated. “We needed to make a strategic shift to deliver on our mission: adding AI at the core of everything we’re doing. Now, we’re not just deploying new technology, we’re empowering our agency to work more effectively and, most importantly, ensuring the safety and future of our country’s transportation system.”

DOT to Deploy Salesforce's AI Platform Agentforce for More Efficient Transportation Services

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How Will Salesforce’s Agentforce Modernize the US Transportation System?

According to Salesforce, Agentforce’s AI agents will be in charge of responding to citizen complaints or guiding the public when accessing government services.

The platform will also analyze datasets including weather, traffic trends and historical incident data to reduce transportation accidents.

Additionally, Agentforce will review grant applications, verify compliance, flag missing information and draft approval recommendations for human review. The approach is intended to accelerate the release of federal funding for transportation and infrastructure projects.

Salesforce launched Agentforce for Public Sector in August. The company is also offering its Slack AI for Enterprise at a discounted price for federal agencies under a OneGov agreement with the General Services Administration.

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NASA Issues RFI Seeking AI Technologies for Earth-Independent Space Operations
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Planets in Space. NASA has issued a request for information seeking AI technologies for Earth-independent space operations.

NASA has issued a request for information for the development of autonomous human spaceflight technologies for Earth Independent Operations, or EIO, Anomaly Response.

NASA Issues RFI Seeking AI Technologies for Earth-Independent Space Operations

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What Is the Scope of NASA’s EIO Partnerships in Anomaly RFI?

According to the special notice published Friday on SAM.gov, NASA’s Mars Campaign Office, known as MCO, within the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate is seeking domestic organizations, including industry, academia, small businesses and minority institutions, capable of delivering advanced onboard systems that allow crews to detect and interpret anomalous spacecraft behavior in real time.
This RFI specifically targets technologies in the “Anomaly Response” portfolio of projects, which focuses on the use of novel computing methods including artificial intelligence and machine learning methods to support both crew-led diagnostics for known and unknown faults, infer fault causes, predict downstream impacts and time to effect with uncertainty, and support crew-led response planning to ensure safety and mission success during future Mars missions, where communication delays can exceed 40 minutes round trip.

Respondents should demonstrate the ability to generate and prioritize diagnostic hypotheses. MCO requests descriptions of mature capabilities across multiple data sources that enable the creation and validation of novel procedures when no preapproved options exist. These capabilities must present clear, explainable diagnostic and procedural information to support crew decision-making under time-critical, high-stress conditions. NASA notes these anomaly response capabilities could also benefit aviation, energy and manufacturing sectors.

When Are Responses Due to the NASA EIO Partnerships in Anomaly RFI?

Responses are due Jan. 26.

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