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Pete Hegseth Shares New Details on Golden Dome
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DOD Secretary Pete Hegseth made new remarks on the Golden Dome for America project to defend against global missile threats.

Pete Hegseth, secretary of the Department of Defense and a 2025 Wash100 awardee, said DOD has developed a draft architecture and implementation plan for a next-generation missile defense shield called Golden Dome for America.

Golden Dome—A System of Systems

In a statement published Tuesday, Hegseth described Golden Dome as a “system of systems” that will include space-based interceptors and sensors designed to “protect our homeland from a wide range of global missile threats.”

“This historic investment builds on two of the Department of Defense’s three main objectives: rebuilding our military capability and re-establishing deterrence,” he noted.

In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to build the Golden Dome for America.

According to the defense secretary, Golden Dome is being designed in collaboration with North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Space Command and other DOD stakeholders to ensure interoperability and integration with the U.S. defense architecture.

Gen. Michael Guetlein to Lead Golden Dome Project

Breaking Defense reported Tuesday that Trump selected Gen. Michael Guetlein, vice chief of space operations in the U.S. Space Force and a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient, to lead the Golden Dome project, which will cost $175 billion.

Guetlein, the former head of Space Systems Command, called the project a “bold and aggressive approach” and noted that it was critical to “start doubling down on the protection of the homeland” against cruise missiles and other new threats.

The president expects Golden Dome to be “fully operational” by the end of his term in January 2029.

Gen. Guetlein will address an audience of first-rate GovCon execs at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31. Register now so you don’t miss what he has to say!

Industry & DOD Collaboration

“What’s exciting about this is it makes it available to everybody to participate, to compete. Big companies, mid-sized companies, small companies,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said during a briefing at the Oval Office.

According to Breaking Defense, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, noted that the missile defense project will consist of interceptors from large defense companies like Lockheed Martin and RTX’s Raytheon subsidiary.

According to a Reuters report, L3Harris Technologies, Palantir, Anduril, and SpaceX are other potential contractors for the Golden Dome initiative.

Pete Hegseth Shares New Details on Golden Dome
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FedRAMP Seeks Input on Draft Technical Assistance Document About Its Modernization
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Logo of FedRAMP

The FedRAMP Program Management Office has sought public comments on a draft interpretive technical assistance document for an Office of Management and Budget memorandum titled “Modernizing the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program.”

FedRAMP said the PMO will accept responses through June 15.

The OMB Memorandum M-24-15 updated the scope of FedRAMP and directed the publication of clarifying guidance to help agencies interpret the defined exclusion categories.

What Is the Purpose of the FedRAMP Scope Interpretation Technical Assistance?

The draft technical assistance offers additional technical nuance to support agency decision-making concerning categories of cloud services excluded from FedRAMP requirements. 

The draft document also provides interpretive guidance with examples for each of the five exclusion categories outlined in the OMB Memorandum M-24-15.

The five exclusion categories are single agency systems; social media and communications; search engines; widely available commercial information; and ancillary services. 

The draft technical assistance document provides key criteria that agencies can use when assessing cloud services, enabling them to focus resources on services that require FedRAMP authorization.

FedRAMP’s Request for Comment

The FedRAMP PMO is soliciting feedback on the clarity and conciseness of exclusion explanations and whether sections “When FedRAMP Doesn’t Apply” and “Key Tests” provide practical guidance for making determinations.

The office is also asking interested stakeholders if there are areas involving artificial intelligence or other emerging technologies that require additional information to inform agencies’ assessment of FedRAMP scope applicability.

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ODNI Wants to Improve Intelligence Procurement Process
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National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard has a plan to reform the contracting process within the intelligence community.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence wants to reform the way the U.S. intelligence community procures capabilities and streamline the contracting processes for unclassified open-source intelligence. 

At a recent event, Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence, shared that her office wants to implement acquisition reforms across the IC to save money and make sure that the government is “getting the most bang for the buck.” 

Gabbard’s Contracting Modernization Efforts

During the annual GEOINT Symposium in St. Louis, Missouri, Gabbard explained that archaic procurement laws are preventing the IC from meeting its objectives. 

“OSINT is an area of relatively new focus from Congress, but I’ve heard from many of you here today and those who are operating in different parts of the world, how we are, in this example, limiting our capabilities because of our own authorities that don’t allow for that access to integrate OSINT with the other intelligence capabilities that we have,” she told the audience. 

ODNI Wants to Improve Intelligence Procurement Process

Hear leaders from across the IC discuss opportunities and challenges at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Intel Summit on Oct. 2. Register for the in-person event here.

The official pointed to procurement reforms from Elbridge Colby, under secretary of defense, that open up government contracting to small companies and startups. Gabbard revealed that her office is also looking into bringing startup-made technologies that can be used across all elements of the IC without multiple layers of contractors and supervisors overseeing the program. 

Growing Demand for Intelligence

The intelligence leader also discussed new demands for GEOINT at U.S. borders as the government increases its focus on foreign cartels, which President Donald Trump recently labeled terrorist organizations. Gabbard added that there has not been intelligence collection for border protection. 

She said her office will work with other agencies and law enforcement to create a common operating picture. 

“We have local law enforcement, we have Customs and Border Patrol,” she noted. “They all have to be operating from that same picture in order for us to be effective, and we can’t have these silos [of] both information and intelligence, otherwise, we will not only waste a lot of time and money, but we will we will be creating more risk.”

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DAF Issues RFP for Human-Machine Teaming Decision Advantage Sprint
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Official seal of the U.S. Department of the Air Force

The Department of the Air Force Advanced Battle Management System Cross Functional Team and Air Force Research Laboratory, 711 Human Performance Wing, have issued a request for proposals for a Transformational Model–Battle Management Match Effectors Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-machine teaming.

According to the notice issued on SAM.gov Tuesday, the tentative date for the MEF DASH is July 21 to August 25. It will be held at the Howard Hughes Operations, or H2O, Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming Events

DASH events are designed to support the ABMS Transformational Model—Battle Management. They provide a platform for exploring and understanding various artificial intelligence and autonomy approaches aimed at enhancing command and control decision-making, which creates advantages in modern warfare.

One key objective of the DASH events is to boost military personnel’s involvement in the development of AI/autonomy. The warfighter can help identify specific areas where autonomy can significantly advance a joint all-domain, or JAD, battle manager. Furthermore, the events are meant to enhance industry collaboration. Teams are allowed to connect with industries involved in developing battle management autonomy functions.

DAF Issues RFP for Human-Machine Teaming Decision Advantage Sprint

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During the DASH event, software development teams observe a battle management crew making decisions in a simulated combat environment. The developers then build applications and microservices that enhance battle management decision-making using the Transformational Model and their own creativity. 

Battle management warfighters will collaborate with coders to provide operational feedback. The teams can then showcase their software after the event. The software will be evaluated for its effect on overall human-machine team decision-making. Teams selected to continue after the experiment phase will retain their intellectual property. Government stakeholders can analyze collected sprint data to develop and refine C2 software requirements.

Interested parties can submit their proposals until June 13.

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AUVSI Introduces Program to Standardize Training, Certification of UMS Operators
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AUVSI initiative to establish standardized training and certification for UMS operators, with support from the U.S. Navy.

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International has launched a new program designed to establish standardized training and certification for uncrewed maritime systems operators in commercial and defense missions.

The Trusted UMS Operator Program, unveiled at EXPONENTIAL 2025, was developed as a proactive solution to the increasing use of such systems across defense, commercial, environmental and energy sectors, AUVSI said Tuesday, noting that the early absence of unified standards created avoidable challenges in the drone industry.

NOAA, Navy Support Program Standard Creation

Along with the program launch, AUVSI introduced Safe Harbor Maritime, Chance Maritime Technologies, Saronic, Ocean Power Technologies, Black Sea Technologies and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as initial certified training providers. According to the nonprofit organization, the training providers demonstrated excellence in uncrewed maritime training and the capability to align curricula with the program standards developed with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Navy, particularly the Naval Oceanographic Office, which examined how to align its internal training programs to certify personnel under the Trusted UMS Operator framework.

Certifying sailors, marines and civilian operators through AUVSI’s Trusted UMS Operator Program could help ensure that every sailor has the latest training to operate the Navy’s unmanned systems fleet safely and effectively, said Jason McKenna, chief technology officer and deputy N8/N9 commander for the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. “Enhancing our warfighter and workforce proficiency directly contributes to the delivery of real-time, actionable environmental intelligence, which enables access, maximizes maneuver, and increases lethality.”

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ODNI Promotes Doug Cossa to Intel Community CIO Role
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The Office of the Director of National Intel has appointed Doug Cossa as intelligence community chief information officer.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has appointed IT leader Doug Cossa as the intelligence community chief information officer.

Cossa announced his promotion at ODNI in a LinkedIn post.

ODNI Promotes Doug Cossa to Intel Community CIO Role

Hear top IC officials and experts talk about the challenges, innovation initiatives and technologies shaping the future of American intelligence at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Intel Summit on Oct. 2. Save a spot for this big GovCon conference!

Doug Cossa’s Career Background

Cossa most recently served as acting IC CIO and primary IT adviser to the director of national intelligence. In this capacity, he managed the acquisition and performance of technology programs and directed the community’s information security policies and practices for national security systems.

He also served as CIO at the Defense Intelligence Agency, where he oversaw the delivery of IT services to the agency and managed the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System.

Before DIA, he held several leadership positions at ODNI, including director of mission integration division and chief of priorities and assessments.

Cossa previously worked at SAIC as senior program manager for overseas operations of the National Media Exploitation Center.

The James Madison University graduate additionally has a master’s degree in systems engineering from the Johns Hopkins University.

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Air Force Lays Groundwork for AI Center of Excellence
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The Department of the Air Force is making efforts to establish an AI center of excellence to speed up adoption.

The Department of the Air Force is establishing an Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence to help accelerate the adoption of AI-powered capabilities across the military branch, Federal News Network reported Friday.

Air Force Chief Data and AI Officer Susan Davenport’s office and Data and AI Board members will oversee the new center, which is expected to achieve initial operating capability by the end of 2025 and full operational capability by mid-2026.

What Is the Purpose of the Air Force AI Center of Excellence?

Venice Goodwine, the Air Force’s outgoing chief information officer and a two-time Wash100 awardee, said the new center will help ensure that the development and implementation of AI tools are mission-driven and coordinated.

“We’re establishing a Department of the Air Force Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence. And the reason we’re doing that is because AI has a continuum,” Goodwine said during her keynote at a May 7 conference in Baltimore.

“Yes, I can use AI for summarizing briefs in the legal world. I can use AI for productivity, but I also can use AI for AI-enabled autonomy. So when you have a continuum that broad, how do you make sure that the use cases, the tools that you use, the investment that you’re making enable the strategic objectives? The AI Center of Excellence in the Air Force is going to do that,” she added.

Air Force spokesperson Laura McAndrews told FNN that the new center will “shorten the timeline between prototype and mission adoption by bringing together the personnel, resources and authorities to create operational efficiencies, develop policy to break down barriers and speed AI adoption, while ensuring AI capabilities support Department of Defense priorities.”

Andrews added that the center will play a role in workforce development.

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DHS S&T Unveils Global Navigation Toolset to Protect Critical Infrastructure
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DHS S&T's new Global Navigation Satellite System Test Vector Suite aims to help safeguard critical infrastructure.

The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate has unveiled a new toolset designed to protect critical infrastructure.

DHS S&T said the Global Navigation Satellite System, or GNSS, Test Vector Suite and Distribution Methodology is now accessible on GitHub.

Enhancing PNT Systems

This initiative supports Executive Order 13905, which prioritizes positioning, navigation and timing, or PNT, systems for the energy, transportation and telecommunications sectors. The new resource enhances PNT systems, which rely on accurate GNSS signals, by reinforcing critical services against natural events, technical failures, cyber threats and other disruptions. It equips critical infrastructure owners and operators with the ability to independently assess and boost their system’s resilience through test scenarios that comply with assessment standards.

What Is the GNSS Test Vector Suite?

The GNSS Test Vector Suite is a collection of test scenarios and specialized tools designed to evaluate equipment performance when confronted with signal interference, spoofing attempts, and other challenges. Through the new toolset, developers and testers can generate simulated data and convert it into signals mimicking real-world GNSS systems. They can then feed the signals into designated GNSS devices or PNT equipment to assess how their systems handle simulated disruptions.

“Accurate and precise positioning, navigation and timing information is vital to the nation’s critical infrastructure and is the backbone of the many services we depend on daily, from keeping our lights on to ensuring planes land safely,” said Julie Brewer, acting under secretary for science and technology at DHS. “This new toolset gives people responsible for safeguarding these systems a way to independently test and strengthen them, ensuring our nation’s infrastructure is more secure against potential disruptions.”

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NNSA Builds First B61-13 Nuclear Gravity Bomb
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B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb

The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration has completed the first B61-13 gravity bomb unit designed to defeat hard and large-area military targets.

Part of the U.S. nuclear triad’s air leg and one of the seven ongoing warhead modernization programs at NNSA, the B61-13 nuclear weapon will only be certified for deployment by strategic bomber aircraft from bases in the continental United States, the DOE said Monday.

The latest B61 modification, manufactured using the same production capabilities that supported the B61-12, incorporates the latter’s modern safety, security and accuracy features.

Decades of Data-enabled Accelerated Production

The B61-13 was completed ahead of schedule, making the latest B61 nuclear weapon modification one of the fastest to transition from development to fielding since the Cold War.

DOE attributed the rapid B61-13 production to decades of B61 design and qualification data, which gave NNSA’s program managers and engineers confidence to accept calculated risks to accelerate the manufacturing process.

“Modernizing America’s nuclear stockpile is essential to delivering President Trump’s peace through strength agenda,” said Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “The remarkable speed of the B61-13’s production is a testament to the ingenuity of our scientists and engineers and the urgency we face to fortify deterrence in a volatile new age.

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GSA, Salesforce Partner to Reduce Slack Price, Enhance Government Productivity
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GSA has formed a OneGov agreement with Salesforce to reduce the price of Slack in an effort to help federal agencies.

The U.S. General Services Administration has entered into an agreement with Salesforce to reduce the price of Slack for federal agencies.

OneGov Initiative Meant to Empower Federal Agencies

GSA said Monday that the OneGov agreement enables the federal government to purchase Slack Enterprise Grid at a temporary 90 percent discount. In addition, each agency will be offered a 70 percent deduction for each user on Slack AI for Enterprise. The offer will be available until Nov. 30.

The OneGov agreement provides agencies with the tools to enhance productivity. It is designed to optimize IT procurement by setting prices based on total government purchasing volume. This unified model replaces fragmented discounts previously offered through individual agency deals. Furthermore, the agreement maximizes savings and reduces redundancy through consistent pricing and terms.

“GSA welcomes Salesforce’s commitment to work with the federal government as one customer,” said Josh Gruenbaum, GSA federal acquisition service commissioner and 2025 Wash100 Award winner. “These deals are a harbinger for the next phase, which is already underway, of longer term commitments from industry at discounted pricing in the new fiscal year and beyond,” continued Gruenbaum.

“Slack will help transform government operations by providing a secure, FedRAMP-authorized work operating system that accelerates decision-making and unifies agencies,” said Dave Rey, president of public sector at Salesforce. “Paired with Salesforce’s robust ecosystem, data processes and AI agents, Slack enables government agencies to enhance productivity and deliver citizen-focused outcomes with precision and speed,” he added.

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