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DCSA Launches Mentor-Protege Program to Boost Small Business Participation in Defense Supply Chain
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Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency logo. DCSA has joined the Department of War Mentor-Protege Program

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency has announced its participation in the Department of War’s Mentor-Protege Program, an initiative that connects small businesses with established defense contractors.

DCSA said Monday that its Office of Small Business Programs and Industry Engagements will manage the agency’s execution of the program. The effort, funded by the Department of War Office for Industrial Base Growth, aims to expand small-business participation in defense supply chains.

How Will DCSA’s Mentor-Protege Program Support Small Businesses?

Through the program, small companies can enter into partnership agreements with experienced defense contractors that serve as mentors.

Protege firms can build technical capabilities, gain business development expertise and improve their ability to compete for federal contracts. Meanwhile, mentor companies benefit by developing new subcontractors to support major defense programs and strengthen supply chain capacity.

Ruby Crenshaw-Lawrence, chief of DCSA’s Office of Small Business Programs and Industry Engagements, said the initiative supports national security priorities.

“DCSA’s participation in the Department of War’s Mentor-Protege Program will expand and enhance our contributions to a national security priority: growing a capable, secure and resilient Defense Industrial Base,” she stated. “By facilitating the industrial partnerships that the program fosters, we are not only developing small businesses but also strengthening our supply chains and ensuring the Department of War has access to the innovative solutions needed to protect our nation.”

How Can Companies Apply for the DCSA Mentor-Protege Program?

DCSA posted a broad agency announcement on SAM.gov outlining program eligibility requirements, application procedures and submission guidelines for companies interested in participating.

The program is structured as a two-phase submission process. In Phase 1, companies interested in participating in the program must submit a white paper summarizing technical and cost information. For Phase 2, selected applicants will submit a full Technical and cost Proposal and Letters of Endorsement.

White paper submissions for Phase 1 are due March 29.

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DOT, FAA Select 8 Projects for Advanced Air Mobility Integration, eVTOL Program
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DOT's Sean Duffy. DOT and FAA unveiled the projects to take part in the AAM and eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.

The Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration have chosen eight projects to take part in the Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing, or eVTOL, Integration Pilot Program, an initiative designed to test advanced aircraft operations.

What Is the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program?

The eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, or eIPP, aims to support the integration of advanced air mobility aircraft into the national airspace, the Transportation Department said Monday. The initiative, outlined in the Unleashing Drone Dominance executive order, seeks to advance testing of emerging aviation technologies and help the FAA develop new regulations to enable these technologies at scale.

“The United States will lead the way, and doing so will cement America’s status as a global leader in transportation innovation. That means more high-paying manufacturing jobs and economic opportunity. By safely testing the deployment of these futuristic air taxis and other AAM vehicles, we can fundamentally improve how the traveling public and products move,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Which Proposals Were Selected for eIPP?

The eight projects pair state and local transportation authorities with industry manufacturers, including Ampaire, Archer, BETA, Electra, Elroy Air, Joby, Reliable Robotics and Wisk. The initiatives cover a range of operational concepts, including urban air taxi services, regional passenger transportation, cargo and logistics networks, emergency medical response operations and autonomous flight technologies.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will test 12 operational concepts across New England, including eVTOL passenger service at the Manhattan heliport, while the Texas Department of Transportation will develop regional air taxi routes connecting Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and potentially Houston. Other efforts include multistate aircraft testing led by Utah, expanded regional flights from Pennsylvania, offshore cargo and personnel transport trials in Louisiana, a statewide cargo and medical response initiative in Florida, medical and autonomous flight operations led by North Carolina and early autonomous flight testing in Albuquerque.

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NIST Report Examines Barriers to Monitoring Deployed AI Systems
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Artificial intelligence. NIST researchers identify barriers to post-deployment AI monitoring.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released a new report examining the difficulties organizations face when monitoring artificial intelligence systems after deployment, an increasingly important issue as AI tools are adopted across government and industry.

Published on Monday, the “NIST AI 800-4: Challenges to the Monitoring of Deployed AI Systems” was developed by the Center for AI Standards and Innovation following practitioner workshops and an extensive literature review aimed at mapping the emerging landscape of post-deployment AI monitoring, an area the agency says remains fragmented despite growing demand for real-world oversight of AI technologies.

NIST Report Examines Barriers to Monitoring Deployed AI Systems

The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18 will bring together federal, defense and GovCon leaders to discuss the policies, standards and operational considerations shaping AI adoption across government. Register now to hear keynotes and practitioner-led panels on deploying AI responsibly and scaling emerging technologies in mission environments.

Why Monitoring AI Systems Matters

According to NIST, AI systems behave differently from traditional software because they can evolve, degrade or produce unexpected outputs over time. These characteristics make continuous monitoring essential for ensuring systems operate as intended once deployed.

The report notes that post-deployment monitoring can help organizations detect issues such as performance drift, security vulnerabilities and unintended impacts on users, all of which could undermine trust in AI technologies.

What Are the Key Monitoring Categories?

Researchers identified six major categories of AI monitoring that organizations should consider when evaluating deployed systems:

  • Functionality: Tracks performance to ensure the system consistently executes its intended tasks.
  • Operations: Monitors infrastructure health and service reliability.
  • Human factors: Evaluates user interaction, output transparency and the practical utility of AI insights.
  • Security: Identifies vulnerabilities to adversarial attacks or unauthorized misuse.
  • Compliance: Ensures adherence to evolving regulations, industry standards and internal governance.
  • Societal impact: Assesses the large-scale consequences of AI deployment.

What Challenges Did Researchers Identify?

Despite growing interest in monitoring AI systems, the report identifies multiple obstacles that complicate implementation.

Among the key challenges are limited research on human-AI feedback loops, fragmented system logging across distributed infrastructure and difficulty detecting performance degradation over time.

Researchers also point to broader systemic barriers, including the absence of widely accepted standards for monitoring tools, limited mechanisms for sharing incident information and a shortage of qualified AI specialists.

NIST said the findings highlight areas where further research and collaboration could strengthen oversight practices.

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Gavin Kliger Named Pentagon Chief Data Officer
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Gavin Kliger. The former Databricks technical staff member has been named the Department of War's chief data officer.

The Department of War has appointed Gavin Kliger, a former Databricks technical staff member, as chief data officer to help oversee and execute DOW’s artificial intelligence initiatives.

Gavin Kliger Named Pentagon Chief Data Officer

Attend Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18 to hear from Kliger’s new collaborator in AI innovation at DOW, Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer Cameron Stanley. Register today to secure your spot and join fellow leaders for this timely discussion.

How Will Kliger Oversee DOW’s AI Strategy?

In a post on X published Friday, DOW said Kliger will focus on aligning and managing the day-to-day execution of the department’s AI initiatives while working with frontier AI labs to support military operations.

He will also help ensure AI projects maintain strategic direction, secure access to critical defense data and accelerate the delivery of advanced capabilities to warfighters.

Kliger said the U.S. is in global competition for military AI leadership and must build on its current capabilities to maintain an advantage over potential adversaries.

“My mission is to integrate the unparalleled innovation of America’s private sector with the Department’s operational expertise to rapidly deliver advanced AI capabilities to our warfighters. By driving pace-setting projects with wartime urgency, we will ensure cutting-edge technology translates into decisive battlefield advantages for the United States,” he added.

In January, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, a 2026 Wash100 winner, issued a memorandum to establish a departmentwide strategy to accelerate AI adoption and experimentation.

Who Is Gavin Kliger?

According to the DOW post, Kliger most recently served on Hegseth’s DOGE DOW team, where he helped launch the department’s enterprise AI platform, GenAI.mil. He also contributed to the department’s Drone Dominance program.

Before joining the Pentagon, he was a senior adviser to the director for technology and delivery at the Office of Personnel Management, according to his LinkedIn profile.

The University of California, Berkeley graduate previously served as a senior software engineer at Databricks.

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Navy Christens 6th Ship in Expeditionary Sea Base Program
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U.S. Navy logo. The Navy christened Military Sealift Command’s sixth ship in the Expeditionary Sea Base program.

The U.S. Navy on Saturday christened USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (ESB 8), the Military Sealift Command’s sixth and final ship in the Expeditionary Sea Base program, during a ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, DVIDS reported. 

Navy Christens 6th Ship in Expeditionary Sea Base Program

The christening of USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. highlights the Navy’s continued investment in flexible maritime platforms and the evolving capabilities that support modern naval operations. Industry and government leaders will explore the latest capabilities and the future of naval strategy at the 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27. Sign up today to book your spot!

Family members of the ship’s namesake joined Navy leaders, Marine Corps officials and shipyard personnel to mark the milestone ahead of the vessel’s entry into service.

“We look forward to welcoming USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. into our operational family, where it will play a critical role in how the Navy adapts, innovates, and fights,” said Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, commander of Military Sealift Command.

Vice Adm. John F. G. Wade, commander of the U.S. Third Fleet, said the ship carries forward the legacy of its namesake and will support missions that strengthen deterrence and reassure allies.

Who Was Hector A. Cafferata Jr.?

The ship honors U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Hector A. Cafferata Jr., who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War’s Battle of Chosin Reservoir in November 1950.

According to his Medal of Honor citation, Cafferata defended his unit against a regimental-sized enemy force during the battle and protected wounded Marines by throwing away a live grenade that had landed among them, sustaining severe injuries.

What Are the Capabilities and Features of ESB 8?

USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. is designed to support aviation mine countermeasure and special operations force missions. The vessel incorporates four primary capabilities: aviation, command and control, berthing and equipment staging area.

The ship features a flight deck and hangar space with two aviation operating spots capable of supporting MH-53E Sea Dragon-equivalent helicopters. It also includes workspaces, accommodations and ordnance storage for embarked forces, along with enhanced command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems. A reconfigurable mission deck allows the vessel to stage equipment such as mine countermeasure sleds and rigid-hull inflatable boats.

What Is ESB Ship?

According to General Dynamics, the ESB ship class is a flexible maritime platform designed to support multiple sea-based missions. These ships serve as mobile bases at sea and are part of the Navy’s access infrastructure that enables the deployment of forces, equipment and supplies while supporting operational capabilities.

Each ESB vessel measures approximately 784 feet in length and includes a 52,000-square-foot flight deck designed to support aircraft such as MH-53, MH-60, H1 and MV-22.

Five ships in the program have already been delivered to the Navy: USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3); USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4); USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5); USS John L. Canley (ESB 6); and USNS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7).

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Air Force Seeks Industry Input on Stand-in Attack Weapon Missile System
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US Air Force logo. The Air Force issued a sources sought notice for missile systems that could support the SiAW program.

The U.S. Air Force is seeking industry feedback on potential missile systems that could support the Stand-in Attack Weapon, or SiAW, program, as part of market research for a future acquisition effort.

In a sources sought notice posted on SAM.gov on Wednesday, the service said it is seeking companies that can provide an All-Up-Round missile system and associated software and hardware, logistics elements, training systems and verification tools compatible with SiAW launch platforms and infrastructure. Responses are due March 19.

Air Force Seeks Industry Input on Stand-in Attack Weapon Missile System

Leaders from the U.S. Air and Space Forces and industry will gather at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30 to examine evolving requirements in the air and space domains. The event will include keynote remarks and panel discussions focused on operational challenges and technology integration. Register now!

What Capabilities Is the Air Force Seeking?

According to the notice, the Air Force is evaluating missile concepts designed to operate in contested environments and strike mobile targets at extended standoff ranges.

Potential systems should feature advanced targeting capabilities, including anti-radiation seekers capable of engaging modern radar systems, such as frequency-agile and low-probability-of-intercept emitters. The service is also interested in weapons capable of engaging ballistic and other non-cooperative targets.

Other requirements include electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities, with anti-jamming protections and the ability to re-attack targets if necessary.

The Air Force said the systems should be compatible with current and future aircraft platforms, including the F-35, F-16, F-47 and B-21, and designed using open architecture standards to enable future upgrades and integration.

Production and Program Timeline

The service is also evaluating the industry’s ability to support production volumes of up to 600 AUR missiles per year, with the anticipated program period expected to run approximately four years from contract award through 2030, supporting Lot 1 production and delivery.

The SiAW program office is executing a middle tier acquisition rapid prototyping phase as it develops next-generation strike capabilities for operations against advanced air defense systems.

What Is the SiAW Program?

The Air Force’s SiAW effort focuses on developing an air-to-surface missile designed to attack relocatable targets in anti-access and area-denial environments.

In December 2025, the Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a contract worth up to $100 million to support SiAW subsystem development.

Earlier work on the program includes a $705 million contract awarded to the company in 2023 to use digital engineering approaches to design and deliver SiAW systems.

According to the Air Force’s fiscal year 2024 budget documents, the service plans to procure between 400 and 3,000 SiAW missiles with a projected program value of about $8.4 billion through fiscal 2028.

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DOE Expands Advanced Reactor Programs With Nuclear Energy Launch Pad
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Department of Energy logo. DOE launched a new initiative to accelerate advanced nuclear reactor deployments

The Department of Energy has introduced the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad, a new initiative to speed up the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.

The Idaho National Laboratory said Thursday that the Launch Pad builds on DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program and Fuel Line Pilot Program to expand authorization for nuclear technologies as they move toward commercial deployment. 

“Through this initiative, developers can access infrastructure, expertise and services essential for the siting, construction and operation of their nuclear facilities,” Rian Bahran, deputy assistant secretary for nuclear reactors at DOE.

The Reactor Pilot Program and Fuel Line Pilot Program were created to accelerate advanced reactor demonstrations and strengthen the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain. To date, DOE has accepted 11 projects into the Reactor Pilot Program and nine into the Fuel Line Pilot Program.

What Is the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad?

The Nuclear Energy Launch Pad provides streamlined pathways for nuclear developers to test and deploy advanced reactor and fuel technologies.

The initiative will support projects involving advanced reactors, fuel fabrication, enrichment, recycling and other nuclear innovations. DOE said the program aims to reduce commercialization risks by offering flexible regulatory frameworks and technical support to developers.

The Launch Pad offers two participation pathways: Launch Pad INL and Launch Pad USA.

Launch Pad INL will provide developers access to INL’s infrastructure, utilities and nuclear expertise. Launch Pad USA will allow companies to demonstrate technologies at other DOE facilities, national laboratories or nonfederal sites.

NRIC plans to release the first request for applications in the coming months.

Why Is the Federal Government Accelerating Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies?

The initiative aligns with a May 2025 executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors to support national security.

The order highlights the need for resilient energy sources for critical defense facilities, military installations and national laboratories. Advanced nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors and microreactors serve as reliable power sources capable of supporting energy-intensive, mission-critical capabilities, the White House said.

The initiative also aligns with the Genesis Mission, a national effort to accelerate innovation in energy, discovery science and national security programs. In February, DOE identified nuclear energy as one of the key focus areas of the Genesis Mission.

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C5ISR Center Developing Folded Lightweight Annular Telescope for Drones
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C5ISR Center logo. The U.S. Army's C5ISR Center is developing the Folded Lightweight Annular Telescope.

The U.S. Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or C5ISR, Center is developing the Folded Lightweight Annular Telescope, or FLAT, to provide high-resolution imaging for unmanned aerial systems at extended ranges.

C5ISR Center Developing Folded Lightweight Annular Telescope for Drones

The C5ISR Center’s FLAT project highlights the Army’s transformation priorities as it works toward its 2030 goals. Gain more insights on the service’s modernization initiatives at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Army Summit on June 18. Save your seat now!

What Is the Folded Lightweight Annular Telescope Project?

The FLAT initiative is led by the C5ISR Center under the Combat Capabilities Development Command, the Army said Thursday. The project applies electro-optic and infrared research to support emerging UAS operational requirements. FLAT utilizes a reflective telescopic design combined with precision mirror fabrication to create compact, low-cost payloads for small drones.

How Does FLAT Boost Battlefield Awareness?

According to optical engineer Brian Kellermeyer, the system delivers higher image definition compared to currently fielded hardware. When integrated with aided target recognition algorithms, the technology enhances the ability to locate and avoid threats in contested environments.

“These optics deliver much higher definition images and superior performance at extended ranges than currently fielded capabilities when coupled with aided target recognition algorithms for rapid search and cueing, increasing Soldier lethality and situational awareness,” Kellermeyer said.

How Will the Technology Transition to Industry?

The C5ISR Center can transition the technology directly to multiple vendors because the government leads the FLAT program and retains design rights. The center works with industry through cooperative research and development agreements, Small Business Innovation Research and manufacturing technology partnerships.

Looking ahead, prototypes of small FLAT payloads are scheduled for field demonstrations and operational experimentation in 2026. Once packaged into a gimbal-based sensor suite, the technology could be listed on the UAS Marketplace, allowing the Department of War and interagency users to identify and procure validated equipment.

Supporting Broader Drone Efforts

The FLAT project complements the Army’s wider initiatives to accelerate unmanned and counter-UAS capabilities. Programs such as the xTechOverwatch competition, launched in 2025 to identify AI and sensor technologies for autonomous systems, and the counter-drone online marketplace that reached initial operational capability in February, are helping transition emerging technologies into deployable systems.

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Trump Cyber Strategy Outlines Offensive Posture, Federal Network Security Push
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White House. Trump’s cyber strategy calls for modernizing federal networks and securing critical infrastructure.

The Trump administration has released its cyber strategy, outlining a government-wide effort to strengthen national cyber defenses while expanding offensive capabilities to counter foreign threats.

The strategy, published by the White House on Friday, calls for greater coordination between federal agencies and the private sector, emphasizing investment in advanced technologies and the use of U.S. cyber capabilities to defend national interests.

By utilizing every instrument of national power, the administration intends to “act swiftly, deliberately, and proactively to disable cyber threats.”

Trump Cyber Strategy Outlines Offensive Posture, Federal Network Security Push

Government and industry leaders will gather at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21 to discuss federal cybersecurity priorities, emerging threats and implementation challenges. Register now.

What Are the Key Pillars of Trump’s Cyber Strategy?

The strategy outlines six policy pillars designed to guide federal cybersecurity priorities and implementation:

  • Shaping adversary behavior, including using the full suite of defensive and offensive cyber operations to disrupt hostile networks and deter attacks against U.S. systems.
  • Streamlining cybersecurity regulations to reduce industry compliance burdens while aligning regulatory requirements with evolving threats.
  • Modernizing federal government networks, including by adopting zero trust architecture, post-quantum cryptography and artificial intelligence-enabled cybersecurity tools to improve threat detection and system resilience.
  • Strengthening protections for critical infrastructure sectors by securing supply chains and reducing reliance on technology vendors considered potential security risks.
  • Protecting national intellectual advantage, securing the AI technology stack and promoting innovation in AI security, and advancing secure blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies to sustain superiority in critical and emerging technologies.
  • Taking advantage of programs aimed at developing the cybersecurity workforce, citing the need for a stronger talent pipeline across government, industry and academia.

How Does It Compare With the Biden Cyber Strategy?

The Trump strategy builds on several priorities also outlined in the Biden administration’s 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy, including securing critical infrastructure and strengthening federal network defenses.

However, the new framework places a stronger emphasis on offensive cyber operations, deregulation, deterrence and national security. The new strategy will guide future policy actions and resourcing through follow-on policy vehicles.

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FedRAMP Proposes Program Certification Framework for Cloud Providers
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FedRAMP logo. FedRAMP has outlined a new program certification framework for cloud service providers.

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program has outlined a new program certification framework for cloud service providers while preparing to retire the FedRAMP Ready designation as part of upcoming rule changes scheduled for release in 2026.

FedRAMP Proposes Program Certification Framework for Cloud Providers

The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22 will explore federal IT modernization efforts and advancements in AI, cybersecurity and user experience. Register now!

Why Is FedRAMP Creating a Program Certification Path?

The program said Saturday the proposal stems from challenges faced by cloud providers that invested in the FedRAMP Rev5 agency authorization process but lost or could not secure an agency sponsor due to government staffing and budget constraints. Traditionally, a full Rev5 security assessment requires extensive review.

FedRAMP has relied on government agencies to conduct these reviews since the program lacks the staffing and funding to evaluate every assessment directly. The new approach, called FedRAMP 20x, aims to reduce the initial review workload so FedRAMP can handle certain assessments itself while expanding capacity if additional funding becomes available.

How Will the New Certification Framework Work?

Under the updated structure, FedRAMP authorizations will be renamed FedRAMP certifications, and the program will shift from impact levels to certification classes. Certifications will be available through two pathways: agency authorization and program certification. The agency authorization path requires an agency sponsor to support the review process, while the program certification path allows FedRAMP to review a cloud product without a sponsor, though availability will be more limited.

The changes will be published by June, preceding the retirement of the FedRAMP Ready designation on July 28. They will be applicable to all cloud service providers from Dec. 31, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028. Providers currently pursuing FedRAMP Ready will be able to convert their existing progress toward obtaining a Class A FedRAMP Certification.

What Are the Stages for Program Certification Implementation?

The rollout will occur in designated stages, beginning with the availability of Class A certifications for current FedRAMP Ready providers. Stage 2 will expand to Class B and C certifications for providers that met specific criteria between January 2025 and March 2026, such as being “In Process” or having completed a full security assessment. A tentative third stage aims to open certifications to providers using external security frameworks that are highly compatible with Rev5 requirements.

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