/
NIST Names 4 New Awardees to Operate Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers
Published on
NIST Names 4 New Awardees to Operate Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has selected four organizations to run manufacturing extension partnership centers in four states under separate cooperative agreements.

NIST said Monday the awards, which have a cumulative value of nearly $19.8 million, include a cost-share requirement and an initial performance period of five years maximum.

The University of Louisville Research Foundation was awarded $6.2 million to operate the MEP center in Kentucky, while Lake Area Technical College received $3.5 million to support small and medium-sized manufacturers in South Dakota. Both institutions are new members of the MEP National Network of centers.

The University of Rhode Island Research Foundation and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have nearly 10 years experience operating MEP facilities. They received $6 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

Mojdeh Bahar, NIST associate director for innovation and industry services, said MEP centers will work to “help manufacturers address challenges and leverage opportunities in the critical areas of supply chain, workforce, technology innovation and much more.”

She added the agency’s Job Quality Toolkit will serve as guide for the facilities to create high-quality job opportunities.

/
US Advances B-52 Bomber Upgrade to Provide Deterrent Against Potential Adversaries
Published on
US Advances B-52 Bomber Upgrade to Provide Deterrent Against Potential Adversaries

The U.S. is pursuing the upgrade of Boeing-built B-52 Stratofortress bombers to keep the aircraft operational into the 2050s and U.S. Air Force leaders and military experts said the revamp is key to delivering an effective deterrent against potential adversaries such as Russia and China, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

According to the Department of Defense’s budget documents, the strategic bomber upgrade could cost $11.8 billion.

In September 2021, Rolls-Royce won a potential $2.6 billion contract to provide F130 replacement engines for the Air Force’s fleet of B-52H aircraft.

Boeing and Rolls-Royce are adopting digital design techniques to facilitate the integration of new engines and other components into B-52s.

“By transitioning a legacy aircraft into a digital environment, we’ve been able to mitigate risk much earlier in the design and development process,” said Jennifer Wong, B-52 program manager at Boeing.

Raytheon Technologies is also supporting the plane’s upgrade by equipping the bomber with new radars.

B-52H is a long-range, heavy bomber that can conduct strategic attack, offensive counter-air and maritime, air interdiction and close-air support missions and transport nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance. The aircraft can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and high subsonic speeds.

/
Bill to Provide AI Training for Federal Acquisition Workforce Signed Into Law
Published on
Bill to Provide AI Training for Federal Acquisition Workforce Signed Into Law

President Biden on Monday signed into law a bill that would establish a training program on artificial intelligence for federal procurement officials.

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., introduced the Artificial Intelligence Training for the Acquisition Workforce Act, which was co-sponsored by Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and passed the House in September.

The legislation directs the Office of Management and Budget to develop and provide an AI training program for acquisition personnel of executive agencies to help ensure that officials are informed of the capabilities and risks associated with AI.

The training program should offer introductory concepts relating to technological features of AI systems, provide ways to mitigate risks posed by AI and discuss future AI trends, including those with implications for national security and innovation.

Under the measure, OMB must update the AI training program at least every two years and come up with an approach to measure the participation of the acquisition workforce in the program.

The office should also receive and consider feedback and other insights from training program participants.

/
White House Eyes Guidance in Anticipation of ‘Potential Narrowing’ of Injunction on Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate
Published on
White House Eyes Guidance in Anticipation of ‘Potential Narrowing’ of Injunction on Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate

The Office of Management and Budget and the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force will release at least three guidance documents to agencies once a federal appeals court ruling that partially lifts the ban on the White House’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors takes effect on Tuesday, Oct. 18, Federal News Network reported Monday.

In August, the appeals court overturned a lower court decision that imposes a nationwide injunction on the vaccine mandate.

According to a notice issued Friday, OMB will issue an initial notification to agencies to ensure their compliance with applicable injunctions and whether they should include contract clauses implementing the mandate in future solicitations and contracts.

The task force will release updated guidance on COVID-19 safety protocols for covered contractor and subcontractor workplace sites after the issuance of the initial notification. The OMB director will assess the guidance to determine whether it promotes federal contracting efficiency and economy.

OMB will then publish guidance on considerations and timing for providing written notice to contractors regarding the enforcement of contract clauses implementing the vaccine mandate.

OMB called on federal agencies not to take any measures to enforce the vaccine mandate until all the guidance documents are issued.

Stephanie Kostro, executive vice president for policy at the Professional Services Council, said such steps from OMB could result in some agencies requiring federal contractors to comply with the vaccine mandate and that there are some details that need clarification.

“It’s not clear what the next steps are and what contractors should do as a result … There’s a lot of wiggle room in what it means for contractors,” Kostro said.

//
Cherokee Federal Names Clint Bickett New COO; President Steven Bilby Quoted
Published on
Cherokee Federal Names Clint Bickett New COO; President Steven Bilby Quoted

Clint Bickett, who formerly served as the president and chief financial officer of Global Mission Services for PAE, has been appointed the chief operating officer of Cherokee Federal, a division of Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB), the company announced on Monday.

“I am excited about what Clint will bring to our organization,” said Steven Bilby, president of Cherokee Federal. “His contributions will undoubtedly bolster our business and help us continue to build solutions and enhance delivery for our customers.”

Clint Bickett will bring more than 20 years of c-suite expertise to the role to lead the company’s aggressive growth goals and drive the expansion of its best-in-class solutions in the federal market to address and surpass the needs of its government customers.

“I look forward to working alongside the great team at Cherokee Federal and continuing to advance the company’s growth initiatives, ultimately building an even stronger organization dedicated to fulfilling the mission-critical needs of our government customers,” said Bickett.

In his previous role with PAE, Clint Bickett oversaw a $2 billion business and 13,000 employees to provide operational, financial,and strategic leadership of aviation, infrastructure and logistics for significant federal customers including the Army, Navy, Air Force, NASA, USAID and DHS.

Bickett has also managed millions of dollars in business operations during his previous tenures with Lockheed Martin and General Electric.

Cherokee Federal’s experienced team of more than 30 tribally owned federal contracting companies manages thousands of projects for more than 60 federal clients across the globe.

Whether it is humanitarian relief, national security and foreign policy, technology, health care or logistics, the organization is committed to helping federal clients build solutions, solve complex challenges and serve America’s interests across the globe.

About Cherokee Federal

Cherokee Federal and its team of tribal companies is owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses, the economic engine of Cherokee Nation, the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. The mission of Cherokee Federal is to build a talented team that provides innovative solutions that solve America’s greatest challenges and serves the Cherokee Nation with strong conviction and heart.

/
AFRL Demos Exoskeleton to Aid Aerial Porters in Lifting Cargo
Published on
AFRL Demos Exoskeleton to Aid Aerial Porters in Lifting Cargo

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Center for Rapid Innovation has demonstrated a pneumatically-powered exoskeleton designed to reduce fatigue and increase the endurance of aerial porters who load and lift large cargo onto aircraft.

Forge System is supported by the Radical Improvements in Personnel Performance through Enhanced Development program, a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research project that aims to improve warfighters’ cognitive and physical performance.

“If this is optimized for the aerial porters’ particular missions, it is going to mean that teams will be able to load heavier objects on aircraft much faster using less people, which equates to saving the government and taxpayer money,” said John Florio, deputy director of CRI.

He added that the technology could also result in fewer injuries to personnel, leading to service members’ longer careers in the military.

Chief Master Sgt. Sean Storms, aerial port manager from 87th Aerial Port Squadron, and Senior Master Sgt. Brian Anders, assistant aerial port manager, demonstrated the exoskeleton during an event CRI held with the Air Force Reserve Command’s 445th Airlift Wing.

/
MDA Seeks Information on Ground Sensors Modeling, Simulation Requirement
Published on
MDA Seeks Information on Ground Sensors Modeling, Simulation Requirement

The Missile Defense Agency is seeking information from potential industry sources capable of providing ground sensor modeling and simulation services in support of the development and testing of radar systems.

In a request for information posted Thursday, the MDA Ground Sensors Directorate said it requires systems engineering, maintenance, verification and validation of real-time and non-real-time digital end-to-end radar models and real-time hardware-in-the-loop radar drivers.

MDA’s modeling and simulation efforts require the development of early radar representations and drivers that accurately simulate and stimulate tactical radars and maintain the fidelity of complex radar scenes.

The MDA Ground Sensors Directorate is headquartered in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and oversees the development, testing and sustainment of missile threat sensors.

Responses to the RFI are due Oct. 24.

//
DoD Personnel, International Partners Secure Cybersecurity Training Through CTA Courses
Published on
DoD Personnel, International Partners Secure Cybersecurity Training Through CTA Courses

The Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center’s Cyber Training Academy continues to equip department personnel and international partners with necessary cyber skills through more than a dozen training courses, including the International Cyber Forensics Course (ICFC).

ICFC, launched in 2019, is a five-week course that aims to teach a group of international students how to perform basic computer troubleshooting, act as a first responder to cyber incidents and conduct lawful network investigation, DOD reported Friday.

CTA held the latest ICFC iteration from Aug. 1 through Sept. 2, and trained students from Hungary, Kuwait, Korea and Jordan.

Since its inception, the ICFC has provided cyber training to 22 international partners in six separate iterations.

CTA also offers training in modern cybersecurity tools and certifications for digital media collectors, digital forensic examiners and cyber-crime investigators.

Courses are available to students in four ways: in-residence, instructor-led virtual, online self-paced or mobile training teams.

/
Oracle Launches Public Safety Platform for Rapid Response
Published on
Oracle Launches Public Safety Platform for Rapid Response

Oracle seeks to help law enforcement and first responders handle emergency situations through its new technology platform, Oracle Public Safety Services.

The platform is developed to provide emergency response workers with real-time information and situational awareness to help their decision-making process, the information technology company said Sunday. 

Oracle Public Safety Services is also designed to do away with data silos and remove manual busy work.

Oracle has utilized its cloud infrastructure and worked with local government authorities, emergency medical service experts and law enforcement technology professionals for the development of its public safety platform.

The Oracle Public Safety Services suite includes a computer-aided dispatch command center for emergency call management and dispatch, wearable computer communications and camera system for officers, real-time video communication tools, a touch-talk-listen tablet application for vehicle communication and coordination, as well a cloud-based law enforcement records and jail management systems. 

“We designed our systems to make the on-scene experience less isolating and emotionally charged by enabling responders to act as a blended team with someone monitoring the situation remotely,” said Steve Seoane, senior vice president and general manager for Oracle’s local government operations. 

//
William LaPlante: US Manufacturing Ecosystem a Vital Engine of Economic Growth
Published on
William LaPlante: US Manufacturing Ecosystem a Vital Engine of Economic Growth

William “Bill” LaPlante, undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment at the Department of Defense and a 2022 Wash100 Award winner, said the U.S. manufacturing ecosystem has been a critical engine of economic growth, competitiveness and innovation for over 200 years and played a key role in advancing the development of technologies that sustain the country’s national security, DOD reported Friday.

“Today, the U.S. is in a technological and economic race to maintain its manufacturing edge, particularly as it concerns critical defense systems, such as satellites, advanced munitions and communications technologies,” LaPlante said during an address.

He stated that U.S. manufacturers add more than $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy.

According to DOD, the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program within LaPlante’s office is overseeing several projects meant to improve supply chain resiliency and industrial manufacturing capability and advance workforce development. IBAS also has invested about $130 million across 16 workforce-related projects since launching the National Imperative for Industrial Skills effort in 2020.

“We will need to use all the tools at our disposal to support a scale up of new, advanced manufacturing technologies across a range of critical sectors in the defense industrial base – including bio-manufacturing, renewable energy, batteries and microelectronics,” said LaPlante.

“We must work to support American workers, by scaling up talent pipelines that will support the advanced manufacturing careers of the future,” he added.

POC - Defense Technology Summit: FY2023 Budget and Priorities

LaPlante will keynote the Potomac Officers Club’s Defense Technology Summit: FY2023 Budget and Priorities on Oct. 25. Visit our POC Events page to register for this summit and to view our full calendar.

1 … 708 709 710 711 712 … 2,619