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ICF Secures 2 CMS Contracts for Digital Modernization Services; Mark Lee Quoted
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ICF Secures 2 CMS Contracts for Digital Modernization Services; Mark Lee Quoted

ICF has landed two contracts from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to aid in the center’s digital modernization endeavors.

The contracts share the goal of improving access to key public health data and will expand the work of SemanticBits, which was acquired by ICF this year, the Reston, Virginia-based organization announced on Nov. 21.

“As the single largest payer for healthcare in the U.S., CMS generates and collects enormous amounts of data. We bring a full suite of scalable digital modernization services to help CMS rapidly improve data quality and accessibility by healthcare professionals and the public, empowering the agency to better meet its overall mission of enhancing patient care and reducing costs,” said Mark Lee, executive vice president of ICF’s public sector.

The first award is valued at $25 million and tasks ICF with developing, operating and maintaining the agency’s health data sharing website to ensure that both healthcare professionals and the public can easily find, access and use important information. It has a six-month base period with four one-year option periods.

Under the second contract, a $20 million expansion with a one-year term, the company is responsible for modernizing CMS’ Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System, which is utilized by healthcare providers and over 60 federal and state agencies.

Additionally, ICF will continue building systems that meet Medicare survey requirements and implement modifications in compliance with federal reporting standards.

The two task orders follow ICF’s win of a previous Department of Health and Human Services award for providing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration with digital modernization services.

Prior to the acquisition by ICF, SemanticBits was awarded two contracts, both of which are ongoing, by CMS last year. Under the first award, SemanticBits is currently developing the End Stage Renal Disease Quality Reporting System Portal. Under the second award, which falls under the CMS Quality Improvement Organization program, the company is supporting the enhancement of Medicare services’ effectiveness, efficiency, economy and quality.

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GAO Cites Regulatory Lapses in IoT Device Use in Critical Infrastructure
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GAO Cites Regulatory Lapses in IoT Device Use in Critical Infrastructure

The Government Accountability Office is urging lead agencies to measure the effectiveness of cybersecurity programs they established to protect Internet of Things and operational technology use in critical infrastructure sectors.

In a report released Thursday, GAO reviewed cybersecurity initiatives launched by the Departments of Energy, Health and Human Services, Transportation and Homeland Security, which govern the electricity, transportation and health care industries.

IoT and OT devices are widely used to deliver services in critical infrastructure. To ensure data privacy and safety, agencies including the DOE, HHS, DOT and DHS launched IT protection programs based on guidelines from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. They are required by the Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020, which bans the purchase and use of IoT products that are not compliant with NIST standards.

GAO found that the agencies did not have metrics to evaluate their initiatives’ effectiveness. The government watchdog also learned that the Office of Management and Budget does not have a standardized process for waiving the ban on non-compliant devices who meet certain criteria under the Act.

The reviewed agencies said they have noted GAO’s recommendations and will coordinate to formulate an action plan. OMB explained that it intended to release the waiver guidance in November.

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Institute of Defense Analyses Report Evaluates DOD Hiring Process
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Institute of Defense Analyses Report Evaluates DOD Hiring Process

The Department of Defense should consider additional compensation funding, create a requirements process and metrics, and build relationships in its recruitment of workers with skills critical to national security, the Institute of Defense Analyses said.

A recent IDA report focused on the efficacy of DOD’s human resources programs for hiring, developing and retaining skilled workers, such as specialists of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

DOD invested in various outreach, education and recruitment initiatives to target students, interns and professionals equipped with capabilities in STEM, technological innovation, computer science and critical languages. However, differences in civilian and military hiring processes within individual commands and branches have sometimes resulted in the programs’ apparent shortfalls.

Based on data from interviews with 127 HR employees, IDA found that local DOD branches are often under-resourced when it comes to civilian recruiting, and fail to match the applicant to the work that needs to be performed. Meanwhile, defense commands only base employee selection on existing skill sets and career paths instead of new and emerging STEM-related capabilities.

The institute recommended that military services coordinate with civilian recruiting to access STEM talent. It also called for additional training of HR staff on direct hiring and fielding specialized teams to help reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.

To avoid losing skilled talent to the private sector, DOD must implement incentives and redistribute financial resources to attract employees through compensation, IDA said.

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NASA Provides ESA Laser Retroreflector for Lunar Pathfinder Mission
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NASA Provides ESA Laser Retroreflector for Lunar Pathfinder Mission

NASA announced Saturday that it has officially handed over a laser retroreflector array to the European Space Agency for its Lunar Pathfinder satellite mission.

Developed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the instrument is the is the initial flight component to be installed on the world’s first spacecraft dedicated to lunar communication services.

Scheduled for launch in 2024, Lunar Pathfinder is a collaboration between NASA and ESA. For ESA’s part, the mission will advance its Moonlight vision and test if existing Global Navigation Satellite Systems can effectively be positioned on the moon. The agency also intends to deploy a weather monitor for studying radiation levels around the moon.

The laser retroreflectors are expected to provide precise measurements of the Pathfinder’s position, and to check the performance of GNSS. The data will be used by NASA to navigate its Artemis missions, and to further research in lunar science and the structure of celestial bodies.

Surrey Satellite Technology built Lunar Pathfinder and is leading the expedition with the two space agencies.

OPM to Instate Rule Allowing 10-Year Temp Hiring of Federal STEM Workers
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OPM to Instate Rule Allowing 10-Year Temp Hiring of Federal STEM Workers

The Office of Personnel Management has finalized a rule allowing term appointments of more than four and maximum of 10 years for federal job posts related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

According to a notice in Federal Register, the rule, which takes effect Jan. 3, will enable government agencies to fill non-permanent positions in long-term STEM-related projects.

OPM proposed the rule in 2020 in an aim to meet the needs of time-limited projects with STEM vacancies. It would include a hiring authority to serve as a supplement but not a substitute for current recruitment agencies. 

Research data showing that over 37 percent of STEM-related appointments in the last five fiscal years were extended upon the expiration of their four-year contract in part prompted the agency to issue the proposal.

The longer-term recruitment regulation is expected to benefit programs on information technology development and implementation, as well as projects that need manpower for research, analysis, testing and data collection. It could also improve federal agencies’ chances of attracting and retaining talent with up-to-date knowledge and training in the four disciplines, OPM stated.

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Lloyd Austin: Congress Should Pass On-Time Appropriation to Advance US Deterrence
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Lloyd Austin: Congress Should Pass On-Time Appropriation to Advance US Deterrence

Lloyd Austin, secretary of the Department of Defense and a two-time Wash100 awardee, has called on Congress to approve a federal budget to further strengthen U.S. deterrence and “compete in this decisive decade.”

He said deterrence calls for the development of cutting-edge technological capabilities in space, cyberspace and other domains where conflicts of the 21st century could emerge. 

He noted that DOD’s budget request for fiscal year 2023 includes $34 billion in funds to support the continued modernization of the country’s nuclear triad and improve its nuclear command, control and communications capabilities. 

“So let me urge Congress to pass an on-time appropriation so that we can get the capabilities to further strengthen our deterrence,” Austin said during his remarks at the Reagan National Defense Forum held Saturday in Simi Valley, California.

He said DOD has increased its focus on the Indo-Pacific region through investments in logistics, military construction and infrastructure and mobilization of U.S. troops.

Austin provided updates on the AUKUS partnership, which seeks to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence, hypersonics and other tech capabilities with the U.K. and Australia, and cited the establishment of the office of strategic capital at DOD.

“This important office will work to secure U.S. private-sector investment in critical defense-technology areas, ensuring that technology developed in America benefits America. And it’s an example of how we’re creating the conditions for innovators to succeed,” he added.

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Luis Lopez Named Education Department CIO
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Luis Lopez Named Education Department CIO

Luis Lopez, chief of operational services in the enterprise technology services division at the Department of Education, will assume the role of chief information officer at the department on Dec. 18.

Cindy Marten, deputy secretary of education, said in a statement published Friday Lopez has helped modernize the department’s information technology infrastructure to facilitate its transition to a remote and hybrid workforce and will bring to the role his experience in government IT services delivery.

Federal News Network reported that Lopez will succeed Jason Gray, who joined the U.S. Agency for International Development in August to serve as CIO, and will oversee efforts as the department works to adopt zero trust principles.

In 2017, Lopez joined the Education Department and served as director of enterprise technology services. In this role, he led the move from a 12-year IT service delivery contract to a new model to support software upgrades and infrastructure modernization initiatives.

Before joining the department, he served as chief engineer at the Defense Health Agency and chief of operations at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

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BAE Systems Teams With Industry Partners for Army OMFV Project; Andy Corea Quoted
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BAE Systems Teams With Industry Partners for Army OMFV Project; Andy Corea Quoted

BAE Systems has joined forces with Elbit Systems of America, Curtiss-Wright Corporation and QinetiQ Limited to bring its U.S. Army Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle design to fruition.

With a goal of creating a purpose-built, modern combat vehicle to meet the needs of the Army, the four organizations will collaborate to develop a vehicle proposed by BAE Systems earlier this month, the Falls Church, Virginia-based organization announced on Nov. 30.

“Together we have continually researched, developed, innovated and delivered and we believe this team can provide a purpose-built vehicle with the winning solutions for future battlefields and, most importantly, for the men and women who put their lives on the line for us each and every day,” said Andy Corea, vice president and general manager for BAE Systems Combat Mission Systems.

Elbit will contribute its 50 millimeter Unmanned Turret to the design. The UT50 is a flexible armament configuration with numerous mission payloads and capabilities. It includes a XM913 50 millimeter cannon and recently completed a successful live fire demonstration at the Army’s Aberdeen Test Center. Both BAE Systems and Elbit have experience in assessing, demonstrating and validating combat apparatuses.

The OMFV design will utilize a standardized Modular Open Systems Architecture developed by BAE Systems and Curtiss-Wright’s defense solutions arm to allow clients to quickly refresh technology to field new capabilities and tackle developing threats on the battlefield. The two organizations will also be responsible for installing critical electronics and control systems into the vehicle.

Harnessing its four decades of experience with Hybrid Electric Drive technology, BAE Systems will continue its preexisting work with QinetiQ in developing and integrating this technology with an electric cross-drive transmission, which is a crucial part of an HED system for tracked combat vehicles. The application of these technologies will ensure the OMFV has the speed, reliability and maneuverability necessary to triumph in difficult battlefield conditions. 

QinetiQ’s Modular E-X-Drive transmission system, which combines electronic and manual elements in a compact product, has been successfully tested in a large variety of vehicles and weight classes.

BAE Systems is reportedly already equipped with the knowledge, infrastructure and resources required to develop the OMFV platform. The company plans to complete project elements at various facilities nationwide to leverage a diverse array of workforce personnel and manufacturing quality.

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CENTCOM Activates Space Forces Component at MacDill AFB; Christopher Putman Quoted
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CENTCOM Activates Space Forces Component at MacDill AFB; Christopher Putman Quoted

U.S. Central Command has activated a U.S. Space Force component that will be tasked with coordinating space operations and services, such as missile warning, positioning, navigation and timing and satellite communication, within the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

The unit, known as U.S. Space Forces-Central, will be based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida and headed by Space Force Col. Christopher Putman, CENTCOM said Friday.

“Just as the evolution of space as a warfighting domain necessitated the establishment of a separate service, USSPACEFORCENT provides CENTCOM a subordinate command focused solely and continuously on space integration across the command, within all domains and all components,” Putman commented.

CENTCOM is the latest combatant command to establish a space unit. In late November, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command launched an operational space component in Hawaii.

The INDOPACOM space segment is led by Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir and comprised of 21 military and civilian employees.

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CSRB to Review Attacks Linked to Cyber Extortion Group Lapsus$; Jen Easterly Quoted
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CSRB to Review Attacks Linked to Cyber Extortion Group Lapsus$; Jen Easterly Quoted

The Department of Homeland Security said the Cyber Safety Review Board will focus its next review on Lapsus$, a global hacker group accused of executing extortion and ransomware attacks targeted at companies across different industries.

DHS said Friday that CSRB will submit a report to President Biden outlining a series of recommendations on how organizations can protect themselves and their customers against cyber extortion and ransomware schemes.

Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said Lapsus$ has carried out “damaging intrusions against multiple critical infrastructure sectors.”

“The range of victims and diversity of tactics used demand that we understand how Lapsus$ actors executed their malicious cyber activities so we can mitigate risk to potential future victims,” Easterly, a 2022 Wash100 awardee, continued.

Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of DHS and a previous Wash100 Award winner, shared that CSRB will build on the lessons learned from its first review and “share actionable recommendations to help the private and public sectors strengthen their cyber resilience.”

The board, which brings together senior government and industry leaders, published its first report in July, providing 19 recommendations for the government and industry on patching vulnerabilities discovered in the Log4j open-source software.

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