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GAO Assesses Impact of Continuing Resolutions on Programs at 3 Federal Agencies
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GAO Assesses Impact of Continuing Resolutions on Programs at 3 Federal Agencies

The Government Accountability Office evaluated the impact of continuing resolutions on programs at departments of Agriculture, Education and Health and Human Services and found that CRs can cause administrative burdens and funding uncertainty and slow down hiring activities at these agencies.

The three federal programs reviewed by GAO are the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program of HHS, the Education Department’s PBI Formula Grants and USDA’s Section 521 Rural Rental Assistance, according to a report publicly released Monday.

The congressional watchdog found that the three agencies have implemented strategies to mitigate disruption to services and operations under stopgap measures.

Under LIHEAP, for instance, HHS can request and get an exception apportionment that permits grantees to secure 90 percent of the previous fiscal year’s funding at the start of the next fiscal year. 

According to the report, Congress and the U.S. president enacted 47 stopgap measures between FY 2010 and FY 2022 to avoid a government shutdown and continue operating federal agencies at current funding levels.

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Pentagon Unveils 3 Projects Under Innovate Beyond 5G Program
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Pentagon Unveils 3 Projects Under Innovate Beyond 5G Program

The Department of Defense has announced three new projects under a program that seeks to facilitate collaboration with industry and academic institutions to advance the development of 5G-to-NextG wireless technologies. 

Open6G, Spectrum Exchange Security and Scalability and Massive Multi-Input/Multi-Output are the three new projects under DOD’s Innovate Beyond 5G program, the department said Tuesday.

Northeastern University’s Kostas Research Institute will use $1.77 million in IB5G funds from the office of the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering to conduct research on 6G systems on open radio access networks in partnership with the Army Research Laboratory.

Zylinium Research received $1.64 million from DOD to further develop its Spectrum Exchange network service appliance, which is designed to receive, schedule and allocate spectrum resources.

DOD awarded $3.69 million to the Massive MIMO project, which will be carried out with Nokia Bell Labs to explore key tech components to scale MIMO technology across various bands and support warfighters by increasing throughput and resiliency for wireless tactical communications.

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Library of Congress Announces Launch of Online Copyright Recordation System
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Library of Congress Announces Launch of Online Copyright Recordation System

The Library of Congress and the U.S. Copyright Office have opened for public use the new online copyright recordation system.

The launch of the system marks an “important step in the Copyright Office’s Enterprise Copyright System modernization effort and will allow the processing of a major portion of transfers of copyright ownership or other documents pertaining to copyright to be processed more quickly; improving the time it takes to complete requests from the public,” Denise Wofford, assistant register and director of the Office of Copyright Records, said in a statement published Monday.

The recordation platform replaces the paper-based process, allowing the public to transmit information on the transfer of copyright ownership using the self-service portal at record.copyright.gov. The system seeks to speed up processing of records with its online payment, notification and status tracking capabilities.

Over 150 organizations took part in a pilot of the recordation system, recorded more than 8,600 documents and offered feedback to help further develop the platform.

The recordation tool is the first of several modules of the Enterprise Copyright System, a technology platform that will integrate the Copyright Office’s tech systems and eventually include applications supporting registration, licensing, public records and other public services that the Copyright Office offers.

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NSF Invests in New Research Projects to Advance Cybersecurity, Privacy
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NSF Invests in New Research Projects to Advance Cybersecurity, Privacy

The National Science Foundation is investing $25.4 million in a research program aimed at advancing cybersecurity and privacy in areas including supply chain and cloud computing.

Research projects under the Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace program will work to boost open-source supply chain security, strengthen computing privacy for marginalized and vulnerable communities and ensure the trustworthiness of cloud computing systems, the NSF said Monday.

The program includes research projects led by North Carolina State University, the University of Florida, Indiana University and other institutions nationwide.

Jeremy Epstein, lead program officer for the Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace program, said the initiative has made more than 3800 funding awards over the past 10 years to advance research on a wide range of topics.

“These projects demonstrate the breadth of topics of importance in cybersecurity and privacy and the commitment of NSF to advance research on topics of national importance,” Epstein said.

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DOE Announces New Consortium to Advance US-Made Solar Technologies; Jennifer Granholm Quoted
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DOE Announces New Consortium to Advance US-Made Solar Technologies; Jennifer Granholm Quoted

The Department of Energy has unveiled a new consortium aimed at accelerating the development of more affordable and more efficient cadmium telluride solar cells, the second-most common photovoltaic technology in the world.

DOE said Monday it is investing $20 million in the three-year Cadmium Telluride Accelerator Consortium that will also work to enhance the competitiveness of U.S.-made technology in the global CdTe photovoltaics market.

CTAC plans to achieve its goals by executing CdTe doping strategies, characterizing and exploring new CdTe contacting materials and working to enable a bifacial CdTe module.

The consortium will be administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and led by the University of Toledo, Colorado State University, First Solar, Toledo Solar and Sivananthan Laboratories.

It will be funded by the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office, which has awarded funding for research and development of methods to reduce the cost and enhance the reliability of CdTe technology.

“DOE is proud to partner with leading solar researchers and companies to chart the future of CdTe technology, which presents an immense opportunity for domestic manufacturers to help ensure our nation’s security while providing family-sustaining jobs,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

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Rear Adm. Mike Studeman Named Office of Naval Intelligence Commander, NMIO Director
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Rear Adm. Mike Studeman Named Office of Naval Intelligence Commander, NMIO Director

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mike Studeman assumed leadership of the Office of Naval Intelligence and the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office during a ceremony held at the National Maritime Intelligence Center in Suitland, Maryland.

Studeman, formerly director for intelligence at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii, succeeds Rear Adm. Curt Copley, who has served as the commander of ONI and director of NMIO since June 2021, the Navy reported Monday.

Studeman is a distinguished graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School and previously held intelligence leadership positions in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom deployments.

He also led the intelligence directorate of U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida.

In his new position, he will oversee the integration and sharing of maritime information across the U.S. intelligence community.

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Morgan Higgins of Blue Delta Capital Partners Added to Client Solution Architects Board of Directors
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Morgan Higgins of Blue Delta Capital Partners Added to Client Solution Architects Board of Directors

Seasoned finance executive Morgan Higgins has been appointed to the board of directors of defense sector-focused information technology company Client Solution Architects.

Currently a principal at government services growth equity firm Blue Delta Capital Partners, Higgins’ board addition formalizes her involvement with CSA after working closely with its executive team since BDCP’s 2021 investment, the Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania-based company said Tuesday.

Amy Bleken, CEO of CSA, said that as a board member, Higgins is poised to assist with generating organic and inorganic growth and deliver value to the company’s clients and national security objectives.

Higgins began her career at SunTrust Bank as a management associate, eventually rising to the position of relationship manager for the government contracting group, where she spearheaded a segment with 40 customers in the GovCon industry and totaling over $40 million in committed capital. She was also in charge of assigning and distributing lines of credit and financing for mergers and acquisitions deals to public and private contracting companies.

Subsequently, Higgins served in various roles for nearly six and a half years at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Starting as an underwriter, she transitioned to middle market manager and executive director, as well as middle market banker. In this position she also collaborated with government contracting companies alongside other Washington, D.C.-based commercial enterprises.

Bleken additionally said Higgins’ capabilities will be well-matched to the skill sets of other CSA board members, like SAIC board chair Donna Morea and retired Vice Admiral William Hilarides, formerly of Naval Sea Systems Command.

Versed in the finances of government contracting, Higgins’ main skills include financial modeling and analysis, credit evaluation and portfolio management.

Reportedly, Higgins has played a pivotal role in CSA activities such as the company’s acquisition of Capstone in July 2021.

“I’m eager to scale my contributions to CSA and Amy’s leadership team as the company accelerates all avenues of growth, especially as CSA continues to pursue strategic tuck-in acquisitions,” Higgins commented.

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Capgemini Receives Global Cloud Environment Modernization Contract From U.S. Army; CEO Doug Lane Quoted
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Capgemini Receives Global Cloud Environment Modernization Contract From U.S. Army; CEO Doug Lane Quoted

Capgemini Government Solutions announced on Tuesday that the company has been awarded a three-year contract to assist the U.S. Army as the service branch moves to modernize, transform and grow its Cloud Common Shared Services environment, cARMY. 

Under the contract, Capgemini will support and enable the Enterprise Cloud Management Agency (ECMA) to help make data-driven decisions and decrease time-to-field in support of the Army’s mission. The work will also drive the implementation and adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning programs that thrive on data to deliver mission readiness in new digital environments.

“The cARMY project allows the Army to empower teams to make better data-driven decisions. We are honored to support it in partnership with the ECMA,” said Doug Lane, president and CEO of Capgemini Government Solutions and a 2022 Wash100 Award winner.

Capgemini will become the Army’s enterprise cloud common shared services provider based on the organization’s deep expertise in the adoption of a digital-first strategy within larger and complex organizations. 

The work will expand, operate and continuously improve upon on cARMY cloud common shared services to reduce complexity and increase security standards. 

“Capgemini is proud to support the Army in this important modernization initiative, which will enable cloud adoption across the entire enterprise,” said Doug Lane added. 

In addition, ECMA Director Paul Puckett also commented that applying the science of delivering cloud common services at scale isn’t enough for the U.S. Army. He expressed his excitement to partner with Capgemini Government Solutions to apply the perfect blend of cloud common services for the service branch as well as the art and science of supporting the global mission.

About Capgemini Government Solutions

Launched in 2002, Capgemini Government Solutions is a U.S. company based in McLean, Virginia. Capgemini partners with U.S. federal government organizations to bring the global public and private sector insight and experience required for mission transformation. 

Capgemini’s U.S. federal business delivers enterprise and technology modernization solutions to our vast portfolio of Civilian, Health, National Security and Defense clients. Get the future you want with Capgemini Government Solutions.

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Leidos to Acquire Australian Special Mission Business From Cobham Limited; Chairman Roger Krone Quoted
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Leidos to Acquire Australian Special Mission Business From Cobham Limited; Chairman Roger Krone Quoted

Leidos has entered into an agreement with Cobham Limited to acquire its Australian Special Mission business under its subsidiary Cobham Aviation Services. The terms of the acquisition haven’t been disclosed and the deal is subject to customary closing conditions.

Following the acquisition of Cobham’s Special Mission significant capabilities, Leidos will provide the Australian Federal Government with airborne border surveillance as well as search and rescue services to patrol the country’s 8.2 million square kilometer economic zone with one of the world’s largest outsourced civil maritime surveillance operations.

“Cobham’s Special Mission team conducts essential operations that protect Australia’s borders, support law enforcement and environmental protection and save lives,” said Leidos Chairman and CEO Roger Krone, the only nine-time Wash100 winner in the award’s prestigious history.

Krone also discussed how the integration of Leidos Australia will expand the scope of the organization’s global airborne ISR capabilities, diversify revenues and open up new growth avenues.”

Cobham Special Mission operates 14 modified aircrafts for more than 30 missions a year featuring a highly specialized mission aircrew training system to deliver critical services across Australia, including fixed-wing search-and-rescue response capabilities over land and sea on behalf of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

“The addition of the Special Mission business will bring new, expansive services to our offerings across Australia. I look forward to working with this exceptional team,” said Leidos Australia Chief Executive Paul Chase.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500 technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company’s 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. 

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‘Quantum Navy’ Video Series to Launch on Naval Research Lab’s YouTube Channel
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‘Quantum Navy’ Video Series to Launch on Naval Research Lab’s YouTube Channel

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory looks to underscore the importance of quantum research through a three-part series it is launching on the YouTube platform with help from the Defense Media Activity.

NRL said Monday the “Quantum Navy” series will share the history of quantum, tackle the lab’s crucial role in driving the U.S. quantum initiative and provide previews of the future of quantum and its impact on the Navy.

Computing, sensing and communication are some of the areas where quantum information science could offer technological improvements. NRL leaders will discuss the efforts of lab researchers to explore these areas of high interest for the Navy.

“Quantum networks will be essential to modern secure communications and to computing, sensor and precision time enhancements in the 21st Century. NRL, along with our DC-QNet partners, will work to advance quantum network capabilities and leadership,” said Gerald Borsuk, NRL’s associate director of research for the systems directorate.

NRL has been serving as the service branch’s Quantum Information Research Center since 2020. It is responsible for connecting with public and private sector organizations to advance QIS research, development and application.

NRL’s YouTube channel will have the first video on the series on Aug. 3, with new episodes uploaded every Wednesday.

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