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Antoine McCord Appointed Homeland Security CIO
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Antoine McCord Appointed Homeland Security CIO

Antoine McCord has been selected as the next chief information officer at the Department of Homeland Security, Nextgov/FCW reported Thursday.

The new CIO was appointed by President Donald Trump and assumed duties on Monday. He replaced Eric Haysen, who served under the Biden administration.

Driving DHS’ IT Efforts

In his latest capacity, McCord is responsible for an IT budget of around $11 billion that can be utilized for directing DHS’ enterprise-wide IT strategy, cybersecurity operations and digital modernization initiatives. He is also tasked with overseeing efforts to address threats against the department and has expressed excitement about the potential of artificial intelligence.

With nearly two decades of experience in intelligence, cyber operations and national security, McCord brings a proven track record in threat detection and technology integration.

The DHS executive previously served in the U.S. intelligence community, where he was responsible for conducting cyber operations to counter advanced threats. McCord also held an advisory role on national security. Before that, he served in the Marine Corps.

McCord also joined the private sector, particularly in the field of cybersecurity and defense technology. In his previous work, he was mainly involved in safeguarding critical assets and empowering the public and private sectors to collaborate in driving infrastructure security.

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Hegseth Orders Changes to Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment
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Hegseth Orders Changes to Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment

The Department of Defense is disestablishing the Office of Net Assessment, or ONA, under the orders of Pete Hegseth, secretary of defense and a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient. In a memo obtained by Breaking Defense, Hegseth directed the performance improvement officer and director of administration and management to reassign all civilian employees under ONA to other positions across the DOD while military personnel will receive new billets. 

Table of Contents

What Is ONA?

ONA is in charge of providing highly classified comparative assessments of trends, risks, opportunities and competitions of the U.S. military. Established in 1973, the office conducts and delivers these assessments to support the secretary of defense and deputy secretary of defense.

It also carries out shorter, less formal studies on the behest of senior DOD officials and congressional leaders. 

What Is Happening to ONA?

As part of ONA’s disestablishing, Hegseth also ordered the termination of all contracts awarded to support the office. 

DOD spokesperson Sean Parnell explained in a public statement that the disestablishment of ONA will ensure that “resources are focused on the most pressing national security challenges while maintaining accountability and efficiency.”

Parnell also confirmed that ONA will be rebuilt. The memo for the deputy secretary of defense to draft a plan for the office to be recreated in a manner consistent with Hegseth’s priorities.

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Commerce Department Seeks Proposals to Enhance Space Traffic
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Commerce Department Seeks Proposals to Enhance Space Traffic

The Department of Commerce is soliciting white papers that could lead to proposals and research projects to enhance space situational awareness, or SSA, and space traffic coordination technologies, or STC.

Seeking Proposals on SSA Data, STC Technologies

In a broad agency announcement issued on Friday, the Office of Space Commerce said it seeks white papers on SSA data, STC capabilities, and conjunction and risk assessments. The proposals should support the government’s technology research and development efforts for the Traffic Coordination System for Space program.

Under the program, OSC intends to fund R&D projects across multiple technology readiness levels, such as conducting basic research to inform future space policy decisions and building tech prototypes relevant to improve SSA and STC.

Virtual Community Day

To advance the BAA, OSC will host a virtual community day on April 3 and interested businesses are advised to review the announcement and submit questions before the online event. Further concerns and questions after the community day will be entertained and can be submitted no later than April 17.

The effort’s initial phase will limit the submission process to white papers, which must be sent in before May 30, as formal proposals will be accepted by invitation only.

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US Navy Taps V2X for $2B WEXMAC 2.0 Logistics Vehicle
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US Navy Taps V2X for $2B WEXMAC 2.0 Logistics Vehicle

The U.S. Navy has awarded V2X a position on the service’s Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract, or WEXMAC, 2.0 logistics contract vehicle.

This multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has an initial five-year period worth as much as $1.2 billion, with an option to extend up to 10 years for a total of $2.4 billion, the company announced Monday. V2X was selected to support 22 regions and will leverage its global footprint to deliver services and logistical capabilities that sustain and set the theater.

Improving Global Logistics

WEXMAC 2.0 aims to simplify procurement processes and integrates technology to improve logistical support for federal agencies and joint forces worldwide. This contract vehicle was developed to bolster military operations across the world through a faster and more efficient supply chain infrastructure.

WEXMAC 2.0’s requested services and supplies include humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, lodging and logistics, and contingency.. These services, critical to operations, include everything from medical and force protection services to base operations and life support.

Rapid response and planning are emphasized in WEXMAC 2.0. Participating companies are expected to integrate their capabilities into plans and operations within a 72-hour time period.

V2X said March 11 it was awarded a new $100 million firm-fixed-price contract to support the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Ashore missile defense facilities in Poland. The company on February 26 announced it received a $100 million contract from the FBI’s  Critical Incident Response Group to provide aviation maintenance and support services.

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GAO Recommends Anti-Fraud Measures for NNSA Small Business Contract Awards
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GAO Recommends Anti-Fraud Measures for NNSA Small Business Contract Awards

The Government Accountability Office released a report Thursday recommending that the National Nuclear Security Administration adopt anti-fraud measures in its small business program. 

GAO said that in its audit of the $16.8 billion that NNSA and six of its management and operating contractors reported as small business awards from fiscal year 2018 to FY 2022, it estimated that $1.1 billion went to unqualified small businesses. 

Inadequate Data Systems for Oversight

The congressional budget watchdog also noted that the agency and its contractors failed to provide GAO the needed data to assess whether an additional $1.9 billion in contracts were awarded to businesses qualifying as small.    

NNSA lacks data systems to validate small business contract data, and the agency has not applied the learnings from the past reviews it had conducted with the Small Business Administration, the GAO report pointed out.

To address GAO’s findings, the office also recommended that NNSA and its contractors establish a system to pinpoint and address the root causes of erroneous reports. In addition, the office suggested that the agency allocate Small Business Program resources dedicated to oversight. NNSA has concurred with its recommendations, GAO said.

In February, GAO also made 15 recommendations that NNSA itself proposed to better meet the requirements of a $200 billion nuclear modernization program. Six of the office’s recommendations address the high risk for fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement.

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Rep. Green-Led Bipartisan Bill Targets Shipbuilding Crisis
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Rep. Green-Led Bipartisan Bill Targets Shipbuilding Crisis

A group of bipartisan veterans led by Representative Mark Green, R-TN, is set to introduce a new legislation aimed at revitalizing U.S. shipyards and shipbuilders.

Green, a former U.S. Army officer, said Thursday the Save Our Shipyards Act is co-sponsored by Navy veteran Jen Kiggans, R-VA, and Air Force veteran Don Davis, D-NC.

Save Our Shipyards Act

The SOS Act, endorsed by the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association and Heritage Action, is intended to address the decline of the shipbuilding industry. It proposes the creation of a National Commission on the Maritime Industrial Base, which would be responsible for evaluating the current state of the U.S. maritime industry. The commission will determine the obstacles to its growth and develop recommendations to boost the maritime industrial base.

“The stark reality is that while the People’s Republic of China builds over 1,700 ships annually, the U.S. struggles to produce even a handful,” said Green, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security. “This decline jeopardizes our military readiness, depletes our skilled workforce and undermines our ability to project strength. The SOS Act is a critical step towards restoring our maritime industrial base and bolstering our national security.”

“This Commission is a critical step toward identifying the challenges facing our shipyards and strengthening our ability to build and sustain a world-class fleet,” added Kiggans. “I am proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to ensure America’s shipbuilding industry remains strong for generations to come.”

“We must collaborate to ensure that both the public and private sectors work together to find solutions that will strengthen our maritime industrial base. Shipbuilding is vital for our national security,” said Davis.

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Jeffrey Kessler Confirmed as DOC Under Secretary for Industry, Security
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Jeffrey Kessler Confirmed as DOC Under Secretary for Industry, Security

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Jeffrey Kessler, a partner at international law firm WilmerHale, as under secretary of commerce for industry and security in a 54-45 vote.

In this capacity, he will lead the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, which advances national security, economic objectives and foreign policy by fostering U.S. strategic technology leadership and ensuring an export control and treaty compliance system.

Return to Commerce Department

Kessler’s Senate confirmation for the under secretary role marks his return to the department.

During President Trump’s first term, he served as assistant secretary of commerce for enforcement and compliance for two years. In this role, he oversaw efforts to ensure foreign compliance with trade agreements, enforce U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws and support the implementation and negotiation of international trade agreements to open foreign markets, among other responsibilities.

Kessler’s Career Highlights

Kessler most recently served as a partner within WilmerHale’s international trade practice.

At the firm, he represented U.S. manufacturers in trade remedy cases, including those associated with chemicals and plastics products, softwood lumber and fertilizer products. He also advised clients on sanctions and export controls, Section 301 tariffs and exclusions and other trade issues.

The Yale University graduate first joined WilmerHale in 2011 as a counsel.

“We congratulate Jeff on his confirmation to this critical role in US trade policy at a time when the complexities and challenges in international trade have rarely been greater,” said Anjan Sahni, WilmerHale’s managing partner. “Our clients and our firm greatly benefited from Jeff’s wisdom and deeply informed insights. We wish him great success in his new role as he serves the nation.”

Kessler holds a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago and a juris doctor and master’s degree in economics from Stanford University.

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Trump Nominates Eric Ueland as OMB Deputy Director for Management
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Trump Nominates Eric Ueland as OMB Deputy Director for Management

President Donald Trump has nominated Eric Ueland, who had served as the White House legislative affairs director during the first Trump administration, as deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget. With the Senate yet to confirm the nomination, Ueland’s LinkedIn profile indicates he is now acting OMB chief of staff.

Ueland’s Government Service Credentials

Ueland is among the 50 nominees that the White House sent to the Senate Tuesday. He had previously served for over four years as the Republican Party’s staff director in the Senate’s budget committee.

His work in the first Trump administration also included serving as undersecretary of state civilian security, democracy and human rights and as director of the Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance. He also had a stint as senior strategy officer in the U.S. foreign aid agency Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Ueland’s career in government service is built upon working in various capacities in the Senate for 18 years starting in 1989. His professional experience also includes working for over six years as the vice president of the lobbying private firm, The Duberstein Group.

If Senate confirms his nomination, Ueland will replace Jason Miller, who served as OMB deputy director for management for four years under the Biden administration. 

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DAF Leads DOD Cloud Modernization With Oracle Fusion Authorization
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DAF Leads DOD Cloud Modernization With Oracle Fusion Authorization

The Department of the Air Force has advanced the cloud modernization initiative of the Department of Defense by leading the authorization of Oracle Fusion software-as-a-service on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Gen 2 at Impact Level 4.

Cloud Modernization With Enhanced Security

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center said Thursday the Defense Information Systems Agency granted Provisional Authorization for the Oracle Fusion SaaS on Feb. 6. The new DISA PA allows the platform to operate under the latest security framework and provides DOD with more secure cloud options for its operations. The achievement was facilitated by DISA, Oracle and the Business and Enterprise Systems Directorate’s Human Resources division, or GBH.

Oracle was steered by GBH through each stage of the Boundary Cloud Access Point process. GBH advocated for its inclusion in the BCAP and helped it navigate the authorization process through proper management of timelines, documentation and action items. Furthermore, the BESD division provided essential DOD context to meet DISA requirements and DAF mission needs. Lastly, GBH ensures continuous compliance with security requirements by managing the authority to operate.

DAF is trying to open new opportunities for modernizing human capital management systems by providing secure access to the Oracle Fusion SaaS on OCI Gen 2.

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New FCC Council on National Security to Tackle Foreign Threats
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New FCC Council on National Security to Tackle Foreign Threats

A Council for National Security has been established within the Federal Communications Commission to fully harness FCC’s regulatory, investigative and enforcement powers to counter foreign threats, particularly adversarial Chinese efforts.

Brendan Carr, the new FCC chairman under the Trump administration, said in announcing the council’s formation that he had appointed his national security counsel, Adam Chan, as its director.

Representatives from eight FCC bureaus and offices will comprise the council for cross-agency collaboration and information-sharing to support the commission’s national security engagements with partners in the government’s executive and legislative branches. 

According to Carr, a longtime FCC commissioner under the Biden and Trump administrations, security threats “now cut across a range of sectors” that the commission regulates, underscoring the importance of pulling resources across from various FCC organizations.

Three-pronged Goal

Carr assigned three objectives to the new council, with the first focused on reducing the U.S. technology and telecommunication sectors’ reliance on the trade and supply chain of foreign adversaries. The council’s second goal seeks the mitigation U.S. exposure to foreign cyberattacks, espionage and surveillance. 

For its third objective, the council will focus on ensuring U.S. dominance over China in critical technologies, such as 5G and 6G, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, quantum computing, autonomous systems, and satellites and space.

In January, the former FCC head, Jessica Rosenworcel, proposed that the commission start auctioning advanced wireless services-3 spectrum as soon as possible to fund the removal and replacement of China-made Huawei and ZTE equipment from U.S. networks. 

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