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Kamala Harris: Government, Industry Must Deepen Partnership to Seize 21st Century Space Opportunities
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Kamala Harris: Government, Industry Must Deepen Partnership to Seize 21st Century Space Opportunities

Vice President Kamala Harris said the White House will partner with regulatory agencies to engage companies as the U.S. government develops a new rules framework governing activities in space.

“We will do this work to make sure our nation remains a role model for the responsible use of space, because we know we must keep pace with the tremendous rate of innovation,” Harris told an audience during her speech held Friday at the Chabot Space and Science Center in California.

She cited the commercial sector’s work to build and deploy satellites that can support various missions on the ground such as hurricane forecasting and wildfire detection.

Harris pointed to the launch of the first in a series of lunar missions under NASA’s Artemis program later this month as another example of partnership between the government and industry.

The country’s second highest executive officer also noted the economic contributions from the sector.

“Our nation’s space economy employs over 354,000 people and generates $200 billion a year,” Harris added.

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Senators Urge DOJ to Use Suspension, Debarment Authority Against Corporate Criminals
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Senators Urge DOJ to Use Suspension, Debarment Authority Against Corporate Criminals

Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., have called on the Department of Justice to exercise its authority to debar or suspend from the federal contracting process corporate entities that engage in criminal activities to protect the government from fraud, waste and abuse.

The lawmakers wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco on Thursday saying DOJ ordered only eight debarment actions and three suspensions in fiscal year 2020.

“Under current Department practices, even companies that engage in massive, years-long schemes to defraud the public are allowed to continue to do business with the government,” the letter reads.

According to the letter, the Federal Acquisition Regulation allows an agency to debar an organization if it gets a civil judgment or convicted for any offense showing a lack of business honesty or integrity.

Warren and Lujan urged DOJ to broaden its use of debarment through four approaches: exercising debarment authority not only for individuals but also corporate entities; debarring or suspending entities that do business with any federal agency; considering debarment for all corporate misconduct; and using suspension authority.

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Federal Trade Commission Considers Adopting Rules to Address Harmful Commercial Surveillance; Lina Khan Quoted
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Federal Trade Commission Considers Adopting Rules to Address Harmful Commercial Surveillance; Lina Khan Quoted

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comments on a proposed rule to address the negative effects of collecting, analyzing and profiting from people’s information and implementing lax data security practices.

FTC said Thursday it has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to gather information on the risks posed by commercial surveillance and determine whether it needs to adopt new rules to protect the public’s privacy and information.

The agency raises concerns about the possibility that companies monetize the collection of consumer information, including browsing and purchase histories, online activities and other personal details.

FTC is also concerned that companies analyze the information they collect using algorithms and automated systems that are prone to errors, bias and inaccuracy.

“Our goal today is to begin building a robust public record to inform whether the FTC should issue rules to address commercial surveillance and data security practices and what those rules should potentially look like,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said.

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DISA Official Reminds Contractors to Avoid Inappropriate Use of Government Furnished Equipment
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DISA Official Reminds Contractors to Avoid Inappropriate Use of Government Furnished Equipment

Douglas Packard, head of the contracting activity at the Defense Information Systems Agency, has released a letter reminding federal contractors to refrain from using government furnished equipment and internet sites for unauthorized purposes.

Packard said DISA has seen an increase in the inappropriate use of government furnished equipment and access to internet sites by contractor personnel over the past year and noted that the practice could jeopardize the security of federal systems.

“Examples of inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to, viewing inappropriate and/or sexually oriented material, operating a private business or participating in non-contract/task order employment activities, and gambling,” the letter stated.

According to Packard, the inappropriate use of government information technology devices violates DISA’s contract agreements and policies.

He noted that corrective action will be imposed on contractors enabling the unauthorized use of government systems.

“Misuse of GFE and Government information systems entrusted to contractors and their personnel to perform official duties can subject individuals to removal of access to Government information systems and may affect security clearances,” Packard added.

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MFGS, Inc. Accredited to Operate Test Management Software in USAF Network; Robert Linton Quoted
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MFGS, Inc. Accredited to Operate Test Management Software in USAF Network; Robert Linton Quoted

A unified functional test software product from  MFGS, Inc. has received approval for usage by the U.S. Air Force.

After a period of partnership and assessment, the USAF has added MFGS, Inc.’s UFT One program to its evaluated product list and the company expects it will aid in the service branch’s digital migration efforts, MFGS said Monday.

“After several iterations of security and operability scans by the USAF, plus remediations by UFT One’s product management team, we have released UFT One 21.x for the USAF,” stated Robert Linton, application delivery management business consultant at MFGS, Inc.

Application delivery management programs engineered by MFGS, Inc. such as the Silk Suite, UFT One, LoadRunner and ALM have been utilized by the Maxwell and Gunter Annex Air Force Bases for the last two decades. The programs create reusable algorithms for enterprise application functional tests, performance tests, and streamline application test management.

In late 2023, however, Silk Suite, previously the only solution to be listed on the evaluated product list, will be phased out. Thus, MFGS, Inc. has been working alongside the USAF to align more programs, like UFT One, with the intensive security requirements that come with receiving the accreditation.

Once it underwent the proper, thorough review, UFT One was given the go-ahead to be introduced into the USAF Network.

Steve Roberts, account director at MFGS, Inc., explained that the USAF evaluation process for programs “benefits all clients and creates a more efficient process for other agencies to adopt UFT One, especially those that honor EPL approval reciprocity.”

Roberts additionally noted that UFT One is not available for public download but can be acquired via direct request to the company.

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CISA Launches Election Security Toolkit for State, Local Officials; Jen Easterly Quoted
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CISA Launches Election Security Toolkit for State, Local Officials; Jen Easterly Quoted

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has released a toolkit providing state and local officials with access to free services and tools designed to help them improve the cybersecurity and resilience of U.S. election infrastructure.

The Protecting U.S. Elections: A CISA Cybersecurity Toolkit was developed through CISA’s Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative to enable election officials to protect voting systems against ransomware, phishing and distributed denial-of-service attacks, the agency said Wednesday.

Election officials can also use the toolkit to assess cybersecurity risks using an Election Security Risk Profile Tool developed by CISA and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and find tools to protect voter information, email systems, websites and networks.

“Each day, state and local election officials confront threats to their infrastructure from foreign interference, nefarious actors, insider threats, and others. This is one more resource to help them in their ongoing efforts to ensure American elections remain secure and resilient,” said Jen Easterly, director of CISA and a 2022 Wash100 Award win. 

CISA compiled the resources in collaboration with private and public sector organizations, including in the election community and JCDC alliance members.

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Suzette Kent to Assist SkillStorm with Fostering Tech Talent on Advisory Board
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Suzette Kent to Assist SkillStorm with Fostering Tech Talent on Advisory Board

Former U.S. Chief Information Officer Suzette Kent, a two-time recipient of the Wash100 Award, has been added to the advisory board of SkillStorm, a training and recruitment company for technology personnel.

Kent is expected to leverage her knowledge of the digital and technological needs of the government along with her time spent in the private sector to inform SkillStorm’s attempts to foster talent, the Jacksonville, Florida-headquartered company said Thursday.

In a statement, Kent explained that areas such as cybersecurity and data analytics are hurting for qualified workers, which she says impedes both government and commercial entities from maintaining a modernized technology infrastructure.

Kent added that she believes SkillStorm is working to break down barriers of access for technology training so as to prepare for a future workforce that is increasingly defined by this industry.

The newly appointed executive’s career spans senior-level finance roles at companies such as Accenture, where she was a partner; JPMorgan, where she was managing director; and Ernst & Young, where she held the role of principal in the financial services division.

In the latter position especially, Kent combined banking capabilities in payments, core banking, transaction banking and treasury management to facilitate strategic initiatives as well as evolve technological approaches for the firm.

She then served for two and half years as federal CIO, working out of the U.S. Office of Budget and Management within the executive branch. After her time as CIO, she has served in a number of advisory roles on the boards of companies like UiPath and Rubrik, in addition to joining the board of the Louisiana State University Foundation.

Most recently, in March, Kent was appointed as senior adviser to the national security technology practice of Beacon Global Strategies.

“Suzette’s distinguished track record as a technology and workforce leader will bring invaluable insight to our work with both government organizations and employers,” shared Justin Vianello, CEO of SkillStorm.

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CGI Federal’s Horace Blackman Named Rector With George Mason University
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CGI Federal’s Horace Blackman Named Rector With George Mason University

Horace Blackman, senior vice president with CGI Federal and head of its Defense, Intelligence and Space Business Unit, has been named Rector of the Board of Visitors (BOV) for George Mason University.

“I’m looking forward to helping further strengthen Mason’s position as a top-tier academic destination, and to help nurture the talent needed in the workforce,” Blackman explained.

Horace Blackman has worked with government and public sector organizations for more than 20 years to support their missions and deliver impactful change through business and information technology solutions, including supporting the mission-critical programs within the DoD and Intelligence sectors.

In the new position, Blackman will work hands-on to influence GMU’s overall strategy, which includes its policies and organizational vision. Previously, he also help the role of vice Rector and is a alumni of the university after graduating in 1993.

“It is a tremendous honor to serve as Rector of my alma mater at this exciting juncture of growth and innovation,” stated Blackman. “Through my federal client work at CGI Federal, I bring a unique, insiders’ perspective on how the university can prepare students for current and future challenges.”

George Mason University is regularly voted as the best “young” university, which includes more than 38,000 students from 130 countries and 50 states.

GMU is also known to be a top producer of cyber talent and has been ranked #1 in the nation in that area as well as in the top 30 for innovation and diversity.

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Army Soliciting Proposals for Ground Soldier Technology Effort
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Army Soliciting Proposals for Ground Soldier Technology Effort

The U.S. Army is seeking proposals from small businesses to support an effort to develop ground soldier-centric information technology envisioned to augment warfighters’ lethality, mobility, protection, logistics and communication capabilities.

In an Army notice posted on SAM.gov, the service branch said the Ground Soldier Technology Workflow, Integration and eXperience initiative will aim to optimize warfighter functions by focusing on data flow, equipment, network, systems and software.

“GS-TWIX specifically seeks to design, develop and analyze solutions associated with small unit ground soldier systems and devices as they impact soldier sub-systems integration, soldier workflow and soldier experience,” the solicitation reads.

The effort is anticipated to impact Sensored Soldier, Nett Warrior, Integrated Visual Augmentation System; Soldier Integration Facility; and other efforts and collaborations led by the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Soldier Center.

Proposals are due Aug. 22.

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USGS Accepts Control Authority of Northrop-Built Landsat 9 Satellite From NASA
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USGS Accepts Control Authority of Northrop-Built Landsat 9 Satellite From NASA

NASA has completed the transition of operational responsibility for a Northrop Grumman-built Landsat 9 Earth observation satellite to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The newest remote sensing satellite under the joint NASA-USGS program works to capture images of the planet’s surface at 30 meter resolution every eight days and offers data to support research in areas such as water resource management, land use mapping and disaster relief, the space agency said Friday.

“For more than fifty years now, Landsat satellites have helped us learn more about how Earth systems work, how human activities affect those systems, and how we can make better decisions for the future,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. 

The fourth spacecraft Northrop built for the program lifted off in September 2021 aboard an Atlas V rocket and completed the commissioning phase last month.

Steve Krein, vice president of commercial and civil satellites at Northrop, said the satellite builds on the five-decade legacy of the Landsat mission that helps monitor natural resources on Earth.

NASA and USGS are gearing up for the development of Landsat Next, Landsat 9’s proposed successor. 

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