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Navy Seeking Industry Partner to Manage SLAM2ER Technology Consortium
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U.S. Navy logo. The U.S. Navy has issued an RFI for a consortium management firm

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division is seeking a consortium management firm to help accelerate research, development and prototyping for naval warfare technologies.

According to the request for information posted on SAM.gov published Feb. 27, the Navy intends to competitively establish an other transaction authority with a single firm that will recruit members of the planned consortium, which will be known as the Seabed-Subsea, Littoral, Asymmetric-Autonomous, Mining and Mine Hunting, Expeditionary, Robotic, or SLAM2ER consortium.

Responsibilities of the consortium manager will include organizing industry engagement activities, managing proposal submissions and evaluations, issuing project-level awards and overseeing financial management of consortium activities. The manager will also facilitate collaboration among participants through workshops, technical meetings and information-sharing platforms.

Responses are due March 13.

Navy Seeking Industry Partner to Manage SLAM2ER Technology Consortium

Navy leaders will discuss upcoming opportunities for industry to support naval operations at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27. Tickets are available here.

What Is the SLAM2ER Technology Consortium?

The planned consortium will serve as a collaborative platform connecting government, industry, academia and research institutions.

Through the OTA framework, the consortium will provide a flexible mechanism to solicit, evaluate and fund prototype projects addressing complex naval warfare challenges. Technology areas of interest span advanced communications, robotics and autonomous systems, cybersecurity, materials and manufacturing, modeling and simulation, mine warfare, oceanography and hydrography, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and force protection.

The Navy has previously used a similar consortium model to accelerate research and development of critical technologies. The Expeditionary Missions Consortium-Crane, managed by Advanced Technology International, focuses on the development of expeditionary warfare technologies.

What Is the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division?

NSWC PCD serves as the Navy’s technical center of excellence for littoral warfare and coastal defense technologies.

The division conducts research, development, testing and evaluation and provides in-service support for systems used in mine warfare, naval special warfare, diving and life support, amphibious and expeditionary maneuver operations, and other missions conducted in coastal environments.

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SBA Begins Process to Remove 628 Firms From 8(a) Program
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Kelly Loeffler. The SBA administrator commented on the termination proceedings against 628 companies in the 8(a) program.

The Small Business Administration has launched termination proceedings against 628 companies in the 8(a) Business Development Program for failing to provide requested financial records.

Why Is SBA Removing 8(a) Contractors?

SBA said Wednesday the firms, which received nearly $850 million in 8(a) contracts between fiscal years 2021 and 2024, refused to submit three years of financial documentation for a comprehensive review aimed at uncovering fraud, pass-through schemes and other compliance issues. They are part of a larger group of 1,091 contractors suspended earlier this year after failing to produce the requested documents.

According to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, a 2026 Wash100 Award recipient, the enforcement action reflects the agency’s effort to strengthen oversight of the federal small business contracting program.

“The message is clear: if you have something to hide, you cannot do business with the federal government,” Loeffler said. “We are ending abuse and DEI discrimination in federal contracting and removing every fraudulent participant that took opportunity away from legitimate and eligible small business owners at taxpayers’ expense.”

What Is Driving Increased Oversight of the 8(a) Program?

In June 2025, SBA initiated a full-scale audit of the program after a Department of Justice investigation uncovered a fraud and bribery scheme involving a former U.S. Agency for International Development contracting officer and more than $550 million in improperly awarded contracts.

The agency previously said the audit’s initial targets are high-value and limited-competition contracts awarded over the past 15 years, with findings to be referred to the SBA Office of Inspector General and DOJ for potential enforcement actions.

What Other Enforcement Actions Has SBA Taken?

The latest terminations follow several other steps taken by SBA to strengthen oversight of the 8(a) program. In February, the agency initiated removal proceedings against 154 Washington, D.C.-based firms after determining they exceeded statutory thresholds for economic disadvantage required to remain eligible for the program. Earlier in the review process, SBA directed approximately 4,300 program participants to submit financial documentation.

The agency said it is working with other federal entities conducting their own reviews of the program, including the Department of War and the Department of the Treasury.

What Is the 8(a) Business Development Program?

The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program is designed to help small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals compete for federal contracts. Participating firms could receive sole-source or set-aside contracts intended to support business development and expand opportunities in the federal marketplace.

The current review is intended to ensure that program participants meet eligibility requirements and comply with the contracting rules governing the program’s use.

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Space Force Selects Rice University, University of Arizona Teams for SSTI Remote Sensing Research
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Space Force logo. The U.S. Space Force announced awardees under its SSTI 4 research program

The U.S. Space Force has selected two teams led by Rice University and the University of Arizona to conduct remote sensing research under the Space Strategic Technology Institute, or STTI, 4.

The university-led teams secured cooperative agreements worth up to $16 million over three and a half years, the Space Force said Wednesday. STTI 4 is part of a series of solicitations issued by the USSF University Consortium over the past two years.

Space Force Selects Rice University, University of Arizona Teams for SSTI Remote Sensing Research

Leaders from the Air Force and the Space Force will discuss the capabilities that airmen and guardians need to combat the growing threats in the air and space domains at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30. Get your tickets today.

What Is the Space Strategic Technology Institute Program?

SSTI is an initiative to accelerate the transition of new technologies from lab to real-world applications in support of Space Force missions. Launched in 2023, the initiative aims to address scientific and technological challenges in space through partnerships with universities and other research organizations.

“By continuing to support and collaborate with academic institutions, the United States can ensure it remains at the forefront of technological advancement and global leadership in the increasingly contested domain of space,” Stacie Williams, chief science officer at the Space Force, stated.

The SSTI program is expected to produce testbeds, high-fidelity modeling and simulation tools, demonstrations and prototypes that can support future operational capabilities for the Space Force.

What Technologies Has the SSTI Program Produced?

The University Consortium has already facilitated several technology transitions over the past two years, including a $36 million commercial contract awarded to Axiom by Texas A&M University’s in-space operations team and a follow-on $6 million contract tied to technology developed at the University of Texas at Austin.

Additional transitions include two Direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation Research awards worth $2.5 million to a University of Michigan team for research on advanced space power and propulsion technologies.

The resulting innovations have contributed to hardware development for the Axiom commercial space station, introduced propulsion technologies to the commercial market and improved algorithms used by the Space Force.

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Bipartisan Bill Proposes Unified Federal Loan Technology Platform
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US Capitol. Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act to create a loan technology platform.

Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., along with Reps. Brad Finstad, R-Minn., and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., have introduced the Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act, a bicameral effort to transition the government credit programs onto a single, commercially available technology platform, Federal News Network reported Wednesday.

What Does the Proposed Legislation Aim to Do?

Through the proposed bill, the bipartisan lawmakers aim to replace the current patchwork of back-office systems with a centralized “front door” at Lending.gov, a public-facing portal where borrowers can find federal lending opportunities through a single digital entry point. The platform is intended to reduce duplication across systems and make it easier for agencies to manage multiple loan and credit programs.

The bill “would streamline the process for borrowers and federal agencies, replacing the confusing patchwork of loan programs that frustrates Americans every day. It would also stop waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars,” said Blackburn.

How Would the New Platform Work?

Under the proposal, the system would be built using commercially available loan-processing technology. The measure directs the General Services Administration to develop a comprehensive plan for building the shared services environment within six months, including determining an implementation schedule and the expected costs for the Lending.gov rollout.

GSA will determine which agency will operate the platform as the government’s shared services provider for lending. Furthermore, the agency would consult with the Federal Credit Policy Council to identify which existing programs should transition to the new environment.

State of Federal Lending Technology

While some agencies, including the Small Business Administration, have upgraded borrower experience, federal lending technology remains uneven across agencies, according to the Center for USA Lending. The proposed legislation seeks to align government lending systems more closely with private-sector financial standards.

One SBA program showing early results is the Working Capital Pilot Program. As of February, the program delivered more than $150 million in new lending since its inception, with more than $125 million approved in January alone.

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Air Force Conducts Minuteman III ICBM Test Launch
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Minuteman III ICBM. The U.S. Air Force conducted a test launch of the unarmed Minuteman III ICBM.

The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command carried out a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, equipped with two test re-entry vehicles on Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Air Force Conducts Minuteman III ICBM Test Launch

The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30 will bring together Air Force and Space Force leaders with industry innovators to discuss advanced technologies shaping the future of air and space power. Book your seat today!

What Was the Purpose of the Missile Test?

Designated GT 255, the mission was conducted to assess the precision and reliability of the weapon system within the land-based leg of the nuclear triad. The test also evaluated the performance of the reentry vehicles, which are designed to enhance the missile’s operational capability and its ability to penetrate adversary defenses.

The launch is part of a long-running, data-driven evaluation program that includes hundreds of similar tests conducted over several decades to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the weapon system. Data gathered from these events supports assessments of missile components and operational readiness across the ICBM fleet.

How Was the ICBM Test Launch Conducted?

The test involved launching a Minuteman III ICBM that deployed two reentry vehicles toward a designated impact point at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands after traveling thousands of miles. Throughout the flight, specialists from the 377th Test and Evaluation Group monitored the missile to assess accuracy, reliability and the performance of key system components. Data gathered from the launch is provided to agencies such as the Department of War, Department of Energy and U.S. Strategic Command to support ongoing evaluations of the Minuteman III’s operational readiness.

Previous Minuteman III Modernization Efforts

The launch comes as the Air Force continues efforts to sustain the Minuteman III while preparing to transition to the LGM-35A Sentinel system. In 2024, Boeing received a $405.4 million contract modification to support operations, testing and maintenance of the Minuteman III through 2029. Northrop Grumman has also supported the program under a potential $3.86 billion contract for ground subsystem sustainment, while contractors such as Guidehouse have provided systems integration support during the transition period.

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Jim O’Neill Nominated as NSF Director
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Jim O’Neill. The former HHS deputy director has been nominated to serve as NSF director.

The White House on Monday announced that President Donald Trump nominated Jim O’Neill, most recently deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services, to serve as director of the National Science Foundation for a six-year term.

O’Neill’s nomination at NSF comes after recent leadership changes at HHS, where he served as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while also serving as deputy secretary.

Why Is the NSF Director Position Open?

The position has been vacant for nearly 10 months following the resignation of former NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan in April 2025 after five years at the helm of the agency. Since his departure, NSF Chief of Staff Brian Stone has been performing the duties of director.

If confirmed by the Senate, O’Neill would lead the independent federal agency that funds basic research and education in science and engineering across the U.S.

Who Is Jim O’Neill?

O’Neill took oath as deputy secretary of HHS in June 2025 after the Senate confirmed him to the role in a 52-43 vote. Shortly afterward, he assumed additional responsibilities as acting director of CDC.

Before joining HHS leadership, O’Neill served as CEO of the SENS Research Foundation, where he led research and development efforts focused on regenerative medicine solutions for cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other age-related diseases.

He served as CEO of the Thiel Foundation and co-founded the Thiel Fellowship, where he supported young entrepreneurs who founded science and tech companies.

According to his LinkedIn profile, the Yale University graduate was managing director at Mithril Capital Management and Clarium Capital Management.

O’Neill also held leadership roles at HHS during President George W. Bush’s administration, including principal associate deputy secretary, member of the steering committee for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and associate deputy secretary.

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Istari Wins DOW OTA for Mission Engineering Automation Testbed
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Department of War logo. DOW awarded Istari a prototype OTA to build the Mission Engineering Automation Testbed.

The Department of War has awarded Istari Federal, operating as Istari Digital, a prototype other transaction agreement to build the Mission Engineering Automation Testbed, or MEAT, which seeks to enhance how mission engineering insights are produced and used to support joint force operations.

The National Security Technology Accelerator said Tuesday the OTA is expected to have a potential value of up to $50 million, including possible follow-on phases for logistical support and expanded system integration.

The agreement was issued through the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division under the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems OTA, known as S2MARTS, a contracting vehicle managed by NSTXL that supports rapid prototyping and technology development.3

Istari Wins DOW OTA for Mission Engineering Automation Testbed

Recent developments in defense innovation, such as new efforts to modernize mission engineering capabilities, highlight the evolving priorities shaping the naval and broader defense landscape. These trends provide important context for conversations across government and industry. Save your seat and join the discussion at the 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27.

What Is the DOW MEAT Initiative?

MEAT is a DOW effort that seeks to accelerate the adoption of mission engineering across the defense enterprise by automating and integrating workflows used in research, development, evaluation, testing, acquisition and operational planning.

The initiative aims to establish a secure, scalable testbed that supports mission engineering activities across live, virtual and constructive environments while advancing digital engineering practices. Through MEAT, the department seeks to create a reusable, open-architecture environment that can rapidly incorporate new tools and capabilities to support continuous modernization.

The effort is supported by several DOW agencies, including the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, the Navy Modeling and Simulation Office, Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems, the Office of Naval Research and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

A request for solutions for the MEAT initiative was issued in October.

What Are the Phase One Objectives of the MEAT OTA Award?

Under phase one, the company will build prototypes that incorporate advanced modeling, simulation and analytics into LVC environments. The effort aims to enable mission engineering tools to operate more seamlessly together while supporting multilevel security architectures and cross-domain data sharing across different operational environments.

What Does Istari Digital Do?

Istari Digital develops digital infrastructure that connects engineering data, models and simulations to support collaboration and system development across aerospace and defense programs. The company was founded by Will Roper, former Air Force acquisition chief and a three-time Wash100 awardee.

Its initiatives include the Flyer One program, which aims to demonstrate a digitally certified aircraft. In 2024, the company won an AFWERX contract to provide modeling and simulation services for the Model One program.

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Kurt Dykstra Appointed General Counsel at Office of Personnel Management
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OPM General Counsel Kurt Dykstra. The Office of Personnel Management has appointed Kurt Dykstra as general counsel.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has appointed Kurt Dykstra as general counsel, placing him in charge of the agency’s legal office and policy advisory functions.

What Will Kurt Dykstra Do at OPM?

The agency said Dykstra will serve as chief legal officer and oversee the Office of the General Counsel, providing legal guidance to OPM’s director and senior leadership.

OPM Director Scott Kupor said Dykstra brings leadership experience and legal expertise that will help the agency address complex workforce and legal challenges.

“He understands how strong governance, accountability, and sound legal strategy support effective government. I am confident his leadership will help ensure OPM continues to serve federal employees and the American people with integrity and excellence,” said Kupor.

Who Is Kurt Dykstra?

Dykstra is a three-decade veteran of the legal industry with extensive experience advising on complex workforce matters, regulatory compliance, internal investigations and corporate governance. His career spans corporate law, higher education, financial services and public service.

Before joining OPM, Dykstra served as a shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren. He was president and CEO of Independent Colleges of Indiana, a member of the Providence Bank & Trust Board of Directors, and president of Trinity Christian College. He also served as the mayor of Holland, Michigan, for over five years, after previously serving as a council member.

Dykstra spent over 12 years as an instructor at Hope College and also served as the community president of the Mercantile Bank of Michigan. Earlier in his career, he served as an attorney at Warner Norcross & Judd and as a judicial law clerk for the Wisconsin Court System. He was also an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.

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CISA Names Chris Butera as Acting Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity
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Chris Butera, acting executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA. CISA selected Butera to lead its cyber division

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has appointed Chris Butera as acting executive assistant director of its cybersecurity division, NextGov/FCW reported Tuesday. He replaces Nick Andersen, who has stepped in as acting director of CISA following Madhu Gottumukkala’s appointment as director of strategic implementation at the Department of Homeland Security.

CISA Names Chris Butera as Acting Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity

Hear about the threats to federal systems and the strategies that keep critical data safe from adversaries at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21. The event will bring together government and industry leaders to discuss the increasing role of cyberspace in global conflict. Secure your tickets today.

Who Is Chris Butera?

Butera has more than 20 years of experience in cybersecurity and information technology leadership across federal and local government and the private sector. Most recently, he served as senior technical director for CISA’s cybersecurity division, where he led initiatives to enhance cyber services, strengthen operational visibility and guide research and development related to artificial intelligence and industrial control systems security.

He also held the roles of associate director of threat hunting, deputy director of the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center and chief of the NCCIC Hunt and Incident Response Team at CISA. 

Butera holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Chicago.

What Other Leadership Shifts Are Happening at CISA?

Robert Costello, chief information officer at CISA, also announced that he is departing federal service. In a LinkedIn post Tuesday, Costello said the week marks his last at the agency after 23 years in government, including 18 years at the Department of Homeland Security.

“DHS safeguards the American people every day, often without recognition. I have seen firsthand the dedication across the Department and will always be grateful to have been part of that mission for 18 years,” he wrote. 

Costello’s announcement comes shortly after reports confirmed that Shelly Hartsook, acting associate director of CISA’s cybersecurity division, will also depart the agency. Hartsook oversaw capacity-building efforts across the division, including programs that deliver cybersecurity capabilities to federal agencies such as the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program.

CISA has also been without a permanent leader since the departure of Jen Easterly, a three-time Wash100 winner, in 2025. President Donald Trump renominated Sean Plankey, former director for cyber policy at the National Security Council, to lead the agency in January.

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Textron, GDLS ARV-30 Prototypes for Marine Corps Complete Initial Swim Tests
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US Marine Corps logo. ARV-30 prototypes from Textron Systems and GDLS completed their first amphibious swim tests.

Prototypes of the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle-30, which Textron Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems built for the U.S. Marine Corps, completed their first swim tests earlier this year at the Amphibious Vehicle Testing Branch in Camp Pendleton, California.

Textron, GDLS ARV-30 Prototypes for Marine Corps Complete Initial Swim Tests

The 2026 Navy Summit, hosted by the Potomac Officers Club on Aug. 27, will bring together Navy leaders, defense officials and industry representatives to discuss modernization priorities, emerging technologies and the future of naval operations. Register today!

What Did the ARV-30 Swim Tests Evaluate?

The companies each developed two ARV versions that underwent water mobility demonstrations, including still water and calm water operations to evaluate amphibious performance and gather data to refine their vehicle designs ahead of the next phase of the program, the Marine Corps said Monday. The events were conducted under a rapid prototyping program managed by Program Manager Light Armored Vehicles.

Following the swim testing milestone, the Marine Corps plans to conclude the rapid prototyping phase and transition to the program’s pre-production development stage.

Under the next phase, Textron and GDLS are expected to build 16 prototypes of various ARV variants over a four-and-a-half-year competition period. Following additional testing and a final design selection around 2030, the winner will deliver six ARVs to the Fleet Marine Force.

What Capabilities Does the ARV Program Aim to Deliver?

The ARV is intended to replace the Marine Corps’ Light Armored Vehicle, which has been in service for more than four decades. The new platform is designed to operate as a networked reconnaissance system capable of integrating sensors, communications systems and autonomous technologies to enable manned and unmanned teaming operations.

“There is no question the LAV has been a wonderful vehicle for the Marine Corps for the last 40+ years, but there’s a limit to how much you can iterate on a 40-year-old design,” said Col. Christopher Stephenson, program manager of PM LAV. “The ARV brings a truly modern platform, designed using the best commercial practices for significant safety and interconnectivity improvements.”

What Features Are Included in the GDLS ARV-30 Prototype?

GDLS’ ARV-30 prototype is designed to enhance mobility, survivability and lethality. The vehicle connects to onboard and offboard sensors and unmanned aerial systems, and is designed with a modular open architecture to support the integration of new technologies. The platform also incorporates the company’s Next Generation Electronic Architecture to enable artificial intelligence functionality and control of robotic systems.

What Capabilities Does Textron’s Cottonmouth Prototype Provide?

Textron developed the Cottonmouth prototype in partnership with Elbit Systems of America as part of their joint bid for the Marine Corps’ ARV program. The platform is designed for sustained reconnaissance missions and supports organic unmanned systems operations. An Elbit executive previously said the ARV concept includes a multidomain situational awareness suite that provides significant increases in lethality and survivability.

What Acquisition Strategy Is the Marine Corps Using?

The ARV program is using other transaction agreements with Textron Systems and GDLS, allowing the Marine Corps to utilize flexible contracting mechanisms designed to speed development.

Stephenson said the program also uses the middle tier acquisition pathway to reduce development timelines.

“The ARV program is a prime example of how we are thinking differently about major acquisitions. By leveraging Middle Tier Acquisition pathways and Other Transactional Authorities, we are empowered to move faster than traditional models,” he said.

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