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Contract Awards/News
DSA Lands Two Task Orders to Provide Technical Support for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Environments
by Charles Lyons-Burt
Published on February 9, 2022
DSA Lands Two Task Orders to Provide Technical Support for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Environments

Information technology company Data Systems Analysts has received a pair of task orders from the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND).

The Joint Enterprise-Omnibus Program, Engineering, and Technical Support Business and Analytical, Engineering and Technical, Information Technology task orders require DSA to offer technical support such as business and data analysis, training, cybersecurity strategy and systems engineering, the company said Wednesday.

“With this award, DSA continues to be a trusted contractor supporting the entire Joint Force,” said DSA Chairman and CEO Fran Pierce, calling the work necessitated by the task orders a “critical mission.”

DSA’s responsibilities under the task orders also include science and technology analysis, specialized software support and providing IT proficiency. These services are intended to aid the JPEO-CBRND in its mission to help warfighters navigate chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear environments.

The U.S. Special Forces entrusts the JPEO-CBRND with the management and administration of CBRN sensors and related technologies, including protective equipment, medical antidotes and defense-use biotechnologies.

As a result of the task orders, DSA will be assisting with these duties, in work taking place throughout the U.S.

DSA is currently performing similar services, such as cybersecurity and infrastructure development and sustainment, for the Defense Intelligence Agency under a 10-year, $12.6 billion contract.

In November 2021, DSA President and CFO John Foley spoke with ExecutiveBiz about landing the DIA contract and other subjects.

On the company’s place in the current tech landscape, Foley shared, “Our organization has traditionally operated within enterprise systems. Within the shifting priorities in cloud, ZTA, and accelerating data, DSA sees pockets of where our traditional offerings have application within the DoD and other agencies.”

The company’s potential to play a role with the other agencies Foley referenced is borne out by the two JPEO-CBRND task orders.

Government Technology/News
NCTC Provides Mobile App to Help Partners Access Counterterrorism Intelligence; Director Christy Abizaid Quoted
by Nichols Martin
Published on February 9, 2022
NCTC Provides Mobile App to Help Partners Access Counterterrorism Intelligence; Director Christy Abizaid Quoted

The National Counterterrorism Center has released its new mobile app designed to disseminate documents, resources and alerts based on unclassified counterterrorism intelligence.

The aCTknowledge app combines analysis, training and alerting into one counterterrorism platform, where users can read analysis reports, review educational materials, receive notifications and track topics of interest, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said Monday.

Users may employ the app to access real-time intelligence about potential terrorism that can affect national security. “The app empowers its users with the information they need to protect their communities from potential threats,” said Christy Abizaid, NCTC director.

Federal government and military personnel may now access aCTknowledge via the Apple App Store. NCTC plans to make the app available to local, tribal, territorial and state partners in the foreseeable future.

Biometrics News/News
IRS to Replace Facial Recognition for Authenticating Taxpayers’ Online Account; Chuck Rettig Quoted
by Angeline Leishman
Published on February 9, 2022
IRS to Replace Facial Recognition for Authenticating Taxpayers’ Online Account; Chuck Rettig Quoted

The Internal Revenue Service is planning to move away from using a third-party facial recognition service in an effort to address taxpayers’ concerns regarding their privacy and security.

The agency said Monday it will continue working on other methods of verification with other government organizations that could authenticate taxpayers creating new online accounts while protecting their personal information.

To ease the transition amid filing season, the IRS will develop an additional short-term authentication option that users can select without going through facial recognition processes.

“Everyone should feel comfortable with how their personal information is secured, and we are quickly pursuing short-term options that do not involve facial recognition,” explained Chuck Rettig, IRS commissioner.

Government Technology/News
Gillian Bussey: DOD Needs to Boost Hypersonic Production Capacity
by Nichols Martin
Published on February 9, 2022
Gillian Bussey: DOD Needs to Boost Hypersonic Production Capacity

Gillian Bussey, director of the Joint Hypersonics Transition Office, said the Department of Defense will need to boost its production capacity for offensive and defensive hypersonic systems, DOD News reported Tuesday.

Bussey said at a discussion with the Center for Strategic and International Studies that DOD should boost the rates of additive manufacturing for cruise missiles engines and thermal protection systems for glide vehicles.

She said these particular aspects of hypersonics production take the most time and addressing them can produce significant results.

“Those are the things that take the longest. If we can reduce the production time and increase the capacity and you know double, triple, quadruple those production numbers, I think that’s how we’ll really make a difference,” she said.

Bussey also noted that DOD is prioritizing offensive hypersonic systems over defensive ones because the latter presents higher costs and complexities.

Cybersecurity/News/Wash100
CISA Finances US Team for Upcoming International Cybersecurity Competition; Director Jen Easterly Quoted
by Angeline Leishman
Published on February 9, 2022
CISA Finances US Team for Upcoming International Cybersecurity Competition; Director Jen Easterly Quoted

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is sponsoring a team of cyber personnel that will represent the U.S. in the June International Cybersecurity Challenge in Greece.

The first-ever U.S. Cyber Team is composed of 20 cybersecurity athletes picked from a capture-the-flag competition in May and evaluated during a three-month invitational combine in July, the cyber agency said Friday.

Jen Easterly, director of CISA and a 2022 Wash100 Award recipient., pointed out that cyber competitions help grow a community of cybersecurity professionals by keeping existing cyber personnel sharp and motivating the next generation of cyber talent.

“While certifications and apprenticeships are important training instruments, games provide a safe and legal venue to practice offensive and defensive techniques in a real-world environment,” added Easterly. 

The sponsorship adds to CISA’s existing initiatives aimed at expanding the existing and future cybersecurity workforce.

Government Technology/News
Electrode Device Shows Promise in Spinal Cord Study
by Jane Edwards
Published on February 9, 2022
Electrode Device Shows Promise in Spinal Cord Study

Researchers from Switzerland have found that an implanted electrode device enabled three patients with spinal cord injury to stand and walk again, CNN reported Monday.

Participants in the STIMO clinical trial were able to independently take steps on a treadmill using body weight support a day after undergoing surgery to place the epidural device from Onward Medical.

“For the first time, we have not only immediate effect – though training is still important – but also individuals with no sensation, no movement whatsover, have been able to regain full standing and walking independently of the laboratory,” said Gregoire Courtine of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Courtine is one of the study’s authors who led the trial with Dr. Jocelyne Bloch from Lausanne University Hospital.

Using a tablet computer, the researchers stimulated the patients’ trunk and leg muscles by initiating and sending unique sequences of electrical pulses to the implanted device through the pacemaker.

The research team plans to hold a larger clinical trial in the U.S. The study was published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Industry News/News
KPMG Joins Ranks of Corporate Crypto Owners With First Bitcoin & Ethereum Investment
by reynolitoresoor
Published on February 8, 2022
KPMG Joins Ranks of Corporate Crypto Owners With First Bitcoin & Ethereum Investment

KPMG’s Canadian arm has added Bitcoin and Ethereum to its balance sheet with the completion of the firm’s first direct investment in cryptoassets.

Canadian Managing Partner of advisory services for KPMG in Canada, Benjie Thomas called cryptocurrency a “maturing asset class” that holds immense potential in the future of global finance.

“Investors such as hedge funds and family offices to large insurers and pension funds are increasingly gaining exposure to cryptoassets, and traditional financial services such as banks, financial advisors and brokerages are exploring offering products and services involving cryptoassets,” Thomas explained, highlighting the urgency behind digital asset adoption in the private sector.

Thomas added that the cryptoasset allocation aligns with KPMG’s belief that the institutional adoption of blockchain technology and digital assets will continue to accelerate, driving crypto into mainstream markets and uses.

KPMG has joined a growing roster of corporations, publicly-traded companies and private organizations that have invested in cryptoassets. 

In 2020, business intelligence and cloud-based services firm MicroStrategy transferred a significant amount of its corporate treasury to Bitcoin in response to growing inflationary pressures and the economic flux that accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic.

MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor spearheaded the Bitcoin investment strategy, which catapulted the company into a new phase of growth and laid the foundation for corporate cryptoasset ownership on a larger scale.

KPMG Joins Ranks of Corporate Crypto Owners With First Bitcoin & Ethereum Investment

Saylor spoke on his experience, both personal and professional, with Bitcoin during the Potomac Officers Club’s recent Digital Currency and National Security Forum. During an exclusive fireside chat, Saylor discussed the importance of Bitcoin and the role digital currencies will play in the future of the economy.

“Bitcoin is the first creation of digital property in the history of the world,” Saylor commented. “We managed to create a non-sovereign store of value in the form of a synthetic bearer instrument.”

Hear Michael Saylor’s full comments on crypto and Bitcoin at PotomacOfficersClub.com, where you can view the full Digital Currency and National Security Forum on-demand now!

Government Technology/News
DOE Announces Funding Opportunity for Clean Hydrogen Projects
by Nichols Martin
Published on February 8, 2022
DOE Announces Funding Opportunity for Clean Hydrogen Projects

The Department of Energy is investing $28 million in research and development projects aimed at applying clean hydrogen to electricity production, industrial activities and transportation.

The funding opportunity announcement would drive the use of carbon capture technologies to generate clean hydrogen from waste materials, such as plastics, biomass, legacy coal and municipal solid waste, DOE said Monday.

The projects will focus on the following topic areas: clean hydrogen cost reductions for DOE’s Hydrogen Shot effort, clean hydrogen from high-volume waste materials and biomass, and sensors and controls for co-gasification of waste.

The FOA also supports front-end engineering design studies for carbon capture systems at domestic steam methane reforming facilities and autothermal reforming facilities, which produce hydrogen from natural gas.

DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management announced the FOA, which supports the Biden Administration’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Cybersecurity/News
New Air Force Initiative to Support Small Businesses in Contract Cybersecurity Requirements
by Angeline Leishman
Published on February 8, 2022
New Air Force Initiative to Support Small Businesses in Contract Cybersecurity Requirements

The U.S. Air Force has launched a new initiative to help small businesses comply with cybersecurity and information protection requirements to defend against cybercrimes.

The Blue Cyber initiative will provide Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer firms with state and federal resources to understand and implement Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement clauses on their contracts, the Air Force said Monday.

Under Blue Cyber, the service branch will deliver 20 short presentations discussing defense cybersecurity regulations, a webinar featuring guest speakers from cyber-related organizations and one-on-one calls with Kelley Kiernan, a scientist and engineer within the Air Force’s Office of the Chief Information Security Officer.

“We must match the aggressiveness of our cyber adversaries with radical teamwork to bring our small businesses up-to-speed in the most modern methods for comprehensive protection of DAF sensitive data and networks,” noted Kiernan.

In the future, the Air Force plans to host a free cybersecurity boot camp and reach out to academic and research institutions as part of Blue Cyber.

Executive Moves/News
Army Scientist Robert Kristovich Joins Chemical Weapons Prohibition Organization’s Advisory Board
by Angeline Leishman
Published on February 8, 2022
Army Scientist Robert Kristovich Joins Chemical Weapons Prohibition Organization’s Advisory Board

Robert Kristovich, a scientist at the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center, has been named a new adviser of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

He will provide science and technology guidance to help the organization in overseeing the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty and campaigning for the elimination of chemical weapons, the Army said Monday.

He joins 24 other appointed experts from OPCW member organizations in the organization’s Scientific Advisory Board.

Currently, Kristovich heads a team of CBC experts that evaluate emerging chemical threats from around the world and advises the U.S. Chemical Biological Defense Program and the Department of Defense in supporting warfighters.

One of his contributions to the chemical weapons scene was the understanding of how Novichok-series compounds work and how to stop the proliferation of the nerve agents.

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