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NSF Seeks to Advance AI Research Through New Operations Center
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Artificial intelligence. NSF issued a solicitation for an effort to establish NAIRR-OC.

The National Science Foundation has begun soliciting proposals for an initiative to establish a community-based center that will oversee the development of the overarching framework, management structure and operations strategy to support an integrated national infrastructure for artificial intelligence research and education.

National AI Research Resource Operations Center

NSF said Wednesday the proposed National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Operations Center, or NAIRR-OC, seeks to transition the NAIRR Pilot into a sustainable national program that will accelerate AI research capabilities.

“The NAIRR Operating Center solicitation marks a key step in the transition from the NAIRR Pilot to building a sustainable and scalable NAIRR program,” said Katie Antypas, director of the NSF Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with private sector and agency partners, whose contributions have been critical in demonstrating the innovation and scientific impact that comes when critical AI resources are made accessible to research and education communities across the country,” added Antypas.

According to the solicitation, NAIRR-OC seeks to establish the organizational management, operational framework and success metrics for NAIRR; launch a web portal for streamlined access to tools; integrate advanced computing and data resources; and collaborate with partner organizations to build a national AI research community.

Proposals are due Feb. 4, 2026.

What Is the NAIRR-Pilot?

Launched in 2024, the NAIRR Pilot aims to create a national infrastructure to help advance AI innovation by expanding access to data, computational, model and training resources.

The pilot has linked over 400 U.S. research teams to datasets, computing platforms, models and software to accelerate breakthroughs in cybersecurity, drug discovery, agriculture and other fields. It has been supported by 14 federal agencies and 28 nonprofit and private-sector partners.

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US, International Partners Publish Joint SBOM Guidance
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Software development. NSA, CISA and global partners release SBOM guidance to improve software supply chain transparency.

The National Security Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, in collaboration with cybersecurity agencies from more than a dozen countries, have released a joint guidance highlighting the importance of a software bill of materials. The publication, titled “A Shared Vision of Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for Cybersecurity,” urges software producers, procurers and operators to adopt SBOM practices to strengthen visibility into supply chains and reduce risks, NSA said Wednesday.US, International Partners Publish Joint SBOM Guidance

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Enhancing Supply Chain Security

An SBOM is described as a “list of ingredients” for software, documenting the components, modules and libraries used to build an application. The guidance notes that most modern software is built on open-source and proprietary elements, making it critical to increase transparency around software dependencies. By generating, analyzing and sharing SBOMs, organizations can improve vulnerability management, supply chain risk assessments, license compliance and software development practices, the guidance stated.

The document highlights how SBOMs helped organizations respond more efficiently to the 2021 Log4j vulnerability. Those with SBOM data were able to identify affected components faster, while those without had to rely on time-consuming manual checks.

Driving SBOM Adoption

The guidance aligns SBOM implementation with the Secure by Design initiative, which encourages technology manufacturers to normalize the development of products that are secure out of the box. It calls for automation in SBOM generation and integration into existing security and asset management tools to ensure effectiveness and scalability.

“Widespread adoption of SBOM will strengthen security, reduce risk, and decrease costs,” the authoring agencies said. They also warned that diverging implementations could hinder progress, stressing the need for a coordinated international approach.

The effort was developed in partnership with the Australian Cyber Security Centre; the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security; the French Cybersecurity Agency; Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security; Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency; South Korea’s National Intelligence Service; and more than 10 other national authorities. The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology also contributed to the guidance.

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Trump Moves US Space Command HQ to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama
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U.S. Space Command logo. The U.S. Space Command will call Redstone Arsenal in Alabama as its new home

President Trump has announced that the U.S. Space Command will relocate from its current headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado to the Army’s Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

In a press conference Tuesday, the president said the move will create over 30,000 jobs and result in hundreds of billions of dollars in investments for the state of Alabama.

Learn about how the U.S. is staying competitive with adversaries during the space IT panel at the 2025 GovCon International Summit, and in NATO space expert MG Devin Pepper’s keynote at the event.

Why Is US Space Command Moving to Alabama?

According to Trump, SPACECOM will be critical in the development of the Golden Dome of America, a missile defense system that will shield U.S. citizens and infrastructure from airborne threats.

“We were losing the race in space very badly to China and Russia, and now we’re far and away No. 1 in space, and we’re [reestablishing] SPACECOM with a mission to protect American space assets and detect any threat to our homeland,” the president stated.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a 2025 Wash100 Award winner, added during the press conference that SPACECOM’s move to Alabama would also ensure that the U.S. will stay “leaps and bounds ahead” of competition.

He stressed the importance of the space domain.

“Whoever controls the skies will control the future of warfare,” Hegseth said. “Mr. President, today you’re ensuring that happens.”

Background on US Space Command

Spacecom was originally established in 1985, deestablished in 2002 and reestablished in 2019, during Trump’s first term. The unified combatant command is involved in the U.S. military’s activities in space and is in charge of defending American satellites from threats.

Reuters reported that, based on congressional records, SPACECOM has around 1,700 personnel.

Trump Moves US Space Command HQ to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama
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GSA, ServiceNow Partner on AI-Driven Government Modernization
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Handshake representing partnership. GSA and ServiceNow have partnered to offer an AI-driven government modernization platform

The General Services Administration and ServiceNow have entered into a OneGov agreement to provide federal agencies access to an advanced artificial intelligence-driven modernization platform.

GSA said Wednesday the collaboration aims to enhance government workflow efficiency and optimize agentic transformation by providing them access to the ServiceNow AI Platform through a streamlined licensing model.

ServiceNow AI Platform

Through the OneGov agreement, federal agencies aiming to modernize their technology using intelligent automation, predictive analytics, process mining and workplace optimization can access ServiceNow’s AI platform and other offerings. The company’s Information Technology Service Management Pro and ITSM Pro Plus bundle, including ServiceNow Now Assist, are available at discounts of up to 70 percent until September 2028, or a standalone ITSM Pro upgrade at 40 percent off the listed price.

Remarks From Government Officials, ServiceNow CEO

Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, recipient of the 2025 Wash100 Award, stated, “This agreement is a logical next step in the AI transformation of government and positions us to deliver on the administration’s goals for efficiency, productivity and the priorities outlined in President Trump’s AI Action plan.”

“This partnership with ServiceNow will be instrumental in streamlining government technology, driving efficiency and unlocking significant taxpayer savings,” said GSA Acting Administrator Michael Rigas.

“Our AI platform and solutions will help every federal agency consolidate the past, strengthen security and deliver better outcomes for the American people,” remarked Bill McDermott, chairman and CEO of ServiceNow.

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GAO Report Finds DOD Lacks Data to Assess Effectiveness of Other Transaction Agreements
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Government Accountability Office logo. GAO reviewed other transaction agreement data and ongoing weapon programs at the DOD

The Department of Defense does not have the data that would enable decision-makers to determine if other transaction agreements, or OTAs, are working as intended, the Government Accountability Office revealed in a new report published Wednesday.

According to the congressional watchdog, while DOD tracks when a prototype OTA moves to production OTA, there is no process in place to monitor when the program switches to a standard contract.

Evaluating DOD’s Use of OTAs

OTA is a contracting mechanism that offers flexibility to support capability development. Officials use OTAs to customize the terms and conditions to protect the government’s interests. Non-traditional defense contractors that also do not typically do business with the government may choose to work with DOD under an OTA.

After the prototype phase, contractors may receive another OTA for large-scale production or a standard production contract subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Because OTAs come with risks, such as reduced oversight of contractor costs, defense officials may switch to standard contracts for capability production. In fact, of the 18 weapon system programs reviewed for the report, 10 are moving from prototype OTAs to standard contracts for production. Officials shared that standard contracts can mitigate overpayment.

The Pentagon systematically tracks prototype OTAs that turn into production OTAs. However, GAO discovered that the Defense Department does not track when prototype OTAs resulted in standard contracts for production.

GAO is recommending that DOD establish a systematic process for monitoring when prototype OTAs become standard contracts for production and report data fully and accurately. The Pentagon concurred.

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Pentagon’s Top Cyber Officials Step Down From Their Roles
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The Pentagon. Top DOD cyber officials Ashley Manning, Jonathan Owen and Gurpreet Bhatia have left their roles.

Ashley Manning, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy, and Jonathan Owen, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense integration and defense support to civil authorities, have stepped down from their positions at the Department of Defense, The Hill reported Tuesday.

In a LinkedIn post, Gurpreet Bhatia announced his departure from his role as principal director for cybersecurity and deputy chief information security officer at DOD.

Ashley Manning 

Manning most recently was responsible for developing and managing the implementation of DOD’s cyberspace strategy and policy and ensuring that they are aligned with national security objectives.

She previously served as acting deputy assistant secretary of defense and principal director for the Middle East and for plans and posture within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

The George Washington University graduate was selected for the DOD legislative fellows program.

The former visiting fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy held several positions with the U.S. Air Force with oversight of security cooperation programs with countries in South Asia and Northeast Asia.

Manning gave the closing keynote address at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Cyber Summit in May.

Jonathan Owen

Before taking on the role of acting deputy assistant secretary of defense, Owen served in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on extension from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. At CISA, he held roles in readiness, operational planning and continuity.

He held various roles during his time at the State Department, including diplomatic security service special agent and lead case agent for the Russia/Europe Counterintelligence Desk.

The U.S. Marine Corps veteran served as a lead associate at Booz Allen Hamilton earlier in his career.

Gurpreet Bhatia

As DOD’s principal director for cybersecurity, Bhatia provided expert policy, program, technical and DOD-wide oversight support to the DOD chief information officer on all cybersecurity matters and works with industry to enhance cybersecurity and information sharing through the defense industrial base.

“It has been an extraordinary honor and privilege to lead the Department’s cybersecurity mission—shaping policy, strengthening partnerships, and advancing our collective defense posture across the globe,” Bhatia said in his post. “Over the last three years, I’ve worked alongside brilliant minds to drive investment priorities, guide strategic planning, and foster resilience.”

Before joining the Office of the DOD CIO, he was chief of partner engagements in foreign engagements at the National Security Agency.

The University of Alabama graduate holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from Georgetown University.

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DARPA, New Mexico to Work on Quantum Frontier Project
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Quantum computing. DARPA and New Mexico to work on the Quantum Frontier Project as part of QBI.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the state of New Mexico’s Economic Development Department have signed an agreement to work on a project to advance quantum computing technology as part of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, or QBI.

DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative

Launched in July 2024, QBI intends to determine the possibility of creating an industrially useful computer much faster than traditional predictions. The initiative seeks to verify and validate whether any quantum computing approach can achieve utility-scale operation by 2033.

“New Mexico is the latest state to enter into partnership on QBI, and we are eager to leverage new facilities and expertise as we test and evaluate claims from a number of quantum computing companies about their progress in building a useful quantum computer,” Joe Altepeter, QBI program manager at DARPA, said in a statement published Tuesday.

DARPA-New Mexico Quantum Frontier Project

Depending on the results achieved, DARPA and New Mexico have agreed to contribute up to $60 million each over four years to fund efforts that support the Quantum Frontier Project and QBI.

“World-class national laboratories in New Mexico, such as Sandia and Los Alamos, are already a part of QBI’s independent verification and validation team, and we look forward through the Quantum Frontier Project to tapping into more of the state’s quantum R&D and testing infrastructure to help us determine whether quantum computers will work or not,” added Altepeter.

DARPA signed similar QBI agreements with other states, including Maryland and Illinois.

“New Mexico, having once pioneered applied physics, is excited to partner with DARPA on the QBI program to stay at the forefront of frontier technology and bring our world-class research, development, and entrepreneurial ecosystem into the fold,” said New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

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Nicholas Andersen Named Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at CISA
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CISA EAD Nicholas Andersen. CISA has appointed Nicholas Andersen as executive assistant director for cybersecurity.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has appointed Nicholas Andersen, a former Department of Energy cybersecurity executive, as executive assistant director for cybersecurity.

Nicholas Andersen Named Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at CISA

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Andersen will spearhead the agency’s cybersecurity mission, focusing on mitigating cyberthreats and vulnerabilities while reinforcing critical infrastructure security and resilience, CISA announced Tuesday.

Who Is Nicholas Andersen?

Andersen is an industry veteran with nearly two decades of experience in cybersecurity, information security and network security. He most recently served as president and chief operating officer at Invictus International Consulting, where he was responsible for shaping the company’s strategic direction, driving operational execution and managing financial performance.

The national security and cybersecurity leader briefly worked as chief information security officer at Lumen Technologies after serving at the Energy Department for over a year. He was an assistant secretary for cybersecurity, energy security and emergency response, and deputy assistant secretary for infrastructure security and energy restoration.

Andersen was the federal cybersecurity lead and senior cybersecurity adviser to the Executive Office of the President and a council member and cyber chair at the Department of Homeland Security. He also served as CISO for the state of Vermont.

The executive was the chief information officer of naval intelligence and CIO for the U.S. Coast Guard. Before that, he briefly worked at MANTECH as an information security engineer. Andersen spent over six years as a Marine Corps Intelligence Activity systems engineer.

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GSA Secures $3.1B OneGov Agreement With Microsoft to Accelerate AI Adoption
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General Services Administration logo. GSA announced a OneGov agreement with Microsoft aimed at advancing gov't AI adoption.

The U.S. General Services Administration announced a multibillion-dollar OneGov agreement with Microsoft, delivering steep discounts on Microsoft 365, Copilot, Azure Cloud Services and other technologies. The partnership is expected to generate $3.1 billion in savings for agencies in the first year, GSA said Tuesday.

Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient, called the agreement a “paradigm shift in federal procurement,” consolidating demand across agencies to achieve significant cost savings. “GSA is accelerating access to AI for federal agencies and delivering on the President’s AI Action Plan,” he said. “We appreciate Microsoft’s partnership in this modernization and its commitment toward an interoperable digital federal ecosystem.”

Expanding Access to AI Tools

As part of the agreement, the new U.S. government-exclusive Microsoft 365 + Copilot Suite will be offered at no cost for a year to G5 customers, with additional discounts for subsequent years. Agencies can also access reduced pricing for Dynamics 365, Azure Monitoring, Microsoft Sentinel and Entra ID Governance, along with implementation and adoption workshops.

GSA Deputy Administrator Stephen Ehikian said the agreement supports the Trump administration’s push for wider adoption of artificial intelligence across federal agencies.

According to Chris Barry, corporate vice president for U.S. Public Sector Industries, Microsoft is committed to providing federal agencies with the tools they need to harness AI “to advance the public good.”

The agreement, which agencies can opt into through September 2026, is expected to strengthen government efforts to improve operational efficiency, decision-making and citizen services while lowering costs.

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GAO Finds Inadequate Training in VA’s Implementation of Category Management Approach to Acquisition
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Government Accountability Office logo. GAO issued a new report on the VA's acquisition process

The Department of Veterans Affairs may not be getting the full benefits of a program meant for buying goods, such as medical and IT products, in bulk, said the Government Accountability Office.

In a new report, the congressional watchdog revealed that VA officials lack the proper training to effectively implement the category management approach to acquisition.

GAO Finds Inadequate Training in VA's Implementation of Category Management Approach to Acquisition

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VA’s Category Management Challenge

In 2019, the Office of Management and Budget launched an effort to leverage the government’s purchasing power and save taxpayer money. Called category management, the acquisition approach encourages the purchase of common goods and services as an organized enterprise to reduce contracts, improve management of suppliers, and increase overall value and savings for federal agencies.

In 2020, the VA assigned category leads to oversee common purchases and implement key responsibilities in line with OMB’s category management guidance.

In its report, GAO revealed that the VA met its annual category management goals from fiscal years 2020 through 2024. The agency managed 91.7 percent of contract obligations in fiscal 2024 according to category management principles. VA savings also accounted for 7.6 percent of its contract obligations during the period.

However, GAO found that category leads did not set or manage toward category-specific savings goals. Although workforce training for implementing category management principles, some category leads admitted that they did not undergo such training.

GAO Recommendations for VA

The congressional watchdog urged VA officials to establish performance requirements to ensure that category leads are held accountable for fulfilling their responsibilities and receive training relevant to their roles. The VA must also identify category-specific savings goals and track progress.

VA concurred with the recommendations.

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