January 31, 2024

NASA’s new Deputy CIO, NGA SB event, Airbus buys satellite JV stake, AI EO, USAF RFP, AF electric aircraft test, Option 3 to buy Onclave Networks

Author

GovBrew
January 31, 2024

QUICK HITS

  • WH vows decisive response to drone strike that killed three in Jordan: NSC says strike "was escalatory... and requires a response."

  • Gov’t rules for social media security still lack clarity: Even an SEC breach of X can't help policymakers and experts find consensus.

  • Far 3 Rules: Learn the rules about improper business practices and personal conflicts of interest at this Friday seminar.

  • Public Sector Artificial Intelligence: Here’s a rundown of what happened last week: International, Federal, State & Local.

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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

CENTCOM investigates who, exactly, launched the deadly drone strike on US in Jordan.

After the aforementioned drone attack, US Central Command is looking at how it can “better refine not only your air defenses but prevent future attacks like this from happening again…what was different about this attack is where it landed: It did impact…where [the] living quarters are.” Read more

Air Force’s electric aircraft test ends with simulated casualty evac.

The Beta Technologies Alia aircraft took part in a casualty evacuation scenario with the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB. It was the first such simulated mission conducted with an electric aircraft; Beta Technologies is one of more than a dozen businesses with contracts under the AF’s Agility Prime program, which seeks to speed up industry’s work to create and field electric aircraft. Read more

Mideast waters challenge unmanned vessels: heat, bad visibility, shallow waters.

“You bring things out, they look good on a PowerPoint, they look good when they are tested back in the middle of America,” Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said at conference in the UAE. “But when you bring them out in the Middle East and have them operate in the actual waters with the heat and the sand, some don’t work as well.” Read more

ICYMI:

Defense Contract Awards

Follow the Defense Leaders

Defense Job Openings

INTEL COMMUNITY

Cyber, intel leaders to officially brand China as #1 cyber threat.

The nation's top chiefs in cyber and intelligence are expected to deliver a stern message about the scale and threat of Chinese cyber activity against the U.S. at a high-profile hearing. Their decision to brand China as the leading cyber threat comes after researchers and officials have previously designated China as a clandestine and predatory cyber operator. Read more

ICYMI:

  • RFI: NGA soliciting small business input to prepare SB event

  • IC customers now have access to 30 ISVs and 170 products in the AWS Secret Region.

  • NGA awards new $794M R&D IDIQ to four companies to support agency’s R&D directorate. Booz Allen, Lockheed Martin, Reinventing Geospatial, and Solid Applied Science were the lucky winners.

CIVILIAN

Agencies on track with AI executive order at crucial 90-day mark.

The WH has met all of the 90-day benchmarks it set out to achieve in its October 2023 executive order on AI, with a focus on corralling the private sector into participating in public sector regulatory efforts absent binding law. The completed actions include leveraging authorities within the Defense Production Act to oblige AI software developers to report “vital information” about their systems, namely safety test results, to the DOC. Read more

Despite 'minimum' data use for TSA facial recognition tech, some experts still worry.

TSA is advancing its plans to implement facial recognition technology at U.S. airports and is working with DHS to analyze data to ensure that the new units are working correctly; some experts still worry that TSA's advancements represent worrying progress in invasive facial recognition that flies in the face of congressional concern. Read more

GAO official says 'AI is here' as new governance structures loom.

According to the GAO, the Fed is facing difficult decisions as it looks to implement new governance structures as agencies continue to integrate AI technologies; with coming AI capabilities, the government may not have as much influence as it has in the past with other emerging technologies. Read more

ICYMI:

Civilian Contracts Awards

Follow Civilian Leaders

  • NASA’s new Deputy CIO was the acting CIO of SSA.

  • The first CDEO of the DOI is from the OMB.

  • Former Booz Allen Hamilton SVP is now Cyber Defense Labs’ COO.

  • The new DOS Chief of Project Management was a former U.S. Government Advisor.

Civilian Job Openings

M&A CORNER

Airbus acquires Eutelsat OneWeb’s stake in satellite JV.

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. is set to purchase a 50% share of the Airbus OneWeb Satellites joint venture with Eutelsat OneWeb, making Airbus the sole owner of Airbus OneWeb Satellites and its satellite manufacturing facility in Merritt Island, FL. Read more

Option3 set to purchase Onclave Networks.

Cybersecurity private equity firm Option3 is set to purchase Onclave Networks through a newly established Zero Trust-focused platform. “Onclave is the first of a series of planned acquisitions already underway, that we expect will exceed $100 million this year,” said Option3's managing partner. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

What makes it so tough to recruit for an all-volunteer force?

For the past 15 years, the DOD has watched the recruiting rate of the all-volunteer force steadily decline. Those with an interest in serving and qualification rates, says the deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel policy, are hovering near all-time lows. So what can be done to overcome the challenges to successfully recruit more volunteers? Read more

What's the real meaning behind DOE's 'A' grade under FITARA?

With the 17th iteration of the Federal IT Acquisition Reform ACT (FITARA) scorecard just around the corner, the Department of Education demonstrates what an 'A' grade actually signifies in the context of its scorecard's marks. Read more

How does deep-sea mining bolster national security?

In this opinion piece, take a look at the role that deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules plays in the strengthening of U.S. national security, the economy, and the nation's manufacturing. Read more

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