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NASA, Japan Sign Agreement for Gateway Life Support Capabilities
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NASA, Japan Sign Agreement for Gateway Life Support Capabilities

The Japanese government has inked an agreement with NASA to provide capabilities to sustain the habitation module of the agency's Gateway orbital outpost as part of the Artemis program. 

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will deliver life support technologies and additional workspace to help Gateway crew members carry out work and research efforts inside the International Habitation module, NASA said Wednesday. 

Northrop Grumman partnered with the Japanese government to deliver batteries that will power Gateway's Habitation and Logistics Outpost module. Japan will also study potential updates for the HTV-X spacecraft in a bid to support Gateway's logistics resupply activities. 

"We’re honored to announce this latest agreement with Japan to support long-term human exploration on and around the Moon as part of the Artemis program," said Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator and 2019 Wash100 Award recipient. 

Gateway is designed to support scientific research efforts and function as a rendezvous point for astronauts that will fly to the Moon via the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft. The orbital outpost will also test technologies that will support manned missions to the Red Planet. 

The European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA entered into an agreement to incorporate Gateway's life support capabilities into the outpost. 

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DIA CIO Jack Gumtow Issues 4-Year Blueprint for Improving Intell Stakeholder Relationships
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DIA CIO Jack Gumtow Issues 4-Year Blueprint for Improving Intell Stakeholder Relationships

Jack Gumtow, chief information officer of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), has released his strategy to improve the agency’s customer relationship management throughout a four-year period, C4ISRnet reported Tueday.

The strategy comes as part of DIA’s efforts to address stakeholder feedback and covers objectives such as using automation to drive efficiency and breaking down barriers that result in data silos.

“Our culture will be one that drives decision-making down to the lowest level and gives the workforce the authority they need to execute through collaboration, career mobility, continuous learning, and the ability to use relevant skills across the organization whenever they are necessary,” Gumtow wrote in his strategy.

Other goals detailed in the plan include driving data accessibility, optimizing core services and strengthening workforce skillsets.

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USAF to Migrate Mission-Critical Apps Into Zero-Trust Environment
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USAF to Migrate Mission-Critical Apps Into Zero-Trust Environment

The U.S. Air Force is looking to enhance its cybersecurity in response to the service branch's remote work setup by moving its mission-critical applications into a zero-trust environment, Fedscoop reported Tuesday.

USAF will establish a task force to explore the migration of applications from a defense-parameter setup to an environment that will authenticate all users equally to secure the service branch's technology infrastructure.

According to the report, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) plans to launch a zero-trust reference framework in 2021 to push the Department of Defense's (DoD) agencies in updating their security networks.

The Air Force also rolled out pilot efforts to assess potential migrations to a zero-trust setup amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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DOE Invests in Phase I R&D Work Under 139 Small Businesses
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DOE Invests in Phase I R&D Work Under 139 Small Businesses

The Department of Energy (DOE) has earmarked $37 million to fund Phase I research and development activities under 170 grants issued to 139 small businesses in support of the DOE Office of Science.

DOE said Tuesday the Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer grants have a median value of $200,000 and cover a period of up to 12 months.

Research topics encompass a range of subject areas under the advanced scientific computing, basic energy sciences, biological and environmental research and nuclear physics segments of the Office of Science.

Specific projects include quantum transponders, high spatial resolution neutron imaging, synthetic biology and ultra low radioactivity cables and circuits.

Successful Phase I participants may apply for Phase II grants in fiscal year 2021. Awards under the second phase have a median amount of $1.1 million and cover a two-year period of prototype development work.

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NIST Looks to Update Legislation on Patent Licensing Disclosure; Walter Copan Quoted
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NIST Looks to Update Legislation on Patent Licensing Disclosure; Walter Copan Quoted

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) plans to update legislation that mandates companies, universities and non-profit organizations to disclose their inventions that were created through federal investments.

NIST said Tuesday that it is seeking public input on potential revisions to the Bayh-Dole Act or the University and Small Business Patent Procedures Act of 1980. The updates result from collaborations under NIST’s 2018 Return on Investment Initiative.

According to NIST, the revisions will help non-government entities retain rights to inventions while incentiivizing inventors “in the interests of economic vitality and for the public good.”

Changes include a new requirement for agencies to report progress on the Bayh-Dole Act’s implementation as well as additional information on the federal royalties collection process. The updated legislation will also include provisions on modified licensing appeals procedures.

Walter Copan, director of NIST, said the updates serve as a culmination of extensive stakeholder engagement and will help lay the foundation for U.S. technology transfer, entrepreneurship and innovation.

The federal government allocates over $150 billion for research and development per year, NIST noted. Comments on the updated legislation are due on April 5.

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Sehlke Consulting Reports 2020 Results, 2021 Projections; Chad Sehlke Quoted
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Sehlke Consulting Reports 2020 Results, 2021 Projections; Chad Sehlke Quoted

Sehlke Consulting reported that 2020 marked the company’s largest revenue growth year, resulting in a 58 percent increase in revenue, Sehlke reported on Wednesday. Additionally, the company will strive to continue its growth, moving into 2021.

“Since 2013, Sehlke has averaged 101 percent in year-over-year revenue growth. We are proud of what our teams continue to accomplish,” said the company’s founder and CEO, Chad Sehlke.

Sehlke provides comprehensive solutions across Financial Management; Acquisition Management; Logistics and Supply Chain Management; and National Security and Defense Programs.

During 2020, Sehlke integrated technology driven solutions to increase collaboration with their partners, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.  As a result of the company’s flexibility and communications, Sehlke was named one of Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America.

Looking forward, Sehlke will continue this momentum into 2021, delivering advanced performance, innovative technologies and subject matter expertise that will drive best-value solutions. Sehlke reported a run rate that will result in a minimum 67 percent growth.

About Sehlke 

Our Mission and culture of integrity offers comprehensive and leading solutions in Financial Management, Acquisition Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and National Security and Defense Programs.

Our Corporate commitment is to provide our clients with precision inspired performance through innovative technologies, and subject matter expertise driving best-value solutions. We are an ISO 9001:2015 certified organization that utilizes proven and repeatable processes to develop, analyze, and successfully implement our customers’ needs to achieve high levels of cost and schedule predictability.

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Intelligence Community Stands up Council for Commercial Space Systems
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Intelligence Community Stands up Council for Commercial Space Systems

The U.S. intelligence community has established a new council to augment how commercial space systems deliver data for intelligence operations, Breaking Defense reported Tuesday. The Commercial Space Council seeks to identify how to accelerate intelligence deliveries that rely on commercial satellites.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), National Security Agency (NSA), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) stood up the council to be chaired by David Gauthier, NGA's head for commercial space operations.

Gauthier said the council will work to increase IC's understanding of commercial technologies and advise on the community's policy and strategy.

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Perspecta Labs Wins Contract to Develop DoD Spectrum Access Manager
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Perspecta Labs Wins Contract to Develop DoD Spectrum Access Manager

Perspecta Labs has been awarded a three-year, $6.2 million prime contract to develop a spectrum access manager for the Department of Defense (DoD) under the National Spectrum Consortium’s Spectrum Base Agreement, Perspecta reported on Wednesday.

“Perspecta Labs will leverage its leading expertise in RF spectrum solutions to design, develop, integrate and demonstrate a spectrum access management and planning tool that delivers revolutionary advances in the characterization and management of RF spectrum and the planning and scheduling of test events,” said Petros Mouchtaris, Ph.D., president of Perspecta Labs.

Perspecta Labs will develop a spectrum access manager that will enable DoD test ranges to better understand and characterize the radio frequency (RF) spectrum environment. Perspecta’s support will also allow the department to quantify the performance of test systems based on the mission profile and improve efficiency in the scheduling and allocation of RF spectrum.

RF spectrum supports DoD testing of every type of weapon system and military platform. “DoD test ranges face a significant spectrum shortfall as there is an increasing demand to support the testing of complex emerging systems, but less dedicated spectrum available,” added Mouchtaris.

In addition, Perspecta Labs spectrum access manager will provide DoD test ranges with the capability to deconflict spectrum assignments for testing, provide actionable information regarding telemetry link performance, implement automated sharing techniques and provide visualization of spectrum assignments and telemetry link performance.

Perspecta Labs will perform new design and development activities, as well as integrate software and system prototypes. The company’s efforts will deliver a complete solution for spectrum situational awareness and efficient allocation, in addition to simplifying planning, scheduling and conducting tests.

About Perspecta Inc.

At Perspecta (NYSE: PRSP), we question, we seek and we solve. Perspecta brings a diverse set of capabilities to our U.S. government customers in defense, intelligence, civilian, health care and state and local markets. Our 280+ issued, licensed and pending patents are more than just pieces of paper, they tell the story of our innovation.

With offerings in mission services, digital transformation and enterprise operations, our team of nearly 14,000 engineers, analysts, investigators and architects work tirelessly to not only execute the mission, but build and support the backbone that enables it. Perspecta was formed to take on big challenges. We are an engine for growth and success and we enable our customers to build a better nation.

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QTS Names Brent Bensten as CTO, Jon Greaves as EVP of Quality Special Operations
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QTS Names Brent Bensten as CTO, Jon Greaves as EVP of Quality Special Operations

QTS Realty Trust has appointed Brent Bensten as chief technology officer (CTO) and Jon Greaves as executive vice president (EVP) of Quality Special Operations, leading federal service delivery and strategy, the company reported on Wednesday. 

"Brent and Jon have combined to help establish QTS as a leading innovator in the data center services industry and I look forward to their continued partnership driving QTS' success,” said Chad Williams, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of QTS. 

Bensten currently serves as QTS' EVP of Architecture and Development. He will assume his new role on Feb. 1 2021, and will report to Williams as CTO. Bensten joined QTS in 2015 and has more than two decades of experience across technology and data operations. 

During his career with the company, Bensten has supervised QTS’ initiative of digitizing the company’s internal and external systems and processes. He has also led the development and implementation of QTS' innovative Service Delivery Platform (SDP). 

Greaves will also assume his new position on Feb. 1, 2021. As EVP of Quality Special Operations, Greaves will be responsible for QTS' federal service delivery and strategy. He will also report directly to Williams. Greaves will support Bensten on the company's technology and service delivery functions, including direct customer and partner engagement. 

Greaves joined QTS in 2015, after serving for more than 20 years in technology services leadership roles. He has held positions across information security and data center operations. Greaves has served as QTS' CTO since 2016 and has more than 15 years experience supporting federal operations and systems. 

"Two of QTS' strongest differentiators are the ability to meet the service delivery needs of our hyperscale and hybrid colocation customers through a software-defined data center experience and our strategic focus on the federal vertical. I am pleased to have leaders like Brent and Jon step into new roles to enhance these differentiators and further support our strategic growth objectives," Williams added. 

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Alka Patel: NDAA Provisions Could Help JAIC Operationalize Pentagon’s AI Ethics Principles
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Alka Patel: NDAA Provisions Could Help JAIC Operationalize Pentagon’s AI Ethics Principles

Alka Patel, chief of ethics at the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), said the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) contains certain provisions that could help JAIC operationalize DoD’s AI ethics principles and advance Responsible AI, Nextgov reported Tuesday.

Patel cited Section 233 in the NDAA, which requires the DoD secretary to form a board of advisers for JAIC to assess and advise leaders on ethical matters with regard to the department’s use and development of AI. 

Another provision she mentioned is Section 235, which calls for the “acquisition of ethically and responsibly developed artificial intelligence technology.” Patel plans to introduce a Responsible AI Champions pilot within the department this spring to promote Responsible AI literacy and increase awareness of AI ethics principles. 

“Additionally, we want to create a DoD-wide network of Responsible AI Champions from across components who can be a resource within their respective areas as well as with each other,” Patel said. "They will also be extremely important creating a feedback loop to help us understand and inform future policies and guidance."

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