Policy
Curtiss-Wright lands submarine parts contract
The Curtiss-Wright Corporation has secured a $28 million government contract to provide valves for the Navy’s Virginia-class submarines. The global innovative company’s role supports ship construction and spare parts procurement, noting the contract includes FY18 orders for two ship sets of... Read More »
House advances Defense Appropriations Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced last week the Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2019, which marks a roughly 2.5 percent increase over 2018 funding levels. The bill provides $674.6 billion for the Department of Defense, including $606.5 billion in base discretionary funding... Read More »
House E&C subcommittee members advance draft PAHPA bill to combat biological threats
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on June 27 passed the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2018 (PAHPRA), sending it to the full committee along with four other public health bills under consideration. “The mark up of these five important bills... Read More »
New York lawmakers thwart effort to shift 9/11 health program for first responders
Four New York lawmakers led an effort to defeat a proposal to separate the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides treatment services for first responders and survivors with 9/11-related health conditions, from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, according to a June... Read More »
GAO recommends how CBP can help better retain employees
While U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has tripled the number of applications it has received for law enforcement positions in recent years, it has had problems retaining employees. To address this issue, CBP asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office to examine CBP’s efforts to... Read More »
Measures seek to bolster border security efforts
A pair of bills introduced by Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) designed to enhance Department of Homeland Security (DHS) border security efforts garnered House approval Monday. The Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) Authorization Act seeks to establish the OBIM as the primary biometric... Read More »
DARPA Summit to include future electronics investment initiatives
Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) officials are incorporating the organization’s Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI) into a three-day gathering designed to galvanize industry professionals. The ERI, introduced in June 2017, is a multi-year, $1.5 billion investment in... Read More »Bipartisan effort urges president to support bans on Chinese telecom companies
Citing significant threats to national security, U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mark Warner (D-VA) urged the president on Tuesday to reconsider lifting a ban on Chinese telecommunications company ZTE and to support banning government purchases of Huawei equipment. The senators noted in a... Read More »
House approves 10 bills to secure homeland security, identify cyber threats
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved seven bills this week that aim to help the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better identify cyber threats, secure the nation’s borders, shore up transportation security and improve reporting systems for suspicious activity. U.S. Rep.... Read More »
New study shows skills gap exists among cybersecurity professionals
New research from BAE Systems finds a gap between the number of skilled cybersecurity professionals and the number of available positions in corporate America. The BAE study says 50 percent of businesses claim there is a lack of staff with the required security skills and expertise. Further, 40... Read More »
House approves bill aiming to secure industrial control systems against cyberattacks
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be directed to secure information and operational technologies used in critical applications to address vulnerabilities under a bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. The DHS Industrial Control Systems Capabilities... Read More »
LA Sheriff’s Department deploys UrgentLink disaster communications network
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office will use Rockwell Collins’ UrgentLink disaster communications network as a backup if primary communication infrastructure fails during natural or man-made disasters. As a beyond-line-of-sight communications system that operates on the high-frequency... Read More »
DHS S&T, new innovators seek to partner smart cities technologies with first responders
Thirteen companies have been selected to take part in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) Smart Cities Internet of Things Innovation (SCITI) Labs program, which aims to enhance first responder situational and building security. DHS S&T issued a... Read More »
Congress approves bill to establish firefighter cancer registry
A national registry would be created to collect data on the prevalence of cancer in firefighters to better understand how smoke inhalation and other occupational hazards contribute under a bill that cleared Congress on Friday. The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2017, H.R. 931 would require... Read More »
Boeing to deliver first KC-46 Tankers to Air Force bases in Kansas, Oklahoma
The U.S. Air Force and Boeing have announced plans for the first Boeing-built KC-46 Tanker, a military version of the 767 commercial aircraft, to be delivered to bases in Oklahoma and Kansas in October. The announcement drew praise from U.S. Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK) and Frank Lucas (R-OK), whose... Read More »
Funding boost aids lab security effort
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) recently supported an effort to steer federal funding toward enhanced security at a pivotal intelligence research laboratory. Schumer and Gillibrand said the Senate version of the FY 2019 National Defense... Read More »
Bipartisan house bill would authorize ‘bug bounty program’ to secure election systems
A “bug bounty program” competition would be created to reward cyber experts for identifying gaps in the cyber defenses of the nation’s election infrastructure under a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. The Prevent Election Hacking Act of 2018 would authorize... Read More »
Lawmakers push Google to reconsider strategic partnership with Chinese telecom company
A bipartisan group of lawmakers raised concerns on Wednesday about the national security implications of a new strategic partnership between Google and Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications company. The lawmakers argued in a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai that Chinese telecommunication... Read More »
DHS hearing in Harrisburg focuses on efforts to counter opioid overdose epidemic
Federal, state, and local officials discussed efforts to disrupt the flow of illegal opioids into communities and to break up criminal networks during a field hearing held on Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pa. The hearing, “Opioids in the Homeland: DHS Coordination with State and Local Partners to... Read More »
House approves bills to enhance preparedness, response capabilities to emerging terror threats
In response to evolving terror threats, the U.S. House of Representatives approved bills on Tuesday to enhance federal efforts to protect against vehicular terrorism and to establish a federal laboratory to develop new technologies for use by law enforcers and first responders. U.S. Rep. Dan... Read More »
Senate subcommittee approves more than $55 billion homeland security spending bill
A $55.15 billion homeland security appropriations bill that emphasizes border security, cybersecurity, the nationwide opioid epidemic, and state and local support cleared the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on Tuesday. The Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security... Read More »
Nuclear weapons proliferation reporting requirements examined
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently conducted a nuclear proliferation reporting analysis, determining the documents did not address several requirements and lacked vital details. The work stemmed from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015, which... Read More »
Air Force highlights importance of Eagle Vision satellite imaging tool in disaster recovery efforts
The Air Force recently highlighted the ability of Eagle Vision, technology that is capable of processing satellite imagery in near real-time, to assist in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, including those the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. First deployed during... Read More »
Senate approves $716 billion National Defense Authorization Act aiming to bolster readiness
The U.S. Senate approved a national defense spending bill for fiscal year 2019 Monday that totals $716 billion, including a $550 million increase in military readiness funding to address critical shortfalls and a $450 million increase in military facilities sustainment funding. The Fiscal Year... Read More »
KBRwyle awarded U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract
The government services business of KBR, KBRwyle, is one of six contractors awarded a $900 million indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering Research and Development Center. KBRwyle was selected to fix problems identified through... Read More »
IDSA supports public health, research legislation
Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) announced last week their support of legislation prioritizing urgent public health and research priorities. “We look forward to learning more about allocations to the Prevention and Public Health Fund and hope to see robust support for... Read More »
Treasury Department issues new round of sanctions against Russian entities, individuals for cyber attacks
The U.S. Department of Treasury issued sanctions against five Russian entities and three Russian individuals last week for engaging in “significant malicious cyber-enabled activities.” The Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued sanctions against one entity... Read More »
CBP approves 20 public-private agreements to provide expanded services
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) approved 20 new reimbursable service agreements with non-federal entities on Friday that will allow CBP to be reimbursed for providing enhanced services for cross-border trade and travel. CBP approved reimbursable service agreements with private... Read More »
Nuclear Threat Initiative launches new advisory group
The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) launched an advisory group for its recently expanded Global Biological Policy and Programs. The advisory group provides strategic guidance on the program’s effort to reduce global biological risks. It will be chaired by former commissioner of the Food and... Read More »
National agencies seek biopreparedness funding, discuss new technologies to stem emerging threats
The United States may be prepared for emerging biological terror and disease outbreaks, but members of Congress questioned during a recent hearing whether coordination among federal agencies, local health departments, and private companies are optimal to tackle such threats. The purpose of... Read More »
DHS S&T collaborating with FEMA to deliver comprehensive Puerto Rico recovery plan
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is assisting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in drafting a report assessing hurricane damage in Puerto Rico and outlining a plan to rebuild that is due to Congress by Aug. 8. DHS S&T has... Read More »
Oshkosh Defense lands tactical vehicles contract
Oshkosh Defense, LLC has secured a $159.6 million government contract for 771 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) after the Army Contracting Command placed the four additional orders. Oshkosh Defense was first awarded the FMTV A1P2 contract in 2009. The current generation FMTV is... Read More »
Sens. Reed, Warren seek to amend NDAA
Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are seeking to amend the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to ensure Congress continues a role in authorizing the development of new nuclear weapons. The senators said the amendment is needed because the Trump Administration is... Read More »
Collateral effects of terrorism cost European Union $209 billion from 2004-2016
Terrorism cost the European Union an estimated $209 billion in economic losses from 2004 to 2016, with the psychological impacts of witnessing terrorism contributing to negative economic growth and changes in economic behavior, according to a new report by RAND Europe. The United Kingdom and... Read More »