Policy
CSRB to conduct second Lapsus$ review
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) is slated to conduct a second review of cybersecurity attacks connected to the global extortion-focused hacker group Lapsus$. “The Cyber Safety Review Board has quickly established itself as an innovative and enduring... Read More »
CBP launches test phase of global business identifier to weigh improvements to government assessments of trade
Moving to increase supply chain visibility and more swiftly identify high-risk shipments, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the beginnings of a pilot program known as the Global Business Identifier (GBI) last week. Undertaken with 13 partner government agencies, the concept behind GBI... Read More »
PFAS Act to be signed into law, enshrining new protections for firefighters and emergency responders
With its passage in the House last week, the Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act cleared its final legislative hurdle after having passed the Senate last summer. If President Joe Biden signs the bills as expected, it will require federal agencies to create best practices,... Read More »
FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs sign law enforcement enhancement agreement
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) have signed an agreement to improve law enforcement in Indian Country. “The FBI is committed to ongoing, and continued collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “The... Read More »
Sens. Wicker, Cardin seek designation of Russian Wagner Group as Foreign Terrorist Organization through HARM Act
U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced last week the Holding Russian Mercenaries (HARM) Act to designate the Russian-based PMC Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization. The bill – which also has a companion measure in the House led by U.S. Reps. Steve Cohen... Read More »
Legislation seeks to support CBP personnel behavioral health
U.S. Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and John Katko (R-NY), ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, recently introduced the CBP Behavioral Health Act, which seeks to provide behavioral health support to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel working to secure the Southwest... Read More »
PowerSecure agrees to pay $8.4M in settlement with government over failure to disclose cost/pricing data
Following accusations that it had violated the False Claims Act by failing to provide certified cost or pricing data when negotiating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), PowerSecure, Inc. agreed to pay $8.4 million this week and settle the case. PowerSecure was tapped to repair and... Read More »
DHS outlines Small Business Innovation Research 23.1 Pre-solicitation
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program has revealed the seven topics for its SBIR 23.1 Pre-solicitation. “The SBIR program provides an opportunity for small businesses, including those that have never partnered with us before, to engage... Read More »
CBP reports one-week, $14.4M narcotics seizures at Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry
Over the last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials reported that three methamphetamine and cocaine seizures at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry yielded narcotics with a street value of more than $14.4 million. These events occurred on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17,... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Reschenthaler, Waltz call on Biden administration to counter Iranian attacks in Iraq
Although the United States has largely withdrawn from Iraq in recent years, U.S. Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) and Mike Waltz (R-FL) last week urged the Biden administration to respond to recent Iranian attacks in the country and deter future aggression. “As Iran continues to sow chaos and... Read More »
Reps. Thompson, Maloney request review of GAO water sector efforts
U.S. Reps. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) recently requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a study evaluating the efforts of two agencies identifying wastewater utilities vulnerable to potential shutdowns. Thompson, chair of the Committee on Homeland... Read More »
Hearing examines homeland security threats
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSHAC) personnel, spearheaded by Chairman Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), noted they recently convened a hearing to explore expanding homeland security threats. “More than 20 years ago, the September 11th terrorist attacks changed our nation... Read More »
CBP warns of counterfeit products during holiday shopping season as seizures of fake products reach record levels
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cautioned consumers heading into the holiday shopping season to be on the lookout for counterfeit products in the wake of the agency’s largest seizure of fake products to date. Most pirated items include apparel, accessories, watches, jewelry, and... Read More »
Democratic, bicameral legislators praise FIRE Act advancement in House
U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) applauded the recent House of Representatives advancement of the FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency (FIRE) Act, which seeks to improve wildfire preparedness and... Read More »
DHS S&T awards companies more than $730,000 for creative ways to improve workforce safety
In exchange for new solutions to identify and resolve issues, and to promote resilience and wellness among its workforce, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) awarded five companies more than $730,000 in total funding last week. Awards stemmed... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Scott applaud advancement of Disaster Resiliency Planning Act
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rick Scott (R-FL) are commending the House of Representatives' passage of the Disaster Resiliency Planning Act, which now moves to President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law. The measure, which garnered Senate approval in June, requires federal agencies to... Read More »
New report shows DHS, FBI failed to track and report threats from domestic terrorists
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, this week released the results of an investigation into the rise of domestic terrorism and federal actions against it – and alleged that it has come up short. Specifically, he pointed to... Read More »
Bipartisan group of senators urge DoD to protect military family housing rights
U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently joined U.S. Sen. Jon Osoff (D-GA) in urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to protect military families from private housing contractors... Read More »
DHS details conference addressing violence, terrorism prevention
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently touted the initial Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grantee symposium, uniting over 200 representatives from 73 grantees and partner organizations. The effort involved sharing practices; increasing awareness of DHS... Read More »
GAO issues potential Chinese nationals technology transfer recommendations
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recommendations to address Chinese nationals potentially transferring technology to foreign entities. Per the GAO, a third of foreign graduate students studying science, technology, engineering, and... Read More »
Treasury Department outlines transnational network sanctions
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has outlined sanctions against a transnational network procuring technology they maintain supports the Russian military-industrial complex. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) initiated the sanctions in conjunction with the U.S.... Read More »
New York Attorney General investigation yields cease and desist letters against 39 ammunition sellers
At least 39 ammunition sellers have been shipping ammunition directly to New York residents and failing to keep records of the transactions in violation of state law, according to the results of an investigation announced this week by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Under the New York... Read More »
SAIC secures Army contract for software management services
The U.S. Army has awarded Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) a contract to continue providing Army Enterprise Service Desk (AESD) software development and management services. The single-award contract possesses an estimated ceiling value of $757 million. The scope of work... Read More »
GAO examines DoD weapon systems sustainment
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) study examining Department of Defense (DoD) weapon system sustainment maintains aircraft mission capable goals were generally not met and sustainment costs varied by aircraft. The GAO report provided observations regarding mission-capable rates and costs... Read More »
DHS S&T awards $198,000 award to Lauretta AI to customize anomaly detection systems for extra protection
Lauretta AI, an Arlington, Mass. startup, received $198,000 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) this week for work on a commercial artificial intelligence solution capable of making an adaptable anomaly detection system to secure soft... Read More »
Government Accountability Office report details path for TSA to eliminate potential discrimination in airport screenings
Airport screenings have long been a source of consternation for many and rife with accusations of discrimination in their handling – but a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report laid out a path for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to take to reduce the potential for... Read More »
Rep. Torres seeking oversight of DoD military equipment transfer
U.S. Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) is requesting further oversight regarding the U.S. Department of Defense's recent transfer of military equipment to the Guatemalan government. Torres has forwarded correspondence to Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken... Read More »
DOJ outlines ransomware campaign criminal complaint
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently detailed a criminal complaint charging a dual Russian and Canadian national for alleged participation in the LockBit global ransomware campaign. Mikhail Vasiliev, 33, of Bradford, Ontario, Canada, is in custody in Canada and awaiting extradition to the... Read More »
Rep. Norcross touts community policing funding allocation
U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) is commending a Department of Justice (DOJ) allocation of $201,480 to Camden County to fund local community policing initiatives in south Jersey. The grant, awarded through the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, would provide... Read More »
TSA outlines Denver airport hiring initiative
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials said the agency has initiated a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) new hire incentive program to attract more Denver International Airport (DEN) applicants. Full and part-time positions are available with a starting wage of $24.23 per... Read More »
CBP holds local training on Jones Act specificity in New Orleans
Earlier this month, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) held a training exercise on enforcement of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act, a complex and tricky law that demands specificity from federal agents. When established, the law limited how cargo could be... Read More »
Reps. Garbarino, Gallagher urge President Biden to work on Continuity of the Economy disaster plan
Two Republican legislators are criticizing the Biden administration for not developing or implementing an emergency plan for the U.S. economy in the event of a disaster, despite being required to do so within two years by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021. In a letter to President... Read More »
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center wins $9.42M cooperative agreement with IARPA to investigate radiation exposure biomarkers
Through a federal cooperative agreement with the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC) announced this week that they are working on non-invasive means of detecting and preventing radiation... Read More »
Funds earmarked for New York nonprofit safety initiatives
New York state officials are detailing an allocation of $96 million to aid nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks in bolstering safety and security measures. Gov. Kathy Hochul recently detailed the opening of applications for $50 million earmarked for organizations facing the... Read More »