Policy
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 »
INTERPOL conducts global chemical security session
International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) officials are touting a recent gathering of 220 chemical security practitioners from over 70 countries to address combating terrorism, chemical weapons, and explosives use. INTERPOL hosted its third Global Congress on Chemical Security and... Read More »
REGENT electric seaglider company forms Defense Advisory Board of four former senior military leaders
As the Rhode Island-based REGENT all-electric seaglider company dives into work for coastal maritime transportation and high-speed logistics, it formed a Defense Advisory Board consisting of four former senior leaders from the U.S. Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The former military brass will be... Read More »
U.S. lawmakers seek to collaborate with Canada to fix NEXUS traveler backlog
In a letter to their Canadian counterparts last week, four U.S. representatives sought to kick off a joint fix for the growing logjam in the NEXUS system, the Trusted Traveler Program for the U.S.-Canadian Border. That system requires travelers to undergo in-person interviews with agents from... Read More »
TSA details Florida gun checkpoint interceptions
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials have indicated Florida air travel passengers have brought a record number of guns to TSA checkpoints. According to the agency, the present number of 700 guns is higher than in any previous year and includes records set at 12 individual... Read More »
House Fire Grants and Safety Act would reauthorize, upgrade local fire departments
Building on companion legislation in the Senate, a new bill introduced into the House last week seeks to boost federal resources for local fire departments throughout the United States and reauthorize existing funds for staffing, equipment, training, and emergency services. The Fire Grants and... Read More »
Coast Guard outlines eligibility standards adjustments
The U.S. Coast Guard is detailing a series of eligibility standards adjustments that seek to enable greater flexibility regarding dependents and single parents, debt-to-income ratios, and maximum age. Earlier this year, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan informed the House of... Read More »
DHS awards $500,000 for targeted violence, domestic terrorism prevention efforts in New York
As announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security awarded $500,000 in federal funds for support, threat assessment, and management of efforts to combat targeted violence and domestic terrorism in New York. "New York... Read More »
DHS S&T awards $1.9M contract to G&H International to help FEMA create standardized community disaster resources
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking to revamp the Community Lifeline Construct program to better standardize and integrate community resources systems, and it’s using a more than $1.9 million contract with G&H International Services, Inc. to achieve it. G&H will design,... Read More »
Sikorsky, DARPA detail successful autonomous Black Hawk flights
Aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Army how uninhabited Black Hawk helicopters flying autonomously performed varied missions. The flights were executed on Oct. 12, 14, and 18 in conjunction with the... Read More »
Report examines healthcare sector cybersecurity threats
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released Thursday a white paper detailing present healthcare sector cybersecurity. The report offers dialogue on a series of policy solutions to improve cybersecurity across the healthcare industry. The white paper, Cybersecurity is Patient Safety, explores... Read More »
CBP details $6.1M narcotics seizure at Laredo Port of Entry in Texas
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have detailed a recent $6.1 million narcotics seizure in separate incidents at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge and World Trade Bridge. “The dedicated employees of CBP continue to fulfill the agency’s border security role,” Laredo Port... Read More »
DoD enlists Xendee to cut energy system costs with optimized microgrid design
The U.S. military, looking for ways to counter the threat of blackouts, announced this week that it tapped microgrid support software provider Xendee to reduce energy system engineering costs with optimized, scalable microgrid designs for its installations. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)... Read More »