News
IAFC urges Congress to pass Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is urging Congress to pass legislation that would help protect and preserve retirement benefits for firefighters and emergency workers. The Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020 (H.R. 8696), introduced by Reps. Richard Neal (D-MA) and Kevin... Read More »
GAO recommends steps to improve Defense Department cost reporting
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has made several recommendations to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to better improve processes for reporting costs. The GAO said that while the department has made progress in establishing valid and reliable cost baselines for its business... Read More »
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency incorporates small satellite commercial imagery
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has incorporated small satellite commercial imagery into its outlay, providing users thousands of images and geospatial data to aid mission objectives. Before the development, the G-EGD system consisted of only MAXAR/Digital Globe imagery.... Read More »
BAE Systems building military GPS production facility
BAE Systems is slated to build a facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, utilizing an investment of more than $100 million to support its military GPS products line. The effort is in conjunction with the company's newly acquired Navigation & Sensor Systems business. The effort would unite local design... Read More »
Erickson Aero Tanker of Oregon wins more than $70M federal contract for wildfire fighting air tankers
In the wake of wildfires that have devastated much of Oregon this year, Erickson Aero Tanker of Hillsboro, Ore., won a $70.5 million federal contract for large air tanker services to aid wildland firefighting both in-state and abroad. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) both... Read More »
U.S. Army announces contracts with nine small businesses, research institutes for military prototypes
The U.S. Army announced contracts of up to $1.1 million each with nine small businesses and nonprofit research institutions last week to develop technologies capable of meeting certain military challenges. These contracts will push contractors to spend six to 18 months, creating demonstration... Read More »
Vermont governor deploys National Guard to help with cyberattack
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott ordered the Vermont Army National Guard’s Combined Cyber Response Team (CCRT) to help the University of Vermont Health Network (UVMHN) to respond to a cyberattack last week. The National Guard will be deployed to review thousands of computers and devices to ensure they... Read More »
Sen. Moran helps Kansas county secure crime reduction grant
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County in Kansas got a $999,958 grant from the Innovations in Community-Based Crime Reduction Program (CBCR) through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). CBCR was established to reduce serious and violent crime, including gun violence; dismantle gang... Read More »
Justice Department seizes Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps domain names
Justice Department officials said the agency has seized 27 domain names Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) illegally used to expand a global covert influence campaign. The seizures represent a step against Iran's worldwide disinformation campaign, indicating each of the 27 domains... Read More »
Medical societies criticize DHS proposed visa change rule for harm it will cause to COVID-19 response
In comments made to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week, major medical societies blasted efforts to change visa rules, citing concerns over limits the “arbitrary and disruptive” change would impose and pleading for exemptions for physicians. Together, the societies -- which... Read More »
Republican senators press HHS for clarity on guidance calling for free COVID-19 testing
Seeking to address confusion over coverage requirements for COVID-19 testing due to new guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Republican senators wrote to HHS Secretary Alex Azar for clarification. The writers, who included U.S. Sens. James Lankford (R-OK), Rick Scott... Read More »
BARDA puts up $30M for Invirsa effort to treat ocular conditions from sulfur mustard injuries
Through a new contract announced this week, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will provide up to $30 million to Invirsa, a small Columbus, Ohio, biopharmaceutical company, for a treatment that could hold the cure to DNA-damage from sulfur mustard injuries in... Read More »
FirstNet installs new cell sites in New Hampshire for first responders
FirstNet cell sites have been installed in several locations throughout New Hampshire to improve wireless communications for first responders. FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform for America’s first responders and the public safety community. It is... Read More »
Defense Department implements new data strategy
The U.S. Department of Defense released its new data strategy in September to make it easier for warfighters and decision-makers to access the data they need to do their jobs. "This strategy is for warfighters and decision-makers," David Spirk said on Oct. 28 at the National Defense Industrial... Read More »
CBP operation yields counterfeit ID, narcotics seizures
A Memphis, Tennessee-based Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operation initiated in July 2019 has yielded nearly 200 seizures of counterfeit ID cards and illegal narcotics. Operation Mega Flex involves an interagency effort seeking to measure compliance and assess illicit networks in the... Read More »
BAE Systems to aid Army’s A-Team initiative
The Army has awarded BAE Systems multiple contracts to develop key technologies for the service branch's Advanced Teaming Demonstration Program (A-Team). The pacts totaling $9 million address three of the program’s four focus areas and are designed to advance manned and unmanned teaming... Read More »
FEMA offers $8.1M to Illinois Emergency Management Agency to ease COVID-19 costs
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted more than $8.1 million to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) this week to help it cover costs accrued by the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic after a federal disaster declaration in March. In all, the funds... Read More »
CEPI to fund development of Clover’s S-Trimer COVID-19 vaccine through phase 2/3, licensure
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has extended a partnership with Sichuan Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Clover) to include funding for a global phase 2/3 efficacy clinical trial and licensure of its S-Trimer COVID-19 vaccine candidate. S-Trimer is a protein-based... Read More »
HHS taps McKesson to distribute COVID-19 supply kits for healthcare workers administering vaccines
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) signed a contract with McKesson Corp. to produce and distribute ancillary to help healthcare workers administering COVID-19 vaccines once they are approved. The ancillary supply kits will be produced and distributed on behalf of the... Read More »
DOJ’s Office of Justice programs awards $458M to fight violent crime
The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) awarded more than $458 million in grant funding for state, local, and tribal law enforcement to fight violent crime. OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance made a total of 1,094 grants totaling more than $369 million to support local... Read More »
Justice Department files Iranian forfeiture complaint
The U.S. Department of Justice recently filed a complaint regarding the forfeiture of a pair of Iranian missile shipments and petroleum seized from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Navy seized the missiles in transit to militant groups in Yemen while the 1.1 million barrels... Read More »
Army, Northrop Grumman deploy enhanced Joint Tactical Ground Station capabilities
Army and Northrop Grumman personnel said the recent deployment of enhanced Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) capabilities in South Korea enables early warning of missile attacks and other events. “This is a tremendous milestone in our decades-long mission of delivering missile warning and... Read More »
Nipah virus more widespread than previously known, EcoHealth Alliance study shows
The results of a six-year study conducted by the nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance were released this week, and the data revealed that Nipah virus is not as confined to what is traditionally known as the Nipah belt along the Bangladesh-India border as previously thought. Bats throughout Bangladesh... Read More »
NACCHO joins CDC Project Firstline to strengthen local public health capacity against infectious diseases
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gained a major new partner last week for its effort to improve local healthcare’s capabilities against infectious diseases, in the form of the nearly 3,000 local health departments comprising the National Association of County and City Health... Read More »
Nearly 1 million pounds of drugs turned in on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and its partners brought in nearly 1 million pounds of unused, expired, and unwanted medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Oct. 24. The agency, along with law enforcement partners, said it has now collected nearly 13.7 million pounds of... Read More »
Federal agencies join forces to prevent hazardous products from entering United States through international mail facilities
Leadership from several federal government agencies signed an agreement to collaborate to prevent products that pose a threat to public health from entering the U.S. through International Mail Facilities. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) -- signed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,... Read More »
House E&C Committee introduces COVID-19 legislative package
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced the Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act, a package of over 50 bills from the House Energy and Commerce Committee that deal with the coronavirus pandemic. The act includes bills related to pandemic preparedness and response,... Read More »
Bill targets aviation health emergency preparedness
Reps. Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Don Beyer (D-VA) recently introduced a measure designed to develop a national aviation preparedness plan regarding future public health emergencies. The National Aviation Preparedness Plan Act of 2020 is supported by key aviation stakeholders, including the American... Read More »
DHS, CISA target cybersecurity technical institutes initiative
The Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute (CIRI) has secured $2 million in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) funding. The effort led by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign... Read More »
Trump administration signs $12.7M contract for rapid COVID-19 tests from InBios International
The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Defense (DoD) awarded a $12.7 million contract to expand production capacity for two rapid COVID-19 point-of-care tests with InBios International Inc. last week. This will allow InBios to expand the number of tests it produces by 20... Read More »
Collaboration between HHS, DoD and Hologic grows with $119M contract for COVID-19 test production expansion
Hologic, Inc. will expand domestic production of COVID-19 tests as a result of a new, $119 million contract with the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Defense (DoD). The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has supported Hologic throughout its... Read More »
Indian Health System providers teach community members how to use Naloxone
Members of the Indian Health Service, the Federal Health Program for American Indians, and Alaska Natives are working with members of their communities to reduce overdose deaths by improving access to Naloxone. Commander Robert Boyle, a clinical pharmacist at the Salt River Integrated Health... Read More »
Coast Guard cutter Polar Star deploys to Arctic region
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star will head to the Arctic region this winter to help protect the nation’s maritime sovereignty and security in the region. The Coast Guard has served as the lead federal agency for homeland security, safety, and environmental stewardship in the Arctic... Read More »
Sen. Rubio introduces bill putting restrictions on foreign software like TikTok
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced legislation to establish a set of data protection and censorship standards and restrictions for “high-risk foreign software,” like TikTok and WeChat, to legally operate in the United States. The Adversarial Platform Prevention (APP) Act defines... Read More »