News
DHS National Urban Security Technology Lab seeks information on commercially available VR, AR training tools
Based on its latest request for information (RFI), the United States Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) sees potential for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in training law enforcement and emergency response... Read More »DHS prepares for return to processing noncitizens under Title 8, despite public health order hangups
Currently, immigration to the United States is still bound by the requirements of the Title 42 public health order enacted in March 2020, but while the legality of this remains bound up in court, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated this week that it is preparing for a return to Title 8... Read More »
Oshkosh Defense secures Armored Personnel Carrier contract with Israeli Ministry of Defense
The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) has awarded Oshkosh Defense a contract valued at over $100 million to produce the Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) hulls for the Israeli Defense Forces. Authorities noted production is slated to begin this year, with the first Eitan APC main hulls... Read More »
START releases interactive data map highlighting connections between January 6th defendants, extremist groups
While cases against participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection continue, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) waded into the matter last week with the launch of a new data map showcasing connections between defendants and extremist... Read More »
National Institutes of Health touts Home Test to Treat program
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is touting the new Home Test to Treat program, a virtual community health intervention that provides free COVID-19 health services and treatments in selected communities. “At-home testing for COVID-19 is now widely available in the United States, as are... Read More »
NIST creates new yeast-based reference material for biothreat training
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a reference material based on baker’s yeast cells – a harmless yet living biological material – that they intend to use for training first responders on biothreats. “Suspicious powder incidents occur... Read More »
L3Harris Technologies acquires Aerojet Rocketdyne
Aerospace and defense technology company L3Harris Technologies has outlined a definitive agreement to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne for $58 per share - in an all-cash transaction valued at $4.7 billion. The transaction is inclusive of net debt and demonstrates L3Harris Technologies' focus on... Read More »
DARPA, SRC-led JUMP 2.0 Consortium pushes high-risk, high-payoff collaboration for seven U.S. university research centers
Looking to advance information and communications technologies, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) joined other stakeholders this week to launch the Joint University Microelectronics Program 2.0 (JUMP 2.0). This program will build... Read More »
DEA details Louisville Division fentanyl seizures
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said that, last year, the Louisville Division yielded the seizure of 184,382 fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and 316 pounds of Fentanyl powder. “Fentanyl is a national problem, and it’s landed right on our doorstep,” DEA Louisville... Read More »
USCIS proposes immigration, naturalization fees adjustment
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is considering a proposed fee rule adjusting certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. “In addition to improving customer service operations and managing the incoming workload, USCIS must continue to fulfill our growing... Read More »
South Texas CBP officers note major uptick of illegal immigrants encountered and cocaine seized
Last year brought serious increases in encounters along south Texas ports of entry, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, who reported 10,243 pounds of cocaine seized and 57,732 non-U.S. citizens encountered in violation of immigration laws. The figures spanned the... Read More »
Agreement between Pentagon, Lockheed Martin to net up to 398 F-35 jets for U.S. military
With the finalization of their Lots 15 and 16 agreement, the Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin announced this week that the company will produce and provide up to 398 F-35s in exchange for $30 billion. These lots themselves include 272 aircraft. However, the arrangement... Read More »
DEA details Omaha Division fentanyl seizures
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials have detailed the Omaha Division's seizure of nearly 4.7 million lethal doses of fentanyl in both pill and powder form throughout 2022. “The amount of fentanyl we’ve seized across our Division has far surpassed our totals from last year,” DEA... Read More »
Oshkosh Defense secures $102M Joint Light Tactical Vehicles order
The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal has placed a $102 million order with Oshkosh Defense for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) to be delivered to international U.S. allies. The JLTVs, known for their mobility, protection, reliability, and interoperability as a Light... Read More »
DHS S&T details gunshot detection technology
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently announced a collaboration with Shooter Detection Systems (SDS) based in Rowly, Mass., which resulted in the development of SDS Outdoor, a portable Gunshot Detection System technology to aid law... Read More »
Justice Department launches civil lawsuit against AmerisourceBergen, subsidiaries for violations of Controlled Substances Act
In a civil complaint filed last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a nationwide lawsuit against AmerisourceBergen Corp. and two of its subsidiaries, which together form one of the largest pharmaceutical distributors, for violating federal law on the distribution of controlled... Read More »
Countering Human Trafficking Act becomes law, growing federal efforts against trafficking and forced labor-made goods
President Joe Biden signed the Counter Human Trafficking Act of 2022 as one of the final legislative acts of the year, officially codifying and expanding the United States Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT). With this update came $14 million... Read More »
Navy expedites Sikorsky CH-53K helicopter production
Aerospace company Lockheed Martin has received a Navy full rate production declaration to increase production of over 20 Sikorsky CH-53K helicopters annually in the coming years. “Ramping up production of the most technologically advanced helicopter in the world allows the U.S. Marine Corps to... Read More »
CDC sticks COVID-19 test requirements on air passengers from China
Even as China reopens itself to travel following years of heavy restriction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its citizens face a new roadblock from entry to the United States: a demand for negative COVID-19 tests for any flier. The restriction was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and... Read More »
President Biden signs Consolidated Appropriations Act, including many health care provisions, following House passage
President Joe Biden signed Thursday a critical omnibus into law, setting up the Congressionally approved Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2617) to fund the government and, importantly, numerous health care and consumer protection efforts. “As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee,... Read More »
Lawmakers tout Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act enactment
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) recently applauded their Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act, which aids disaster mitigation projects, being signed into law. Specifically, the legislation makes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Risk Index (NRI)... Read More »
Quantum Computer Cybersecurity Preparedness Act encourages proactive federal cybersecurity
The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act became law this week in the United States, establishing a series of new priorities and requirements for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to guide federal cybersecurity to post-quantum cryptography. Specifically, the legislation–... Read More »
Resolution targets illicit trade, money laundering
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said his resolution encouraging Congress to combat international criminal organizations, illicit trade, and the use of trade-based money laundering (TBML) has garnered Senate approval. Cassidy was joined by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)... Read More »
HHS expands Tamiflu access for flu season
With flu season in full swing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week that additional supplies of Tamiflu would be tapped to meet increased demand. Jurisdictions will manage any Tamiflu requests through the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in collaboration... Read More »
PEACE Act represents bicameral push to reform federal police standards for use of lethal force
Particularly in the last few years, across several high-profile cases, police in the United States have come under heavy scrutiny for their use of force, and recently, a bill known as the PEACE Act was introduced to reform federal standards permitting the use of lethal force. Released as a... Read More »
PFAS Act signed into law, mandating new efforts to protect firefighters from forever chemicals
With a signature from President Joe Biden, the Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act became law this week, officially directing federal agencies to create new best practices, training, and educational programs to limit and shield firefighters from exposure to hazardous... Read More »
DEA details nearly 51 million fentanyl seizures in past calendar year, according to report
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials have detailed the seizure of more than 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and over 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder this calendar year. “In the past year, the men and women of the DEA have relentlessly worked to seize over 379... Read More »
FEMA outlines community resilience program funding opportunity
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin accepting applications for the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) on Feb. 1, 2023. The RILF seeks to foster greater community resilience while reducing disaster vulnerability and suffering, noting the Bipartisan... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Peters promotes support for renewing, increasing support for local fire department
In a tour of local fire stations, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) used this week as an opportunity to promote new legislation that would renew federal grants programs supporting local fire departments in Michigan and beyond and expand their capabilities. “Firefighters put their lives on the line... Read More »
DARPA announces AI for Critical Mineral Assessment Competition winners
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials recently announced the winners of its AI for Critical Mineral Assessment Competition, noting the effort increases and better secures critical mineral supply. In conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the competition's goal... Read More »
Measure advocates law enforcement DNA analysis
U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) has introduced a bill she said seeks to deploy advanced forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis as a means of aiding law enforcement in solving cases. The Carla Walker Act of 2022 authorizes the Justice Department to issue grants to state, local, and tribal... Read More »
DHS launches new Small Business Innovation Research solicitation to address seven technology needs
For its latest Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) solicitation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is accepting applications for research proposals on any of seven current technology needs, which will be competitively selected. Small business applicants can submit ideas... Read More »
Record number of firearms seized at airport security this year
The number of people who attempted to bring guns onto United States airplanes rose significantly this year, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), despite having never been allowed in carry-on bags regardless of concealed weapons permits. This protection measure resulted... Read More »
Sen. Peters lauds reauthorization of Nonprofit Security Grant Program
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) is touting the $360 million reauthorization of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which bolsters religious institution security initiatives. Peters supported a National Defense Authorization Act provision... Read More »