News
NNSA, agencies detail radiological incident exercise
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is slated to join over 30 local, state, and federal agencies to conduct a major radiological incident exercise during the week of May 16-20. The Austin, Texas-centered Cobalt Magnet 22 exercise, spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE),... Read More »
DoD awards $79.9M contract to Premix to create production capacity of resin for pipette tips
In a push to bolster COVID-19 diagnostic testing, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awarded a $79.9 million contract to Premix, Inc. this week, funding new onshore production capacity for plastic resin used in tests’ pipette tips. This will boost future supply chain demands and other... Read More »
Peters, Johnson supply chain legislation passes House and Senate, heads to President’s desk
Legislation authored by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) to protect the cybersecurity of the U.S. supply chain has passed the House and Senate. The Supply Chain Security Training Act (S.2201) would help protect against threats via cybersecurity and other technological... Read More »
Bill seeks to establish Space National Guard
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined 10 colleagues to introduce the Space National Guard Establishment Act. The legislation serves as the Senate companion to a measure introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) last year. Three years ago, active-duty... Read More »
House advances fire investigation enhancing measure
U.S. Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Peter Meijer (R-MI), and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) recently applauded the House of Representatives' advancement legislation that seeks to bolster federal efforts to assist with major fire investigations. The Empowering the U.S. Fire... Read More »
Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus endorses two bills to enhance funding for law enforcement
For National Police Week this year, the Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed the Invest to Protect Act of 2022 and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), which pledge to increase federal investment into recruitment and retention efforts at police departments nationwide. COPS is a part of... Read More »
New Mexico wildfires yield public health emergency declaration
New Mexico wildfires have resulted in Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declaring a public health emergency in the state. “We are working closely with health authorities in New Mexico and monitoring the needs of healthcare facilities to support their efforts to save... Read More »
Reps. Kustoff, Williams introduce bill to return Secret Service to Treasury Department oversight
U.S. Reps. David Kustoff (R-TN) and Roger Williams (R-TX) recently introduced the U.S. Secret Service Mission Improvement and Realignment Act of 2022 (H.R. 7689) that would place the U.S. Secret Service back under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The Secret Service is... Read More »
TSA outlines increased passenger volume preparedness
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it is prepared for a busy summer travel season and anticipating increased passenger volume. Summer travel numbers could potentially exceed those of 2019 for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The TSA noted that the... Read More »
CEPI to provide up to $19.3M for variant-proof COVID-19 vaccine development by Bharat Biotech, University of Sydney and ExcellGene
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) backed efforts at developing a "variant-proof" COVID-19 vaccine this week, announcing that it will provide up to $19.3 million to an international consortium consisting of Bharat Biotech International Ltd., the University of Sydney and... Read More »
Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act will ease means of providing U.S. military equipment to Ukraine
Following the passage of the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022, the Biden administration will find it easier to lend and lease military equipment to Ukraine and other Eastern European countries impacted by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Signed into law this week, the... Read More »
Biobot Analytics selected to expand CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System
As part of a pandemic preparedness push, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced this week that it chose Biobot Analytics to handle an expansion of the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS). While not a household name, the NWSS works with public... Read More »
CBP details rare pest interception at Pharr International Bridge
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials detailed the recent interception of a rare pest discovered in a shipment of fresh fruit at the Pharr International Bridge in Pharr, Texas. “Our agriculture specialists help protect American agriculture and contribute to the nation’s economic... Read More »
Justice Department details CPD, collaborative reform funding allotments
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said approximately $40 million has been earmarked for Community Policing Development (CPD) grants, in addition to $5 million being allocated for the Collaborative Reform Initiative. “Nothing is more important than keeping our communities safe,” Associate... Read More »
BAE secures DARPA software development contract
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded BAE Systems a $24 million contract to develop software that autonomously configures tactical networks for communications. The endeavor is under the Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) program. Data reliability and... Read More »
Funds earmarked for Delaware law enforcement initiatives
Delaware officials are touting $4.2 million in federal funding earmarked for law enforcement initiatives to improve transparency, reduce violence and bolster mental health services. Gov. John Carney recently joined U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Chris Coons (D-DE), and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt... Read More »
House committee leaders applaud Customs and Border Protection decision to disband “rogue” internal investigation teams
In response to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announcing it would disband Critical Incident Teams tasked with investigating and collecting evidence of excessive and deadly use of force from its agents, House leaders applauded the elimination of what they viewed as obstructive... Read More »
Better Cybercrime Metrics Act signed into law, pledges improvements to federal action on cybercrime
With the signing of the Better Cybercrime Metrics Act last week, President Joe Biden welcomed a new cybersecurity bill into law, promising improvements to how the federal government prosecutes, measures, and tracks cybercrime. Backed by the National Fraternal Order of Police and other national... Read More »
Bill seeks to protect domestic technology research from being used to bolster People’s Liberation Army
A group of legislators recently introduced legislation that would protect domestic technology research from being used by Chinese entities to benefit the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) led colleagues U.S. Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike... Read More »
Bill targets inequities in federal disaster response
A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation seeking to address systemic inequities concerning the federal government’s disaster and assistance distribution response. The Federal Emergency Management Advancement of Equity Act (FEMA Equity Act) was introduced by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth... Read More »
DHS completes jamming exercise to strengthen first responder communications
During the last week in April, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) hosted the JamX 22 exercise to further resilience to signal jamming threats for federal and first responders.... Read More »FirstNet expands network indoor coverage services
FirstNet Authority Board has approved an investment to expand network coverage services through small-cell technologies, which would bolster FirstNet indoor operations. The FirstNet Authority is an independent Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration... Read More »
U.S. Attorney announces successful results of strategy to combat fraud related to COVID-19
U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Roger B. Handberg announced Wednesday that his work to combat COVID-19-related fraud has been, to date, successful. Working with federal, state, and local law enforcement, Handberg said his office was able to form the COVID-19 Fraud Task Force to... Read More »
Bill targets Russian war crimes documentation effort
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) recently introduced legislation that seeks to ensure America is undertaking coordinated efforts to collect and maintain war crimes evidence during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Cornyn, the sponsor of the Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence and Accountability... Read More »BARDA announces new partnerships to develop diagnostics for respiratory RNA virus
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced Tuesday it had partnered with a number of industry and academic organizations to advance next-gen diagnostics to detect respiratory viruses in a single test.... Read More »
Resolution targets illicit trade, money laundering
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a resolution advocating Congress address global criminal organizations, illicit trade, and trade-based money laundering (TBML) actions. The resolution was introduced by U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), John Cornyn (R-TX), Lindsey... Read More »
Northrop Grumman details IVEWS technology progression
The U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a contract to prepare the AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) for developmental testing and hardware qualification. IVEWS utilizes ultra-wideband architecture to provide instantaneous bandwidth needed to defeat... Read More »
BAE Systems opens new engineering, production facility in New Hampshire
BAE Systems officials are espousing the benefits of its newly opened engineering and production facility in Manchester, N.H., which will support electronic warfare (EW) systems development initiatives. “Our new Manchester facility is critical to developing next-generation electromagnetic... Read More »
Sen. Tester introduces legislation seeking to strengthen U.S. borders
Two bills introduced by U.S. Sen. John Tester (R-MT) would further strengthen and secure the U.S. borders to Canada and Mexico, the senator’s office said Monday. Tester introduced the Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act, which will require U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to hire... Read More »
Bill targets enhanced anti-trafficking efforts
U.S. Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) joined nine colleagues in forwarding correspondence to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking maritime domain awareness clarity. The legislators are requesting that DHS adopt a common operating platform, which they... Read More »
HII launches Virginia-class submarine New Jersey
America’s largest shipbuilder HII announced Thursday it launched the Virginia-class submarine New Jersey into the James River at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding Division. The 7,800-ton submarine was submerged and moved by tugboats to the shipyard’s submarine pier for final... Read More »
CBP Trusted Traveler Programs reach milestone, exceeding 10 million members in March
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) initiative exceeded 10 million total members during March. TTP supports the agency's mission to secure domestic borders while facilitating lawful travel and trade - enabling pre-approved,... Read More »
Homeland Security Department issues RFI for vehicle extrication tools
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) recently issued a vehicle extrication tools request for information (RFI). The agency is seeking commercially available vehicle extrication tools... Read More »
Bicameral bill pushes overhaul of U.S. military civilian harm reporting and prevention
New Democratic legislation introduced to both the House and Senate seeks big changes to how the United States military works to prevent and report civilian harm caused by its operations, improving overall transparency. This would take the form of two bills, the new Department of Defense Civilian... Read More »