Weekly Roundup: July 26-30, 2021

Submitted by on Fri, 07/30/2021 - 14:57

Roat Says TMF Board Still Accepting Proposals, Offers Bid Tips. Deputy Federal CIO Maria Roat confirmed July 28 that the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) is still accepting proposals for IT modernization projects under a solicitation announced in May, and offered tips to agencies looking to score some of the $1 billion in funding the TMF r

Enabling Government to Attract Innovation that Serves the Nation – The Case of “OTAs”

Submitted by on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 09:41

In the more than six decades since “Other Transactions Authority” (OTA) was authorized, OTAs have become a vital part of the Department of Defense (DOD) research process, and are now increasingly used by other agencies seeking to drive innovation through their programs and services. OTAs follow statutory provisions that allow certain federal agencies to enter into transactions with commercial entities using nontraditional procurement methods and contract terms.

The greater prevalence of OTAs has raised a number of questions about their use, including: 

Vincent Wroble

Submitted by on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 09:37

Vincent Wroble is a Research Assistant with the Department of Political Science at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he graduated summa cum laude in 2019. He previously worked as a research and teaching assistant for CU Boulder's Technology Cybersecurity and Policy Program. He has published articles about small drones and their usage in both the U.S. Naval Institute’s Journal Proceedings and The Strategy Bridge.

Jason Knudson

Submitted by on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 09:35

Jason Knudson is a senior defense and industry advisor for “Hacking for Defense”, a defense innovation academic curriculum piloted at Stanford University and taught at over 50 universities globally in the US, UK, Australia, and Norway. He is currently the Vice President of Product Development at Second Front Systems. He is the founder of Vyzva Lab, a Human Centered Design focused consultancy focused on the interface between government and early stage businesses.

Stan Soloway

Submitted by on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 09:32

Stan Soloway is a senior defense and industry advisor for “Hacking for Defense”, a defense innovation academic curriculum piloted at Stanford University and taught at over 50 universities globally in the US, UK, Australia, and Norway. Hacking for Defense (H4D) is part of the non-profit "The Common Mission Project" and has programs in the US, UK, Australia, and Norway. The program is funded at US Universities by the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN). He is also president and CEO of Celero Strategies, LLC.

Other Transactions Authorities: After 60 Years, Hitting Their Stride or Hitting The Wall?

Submitted by on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 09:00

While OTAs have been used by NASA since 1958 and within the Department of Defense since 1989, they have experienced significant growth in recent years following expansion   under the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

April Rinne

Submitted by on Mon, 07/26/2021 - 10:00

April Rinne is equal parts global authority, advocate, ally and adventurer. She sees trends early, understands their potential, and helps others do the same. She’s a global citizen who brings insights, access and perspective to companies, governments, investors and organizations worldwide. But April is not only a thought leader; she’s also a doer. She connects people, ideas and resources in ways that say "wow, that's what the world needs" – and then makes it happen.

Weekly Roundup: July 19-23, 2021

Submitted by on Fri, 07/23/2021 - 12:55

Senate Panel FY2022 NDAA Markup Features Long To-Do Lists on Cyber, Tech. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes a $1 billion increase in funds for programs developing AI, microelectronics, advanced materials, 5G, and biotechnology.

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