23 avril 2018 | International, C4ISR, Sécurité

States Turn To National Guard To Help Protect Future Elections From Hackers

In elections past, the integrity of the vote was protected by poll workers and election officials. But in 2018 and likely beyond, elections are being protected by people like the anonymous man who works in the basement of the West Virginia Capitol.

He's member of the West Virginia National Guard who is a cybersecurity specialist responsible for monitoring any computer-related threats to the state's elections. Since August of last year, he's been attached full time to the office of Secretary of State Mac Warner.

After Russian-backed hackers probed election-related systems in at least 21 states in 2016, election officials, whose focus has traditionally been on making sure that polling places run smoothly and that results are speedily reported, now have to focus on protecting their computer systems.

Oftentimes lacking those resources in-house, National Guard specialists have been called in to monitor vital election systems in a handful of additional states, including Colorado, Ohio and South Carolina.

Neither the West Virginia National Guard nor Warner's office would permit the soldier to speak on the record, but Warner emphasized how crucial the role is.

"We, just like every other government entity and people in business, are getting pinged all the time. Somebody is checking to see are there any open doors [or] open windows for targets of opportunity," Warner said.

Warner's current use of the National Guard builds upon his predecessor, Natalie Tennant, who enlisted their cybersecurity expertise to scan the state's election systems for vulnerabilities and patch them in the final stretch of the 2016 election.

In January 2017, the outgoing Obama administration designated elections as part of the country's critical infrastructure. That meant new federal resources and scrutiny.

The Department of Homeland Security is working to give security clearances to state officials so they can receive intelligence briefings and assessments. Warner, like other state-level election officials, is in the middle of a months-long process of getting cleared.

Using Guard soldiers who already have a high-level clearance, "is a way to bridge the gap without causing a problem in that security system process," said West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General James Hoyer.

State officials are trying to figure out how to prepare for a threat they had never before anticipated, said Eric Rosenbach, a former Defense Department official who now directs a program on election security at Harvard's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

"These state election officials are the pointy tip of the spear for nation-state actors like the Russians trying to attack our democracy. That's never before been their job," said Rosenbach. "If part of [the National Guard's] responsibilities is to protect the things most precious to a state — it kind of makes sense that you would want them to support an effort like that."

While the regular military can't be involved in domestic law enforcement due to a post-Civil War federal law known as Posse comitatus, National Guard soldiers are under the jurisdiction of the governor unless they're activated by the federal government.

"The threat is new and we need to evolve with the times — as long as it still fits in the right legal framework and we're doing something that, you know, all Americans would agree are part of our democratic traditions," Rosenbach said.

Moving forward, Warner sees his office's partnership with the National Guard continuing.

"The cybersecurity arena is one of those where we as public officials have to get it right every time. The hackers only have to penetrate one time to do substantial damage," Warner said. "So, it's a foot race that we have to stay one step ahead and it never ends. It just goes on and on."

So far, the National Guard has monitored a few small local elections in West Virginia and Warner's office says they have yet to receive a threat that has risen to a level of what they called "actionable."

With the state's primary election slated for May 8, the Guard's first big election cybersecurity test is already underway.

https://www.npr.org/2018/04/11/601201517/states-turn-to-national-guard-to-help-protect-future-elections-from-hackers

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19 mars 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - March 19, 2020
NAVY Barber-Nichols Inc., Arvada, Colorado (N66604-20-D-E001); Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Virginia (N66604-20-D-E002); L3 Technologies Inc., Northampton, Massachusetts (N66604-20-D-E003); Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia (N66604-20-D-E004); Leonardo DRS Inc., Melbourne, Florida (N66604-20-D-E005); Lockheed Martin Sippican Inc., Marion, Massachusetts (N66604-20-D-E006); MIKEL Inc., Middletown, Rhode Island (N66604-20-D-E007); Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Annapolis, Maryland (N66604-20-D-E008); Progeny Systems Corp., Manassas, Virginia (N66604-20-D-E009); Foster-Miller Inc., doing business as QinetiQ-NA, Waltham, Massachusetts (N66604-20-D-E010); Raytheon Co., Keyport, Washington (N66604-20-D-E011); Rite-Solutions Inc., Pawcatuck, Connecticut (N66604-20-D-E012); Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia (N66604-20-D-E013); Systems Engineering Associates Corp., Middletown, Rhode Island (N66604-20-D-E014); Sechan Electronics Inc., Lititz, Pennsylvania (N66604-20-D-E015); Sonalysts Inc., Waterford, Connecticut (N66604-20-D-E016); and Systems Planning and Analysis Inc., Alexandria, Virginia (N66604-20-D-E017), are being awarded a $73,730,343 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract for the procurement of materials and services to design, develop, fabricate, test, install, document and deliver rapid prototype solutions in support of the Undersea Warfare/Undersea Defensive Family of Systems. Work will be performed at the contractors' sites, minimally at government locations and is expected to be completed by March 2023. For these base indefinite-quality/indefinite-delivery, three-year contracts, funding will not be obligated at time of award. A $2,500 minimum guarantee will be executed on each awardee's initial task order. This multiple-award contract was competitively procured with 17 acceptable offers received via the Federal Business Opportunities website. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Orlando, Florida, is awarded a $48,235,113 single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N65236-20-D-8012) with provisions for cost-plus, fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price task/delivery orders. This contract is for the procurement of Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) to legacy Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Satellite Communications Gateway Component systems and services. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be complete by March 2029. These systems support interoperability from tactical-to-tactical (point-to-point, point-to-group/net, group-to-net) satellite communications between MUOS and legacy UHF satellite communication users. In addition, the required services include Satellite Communication Gateway Component Suite B interface development, technical refresh enhancements, training, documentation updates, cybersecurity services, pre-installation test and checkout, implementation/installation and sustainment. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract includes a five-year ordering period, a two-year option period and one six-month option to extend services in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-8. The option periods, if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $65,214,634. Contract funds in the amount of $25,000 will be obligated at the time of award. This requirement was not competitively procured because it is a sole-source acquisition pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) with only one responsible source. Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, Charleston, South Carolina, is the contracting activity. Teledyne Defense Electronics LLC, doing business as Teledyne Microwave Solutions, Rancho Cordova, California, is awarded a $34,963,200 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for the repair of traveling wave tubes (model 10 kW) in support of the Advanced Electronic Guidance and Instrumentation System/Combat System. Work will be performed in Rancho Cordova, California, and is expected to be complete by March 2025. This contract includes a five-year base period with no options. Annual working capital funds (Navy) will be obligated as individual task orders as issued, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00104-20-D-V001). Lockheed Martin Corp. Rotary and Mission Systems, Liverpool, New York, is awarded a $19,413,337 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-13-C-6292 to exercise and fund options for the production of Navy equipment. Work will be performed in Liverpool, New York (66%); Millersville, Maryland (33%); and Marion, Massachusetts (1%), and is expected to be complete by November 2021. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $19,413,337 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. CB Tech Services Inc.,* Honolulu, Hawaii (N32253-20-D-0006); Coastal Marine Services Inc.,* San Diego, California (N32253-20-D-0007); Sitta, Paige and Associates Inc.,* National City, California (N32253-20-D-0005); and Pacific Shipyards International,* Honolulu, Hawaii (N32253-20-D-0008), are awarded $13,000,000 for a multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with firm-fixed-price pricing for the procurement of interior decking commercial industrial services at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Hawaii. Work will be performed in the state of Hawai'i and is expected to be completed by February 2025. The four contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contracts. The maximum ceiling value for all four contracts is $13,000,000. No funding will be obligated at time of award. This contract was competitively procured with five offers received via the Federal Business Opportunities website. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity. FLIR Systems Inc., North Billerica, Massachusetts, is awarded a $12,133,461 ceiling increase modification to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00164-18-D-JQ99) for non-warranty repairs, provision item ordering spares, product revisions, upgrades and production systems of the maritime mounted sensor. Work will be performed in North Billerica, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by February 2023. The contract will support multiple electro-optic sensor systems to include the following maritime forward-looking infrared, combatant craft forward looking infrared, shipboard infrared sensor systems, sea forward looking infrared. The electro-optic systems are utilized by the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command to carry out assigned missions. These systems provide electro-optical surveillance capability allowing the user to operate in low-light conditions. This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis in accordance with the statutory authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c) (1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulations 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $650,000 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity. Colonna Shipyards Inc., Norfolk, Virginia, is awarded an $8,903,875 firm-fixed-price contract for an 80-day shipyard availability for the emergency dry-docking of Navy Ship Spearhead (T-EPF 1). Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be complete by June 2020. This contract includes an 80-day base period and three options, which if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $9,241,725. Working capital contract funds (Navy) in the amount of $8,903,875 are obligated for fiscal 2020 and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia; and Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Syracuse, New York, is awarded an $8,759,811 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-09-C-6247 to exercise options for Integrated Submarine Imaging System (for submarine electronic warfare models AN/BLQ-10 and TI-18) kits and spares. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (47%); Syracuse, New York (29%); Chantilly, Virginia (13%); Marion, Massachusetts (7%); and Newport, Rhode Island (4 %), and is expected to be completed by March 2023. Fiscal 2020 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,759,811 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded March 12, 2020) U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND Construction Helicopters Inc., Howell, Michigan, has been awarded a task order modification, HTC711-18-F-R029/P00008, on contract HTC711-17-D-R016 in the amount of $33,995,543. This modification provides continued support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization Air Command-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command. The services provide dedicated rotary wing air transportation to move passengers, cargo and human remains as well as perform casualty evacuation in support of the Afghan Air Force. Work will be performed in the government of Afghanistan. The option period of performance is from March 19, 2020, to March 18, 2021. Fiscal 2020 Afghanistan Security Force funds (Army) were obligated at award of the modification. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the task order to $101,571,160, from $67,575,617. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity. ARMY R&D Maintenance Services Inc.,* Tulsa, Oklahoma, was awarded a $15,989,749 cost-plus, firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance, repair, minor construction and operations of the Hartwell Lake and Dam project. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Hartwell, Georgia, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2025. Fiscal 2020 civil investigation funds in the amount of $15,989,749 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Georgia, is the contracting activity (W912HN-20-C-5000). Navistar Defense, Melrose Park, Illinois, was awarded an $11,442,992 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Iraq) contract for 6x6 and 4x4 general transport trucks, recovery vehicles, and spare parts. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Springfield, Ohio; and Ooltewah, Tennessee, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2021. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-20-F-0206). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2117069/source/GovDelivery/
22 mai 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité, Autre défense

UK Defence and Security Accelerator themed competitions
We fund innovation through two main mechanisms, the Open Call for Innovation and Themed Competitions. Open Call for Innovation The Open Call exists to offer suppliers the opportunity to submit their ideas to defence and security stakeholders. The Open Call welcomes innovations that address defence and/or security challenges. Please see some examples of work we have funded here. The Open Call is open for proposals all year round, with assessment dates scheduled across the year. More information on assessment dates can be found here. Themed Competitions Themed Competitions exist to offer suppliers the opportunity to submit proposals around specific government areas of interest. Themed competitions may only run for a short time and have set closing dates. DASA has had various themed competitions covering a range of topics. For details on past competitions, please see here. To see examples of projects that have been funded through themed competitions, please see here. Competitions currently open for application Closing Date Competition Title 28 May 2019 Countering drones - finding and neutralising small UAS threats 11 June 2019 Developing the Royal Navy's autonomous underwater capability 18 June 2019 Semi-autonomous reconnaissance vehicles for the Army 26 June 2019 Space to innovate 1 July 2019 Future screening for aviation and borders 9 July 2019 Open Call for Innovation - Cycle 2 Various Help us scope future competitions We also host a number of events; please see here for a list of our upcoming events. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/apply-for-funding
25 janvier 2021 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - January 21, 2021
AIR FORCE Northrop Grumman, San Diego, California, has been awarded a $3,600,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) operations, sustainment and support. This contract provides for research, development, test, and evaluation, integration and operations and sustainment for existing and future payloads contained in or connected to the BACN system and associated ground stations or controls, ancillary equipment, support equipment and system integration laboratories. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and overseas locations, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 24, 2026. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $23,673,035 are being obligated with the initial task order, FA8726-21-F-0023, at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8726-21-D-0001). DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Jones Lang LaSalle Americas Inc., Chicago, Illinois, was awarded a $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price blanket purchase agreement (HHM402-21-A-0002) to provide the Defense Intelligence Agency with furniture products and services. Work will be performed in the National Capital Region, with an expected completion date of Jan. 18, 2026. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $616,166 are being obligated at time of award. The Virginia Contracting Activity, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. NAVY Black Construction/Mace International JV,* Harmon Industrial Park, Harmon, Guam, is awarded a $28,877,806 firm-fixed-price task order (N40084-21-F-4134) under previously-awarded design-build/design-bid-build, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity unrestricted multiple-award construction contract N40084-18-D-0066 to perform various repairs to deep-draft wharf infrastructure at Naval Support Facility (NSF), Diego Garcia. Work to be performed includes demolition of seven wharf fender standoff panels (FSOPs) and replacement of 24 FSOPs, including pile supports; replacement of broken/missing timber fender piles at the north end of the wharf; replacement of steel ladders; repair of concrete deck and sub-structure, including concrete slab replacement, crack sealing and paint striping; repair of cathodic protection, mooring hardware and pedestal/foundation cracks; repair of high mast lighting; providing additional lighting to meet current design criteria; and demolition and replacement of above-ground ductile iron water lines along the wharf edge where it interferes with FSOP work. Work will be performed at NSF Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $28,877,806 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Far East, Diego Garcia, is the contracting activity. Conflict Kinetics Corp., Sterling, Virginia, is awarded a $28,164,522 single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that will include terms and conditions for the placement of firm-fixed-price task orders for the procurement of Tactical Ocular Reaction Area™ (TORA™) small arms simulator support services to include on-site hardware; software and contracted information technology system security; air compressors; replacement equipment; and software modifications/software warranty as needed for all TORA™ simulators in support of Naval Expeditionary Combat Command within the continental U.S. and outside the continental U.S. locations. The contract will include a five-year ordering period with no options. The ordering period is expected to begin January 2021 and be completed by January 2026. Work will be performed in Williamsburg, Virginia (15%); Virginia Beach, Virginia (15%); Gulfport, Mississippi (15%); San Diego, California (15%); Port Hueneme, California (15%); Newport, Rhode Island (7%); Jacksonville, Florida (7%); Seal Beach, California (7%); and Guam (4%). Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,000 will be obligated to fund the contract's minimum amount and funds will expire at the end of the fiscal year. Individual task orders will be subsequently funded with appropriate fiscal year appropriations at the time of their issuance. One source was solicited for this non-competitive, sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. The Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center, Norfolk, Contracting Department, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00189-21-D-0005). San Juan-Black & Veatch International Ltd. JV,* Montrose, Colorado, is awarded a $23,145,586 task order (N40084-21-F-4131) under previously awarded, firm-fixed-price, design-build/design-bid-build, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, unrestricted multiple-award construction contract (N40084-18-D-0068) to provide long-term repairs to the north parking apron, Phase I, at Naval Support Facility (NSF), Diego Garcia. The work to be performed will provide long-term repairs to the north parking apron at NSF Diego Garcia, including demolishing existing concrete pavement and replacing with new 330 mm-thick portland cement concrete pavement complete with joints, dowels and sealants; removing cement-treated base and sub-base, replacing or reusing excavated material and re-grading/compacting to recommended design elevation; scarifying, re-grading and compacting existing subgrade; providing tie-down moorings and static grounding points; repairing/repaving parking apron cement-treated shoulders; and providing airfield markings. Work will be performed at NSF Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, and is expected to be completed by May 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $23,145,586 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Far East, Diego Garcia, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Kampi Components Inc.,* Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a maximum $26,650,143 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for valves and valve accessories. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302.1. This is a three-year base contract with one one-year option period that is being awarded with the base. Locations of performance are Pennsylvania and California, with a Jan. 18, 2025, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7MX-21-D-0044). Woodward HRT Inc., Santa Clarita, California, has been awarded a maximum $9,662,562 firm-fixed-price contract for F-15 rotary vane assemblies. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a one-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is California, with an Apr. 1, 2025 ordering period end date. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma (SPRTA1-20-C-0006). ARMY Goodwill Industries of San Antonio Contract Services, San Antonio, Texas, was awarded a $17,454,530 modification (P00012) to contract W81K04-18-C-0002 to provide support to the Army, Air Force and Air National Guard, medical record processing and storage services. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 25, 2022. Fiscal 2021 and 2022 Defense Health Program funds in the amount of $17,454,530 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., Tullahoma, Tennessee, was awarded a $9,238,191 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to support field, chamber, laboratory and range developmental and operational testing at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, and other locations. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 28, 2025. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $48,193 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army 418th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas, is the contracting activity (W91151-21-C-0006). *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2479160/source/GovDelivery/

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