Newsletter 12/23/2024: Stories on the Air Force’s Installation Infrastructure Plan, A New Bank for NATO Defense Funding, and more!

This Week’s Tech Highlights:

Tech Sector News:

And more!

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GENERAL EMERGING TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Department of the Air Force Releases Installation Re-Optimization Plan to Enable Capabilities for Great Power Competition

The Department of the Air Force recently unveiled its Installation Infrastructure Action Plan to modernize installations for Great Power Competition. The 15-year plan prioritizes mission alignment, infrastructure resilience, and readiness against cyber threats, aging facilities, and hazardous weather. It builds on the 2019 strategy, emphasizing innovation, resource efficiency, and adaptability to maintain a decisive edge in global competition.

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How a New Global Defense Bank—the ‘Defense, Security, and Resilience Bank’-Can Solve US and Allied Funding Problems

In a recent article, the Atlantic Council discusses how a proposed Defense, Security, and Resilience (DSR) Bank could provide a multilateral solution to NATO defense funding gaps. By providing low-cost loans, risk underwriting, and financial tools, it would enhance defense production and supply chain resilience across Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific allies. Anchored by nations with strong credit ratings, the bank could address $535B-$845B in defense needs.

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Office of Management and Budget Publishes AI Use Case Inventory

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has recently published the inventory of federal AI Use Cases, giving the public a snapshot of how the federal government is using artificial intelligence. Key categories include mission-enabling, health, and government services. While the inventory includes fully operational use cases, others are still in the early implementation phase.

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SBA Hosts Inaugural Artificial Intelligence Small Business Summit at Georgia Tech

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently hosted its inaugural AI Small Business Summit in Atlanta, launching the AI for Small Businesses Resource Hub. This initiative, supported by major tech companies and Georgia Tech, aims to help small businesses integrate AI technologies, fostering growth and innovation while providing access to tools, resources, and expert guidance.

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DHS S&T Celebrates Twenty Years of Innovation Success

The Department of Homeland Security’s SBIR program is marking two decades of success, having invested $415 million in 528 small businesses. Focused on fostering innovation and commercialization, the program has supported 265 mission challenges across a diverse set of technology areas. It has facilitated partnerships and leveraged resources to enhance national security, including advancements in cybersecurity, radiation detection, and explosive material recognition.

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DHS Launches Internal GenAI Chatbot to Leverage Non-Public Data

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also launched DHSChat, an AI-powered chatbot for its workforce, enabling secure use of generative AI with non-public data. Developed with cybersecurity and privacy experts, DHSChat supports tasks like drafting reports and summarizing information. It builds on the department’s AI initiatives, including training and an AI roadmap, to modernize operations responsibly.

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LLNL’s Second ‘STEM Day at the Lab’ in 2024 Ignites Student Engagement

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) hosted over 240 students from underserved communities for its second STEM Day of 2024. The event featured interactive STEM activities, hands-on workshops, and tours of the National Ignition Facility. Students engaged with Lab employees, exploring careers in science and technology, while gaining inspiration and practical knowledge to pursue pathways in STEM fields.

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PSF ANALYSIS & INSIGHTS

PSF Insights: Example of Comapnies Across all Critical Technologies

Public Spend Forum is excited to share insights from our recent analysis on the Government Innovation Portfolio which includes 45,045 companies, spanning startups to traditional firms. These companies are driving innovation across categories like Biotech, Clean Energy, and Advanced Materials. They’re winning funding through grants, OTAs, and SBIR/STTR, tackling diverse use cases.

Key Insights on Funding:

There’s a lot more to uncover. You can access the Public Innovation Ecosystem Dashboard to see more information.

Customize the data for your use-case: Contact us if you would like to customize the critical tech datasets for your specific use-cases, through our Rapid Market Intelligence Sprints. Please reach out to us at support@publicspendforum.net

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Subscribe to the Critical Tech Market Insider to get important market insights on critical tech markets and to become part of our 20,000+ community

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TECHNOLOGY SECTOR-SPECIFIC NEWS

Batteries: DHS S&T Working with City of New York and the US Fire Administration on Lithium-Ion Battery Safety

DHS S&T and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) recently held a workshop at the FDNY’s Academy to discuss safety issues relating to lithium-ion batteries. Led by S&T’s National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, the workshop united firefighters and researchers to address response challenges, safety impacts, and mitigation strategies. Insights gathered will guide research and innovation to enhance public safety and responder preparedness.

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Batteries: DIU Soliciting Advanced Batteries for Unmanned Systems

The DoD is seeking rechargeable battery solutions for small unmanned aerial systems, emphasizing domestic manufacturing, supply chain transparency, and performance. Proposals must meet strict energy density, cycle life, and temperature requirements while demonstrating scalability, safety, and commercial viability. Submissions should detail sourcing, production, and cost strategies, with opportunities for follow-on production agreements under the DIU Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process.

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Batteries: Trump Plans to Impose Tariffs on Battery Materials

The Trump presidential transition team is considering cutting support for electric vehicles, redirecting funds to bolster domestic battery and critical mineral production for national defense. Proposed recommendations include reducing emissions standards, imposing tariffs on battery imports, expanding export restrictions, and eliminating EV incentives, while prioritizing U.S. battery manufacturing and defense-related energy needs over EV infrastructure and purchases.

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Microelectronics: Dept. of Commerce Announces Preliminary Terms with Bosch to Advance U.S. Supply Chain Resiliency of Crucial Semiconductor Manufacturing Components

The U.S. Department of Commerce and Bosch have signed a preliminary agreement for up to $225 million in funding to support Bosch’s $1.9 billion investment in a California facility producing silicon carbide semiconductors. The project aims to enhance U.S. semiconductor capacity, create over 1,700 jobs, and support the automotive and defense industries while advancing domestic technology production.

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Microelectronics: Dept. of Commerce Announces CHIPS Incentives Award with GlobalWafers for Domestic Silicon Wafer Production

The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded up to $406 million in funding to GlobalWafers America and MEMC under the CHIPS Incentives Program. The $4 billion project in Texas and Missouri will support domestic semiconductor wafer manufacturing, create 2,000 jobs, and enhance the supply chain for key semiconductor components.

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Microelectronics: Dept. of Commerce Announces CHIPS Incentives Award with SK Hynix for Research Hub in Indiana

The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded SK hynix up to $458 million under the CHIPS Incentives Program to support a $3.87 billion investment in West Lafayette, Indiana. The funding will help build a memory packaging plant for AI products and an advanced packaging facility, strengthening the U.S. semiconductor supply chain and creating around 1,000 jobs.

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Climate Tech: EPA Announces $2.5 Million to Fund Climate and Environmental Community Action Grant

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering $2.5 million in funding to support community-driven climate resilience projects. The UPLIFT Climate and Environmental Community Action Grant will help disadvantaged communities partner with higher education institutions to address climate challenges, including air pollution, extreme heat, and infrastructure issues. The grant aims to advance equity, environmental justice, and workforce development.

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Space Tech: NASA Finalizes Strategy for Sustaining Human Presence in Low Earth Orbit

NASA has finalized its Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy, outlining 13 goals and 44 objectives to advance science, innovation, and human presence in orbit. Developed with stakeholder input, the strategy supports commercial space infrastructure, international collaboration, and research critical for deep space exploration while transitioning from the International Space Station (ISS) to future commercial space stations.

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