This Week’s Tech Highlights:
- Office of Strategic Capital Announces Release of FY25 Investment Strategy: OSC will prioritize investments through credit-based financial products into critical technologies and their supply chains
- DOD Provides Additional Aid to Ukraine: DoD will send an additional $2.47B in security aid to Ukraine, including $1.25B for urgent defense needs
- Office of National Cyber Director Releases Plan for Energy Infrastructure: The plan outlines steps required to secure the nation’s energy ecosystem
Tech Sector News:
- AI: Urgent Need for government adaptation to bridge tech gap and safeguard competitiveness (Opinion)
- Electronic Warfare: SEWIP Block III revolutionizes navy electronic warfare with multi-target defense
- Quantum: DARPA launches RoQS Program to develop interference-resistant quantum sensors
- Microelectronics: CHIPS Act funding awards to boost U.S. microelectronics, defense, and national security goals
- Cyber: Air Force Cyberspace Center realigns under CIO for enhanced IT services
- Advanced Communication: Marine Corps and NIWC Pacific launch 5G lab for secure prototyping
- Advanced Materials: Penn State lab prototypes lead-free ferroelectric thin films via atomic spray painting
- UAS: Ukraine enhances drone warfare with automation and jamming countermeasures
And more!
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GENERAL EMERGING TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Office of Strategic Capital Announces Fiscal Year 2025 Investment Strategy
The Office of Strategic Capital (OSC), established in 2022 to attract private capital for U.S. national security, has released its Fiscal Year 2025 Investment Strategy. This strategy outlines how OSC will prioritize investments using credit-based tools for critical technologies and supply chains across 31 Covered Technology Categories. Key focus areas include advanced materials, microelectronics, battery storage, and synthetic biology, among others. By targeting economic chokepoints and bolstering key industrial capabilities, the strategy aims to ensure U.S. technological leadership and economic resilience.
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DOD Announces $2.47B in Additional Aid to Ukraine
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has announced $2.47 billion in security aid for Ukraine, including $1.25 billion from the Presidential Drawdown Authority for urgent needs like air defense missiles, artillery munitions, and anti-tank weapons. An additional $1.2 billion from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative will fund air defense, unmanned aerial systems, and other capabilities, supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
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Office of the National Cyber Director Publishes an Energy Modernization Cybersecurity Implementation Plan for US Energy Infrastructure
The Office of the National Cyber Director has released the Energy Modernization Cybersecurity Implementation Plan (EMCIP) to secure the U.S. energy ecosystem. Featuring 32 initiatives led by 12 agencies, the plan targets cybersecurity in batteries, inverters, distributed systems, EV infrastructure, and building energy systems.
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Chinese-Sponsored Hackers Accessed Treasury Documents in ‘Major Incident’
Chinese state-sponsored hackers accessed U.S. Treasury workstations by exploiting a compromised key from a third-party cloud service, BeyondTrust. The attackers retrieved unclassified documents but reportedly no longer have access. Treasury enhanced cybersecurity measures and collaborated with agencies to address the breach. BeyondTrust confirmed the incident and is supporting investigations.
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SBA Strengthens Lending Network with New Public-Private Partnerships
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has granted Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) licenses to four institutions—Cooperative Business Services, A10 Capital, Lafayette Square, and Stonehenge Capital—expanding access to 7(a) loans in underserved communities. These licenses enable targeted lending to low-income, minority-owned, and rural businesses, supporting economic growth, green initiatives, and credit access in areas historically lacking financial resources.
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GSA Expands IT Opportunities for Small Businesses With Polaris Small Business Pool Award
The GSA has awarded the Polaris Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) Small Business Pool to 102 small businesses, offering federal agencies a flexible, cost-effective IT services solution. Polaris supports IT needs, including emerging technologies like AI, edge computing, and blockchain, while promoting socioeconomic goals through diverse small business participation. With regular on-ramps and technical refresh capabilities, Polaris ensures adaptability to evolving federal IT requirements. Additional awards for specialized small business pools are planned for FY 2025.
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Recommendations for Energy Innovation: Opportunities for DOE Demonstration Programs
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) highlights actionable steps for DOE to improve clean energy demonstration programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Recommendations focus on efficiency, project management, community benefits, engagement, transparency, evaluation, and permitting. With $27 billion allocated, these programs aim to advance innovative energy technologies, boost U.S. competitiveness, and support economic development while addressing implementation challenges and enhancing stakeholder confidence.
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NSF Invests Nearly $15M in Four Academic Institutions for Cybersecurity Scholarships
The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded nearly $15 million to four universities through the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service program. These grants aim to address the cybersecurity workforce shortage by providing scholarships and training in advanced areas like AI, smart manufacturing, and autonomous systems. Recipients commit to government cybersecurity roles, strengthening national and economic security.
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SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Accelerates Innovation-Driven Ecosystem Building With up to $9 Million in Awards
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the 2025 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC), offering $75,000 to $150,000 to entrepreneur support organizations aiding innovation-driven startups in underserved areas. Focused on commercialization, capital access, and emerging technologies, the competition aims to strengthen ecosystems nationwide. Stage One applications open January 8, 2025, with winners advancing to compete for larger awards.
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PSF ANALYSIS & INSIGHTS
Spotlight on Robotics, Automation, and Advanced Manufacturing
At Public Spend Forum, we recently analyzed trends in Robotics, Automation, and Advanced Manufacturing, uncovering key insights on investments, use cases, and suppliers:
- $5.3B Federal R&D Investment: U.S. federal agencies invested over $5.3 billion in R&D related to robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
- Funding Breakdown: 75% of awards were grants, and 20% were through SBIR/STTR programs.
- High-Growth Use Cases: Aerospace/Defense, Healthcare, Logistics, and Transportation sectors lead in adopting technologies like surveillance, robot-assisted surgery, 3D printing, and automated deliveries.
- Key Agencies: The DoD and Department of Commerce account for 52% of awards, with significant contributions from the Air Force, Army, Navy, DLA, and DARPA.
- Suppliers & Institutions: More than 2,000 suppliers and institutions received awards, with 22% classified as underserved. SBIR/STTR programs represent 37% of these recipients.
- Regional Strengths: Innovation hubs like Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Ann Arbor, and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue are expanding rapidly in these fields.
Explore these trends and more through the Public Innovation Ecosystem Dashboard.
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TECHNOLOGY SECTOR-SPECIFIC NEWS
AI: The US Government Must Keep Pace With Serving An AI-Empowered Citizenry (Opinion)
AI advancements are rapidly transforming sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and retail, while the government struggles to keep pace. As AI becomes integral in daily life, the gap between advanced technology and outdated government services grows, risking national competitiveness and security. The government must adapt quickly, balancing innovation with responsible deployment to maintain trust and relevance in the AI-driven world.
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Electronic Warfare: This Is What The Navy’s New Shipboard Electronic Warfare System Can Actually Do
The Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program Block III (SEWIP) is a revolutionary electronic warfare system for the Navy’s surface fleet. It combines advanced passive detection and active electronic attack capabilities, enabling simultaneous multi-target defense against anti-ship missiles and other RF threats. The system also supports future upgrades, including AI-driven cognitive EW and enhanced communication, enhancing Navy force lethality and survivability.
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Quantum: DARPA Eyeing New Quantum Sensing Program
DARPA plans to launch the Robust Quantum Sensors (RoQS) program to develop quantum sensors resistant to platform-related interferences. These sensors aim to enhance alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The program focuses on overcoming deployment challenges, advancing military platform integration, and preparing for GPS-denied environments, with significant funding allocated for 2024.
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Microelectronics: ASU-led Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub Awarded $21.3M for 2nd Year of Funding for Microelectronics Projects
The Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub, led by Arizona State University, secured $21.3 million in Year 2 funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. The funding supports semiconductor innovation, workforce training, and national security projects. With over 170 partners, including Sandia National Laboratories, the hub advances microelectronics technology and strengthens U.S. manufacturing capabilities, aligning with strategic objectives in defense and national security.
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Microelectronics: Department of Energy Announces $179 Million for Microelectronics Science Research Centers
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $179 million to fund three Microelectronics Science Research Centers (MSRCs) for advanced microelectronics research. These centers will focus on energy efficiency, extreme environments, and materials innovation to transform future technologies. Spanning 16 projects at 10 national labs, the initiative supports breakthroughs in materials, design, and manufacturing, addressing critical needs in computing, AI, and sensing applications.
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Cyber: Air Force Aligns Cyber Center to CIO
The Air Force is realigning its Cyberspace Capabilities Center under the Chief Information Officer (CIO) to streamline IT functions, enhancing service delivery for Airmen and Guardians. The center, focusing on cybersecurity, cloud, and data services, will improve interoperability and align IT functions across the department. Full operational capability is expected by October 2025, supporting great power competition efforts.
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Advanced Communication: Marine Corps Eyes New Tech Lab To Advance 5G
The U.S. Marine Corps and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific will establish a 5G technology lab to develop secure, jamming-resistant prototypes for contested environments. The lab will evaluate 5G equipment for integration with Marine Corps systems, guiding future acquisition decisions and potentially aligning with the Army’s Tactical Mobility program for deployment in coming years.
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Advanced Materials: Straining A Material’s Atomic Arrangement May Make For Cleaner, Smarter Devices
Researchers at Penn State developed a strain-tuning process using “atomic spray painting” to enhance potassium niobate’s ferroelectric properties, creating lead-free, high-performance thin films. The technique, leveraging molecular beam epitaxy, improved temperature stability and polarization, with potential applications in green technology, space exploration, and quantum computing. Next steps include integrating these films with silicon for practical devices.
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UAS: Ukraine Advances Killer Robot Drones with More Automation, Efficiency
Ukraine is advancing drone warfare with automation to enhance efficiency and counter Russian electronic jamming. Innovations include multi-frequency modules, GPS-independent navigation, and autonomous battlefield flight systems. These developments aim to reduce pilot training time, increase strike success rates, and enable operators to control multiple drones simultaneously, bolstering Ukraine’s defenses with cost-effective and adaptive drone technologies.
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