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Spotlighting the Work to Restore, Connect and Conserve 30 Percent of Lands and Waters by 2030 

News and Updates

Secretary Haaland Highlights New Investments in Park Infrastructure, Outdoor Access and a Growing Outdoor Economy in North Carolina

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz visited North Carolina, where they highlighted new investments to create urban parks and trails and upgrade existing park infrastructure. Secretary Haaland also joined Governor Roy Cooper to announce more than $17 million in awards to help build urban parks in the Raleigh area through the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program. During the visit, Secretary Haaland underscored how historic investments from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and America the Beautiful initiative are helping supercharge the growth of the outdoor economy, as well as advancing the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background or zip code, can enjoy the benefits of green spaces and the outdoors.   

National Parks Contributed Record High $55.6 Billion to U.S. Economy, Supported 415,000 Jobs in 2023

The National Park Service released a new report that finds visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2023 resulted in a record high $55.6 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 415,400 jobs. The report finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities around national parks, providing $19.4 billion in labor income. The lodging sector received the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs, followed by the restaurant sector with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs. Strengthening local economies through community led, partnership-driven conservation and increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation is a central focus of the America the Beautiful initiative.

         

Interior Department Announces More Than $157 Million in Funding for Wetland Conservation Projects and National Wildlife Refuges

The Department of the Interior announced that the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved more than $46.2 million in grants, which will conserve or restore 91,425 acres of wetland and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds and other birds in 17 states. These grants, made through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, will be matched by more than $99.1 million in partner funds. In addition, the Commission approved more than $11.7 million from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, enabling the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners to conserve habitat on seven national wildlife refuges across seven states. The acquisitions will expand public opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and outdoor recreational access, reflecting the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment in the America the Beautiful initiative to conserve and restore America's lands and waters for future generations.   

Local Spotlight

Arizona Mirror: Apache trout no longer ‘threatened’ thanks to work of tribe, partners

Secretary Haaland announced that after more than five decades of recovery efforts by federal, state and Tribal partners, and with $5.1 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Department is removing the Apache trout from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife. The restoration of Arizona’s state fish marks the first sportfish and the first trout delisted due to recovery, a significant conservation success under the Endangered Species Act. 

Secretary Haaland joined Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, White Mountain Apache Tribe Chairman Kasey Velesquez, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Director Siva Sundaresan, and conservation partners including Trout Unlimited at a celebration in Mesa, Arizona, to mark the restoration of the species.

In Case You Missed It

President Biden Issues National Wilderness Month Proclamation

President Biden declared September National Wilderness Month. His Presidential Proclamation encourages all Americans to experience the Nation’s outdoor heritage, recreate responsibly, and celebrate the value of conservation now and for future generations. President Biden proclaimed:  

“By conserving our wilderness, we not only protect key pieces of our Nation’s history — we also protect the livelihoods of people who depend on our lands and waters.  We protect and preserve Tribal communities’ sacred landscapes. We sustain wildlife and conserve landscapes to help fight climate change and improve our Nation’s resilience. And we ensure that generations of Americans will be able to enjoy the beauty and power of our country’s wilderness today and into the future. 

That is why my Administration set the most ambitious conservation goal ever — committing to conserve at least 30 percent of all our Nation’s lands and waters by 2030. That goal is at the heart of my “America the Beautiful” initiative to support locally led, voluntary conservation and restoration efforts across the country. To that end, my Administration has made historic investments to protect our shared natural heritage, such as investing $1.4 billion in ecosystem restoration and resilience through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

To date, my Administration has conserved more than 41 million acres of our Nation’s lands and waters. I restored protections for the desert buttes of both the Bears Ears National Monument and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah and the underwater canyons of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. I established six new national monuments, including the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni in Arizona and the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada. And I expanded the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in California.” 

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Sept. 18, 2024 Tri-Agency Partnership 2024 Project Labor Agreements Session Join the Office of Management and Budget, Department of Labor, and the General Services Administration for the virtual Tri-Agency Partnership 2024 Project Labor Agreements (PLA) Session, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, from 3:30–5:00 p.m. E.T. This session will cover key PLA topics and the impact of Executive Order 14063, which mandates PLAs on federal construction projects over $35 million. Federal construction professionals and contractors can gain valuable insights into these new requirements. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed about the latest federal PLA policies and their implementation. Please register on Zoom using this link . Check out the "Knowledge Nugget" Micro-Learning Videos Explore FAI’s media library for a new collection of micro-learning videos covering key acquisition topics, including Contract Innovation and Risk Management, Contract Types, Category Management, and more. These brief, easily digestible videos are perfect for busy acquisition professionals looking to enhance their knowledge in just a few minutes. Dive into FAI’s media library today to stay informed and sharpen your skills with these valuable learning assets! Attend the FY 25 Government-Wide IT Category Forum on Oct. 17 Want more information on how the IT Category can help you? In partnership with ACT-IAC, the IT Category is hosting its first annual Government-Wide IT Category Forum on Oct. 17, 2024 at the Carahsoft Conference & Collaboration Center in Reston, Virginia. Sign up today! DHS Procurement Innovation Lab Fall 2024 Classes Available for Registration Register now for a Procurement Innovation Lab (PIL) Boot Camp class this fall to learn 10 of the most used innovative procurement techniques at this interactive four-hour class! This class is suitable for contracting professionals, program managers, technical evaluators, source selection officials, or procurement attorneys. (Class includes: oral presentations, product demonstrations, confidence ratings, down-selects, comparative evaluations, streamlined documentation, on-the-spot consensus, select best-suited, then negotiate, discovery, and group oral debriefings). To learn more about the DHS PIL, visit the site! FCL-A-9071: (Oct. 16, 2024, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. E.T.) (Register by Oct. 9) FCL-A-9053: (Oct. 30, 2024, 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. E.T.) (Register by Oct. 23) Seats are Still Available in the Following FAI Classes. Sign Up for One Today! CON 1200V - Contract Pre-Award  (Nov. 13–22) CON 1100V - Contract Foundational Skills (Nov. 12–21) & (Nov. 13–22) FCN 605 - Intermediate Agile Techniques for Contracting Professionals (two-day) (Nov. 13–14) FCN 550 - Cybersecurity - Supply Chain Risk Management (two-day) (Nov. 14–15) FCR 404 - COR Refresher (Nov. 18–22) FQN 415 - Performance-Based Acquisition (five-day) (Nov. 18–22) SBP 202V - Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part B (Nov. 18–22) Use this Free Resource to Combat Trafficking in Persons for Compliance with FAR 52.222-50 The U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, partnering with Verité, presents the Responsible Sourcing Tool (RST). The website aims to help prospective bidders and federal contractors establish robust due diligence systems to prevent human trafficking, including forced labor, in supply chains. It offers policies, performance standards, and processes to assess, address, and monitor human trafficking risks. COs and CORs will also find it useful to share the Compliance Plan template to encourage adherence to FAR 52.222-50. Required Biobased Training for Federal Purchase Card Holders The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently produced a four-minute “Biobased Products Purchase Card Holder Training” video. Watching the video assists purchase card holders in meeting their biobased training required by Executive Order 14081. Purchasing biobased products is not only good for environmental and human health, it also opens up new markets for America’s farmers and domestic industry. So please do your part and watch the four-minute video! To learn more about USDA’s BioPreferred Program, please visit: biopreferred.gov. New Micro-Learning Series on Construction Wage Rate Requirements Statute and Labor Standards FAI restructured and updated FAC 046, the comprehensive course on Construction Wage Rate Requirements Statute and Other Labor Standards for Contracts Involving Construction, to reflect the latest changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation. We divided the course into five standalone micro-learning classes, making it easier to access up-to-date information. These classes are ideal for contracting officers and specialists, whether you're new to the topics or refreshing your knowledge. Here’s a quick overview of the new offerings: FAC 130 - Construction Labor Standards and Related Acts (0.5 CLP): Get a broad understanding of the labor requirements for construction contracts, along with other related labor acts that may apply. FAC 131 - Wage Rate Requirements for Construction (0.5 CLP): Learn the ins and outs of WRRC, including when they apply and the roles of the contracting officer, contractor, and Department of Labor in enforcing these requirements. FAC 132 - Construction Wage Determination (1 CLP): Delve into construction wage determinations—both general and project-specific—and learn how to select and incorporate them into your construction contracts. FAC 133 - Construction Payroll Documentation (1 CLP): Master the nuances of prevailing wages, including hourly rates and fringe benefits, and understand the contractor’s obligations to submit weekly certified payrolls. A hands-on exercise will solidify your learning. FAC 134 - Construction Labor Compliance Checks and Enforcement (0.5 CLP): Explore the responsibilities of the contracting officer and Department of Labor in labor compliance reviews and enforcement actions, including common violations and the appeals process. Three NEW Playlists in FAI CSOD! The Next Generation Acquisition Leadership Playlist equips acquisition professionals with essential skills for success. Each course focuses on strategic thinking, leadership, and innovation, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. Whether you're a contracting officer or part of the broader acquisition workforce, these courses will enhance your capabilities and drive successful federal acquisitions. Stay updated as this playlist evolves. The Foreign Acquisitions/Buy American Playlist provides critical insights into the Buy American Act, helping you navigate its complexities to ensure compliance in federal contracting. Key courses cover trade agreements and construction-specific guidelines. The ITAWG C-SCRM in Acquisition Credential Playlist strengthens your expertise in Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management. Explore zero trust principles, regulatory frameworks, and case studies to secure federal supply chains against cyber risks. Don't miss out—sign up now! Emerging Trends & Policy Symposium: AI Innovations GSA’s Office of Government-wide Policy is hosting the Emerging Trends and Policy Symposium on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. E.T. This event brings together federal, industry, and academic leaders to discuss AI adoption strategies, generative AI architecture, and more. Don’t miss the fireside chats with top experts on how AI is transforming the government landscape. Register here: https://gsa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_oySkVOReT8aprYXHEoCPig#/registration  Earn Your Digital Services Credential (DITAP) (formerly FAC-C-DS) via the DITAP Training Program! Successful completion of the Digital IT Acquisition Professional (DITAP) training program earns students a DITAP training certificate, 80 CLPs, and the ability to apply for the Digital Services Credential (DITAP) (formerly FAC-C-DS) through FAI's credential program. FAC-C (Professional) holders with at least two years of experience and assigned to acquisitions consisting primarily of digital services over FAR 13.500(c) thresholds are required to attend the DITAP training program. FAC-COR Level II/III and FAC-P/PM Level II/III holders with at least two years of experience and assigned to acquisitions consisting primarily of digital services over FAR 13.500(c) thresholds are encouraged to attend DITAP training to create a cohesive team that fully understands how to buy digital services. There are several vendors who provide the training: Graduate School USA, Skylight, Management Concepts, EAGLES, ICF, and CivicActions. Learn more about DITAP by visiting the TechFAR Hub. Acquisition Today is published the first and third Wednesday of each month. If you have information that you would like to share with the federal acquisition workforce community via Acquisition Today, you may submit your article for consideration by completing this form. If you have feedback that you would like to share with FAI, please email us at contact@fai.gov. Any reference to, or information discussing, a specific commercial training organization, or its products, processes, or services within this Acquisition Today newsletter does not constitute or imply an endorsement by FAI, GSA, or the United States Government of the commercial training organization, or its products, processes, services, producers, or providers. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document, website, linked information, or any other information, contained in the newsletter regarding a commercial training organization do not necessarily state or reflect those of FAI, GSA, or the United States Government. All references to commercial training organizations are for information purposes only. Neither the FAI, GSA, or the United States Government, nor any of their employees, assumes any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information from a commercial training organization's referenced information, linked information, services, products, producers, or providers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 18, 2024


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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Raimondo and U.S. Secretary of State Blinken Announce Inaugural Convening of International Network of AI Safety Institutes in San Francisco

Commerce and State to co-host convening to advance global cooperation toward the safe, secure, and trustworthy development of artificial intelligence

WASHINGTON – Following Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo’s announcement of the launch of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes during the AI Seoul Summit in May, the U.S. Commerce Department and U.S. State Department shared today that they will co-host the inaugural convening of the Network on November 20-21st, 2024, in San Francisco, California.

The convening will bring together technical experts on artificial intelligence from each member’s AI safety institute, or equivalent government-backed scientific office, in order to align on priority work areas for the Network and begin advancing global collaboration and knowledge sharing on AI safety.

“AI is the defining technology of our generation. With AI evolving at a rapid pace, we at the Department of Commerce, and across the Biden-Harris Administration, are pulling every lever. That includes close, thoughtful coordination with our allies and like-minded partners,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “We want the rules of the road on AI to be underpinned by safety, security, and trust, which is why this convening is so important. I look forward to welcoming government scientists and technical experts from the International Network of AI Safety Institutes to the center of American digital innovation, as we run toward the next phase of global cooperation in advancing the science of AI safety.”

The initial members of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes are Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Japan, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

All members have expressed a shared ambition to advance the science of AI safety and recognize the importance of international coordination in ensuring that the benefits of AI development and deployment are shared equitably around the globe.

“Strengthening international collaboration on AI safety is critical to harnessing AI technology to solve the world’s greatest challenges. The AI Safety Network stands as a cornerstone of this effort,” said U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.

The goal of this convening is to kickstart the Network’s technical collaboration ahead of the AI Action Summit in Paris in February 2025. The Departments will also invite experts from international civil society, academia, and industry to join portions of the event to help inform the work of the Network and ensure a robust view of the latest developments in the field of AI.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Thursday, September 19, 2024

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Biden-Harris Administration Awards Nearly $5 Million to Small Businesses to Bring New CHIPS Technology to the Commercial Market

Department of Commerce Announces Grants Across Nine States Highlight Thriving U.S. Semiconductor Industry

WASHINGTON – Today, the Biden-Harris Administration awarded nearly $5 million to 17 small businesses across nine states under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The SBIR Phase I awards will fund research projects to explore the technical merit or feasibility of an innovative idea or technology for developing a viable product or service for introduction in the commercial microelectronics marketplace. This is the first award for the CHIPS Research and Development Office. The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to getting small businesses the resources they need to thrive and promoting competition to level the playing field.

“As we grow the U.S. semiconductor industry, the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to building opportunities for small businesses to prosper. With today’s awards, these 17 businesses will support CHIPS for America’s efforts to grow the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem and support our national and economic security,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

NIST measurement science, or metrology, is at the heart of all the advances we anticipate from American chipmakers in coming years, like smaller, faster, chips that take less energy to make, operate and cool, with more functions at less expense.  

The award-winning projects were competitively selected from proposals submitted in response to a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on multiple topics on research projects for critically needed measurement services, tools, and instrumentation; innovative manufacturing metrologies; novel assurance and provenance technologies and advanced metrology research and development (R&D) testbeds to help secure U.S. leadership in the global semiconductor industry.

These are all Phase I SBIR awards, which are meant to establish the merit, feasibility and commercial potential of the proposed research and development projects. All 17 small businesses will be under consideration for a SBIR Phase II award in Spring 2025. Each Phase II award can be funded up to $1,910,000. 

“NIST and CHIPS for America are proud to support these small businesses as they take innovations, scale them for the commercial marketplace, and boost the U.S. economy. We are happy to support the entrepreneurs with great ideas as they seek to build the next great American company,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director Laurie E. Locascio.

CHIPS Metrology SBIR Awardees

Direct Electron LP (Rancho Bernardo, California)

Develop a novel high-speed camera for high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction and transmission Kikuchi diffraction which will significantly expand the materials properties that can be probed with this technique. This project will benefit U.S. industry using materials characterization for current and next-generation microelectronics devices.

HighRI Optics, Inc (Oakland, California)

Develop cutting-edge technology for calibration of the instrument transfer function of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithographic tools. This project will advance EUV lithography technology for the U.S. semiconductor industry.

Photon Spot, Inc. (Monrovia, California)

Develop an ultra-compact, ultra-low vibration cryogenic system to support time-resolved imaging applications. This project will benefit integrated circuit manufacturers and researchers conducting experiments on quantum technologies.

Photothermal Spectroscopy Corporation (Santa Barbara, California)

Develop a new instrument for high-speed thermal properties analysis and simultaneous chemical characterization with sub-micron spatial resolution. This project will improve thermal management and thermal property characterization for the U.S. semiconductor industry.

PrimeNano Inc (Santa Clara, California)

Develop a measurement technology for in-line metrology, which has applications in materials purity, electrical properties, three-dimensional devices, and next generation manufacturing. This project will benefit the U.S. metrology and advanced packaging industries.

Recon RF, Inc.  (San Diego, California)

Develop next-generation large-signal and high-power transistor modeling techniques to create highly accurate models for Radio Frequency (RF)-Microwave circuit design simulators. This project will benefit researchers and U.S. manufacturers of advanced radar, communications, and satellite technologies.

Sigray, Inc (Concord, California)

Develop a novel linear accumulation x-ray source to achieve an order of magnitude increase in performance over leading x-ray sources for critical dimension scattering. This project benefits researchers and manufacturers of semiconductor transistors.

Vapor Cell Technologies (Boulder, Colorado)

Develop advanced dimensional metrology tools for semiconductor fabrication equipment to minimize the gap in the physical-digital divide and amplifying the accuracy of digital twins. This project will benefit the U.S. microelectronics supply chain. 

Tech-X Corporation (Boulder, Colorado)

Develop a simulation tool for photonic integrated circuits that accounts for manufacturing variations and imperfections. This project will benefit the designers of photonic integrated circuits, who will have faster development times as well as U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and fabrication facilities.

Octave Photonics LLC (Louisville, Colorado)

Develop a new measurement tool to analyze airborne contaminants and toxic gases inside and outside the fab that lead to semiconductor processing defects and safety infringements. This project will benefits U.S semiconductor fabrication facilities.

Virtual EM, Inc. (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Develop a Radio Frequency (RF) channel sounder system to accurately characterize the effects of the wireless environment. This project will benefit microelectronics companies and research institutions focused on communication technologies.

The Provenance Chain Network (Portland, Oregon)

Develop a reference implementation of the Commercial Trust™ Protocol (CTP) to manage verifiable credentials (VCs), metrology, and intellectual property, enhancing hardware security, and provenance tracking of microelectronic components across supply chains.  This project will benefit the U.S. microelectronics supply chain industry.

Tiptek, LLC (West Chester, Pennsylvania)

Develop new high-speed nanoprobes to enhance the ability for semiconductor failure analysis to locate and analyze to detect "soft' electrical faults that occur on the most advanced semiconductors and are otherwise difficult to detect. This project will benefit researchers and semiconductor failure analysis engineers in the U.S. semiconductor industry. 

Exigent Solutions (Frisco, Texas)

Develop AI-powered software to automate chip design optimization for manufacturability through accelerated lithography simulation. This project will benefit U.S. researchers and industry involve in semiconductor design and manufacturing.

Laser Thermal Analysis, Inc (Charlottesville, Virginia)

Develop hybrid atomic force microscopy instrument that will automatically generate maps of the thermal resistance, thermal boundary interface resistance, and temperature profiles of microprocessors and wide bandgap semiconductor materials and devices. This project will benefit devices with thermal management challenges and materials development needs on length scales smaller than 100 nanometers.

Hummingbird Precision Machine Co. dba Hummingbird Scientific (Olympia, Washington)

Develop a transmission electron microscopy in-situ specimen holder that enables real-time imaging of nano-scale electronic devices. The project will benefit manufacturers and researchers of next-generation high-voltage power converters used in a wide variety of industries. 

Steam Instruments (Madison, Wisconsin)

Develop a rapid and accurate high-resolution ion microscopy technology for materials characterization particularly focused on challenges for the semiconductor industry. This project will benefit the U.S. semiconductor industry and researchers.

Learn more about the CHIPS Metrology Program and the seven grand challenges.

 

About CHIPS for America   

CHIPS for America has allocated over $32 billion in proposed funding across 16 states and proposed to invest billions more in research and innovation, which will create over 115,000 jobs. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, semiconductor and electronics companies have announced over $400 billion in private investments, catalyzed in large part by public investment. CHIPS for America is part of President Biden and Vice President Harris’s economic plan to invest in America, stimulate private sector investment, create good-paying jobs, make more in the United States, and revitalize communities left behind. CHIPS for America includes the CHIPS Program Office, responsible for manufacturing incentives, and the CHIPS Research and Development Office, responsible for R&D programs, that both sit within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at the Department of Commerce. Visit chips.gov to learn more. 

The CHIPS Metrology Program is building partnerships between researchers and industry to address the microelectronics industry’s metrology grand challenges. CHIPS for America has funded over $190 million across over 40 projects that are helping to develop new instruments, methods, data analysis, and models and simulations.  

This email was sent to politikimx@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Department of Commerce · 1401 Constitution Ave., NW · Washington, D.C. 20230 Research Webinars Please join us October 10th at 2PM ET for the final presentation in the 2024 series: An Assessment of Healthcare Access and Utilization in the World Trade Center Health Program   Presenter: Andrew Sine Karasick, MD, MBA, MPH, FACPM In 2024, the WTC Health Program will host monthly webinars for researchers to discuss recent findings. Each webinar will be recorded and include Program announcements, the research presentation, and time for questions and answers. Copy to Calendar Visit the research webinars page for the schedule and previous webinar recordings. Funding for this conference was made possible (in part) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.   World Trade Center Health Program