Alan Rudolph

VA Portland Seeks Magnetic Resonance Imaging Services (Market Research) Summary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is conducting market research to identify qualified vendors to provide #magneticresonanceimaging (#MRI) services for a research study at the VA Portland Health Care System. The study will investigate the effects of COVID-19 on the brains of veterans, focusing on veterans with long COVID symptoms. MRI will be used to measure brain structure and function in these veterans. Tasks Perform anatomical scans (T1-weighted and T2-weighted) Perform functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) Perform diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) Analyze MRI data Conduct n-back task (working memory assessment) https://lnkd.in/ep8Uzmns #fmri #MedicalStaffing #Healthcare #Hospitalstaffing #Staffing #physician #physiciansupport #nursing #nurse #medicaltechnician #SourcesSoughtNotice #SmallBiz #GovCon #VOSB #SDVOSB #VetsFirst #VAVetsFirst #SetAside #MarketResearch #RequestForInformation GCAP Oregon's Apex Accelerator

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In a move to streamline technology transitions, Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, has inaugurated the Transition Tracking Action Group (TTAG). This advisory body, established March 13, is set to harness advanced data analytics to track how the Department of Defense (DoD) delivers capabilities to the field. Chaired by the R&E's chief data officer, Cyrus Jabbari, and comprising senior representatives from the military services and offices under the Secretary of Defense, TTAG aims to improve the visibility and management of the DoD's technology transition processes. The goal of this initiative seeks to ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of state-of-the-art systems and equipment to military personnel. To do this, the department will seek understand what the primary obstacles to transition are and if the measures it undertakes to improve outcomes are yielding desired effects. The TTAG will create a department-wide method to track technology transition and determine the reasons capability-enhancing technologies do or do not transition, to enable the Joint Force to deter and, if necessary, prevail in contested environments.

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Flashback! In The Colorado Springs Gazette, LLC, former National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director Walter Copan published an op-ed highlighting the collateral damage to America's high-tech industries that would result from misuse of march-in rights. His piece examines what allowing price-based march-in would mean for private companies and investors -- and why it would wreak havoc on every industry, not just prescription drugs. "Patent rights are a powerful incentive. When investors fund startups working to commercialize basic research, they do so with the expectation that the patents underlying a company’s nascent products are secure. It would be extremely foolish to undermine that investor confidence. The government accounts for only a small fraction of total R&D spending compared to what private sources contribute." "Misusing march-in would signal to companies and venture capitalists that investing in the development of federally funded basic research is too risky. Entrepreneurs and investors would abandon the process altogether, crushing technology transfer. And because Bayh-Dole governs all technology that arises from federal funding — from drugs to advanced materials to quantum sensors — every high-tech sector of our economy would be jeopardized." Read the full op-ed: https://lnkd.in/eu35amJj #BayhDole #innovation #science #research #technology #techtransfer #IP #patents #government #policy #law

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Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) QBI "Quantum Benchmarking Initiative" Proposers Days https://lnkd.in/ebuXvBgs Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) Program Overview It has been credibly hypothesized—but not proven—that quantum computers will have a transformative impact on a variety of scientific and technical disciplines. DARPA is interested in innovative approaches to constructing a Utility-Scale Quantum Computer and applications that can run on those machines. Depending on the maturity of their approach and technology, QBI performers will focus on one or more of the following efforts: Developing and describing a Utility-Scale Quantum Computer concept that has a plausible path to realization in the near term, Developing and describing a robust research and development plan that reduces key risks that a Utility-Scale Quantum Computer can be constructed, Identifying and validating quantum computer applications and algorithms that provide demonstrated utility, and Working with the Government to verify and validate that the Utility-Scale Quantum Computer can be constructed as designed and operated as intended.

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📢 Newest research report from Chris Andrews and Justin Anderson of the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, INSS. China’s rapid expansion of its theater-range, dual-capable delivery systems is reshaping the security landscape in the Indo-Pacific. Chris and Justin explore how the U.S. can counter this threat using integrated deterrence strategies and risk reduction approaches. The report provides the findings and recommendations of an 11-month research project sponsored by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Strategic Trends Research Initiative. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eAcesdff #NationalSecurity #DefenseResearch #IndoPacific #NuclearThreat

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The DIB recently recommended to restructure the currently separate Offices of the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment (A&S) and Research and Engineering (R&E) in an effort to eliminate stovepipes and remove barriers to entry for our international partners following Congressional direction six years ago to create two separate offices from the former Office of the Under Secretary for Acquisition Technology and Logistics (AT&L). The DIB recommended creation of a new office called the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for International Industrial Cooperation in order to centralize otherwise fragmented elements of international cooperation across the DoD and provide a single authority for international defense industrial cooperation. Words matter and this recommended organizational name is precise in that it reflects a clear message that allies and partners should be deeply integrated into the DoD acquisition enterprise. Charles Phillips, DIB board member states this office “would help DoD to better take advantage of innovation happening in allied nations…with the two currently separate offices, it can be perplexing for allies to know how to get involved with partnerships.” I’d like to see this effort gain traction as it checks these 3 important boxes: ✅ Eliminates stovepipes ✅ Integrates allies into our capability development efforts ✅ Leverages diversity from our international partners to speed innovation Let's go!

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Quantum sensing is enhancing SOF missions and during #SOFWeek2024, Fed Gov Today host Francis Rose spoke with Lloyd Dabbs, Director of Public Sector Business Development at SandboxAQ, about the future of #quantumtechnology. Topics discussed include how #quantumsensing offers unjammable and spoof-resistant navigation and why integrating with existing architectures is crucial for its effectiveness. Watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/erGnu9vE

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Read my Q&A with Robert Metzger for his expert insights on what the DFARS 7012 class deviation means for defense contractors and their compliance obligations, now and in the future.

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