Horizon cutting-room links: Wednesday, 6 August 2025

"Grand odyssey of CMMC nearing implementation," Federal News Network

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is on the verge of becoming a reality; the Cyber Accreditation Body is scaling up assessors to meet the anticipated demand.

• Final rule submission: DOD submitted the final CMMC acquisition rule to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on 22 July 2025, with an expected implementation date this fall after a review period of 90 to 120 days.
• Need for assessors: Approximately 80,000 companies in the defense industrial base will need CMMC "level two" assessments, requiring around 2,000 to 3,000 certified assessors to facilitate the scaling of the program.
• Phased implementation strategy: DOD has established a three-year phased implementation plan to ensure that CMMC requirements can be administered effectively without overwhelming the system, thereby preventing a backlog of companies awaiting assessment before competing for contracts.

"Budget maneuvers expected to reduce NIH funding opportunities," Roll Call

The Trump administration will limit NIH research grants in fiscal 2026 via budget maneuvers. Despite bipartisan support for NIH and a proposed funding increase, the administration's forward-funding strategy may effectively cut billions from research budgets.

• The Trump administration's proposed budget maneuvers could severely limit NIH's ability to fund new research grants, even should Congress increases its budget for fiscal 2026. Critics, including Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, emphasize the importance of NIH funding for public health and innovation.
• The NIH's new forward-funding policy requires researchers to receive grant funding upfront, which may lead to fewer new grants being awarded in the future, a de facto cut to research funding.
• Concerns are growing over the impact of these funding cuts on cancer research. The National Cancer Institute has already restricted the number of awards because of the forward-funding policy.

"Thomas Shedd departs as Labor CIO," Government Executive

Thomas Shedd's offboarding was confirmed during an internal meeting led by Mangala Kuppa, Labor's chief AI officer, who noted that a new permanent CIO has yet to be appointed.

• Shedd, who has been juggling dual roles as the acting CIO and head of the Technology Transformation Services at GSA, leaves behind a tech office that has seen significant staff turnover and operational challenges.
• Over 40 percent of the technology office's staff has departed voluntarily, contributing to a stagnant work environment where budget justifications are increasingly scrutinized, hampering productivity.
• Despite his departure from Labor, Shedd remains in his role at GSA, where he has focused on AI adoption while reducing staff within the tech shop.

“This DOGE project is still full steam ahead,” Politico

One DOGE initiative continues, the digital transformation of the federal retirement system.

• OPM has ceased accepting paper applications as of 15 July 2025, introducing a new Online Retirement Application system aimed at streamlining the retirement process for federal employees.
• A coalition of DOGE members and civil servants, including OPM Director Scott Kupor and former Airbnb engineers, is spearheading the digital modernization effort, focusing initially on automating the retirement application process and enabling digital signatures.
• Joe Gebbia, a cofounder of Airbnb, has emerged as a central figure in the DOGE initiative, helping to navigate political challenges and ensuring the project remains focused on improving government efficiency rather than political agendas.

"Deep staff cuts at a little-known federal agency pose trouble for droves of local health programs," Government Executive

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a federal agency crucial for distributing over $12 billion annually to support community health initiatives, faces significant staff reductions and budget cuts. These changes threaten programs vital for low-income and underserved populations.

• Approximately 700 HRSA employees have left or been terminated since February 2025, representing about 25 percent of the workforce, significantly impacting the agency's ability to oversee and distribute essential health care funding.
• Critics, including former HRSA leaders and Democratic senators, expressed serious concerns regarding the cuts, emphasizing the risk to health programs that serve over 31 million people nationwide, pointing out that HRSA plays a vital role in maintaining the healthcare safety net.

“Pentagon keeps a lid on Golden Dome,” Politico

Just in time for the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, SecDef Pete Hegseth ordered officials to keep Golden Dome on the DL. The conference draws more than 7,000 attendees annually, and this year many expected can’t-miss discussions about the proposed missile shield. “Officials will still have some conversations about Golden Dome, but in a more structured setting. The Missile Defense Agency posted a notice this week that it will brief industry in an unclassified session Thursday.”

"D.C. Council advances $3.8B Commanders stadium deal at RFK," Washington Business Journal

The DC Council's recent approval of a $3.8 billion stadium deal for the Commanders at the RFK site marks a significant shift in the city's approach to economic growth, aiming to diversify beyond reliance on federal funding. Council Chairman emphasizes the need for new strategies to bolster the local economy, reflecting a broader ambition for sustainable development.

• The stadium deal is projected to generate substantial economic growth, creating jobs and attracting tourism to the DC area.
• Council members highlighted the importance of revitalizing the RFK site, which has been largely underutilized since the stadium's closure.
• The initiative aims to enhance community engagement and provide recreational opportunities for local residents, integrating the stadium project into the urban landscape.

"USAF Starts Building Second F-16 ‘Super Squadron’ in Korea," Air & Space Forces Magazine

The US Air Force is establishing a second F-16 "Super Squadron" at Osan Air Base in South Korea, aimed at optimizing combat efficiency and readiness. This initiative will see the reassignment of thirty-one F-16s from Kunsan Air Base, as the Air Force tests the effectiveness of larger, consolidated squadrons over the next year.

• The relocation of 31 F-16s from Kunsan to Osan began on 28 July 2025, with a complete reassignment expected by October 2025, bringing the total number of F-16s at Osan to 31.
• This second phase of the "Super Squadron" initiative will assess maintenance, manpower, and logistics requirements, running through October 2026, and will increase the number of super squadrons at Osan from one to two.
• The initiative coincides with the retirement of A-10 close air support aircraft at Osan, which are being replaced by F-16s previously based in Japan as part of ongoing adjustments in US military capabilities in the region.