USA (Washington Insider Magazine) – In a significant policy shift, President Biden announced an executive order on Tuesday that restricts migrants from accessing the U.S. asylum screening system at the southern border. This action is triggered when undocumented border crossings average 2,500 per day, a threshold currently exceeded. As a result, asylum seekers will be unable to cross until daily crossings fall below 1,500.
The executive order not only suspends the entry of non-citizens crossing the southern border without documentation but also aims to fortify the asylum screening process and enhance immigration enforcement. President Biden emphasized the need for this proclamation, stating it is essential to address the unprecedented levels of migration and improve the efficiency of processing migrants given current resources.
U.S. Army Issues RFI for Software Development Support
In a move to bolster its technological capabilities, the U.S. Army has released a Request for Information (RFI) for a new ten-year, multiple-award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, potentially valued at over $1 billion. Managed by the Army Materials Command (AMC) and Army Contracting Command (ACC), this initiative seeks to procure software development support for military operations.
The contract will require the awardee to develop custom software products, modify existing systems, facilitate software as a service, and enhance software security and hosting. Responses to the RFI are due by June 10.
Palantir Secures DoD Contract for AI Platform
The Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded Palantir a $480 million contract for its prototype called Maven Smart System. This advanced AI intelligence-gathering platform consolidates data from various sources to pinpoint military points of interest and streamline the work of intelligence analysts. The contract is expected to conclude in May 2029.
Maven Smart Systems is currently operational across multiple commands, including the Joint Staff at the Pentagon and Combatant Commands such as Central Command and European Command. With this contract, the Pentagon may expand Maven Smart Systems to additional Combatant Commands.
U.S. Marines Acquire Tactical Robots
Amidst the growing demand for unmanned platforms, the U.S. Marine Corps has procured 200 tactical robots from Israeli company Roboteam for $30 million. This order includes the 15-kilogram Micro Tactical Ground Robot (MTGR), a man-portable system equipped with treads and a manipulator arm for object investigation, communication, and optics handling.
The initial order encompasses 130 units, with plans for Roboteam to complete the delivery of the full order of 200 by the first quarter of 2025.
NATO to Enhance Intelligence Sharing with Ukraine
NATO member states, including the U.S., are set to bolster cooperation with Ukraine in defense technology and intelligence sharing regarding Russia’s electronic warfare capabilities. A formal agreement outlining new frameworks for information sharing is expected to be finalized before the alliance’s upcoming July Summit in Washington.
This initiative aims to transform Ukraine into a significant tech provider post-war while also allowing NATO to learn from Ukraine’s rapid adoption and deployment of technology since the conflict began in 2021.
