Posted by
Cost Estimating NewsBrief: January 24, 2025
Army Uses Data-Sharing Tool to Address Weapons Supply Chain Issues
(Executive Gov) The U.S. Army has developed the Army Materiel Command Predictive Analysis Suite, or APAS, to facilitate easier information exchange with the Defense Logistics Agency and address supply chain issues. APAS, which became operational in December 2024, enables the Army to track DLA’s timeline for parts delivery and the agency’s acquisition budget, Defense One reported Friday. The data-sharing tool allows the service to better manage parts inventory to ensure that its weapons systems remain operational. Read More
Weapon Systems Acquisition: DOD Needs Better Planning to Attain Benefits of Modular Open Systems
(US Government Accountability Office) A “modular open systems approach” allows DOD to easily add or replace weapon parts over time—similar to plug-and-play computer parts. Deciding on this kind of approach early helps DOD save time and money on upgrades and maintenance later. DOD often cited short-term costs as a hurdle to this approach. But it didn’t analyze whether those costs outweighed potential long-term benefits like faster upgrades. Also, DOD doesn’t consistently coordinate these types of design decisions across weapon programs—possibly missing opportunities to save money by sharing common parts. We recommended that DOD improve how it uses modular open systems approaches. Read More
Industry launches $100B AI-infrastructure effort to keep ahead of China
(NextGov/FCW) Oracle, OpenAI, and investors in Japan and the UAE have launched a $100 billion effort to build data centers to run AI applications, an indication of how the U.S.-China race for artificial intelligence is beginning to turn on sheer computing power instead of clever programming. Oracle has already begun building 10 data centers in Texas of a half-million square feet apiece for the project, dubbed Stargate, CEO Larry Ellison said Tuesday at a White House press conference. “That will expand to 20, and other locations,” Ellison said. Read More
Finland signs on to Artemis Accords
(Moon Daily) Finland became the 53rd nation to join NASA’s Artemis Accords on Tuesday as the space agency continued to build global support for responsible manned exploration of the moon. The signing happened during the Winter Satellite Workshop in Espoo, Finland. The country’s Economic Affairs Minister Wille Rydman said Finland has participated and has had a long interest in space exploration and looks forward to taking part in the next chapter of discovery. “The signing of the Artemis Accords is in line with Finland’s newly updated space strategy that highlights the importance of international cooperation and of strengthening partnerships with the United States and other allies,” Rydman said in a statement released by NASA. Read More
ICEAA’s NewsBrief is a collection of articles relevant to the cost estimating and analysis community that is delivered weekly to current ICEAA members. To advertise in NewsBrief, contact iceaa@iceaaonline.org.