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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: June 19, 2026
NASA Uses Machine Learning to Enhance Flash Flood Warnings
(NASA Explore) Created with support from NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO), TACLS leverages machine learning to automatically locate evidence (unusual increases in atmospheric moisture) of impending flash flooding that meteorologists may otherwise miss as they analyze large amounts of data. TACLS flags that evidence, indicates where flash flooding could likely occur, and displays that information via a user-friendly visualization for human analysts to interpret. Those analysts can then decide whether to issue a flash flood warning or weather advisory. This novel framework for tracking extreme weather events and predicting imminent flash floods operates in near real-time, producing forecasts in as little as fifteen minutes. Read More
Federal Data: Congressional Action Needed to Improve Interoperability of Award and Payment Eligibility Data
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) “To help prevent payment errors and fraud, agencies can use over 100 federal data sources to verify recipients’ eligibility. We reviewed 9 of these sources and found data quality issues and flaws in their data management practices. Further, no governance body or rules exist to help ensure such data is interoperable—i.e., that it can be shared efficiently among systems. Without data improvements, it will be harder to use artificial intelligence and other tools to help find and prevent errors. We recommended that Congress consider assigning an agency to implement data standards and interoperability requirements for eligibility data sources.
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Want to join NGA? Bring AI skills, agency leader says
(Defense One) As the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency rebuilds its workforce after last year’s DOGE cuts, job applicants need to bring some AI proficiency, the agency’s associate operations director said Tuesday. “We’re hiring now, and every single new person we hire has to prove some capability of AI and data management,” Navy Rear Adm. Michael Baker said at the Defense One Tech Summit. “Every single new hire has to go through AI and data management training.” It’s not just the new employees, Baker said: “Every single old hire has to go through AI training and data management so that all of us are operating inside of the reality of what this ecosystem is.” Read More
US counterintelligence agency looks to AI to accelerate background checks
(NextGov/FCW) The nation’s largest counterintelligence unit aims to use artificial intelligence tools to speed security clearance reviews for people and companies seeking to do sensitive work on behalf of the government. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency can use AI to reduce parts of the vetting process from “months to hours,” said Mark Nehmer, an agency analytics and innovation chief who spoke Tuesday on a panel at the Defense One Tech Summit in Virginia. DCSA is the Defense Department’s main agency for conducting background investigations and vetting personnel for access to classified information, and serves as a key determinant for whether companies are eligible to work with military and intelligence agencies. Read More
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